Cosmetic serums have long been a product for salon use and are very expensive.Now they have become more accessible, but not everyone knows when and how to use them.What is a serum, how to use it correctly for the face and whether everyone needs it - we will find out so as not to harm our skin.
What is Serum?
Women often ask whether such a product is even necessary when they can use face cream.Serums differ from creams in that they have an increased concentration of active ingredients.Unlike extracts or extracts, there can be several of them and in different proportions.And if cream is a cosmetic product for daily facial care, serums are intended to solve a specific problem.They usually have a homogeneous consistency and can be oil or water based.It depends on what environment is best for the ingredients contained.
What is a facial serum for?
It is used when conventional skin care products do not solve the currently most relevant problem of facial skin.The serum helps to quickly achieve the desired effect - for example, get rid of acne, eliminate dehydration, reduce or remove wrinkles.Before using a facial serum, you need to know what composition you need to get the expected result.Thanks to its nourishing ingredients and light consistency, it has a very intensive effect on the skin:
- refreshes and improves complexion;deeply moisturizes the skin;
- works against rosacea;
- restores elasticity and firmness to the epidermis;
- slows down aging processes;
- removes age spots;
- rejuvenates, eliminates early signs of aging;
- quickly improves the appearance of the dermis;
- eliminates acne spots and marks.
If your skin is in good condition, you should not use the serum.Since this is a cosmetic product with a narrow scope of application, when choosing it, you should carefully study its composition, focusing not on your skin type, but primarily on the problem that you need to get rid of.
What are the means
Based on the problems that facial serums solve, they come in different types:
- soothing – intended for sensitive skin, contains herbal extracts, niacinamide, allantoin, neurosensin;
- Serums for problematic, acne-prone skin – contain antiseptic substances and components that regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands: zinc, retinoids, propolis, AHA and BHA acids, herbal extracts;
- moisturizing - for dehydrated and sensitive dermis, with glycerin, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid.Such facial serums are used when you feel dry skin and a lack of moisture in summer.Can be used twice daily - morning and evening;
- to combat pigmentation - contain arbutin, vitamin C, retinoids, azelaic acid;
- Exfoliating – helps remove dead skin particles, with lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.Such serums should be used in the evening;
- Anti-aging lifting serums – help eliminate sagging skin, smooth wrinkles, increase skin tone and slow down the aging process.They contain antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, vitamin C and retinol in high concentrations.
You should also learn how to use a facial serum depending on its composition and purpose.For example, a serum with retinol should only be used in the evening.It is also better to use a serum to combat pigmentation only in the evening, and during the day to protect your face from ultraviolet radiation with sunscreen.
Some active ingredients can be influenced by the environment.Therefore, serums with retinoids or vitamin C are available in opaque packaging.It should be stored in a dark place and minimize contact with air.
How to use serum correctly
Typically, facial serum is produced in a container with a dispenser, in microcapsules or a pipette is included in the packaging.This minimizes contact with air and allows the serum to be used sparingly.Before using a facial serum, you must follow the rules of use and first cleanse your skin:
- Remove cosmetics and impurities with micellar water or hydrophilic oil.
- Use foam or gel for washing.
- Spray tonic to tone skin.
When applying serum, it is important to know when to stop.4-5 drops are enough to treat the entire face.To achieve maximum effect on the skin, you can apply it in two ways.
Method 1. Apply the facial serum to your fingertips and spread quickly without rubbing.Apply quickly to the face, following the massage lines.Then use gentle finger pressure to remove any product residue that has not yet been absorbed.It is important to remember that the serum is absorbed almost immediately, so you should not delay.
Method 2 is best for applying the oil serum properly.Apply it to your fingers and gently rub your palms together to evenly distribute and warm the serum.Place your palms on your face with gentle movements, applying some pressure.
Then wait 5-10 minutes for the serum to absorb and then apply a cream that complements the serum and strengthens the skin's protective barrier.It is advisable to combine cosmetic products from the same line - this way they complement each other better, ensure quick results and the effect lasts longer.