Yes they absolutely are! It depends on the type of serum you choose:

Specific anti-acne serums:

Beta hydroxy acid (BHA/salicylic acid) serums or other anti-acne serums are the best for tackling acne. BHA serum is particularly good as it’s oil-soluble and so can get into the pores and exfoliate the pore lining from within. This means less congestion of pores, and hence less acne. BHA is also anti-inflammatory, so it calms down redness in blemishes while going about its business.

Retinol serum is also fab if you have spots, as it reduces oil production in the skin by shrinking the oil glands. It also helps with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that can be left behind after you’ve had acne, and improves skin repair, by encouraging collagen production in the skin, to heal the damage from acne lesions.

Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) reduces both oil production and inflammation, so it’s great for treating acne-prone skin.

Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient which sinks through oil and sebum into the follicles, exfoliating the lining of the pores and hence clearing them out. It’s also anti-inflammatory and kills the bacteria that can cause spots, so it’s a brilliant ingredient for combating acne.

Serums containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid have a superficial exfoliating effect on the skin which can prevent pores from blocking up and becoming inflamed.

Serums that reduce inflammation:

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (an antioxidant found in green tea) helps to reduce inflammation.

Growth factor serums, such as TGF-beta (transforming growth factor beta) can reduce both inflammation and the pigmentation left behind by acne by speeding up the wound-healing process.

Serums that boost healing in the skin:

Serums containing retinol or other retinoids encourage the growth of new collagen, which speeds up skin healing.

Vitamin C serum, which is an antioxidant, assists with the production of collagen in the skin, and helps boost skin healing that way.
Antioxidant serums containing vitamin E help to heal the skin more quickly, too

Serums are great for acne, but you may need slightly more help than an over-the-counter product can give – if so, speak to a dermatologist.

How often you should use an anti-acne serum depends on the type of serum – for example, you should only use a retinol serum at night, and you should use it less frequently than other kinds of anti-acne serums because of its potential to irritate the skin, and the long gap (three days) that exists between application of the retinol and the irritation it can cause showing up in the skin.

Because of this variability in serum types, it’s hard to give general advice, so I’d suggest that you follow the instructions on the packaging. Remember, it’s important to be cautious with your usage – particularly if the product contains either benzoyl peroxide or retinol.

When you do apply the serum, do it after cleansing, patting the product into the skin with your fingers. Wipe the serum over the face, and allow it to sink into the skin fully before applying the next product in your routine.

It’s more likely that a cream would provoke acne than a serum, because serums are usually lightweight treatment products and less likely to congest the skin. Creams that contain oil-based ingredients are more likely to block the pores and aggravate inflammation in the skin.

Serums for the face can be brilliant for acne – but it entirely depends on which serum you choose. As outlined above, the best serums contain ingredients like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, BHA (salicylic acid), niacinamide or an alpha hydroxy acid. However, others can be helpful, such as those that reduce inflammation or the pigmentation that acne can leave behind.