Effective home skin care consists of several steps, one of which is the use of a serum. This cosmetic product allows you to quickly obtain the desired result: to unify the skin tone, cleanse it of inflammatory elements or make it fresher and more elastic. But you can only get the effect if you choose and use the serum correctly.
Advertising for facial serums can be very attractive and promising. It is easy to believe that it is a magical elixir. Actually, in order not to be disappointed and not to harm your skin, you need to be very critical of marketing tricks and carefully approach your choice. Spoiler alert: serums are working. But sometimes it doesn't work as you expected.
Any serum is an oil and water based emulsion. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two phases of the emulsion, they can be distinguished:
- Homogeneous, liquid emulsions that consist more of an aqueous phase. These serums are preferable to use in summer or if you are not going out in winter, and also as night care.
- emulsions consisting mainly of an oil phase. These serums are intended to restore the lipid substance of the epidermis and are perfect for use in the cold season.
Why are serums needed in care and can they be used instead of a cream?
Most serums are used as an under cream and not as a standalone product. Due to its chemical formula, serum provides greater bioavailability of the substances that make up its composition. In other words, by using a serum, you will be able to quickly deliver the necessary substances to the skin and thus get an effect.
Serums cannot replace cream, as it is the cream that "closes" the serum, allowing it to work fully. If you live where the climate is dry and there is not enough moisture in the air, be sure to apply the cream on top of the glycerin serums. Only in this case, such a serum will really hydrate the skin.
What expectations will the serum meet?
The main goal of home care, in addition to treating and correcting existing problems, is prevention. And the serum is exactly the product that will help you avoid many problems in the future.dermatologist, cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum that has sun protection properties, then the likelihood of age spots appearing on your face is much lower. And pigmentation is a very persistent blemish, which is quite difficult to get rid of. And sure, it is long and expensive, since a full course of serious medical procedures will be required: fractional rejuvenation, peeling, injection of special drugs. In addition, the matter is with the preservation of the water lipid mantle, optimal humidity, maintenance of the elastic properties of the If you create conditions for the skin in which it can fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nutrition, oxygen, do not allow the metabolism and antioxidant system of the skin to "sleep", this becomes noticeable not only for you .
The use of serums on a regular basis makes the skin well-groomed, eliminates existing or less obvious problems, replenishes the deficiencies of biologically active substances - vitamins, micro and macro elements. Serums are a simple and affordable replacement therapy, providing all the effects we buy a product for.
The most popular are serums with antioxidants, peptides, and acids. Depending on the combination of these components, the product has a particular effect. "
There are serums designed to solve and prevent specific problems.
Serums that stimulate skin regeneration
Serums with a pronounced effect of stimulating skin regeneration, and this is exactly what we mean by the word "rejuvenation". These are products that contain retinol, that is, vitamin A. The concentration is not less than 0. 2%. Pay attention to the fact that the composition contains exactly retinol, and not its derivatives. Because most of the retinol derivatives, or their preforms in beta-carotene format, will have an antioxidant effect (protect against oxidative stress) and will not stimulate cell growth and division or skin renewal.
Lifting serum for aging skin
The main biologically active components of such funds are peptides intended to reduce mimic wrinkles, or peptides that stimulate collagen and antioxidants, which help prevent the oxidation of cell lipids and the destruction of cell membranes. These serums restore the tone and density of aging skin, thus achieving a lifting effect.
Botulinum Serums
Serums that contain a complex of peptides with botulinum effect: argireline, sineik similar to botox, are indicated for those who wish to prolong the effect of botulinum therapy. Or you can use this tool as a standalone tool to minimize visits to an esthetician for botulinum toxin injections. As you already understood, these serums smooth out fine lines.
Brightening serums
The product is used to even out the skin tone. It can include peptides, retinol, and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as a photoprotective agent. Thus, we prevent photoaging, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and we do not overload the skin with sanitary protectors. I would like to point out that absolutely everyone needs to use cosmetics with sun protection properties all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive and fair skin, prone to the formation of age spots. Regular use of such serums will help to gently correct and "fade" freckles.
Serums for oily and problem skin
They usually contain acids, substances that reduce sebum production, and ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and pore-tightening effects. As a rule, they contain: niocinamide, components of seawater, represented by trace elements: silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serums can be recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of blackheads on their face. Glycolic acid serums reduce milia formation, closed comedones, and stimulate cell division.
Serums for dry skin
The serum with vitamins C and E will help restore the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated, and flaky skin. These serums are recommended for those who have already appeared or have just begun to form a mesh of fine wrinkles and early pigmentation. And also for those who want to postpone the appearance of these signs of aging for as long as possible.
I would also like to mention serums that contain mandelic acid, which is an excellent mild keratolytic and can be used even on very dry skin and also on aging skin as a rejuvenating peel.
It is important to understand that the final effect of the use of the serum should not be evaluated before a month and a half. It is during this time that the skin will have time to completely renew itself.
How to use the serum correctly?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids, the action of which is aimed at exfoliating and stimulating skin renewal, it is recommended to use it as an evening component of home care. If the serum contains mainly antioxidants that act as filters for ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to use such serum in the morning. If you have a tendency to puffiness on your face, you should not use moisturizing serums at night before going to bed. In fact, in this case, the puffiness on the face will manifest itself more strongly. But as morning care, these products are perfect.
Errors when using serum
- A common mistake is mixing several incompatible serums. Most often, another serum is applied over a serum. In most cases, this leads to the fact that one or both tools do not work at the same time. If you want to solve more than one problem, choose a universal serum with vitamins C and E. If you are concerned about a specific problem, choose a specially designed serum.
- Another common mistake is the lack of attention to the shelf life of the serum. Having opened a tube or a jar, many people forget about it. But the serums are active three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Write down the date you opened the serum. It is convenient to do it in a journal or in a special application.
- Storing the serum in the wrong place is another big mistake. Do you see where your products are? If they are kept on a window sill, in active sunlight or near radiators and heating devices, in a bathroom, where there is moisture and heat, the components of the serum will degrade faster. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A handy plastic container will work for you and will be kept in a dark closet in your bedroom. And before your morning or evening home care session, you will receive it.
- If you have sensitive and irritable skin, try to avoid an abundance of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product will not be stored open for a long time. But, if you see that the serum contains preservatives like phenoxyethanol, parabens, you better refuse to use such product. Otherwise, the skin may become even more dry and irritated after using the serum (which should have solved the problem) than before using it.
- Pay attention to the amount of dyes in the serum. Most often they are marked CL on the label, which means color (color - ing. ) And if you see several types listed in the composition, in addition to the fact that the parfum or the brand of the fragrance is a scented fragrance, then know that it is better not to use such a product.