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The One Serum You Need If You Have Combination Skin

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Oh, combination skin. One zone is oily, one is dry, and the other is plain old normal. Greaaat. While multi-masking is fun to do on self-care Sunday, we definitely don't have the time or the commitment level to do it every day. So how do we even out our skin without playing Jenga with products? A serum with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA) or a combo of both.

Hear us out. Acid sounds like a scary word, but it won't burn your face off; it will make it glow. It's great at gently sloughing off dead cells to reveal newer, softer skin without any of the harsh scrubbing of physical exfoliators. While AHAs work on your skin's surface and are better for dry to normal skin, BHAs work on the surface and within the pore and favor oily or sensitive skin. As a general rule, if most of your problem areas are dry, go for AHA; if most are oily or you have sensitive skin, use BHA; and if you truly have a mash-up of skin types, use a serum with both. Ready to *glow*? Here are four of our favorite exfoliating serums.

The Best Face Serum for Oily Skin


drunk elephant night serum
Amazon

Drunk Elephant T.l.c. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

Made with 12 percent AHA/BHA, this night formula truly reveals a glowing complexion without irritating your skin.

the ordinary
Amazon

The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30ml Aha 30% + Bha 2%

If your skin isn't sensitive, the high concentration of AHA in this serum will do wonders. Just don't use it more than twice per week (that's how potent it is).

skinceuticals c aha
Dermstore

Skinceuticals C + Aha

Need to fight the signs of aging, too? This serum is formulated with vitamin C to prevent UVA and UVB damage while boosting collagen production for fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

fab aha
Dermstore

First Aid Beauty Fab Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid 10% Aha

Boosted with not one but four types of alpha hydroxy acid and antioxidants, this multi-action treatment diminishes signs of aging, dark spots, enlarged pores and dryness in one fell swoop.



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Brianna Lapolla formerly held the role of Senior Commerce Editor at PureWow covering all things shopping across beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Now, she's putting her 12 years of professional experience to use on a freelance basis. When she's not typing away, you can find her somewhere in Europe or at home catering to her dog, King Louis.