What Even Is a Serum? (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Fancy Water)
Let’s be real - when most people hear the word serum, they picture something clear, silky, water-like, and probably expensive in a little glass dropper. You might think it’s just a thinner moisturizer or a bougie step between toner and cream. But here’s the truth: serum isn’t about texture - it’s about penetration. (Yeah, we said it.)
In skincare science, a serum is defined by its ability to absorb deeper into the skin. It’s formulated with smaller molecules than traditional creams or lotions, meaning it can travel past the surface and actually get to work in the layers where your skin needs it most. That’s why powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C usually show up in serum form - they’re not there to sit pretty on top, they’re there to make a difference.
At ITP Beauty, we took that seriously when we created Daily Bawse - our EWG-Verified™, tinted SPF serum. It’s not just a multitasker; it’s a whole damn overachiever. It hydrates, balances pH, gives a sheer-tinted glow, protects from the sun, and nourishes the skin with peptides, radish root, vitamin E, and more. All without clogging your pores or requiring a 10-step routine. It’s the one product we needed but couldn’t find - so we made it ourselves.
Here’s the kicker: the beauty market is flooded with products labeled “serum,” but fewer than 5% are actually EWG Verified™. That means most are loaded with questionable ingredients, hidden fragrances, or worse - known carcinogens and potential toxins. Daily Bawse is different. No red dye #40, no endocrine disruptors, no fluff. Just effective, transparent, clean beauty.
And why should you care? Because your skin is your largest organ. It absorbs what you feed it. Knowing how products work - and what’s in them - helps you choose better. And choosing better means trusting that your everyday essentials are doing more than just sitting on your skin.
So the next time someone tells you they’ve got a great “serum,” ask them how deep it really goes.
Because now, you know the difference.
X Oni~