Effective skin care at home consists of several steps, one of which is the use of a serum. With this cosmetic product you can quickly achieve the desired result: equalize skin tone, cleanse it of inflammatory elements or make it fresher and more elastic. However, you can only achieve the effect if you correctly select and apply the serum.
Advertising for facial serums can be very compelling and promising. It's easy to believe that this is actually a magical elixir. In order not to be disappointed and not to harm your skin, you need to be very critical of marketing tricks and approach your choice carefully. Spoiler alert: Serums work. But sometimes it doesn't work the way you expect it to.
Each serum is an oil and water based emulsion. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two phases of the emulsion, a distinction can be made:
- liquid, homogeneous emulsions that tend to consist of an aqueous phase. These serums are preferably used in summer or when you don't go out in winter, and also as an evening care product.
- Emulsions that mainly consist of an oil phase. These serums aim to restore the lipid substance of the epidermis and are perfect for the cold season.
Why are serums needed in care and can they be used instead of a cream?
Most serums are used as an undercream rather than a standalone product. Due to its chemical formula, whey offers a higher bioavailability of the substances that make it up. In other words, with a serum you can quickly add the necessary substances to the skin and thus achieve an effect.
Serums cannot replace the cream as it is the cream that "seals" the serum so that it can work completely. If you live in a dry climate and the air does not have enough moisture, be sure to apply the cream on serums with glycerin. Only in this case will such a serum really moisturize 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 whey is exactly the product that will help you avoid a lot of problems in the future.Dermatologist, beautician Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum with sun protection properties, the chances of getting age spots on your face are much lower. And pigmentation is a very persistent defect that is quite difficult to get rid of. And safe - it is long and expensive, since it requires a whole series of serious medical procedures - fractional resurfacing, peeling, injection of special drugs. It is also about maintaining the water-lipid coat, optimal moisture, and maintaining the elastic properties of the skin. If you create conditions for the skin to fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nourishment, oxygen, not let the skin's metabolism and antioxidant system "fall asleep", it will not only be felt by you.
Regular use of serums nourishes the skin, eliminates or less obvious existing problems, replenishes the lack of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro and macro elements. Serums are a simple and inexpensive replacement therapy that achieves all of the effects for which we buy a product.
The most popular are serums with antioxidants, peptides, and acids. Depending on the combination of these components, the product develops a special effect. "
There are serums that are designed to solve and prevent certain problems.
Serums that stimulate skin regeneration
Serums with a pronounced skin-regenerating effect, and that is exactly what we mean by the word "rejuvenation". These are products that contain retinol, which is vitamin A. The concentration is not less than 0. 2%. Make sure that the composition contains exactly retinol, and not its derivatives. Most retinol derivatives - or its preforms in beta-carotene format - have an antioxidant effect (protect against oxidative stress) and do not stimulate cell growth, cell division or skin renewal.
Lifting serum for aging skin
The main biologically active ingredients of such agents are peptides for reducing expression lines or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants that prevent the oxidation of cell lipids and the destruction of cell membranes. Such serums restore tone and density to aging skin, creating a lifting effect.
Botulinum sera
Serums containing a complex of peptides with botulinum-like effects: Argireline, Botox-like sineik, are indicated for those who want to prolong the effects of botulinum therapy. Or, you can use this tool as a standalone tool to minimize visits to a beautician for botulinum toxin injections. As you already understood, such serums smooth out expression lines.
Lightening serums
The product is used to even out skin tone. May contain peptides, retinol and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as sunscreens. In this way we prevent photoaging, including pigmentation and wrinkling, and do not overload the skin with hygienic protection. I want to point out that absolutely everyone must use cosmetics with sun protection properties all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive, fair skin prone to the formation of age spots. Regular use of such serums helps to gently correct freckles and "darken" them slightly.
Serums for oily and problematic 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 sea water, represented by trace elements - silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serums can be recommended for those looking to reduce the severity of blackheads on the face. Glycolic acid serums reduce the formation of milia, closed comedones and stimulate cell division.
Serums for dry skin
Serum with vitamin C and E helps restore the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated, and flaky skin. Such serums are recommended for those who have already appeared or have just started to form a network of fine wrinkles and early pigmentation. And also for those who want to delay the appearance of these signs of aging as much as possible.
I would also like to mention serums with mandelic acid, which are an excellent mild keratolytic and can also be used as a rejuvenating peeling on very dry skin and also on aging skin.
It is important to understand that the final effect of using the serum should be assessed no earlier than in a month and a half. During this time, the skin has time to completely renew itself.
How do I use the serum correctly?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids, the effects of which are aimed at exfoliating and stimulating skin renewal, it is recommended to use it as an evening part of home care. If the serum contains mainly antioxidants that act as filters for ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If your face is prone to swelling, avoid using moisturizing serums at bedtime. In fact, in this case, the swelling on the face manifests itself more strongly. But such products are perfect as morning care.
Error using serum
- A common mistake is mixing multiple incompatible sera. Very often another serum is applied to one serum. In most cases, this results in one or both tools not working at the same time. If you want to solve more than one problem, choose a universal serum containing vitamins C and E. If you are concerned about a specific problem, choose a specially formulated serum.
- Another common mistake is neglecting the serum's validity period. After opening a tube or jar, many people forget about it. However, serums are active three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Write down the date you opened the serum. It comes in handy to do this in a journal or special application.
- Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. Do you see where your products are? If they are kept on a windowsill, in active sunlight or near radiators and heating devices, in a warm, damp bathroom, the components of the serum will break down faster. Keep cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A handy plastic container will work for you and stow away in a dark closet in your bedroom. And before you do your morning or evening home care session, get them.
- If you have sensitive and irritated skin, avoid the excess of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product is not stored open for long. However, if you find that the serum contains preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and parabens, it is better to refuse to use such a product. Otherwise, the skin may become even drier and more irritated after using the serum (which should fix the problem) than it was before using it.
- Pay attention to the amount of dye in the serum. They are usually marked with CL on the label, which means color (color - eng. ) Such a product.