Everything you need to know about Typology tinted serums.

Halfway between skincare and make-up, the serum foundation is a hybrid formula that both evens out the complexion and conceals imperfections, while providing the nourishing and hydrating properties of a serum. It offers a light, buildable coverage and a natural, luminous finish.

At Typology, we offer you a tinted serum composed of 99% naturally derived ingredients. It is enriched with active ingredients such as vitamin C for a radiant complexion and olive squalane and aloe vera to hydrate the skin. Moreover, this 2-in-1 product is suitable for sensitive skin and contains no fragrance. Our tinted serum also excludes nanoparticles and silicones, controversial ingredients frequently found in traditional foundation formulations. Moreover, its ultra-fine texture does not clog pores.

The tinted serum easily adapts to all skin types thanks to its lightweight, non-greasy texture, which blends instantly without leaving a tacky film.

This fineness makes it an ideal choice for combination to oily skin, which seeks a product capable of evening out the complexion without accentuating shine. Its moisturising properties also render it fully compatible with dry skin, providing comfort. Formulated without fragrance and with carefully selected ingredients to minimise the risk of irritation, the complexion serum is also suitable for sensitive or reactive skin that poorly tolerates more conventional formulations.

Its appeal also lies in its ability to adapt to all skin tones. Indeed, this formulation is available in various shades and blends equally with both very fair and darker complexions. The tinted facial serum thus delivers a natural, seamless finish and is conceived as a universal product designed to enhance every complexion.

To apply a tinted serum, it’s quite simple. You only need to know where it fits into your skincare routine. Despite its name, it does not replace a conventional serum, nor a moisturiser : its formulation is different and, while it does provide care for the skin, it cannot substitute for a serum rich in active ingredients or for a cream formulated to keep the skin hydrated and protected throughout the day.

In practice, its use more closely resembles that of a foundation or a BB cream. After thoroughly cleansing your skin, apply your regular serum, then your moisturiser to establish a balanced and comfortable base. Then dispense a few drops of tinted serum — more or less depending on the desired effect — then blend the product from the centre of the face outwards to achieve a uniform, natural finish. You can apply it with your fingers for a more transparent result, with a brush for greater precision, or with a sponge for a velvety effect. Remember to blend the texture lightly into the neck to avoid any demarcation.

Which makeup remover should be used to remove a tinted serum?

As with foundation, it is essential to remove a tinted facial serum before going to bed. The make-up removal is generally very straightforward: a cleansing oil or an oily balm allows effective pigment dissolution while preserving the hydrolipidic film. Gently massage your face in circular motions to loosen impurities and deeply cleanse pores before rinsing with lukewarm water.

If your skin is neither fragile nor prone to eczema or atopy, a micellar water may also be suitable. However, we advise rinsing the micellar water with lukewarm water after use to remove any residual surfactants that could potentially irritate your skin. Then finish with a gentle cleanser to eliminate all traces of the product and prepare your skin for your night-time routine.

Because the formula of tinted serums evolves in two phases – initially fluid and malleable, then perfectly fused with the skin once dry – it is common to make a few mistakes during application. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

• Neglecting to hydrate the skin in advance.

  Even though tinted serums contain hydrating ingredients such as olive squalane or aloe vera, they are no substitute for a targeted serum or a moisturiser. Applying the product to inadequately hydrated skin can result in an uneven finish, overly rapid absorption or a sensation of discomfort. Well-hydrated skin provides a better base and ensures a uniform, luminous result.

• Neglecting to remove makeup.

  Whichever tinted product is used, it must be removed in the evening. Leaving a foundation serum on the skin overnight can slow cellular turnover and encourage the formation of blemishes. A thorough cleansing enables the skin to regenerate effectively and absorb the active ingredients applied during the evening routine.

• Do not wait for the formula to dry before judging the hue.

  Immediately after application, the tinted serum may appear slightly lighter or darker than your skin tone. This is normal: the formulation stabilises as it dries. Only when it is completely dry can you accurately discern the true colour.

The advantage of tint serums lies in their two-in-one action, which clearly sets them apart from traditional foundations. Formulated with hydrating and nourishing actives similar to those in a serum, they begin by strengthening the skin barrier, enhancing skin softness and suppleness over successive applications. Furthermore, the serum lays down a tinted veil that subtly unifies the complexion, diminishes irregularities and imparts a natural radiance without any visible texture. In contrast, most classic foundations focus solely on coverage or the visual correction of imperfections, without actively contributing to skin balance. This can sometimes lead to a "plastered" and unnatural result.

It's not always easy to choose the right shade of foundation or tinted serum. Based on the classification of phototypes of FITZPATRICK which categorises six skin tones according to their colour and reaction to sun exposure, our range of tinted serums is available in the following six shades:

• Type I : Very fair skin with freckles. It never tans but presents a high risk of sunburn.

• Type II : Light skin that reddens in sunlight but sometimes acquires a slight tan and is frequently prone to sunburn.

• Type III : Light to medium skin that occasionally reddens and gradually tans (light tanning).

• Type IV : Moderately pigmented (medium brown) skin that tans well (deep tan) with occasional sunburns during intense sun exposure.

• Type V : Brown skin that tans easily (producing a very dark tan) with infrequent sunburns.

• Type VI : Black skin that darkens in sunlight and very rarely experiences sunburn.

Furthermore, given the product’s light coverage, a single shade can in fact adapt to various skin tones.