Natural face serums and toners: vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, rosehip and witch hazel

A natural face serum is a light, concentrated step that goes on after cleansing and before moisturizer, and a toner or mist is the quick refresher before it. If your skin feels tight from the wind or dull from indoor heat, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil and witch hazel cover most of what people come in asking for.

This guide sorts the serums and toners on our shelves by key ingredient and skin type, since each one targets a different need. Moisturizers have their own guide, natural face moisturizer for winter skin, so here we stick to the skincare products that come before the cream.

What's the difference between a toner, a serum and a moisturizer?

You don't need all three. Many people with oily skin use a toner and a light serum, while very dry skin may skip toner and go straight to a serum and a richer cream.

Where does a serum go in a skincare routine?

1. Cleanse. Start with freshly cleansed skin after washing your face, morning and night.
2. Tone or mist. The first step after cleansing: sweep on a witch hazel toner with a cotton pad, or spritz a hydrosol, and leave skin a little damp and refreshed.
3. Serum. Press a few drops into damp skin on the face and neck. Water-based serums go on before oils.
4. Moisturize. Follow with your usual cream to lock the hydration in. Eye cream, if you use one, goes on before it.
5. Sunscreen by day. Especially with vitamin C, finish with SPF, then makeup if you wear it.

What does vitamin C serum do?

A vitamin C serum is an antioxidant step that helps skin look bright, radiant and more even in skin tone. Most natural vitamin C serums use stable forms of vitamin C, which keep their strength in the bottle better than plain ascorbic acid. Some, like Derma E's, also help soften the appearance of fine lines. Use it in the morning under moisturizer and sunscreen, and keep the cap on tight and the bottle out of the sun.

Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum uses sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a stable form that doesn't oxidize in the bottle, with hyaluronic acid, aloe, green tea, rosehip seed oil and vitamin E in a fairly gentle formula. Pacifica Sea & C Love pairs a stable vitamin C with kelp, seaweed and algae extracts in a light water-based gel, and it's vegan. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum adds vitamin E and ferulic acid, with konjac root and chamomile to keep it gentle for sensitive skin. Antipodes Glow Ritual gets its vitamin C from Kakadu plum, in a 100% natural-origin vegan gel.

What does hyaluronic acid serum do?

Hyaluronic acid holds many times its weight in water, so a hyaluronic acid serum helps bind moisture to the skin and leaves it looking plump and smooth. On labels it often appears as sodium hyaluronate. It's one of the most helpful steps for dehydrated skin. Dehydration is a lack of water rather than oil, the tight, papery feeling that can show up on any skin type in winter, even oily skin.

Apply it to damp skin and follow with moisturizer, which seals the hydration in. Derma E Ultra Hydrating Serum is a lightweight hyaluronic acid serum with vitamin C ester and panthenol, and it suits normal to oily skin on its own or as a layer under cream. Beauty From Bees Day Face Serum is built around 2% hyaluronic acid with squalane, glycerin and probiotic ferments, with no added fragrance; Beauty From Bees is a Canadian brand started by a mother of four. OM Organics Youth Infusion is an oil-free elixir with small-molecule hyaluronic acid on an aloe and rose water base that leaves no sticky residue, and NOW Hyaluronic Acid Serum keeps it simple in a small bottle.

Is rosehip oil good for your face?

Rosehip seed oil is a light, fast-absorbing face oil that's naturally rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, and many people use it for a soft, even-looking complexion. You can put it straight on your face: press a few drops into damp skin at night, or mix a drop into your moisturizer.

Skin Essence Rosehip Seed Oil is a single ingredient, certified organic, cold-pressed and unrefined, and it suits all skin types, including sensitive skin. Naka Pure Rosehip Oil is certified organic in a 60 mL bottle; Naka is a Canadian company based in Ontario. evanhealy Blue rosehip serum blends organic rosehip seed and jojoba oils with blue chamomile and immortelle, especially lovely for dry, sensitive and mature skin, and its Sea Algae Serum uses bio-fermented kelp and Atlantic algae as a base layer under moisturizer, sunscreen or makeup.

What does a witch hazel toner do?

Witch hazel is a plant extract long used as a simple toner. Swept over clean skin with a cotton pad, it lifts the last of your cleanser, refreshes and leaves skin feeling clean without being stripped. It's also a quick way to lift sweat and excess oil after a workout. Alcohol-free formulas are the gentle choice for daily use before your serum.

Thayers alcohol-free toners use the brand's own non-distilled witch hazel, which keeps the plant's natural tannins, blended with certified organic aloe vera. Rose Petal is the classic; Cucumber is pH balanced and gentle enough for sensitive skin. Naka Witch Hazel + Aloe Vera adds lavender water and ginseng in a big 360 mL bottle, and Earthwise Alcohol Free Witch Hazel is a plain witch hazel that doubles as an aftershave or a base for homemade mists.

Hydrosols and face mists

A hydrosol is the fragrant water left after distilling plants, and it makes a soft, refreshing toner you spray on instead of sweeping. Mist it over your face after cleansing, then press in your serum while skin is still damp. evanhealy Rose Geranium Hydrosol is 100% organic rose geranium, copper-distilled in small batches, and its Frankincense hydrosol is distilled from frankincense resin. Heritage Store Rosewater is just water and rose flower oil, and it keeps nicely in the fridge for a cool summer spritz.

A Nova Scotia original: The Cure Skincare

The Cure Skincare started here in Nova Scotia and is now made in small batches in Hamilton, Ontario. Its Face & Neck Serum blends perilla, pumpkin seed and tamanu oils with Irish sea moss, aloe vera gel and vitamin E, finished with ylang ylang and vetiver, and it's made for all skin types and ages. A few drops morning and evening go on clean skin before moisturizer. Because each batch is made by hand, the colour and scent can vary a little from bottle to bottle. Pair it with the Boosting Mist above: mist, pat, then serum.

The Cure SkincareFace & Neck SerumPerilla, pumpkin seed and tamanu oils with Irish sea moss and aloe. Handmade in small batches.Shop →

A good routine is short: cleanse, a quick mist or toner, a few drops of serum, then moisturizer.

Which serum suits your skin type?

For oily skin that still wants an oil, Skin Essence Light Facial Moisturizer Serum is a jojoba and kukui nut oil blend that's non-comedogenic and is absorbed in about five minutes, with no stickiness, so it layers well under other products.

Skin EssenceLight Facial Moisturizer SerumJojoba and kukui nut oils for oily skin. Non-comedogenic.Shop →

Questions we get a lot

Can I use vitamin C serum every day?

Yes. Most vitamin C serums are made for daily use, usually in the morning before moisturizer and sunscreen. Two to four drops is plenty for the face and neck.

Can I use hyaluronic acid serum every day?

Yes, morning, night or both. Apply it to damp skin and follow with moisturizer so the hydration stays in.

Is it okay to use witch hazel toner every day?

An alcohol-free witch hazel toner is gentle enough for morning and night. Sweep it on with a cotton pad after cleansing and before your serum.

Can I put rosehip oil directly on my face?

Yes. Pure rosehip seed oil can go straight on clean, damp skin, or you can blend it half and half with your moisturizer. A little goes a long way.

What can I use instead of a face serum?

A hydrosol mist followed by a face oil or a rich moisturizer covers a lot of the same ground. For more on creams and balms, see our face moisturizer guide.

You'll find face serums, toners and mists in the skin care section at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.

Sources: product labels and listings for the items shown. This article is general information, not medical advice.