Occasionally, though, serums can actually cause acne—so proceed with caution. "They can lead to breakouts—especially if you're using the wrong one for your skin type," says Green.

Is serum good for pimples?

In addition to exfoliating and purifying your pores of dirt, oil, sweat and impurities, the best acne serums for clear skin also help prevent future breakouts from forming by rebalancing sebum production and killing acne-causing bacteria.

Is it normal to breakout after using serum?

Before you start to panic, keep in mind that any pimples that seem to “pop out of nowhere” when you start using new skincare products are normal, and once they clear up, they should stay away as long as you continue to use the products. This is the biggest difference between skin purging and breakouts.