Effective at-home skin care involves several steps, one of which is the use of a serum. This cosmetic product allows you to quickly get the desired result: to even out the skin tone, clear the inflammatory factors or make the skin more fresh and elastic. But you can only achieve the effect if you choose and use the serum correctly.
Ads for facial serums can be very appealing and promising. It is easy to believe that this is really a miracle drug. In fact, in order not to be disappointed and not harm your skin, you need to be extremely critical of marketing ploys and approach your choices carefully. Spoiler alert: The serum is working. But sometimes it doesn't go the way you expect.
Any serum is an emulsion of oil and water. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two emulsion phases, one can distinguish:
- liquid emulsion, homogeneous, consisting of more than one aqueous phase. These serums are preferred for use in the summer or if you are not going out in the winter, and also as a care product in the evening.
- Emulsions consist mostly of an oil phase. These serums aim to restore the lipids of the epidermis and are very suitable for use in the cold season.
Why are serums in care essential and can they be used instead of creams?
Most serums are used as a primer rather than as a standalone product. Due to their chemical formula, whey provides a higher bioavailability of the substances that make up their ingredients. In other words, using the serum, you will be able to quickly supply the necessary substances to the skin and, therefore, get the effect.
A serum cannot replace a cream, as it is the cream that "closes the door" to the serum, allowing it to do its job. If you live in a dry climate and don't have enough moisture in the air, be sure to apply the cream on top of serums that contain glycerin. Only in this case can 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 save you a lot of trouble in the future.Dermatologist, cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum with sunscreen properties, your chances of age spots appearing on your face are much lower. And melasma is a very persistent defect that is quite difficult to get rid of. Andsure - it will be long and expensive, since it will require a whole series of serious medical procedures - partial resurfacing, peeling, injections of special drugs. with the maintenance of a water-lipid film, optimal moisture, maintaining the elastic properties of the skin. If you create conditions for the skin to fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nutrition, oxygen. , does not let the skin's metabolic and antioxidant systems "sleep" - this becomes noticeable not only for you.
The regular use of serums helps the skin to be well taken care of, eliminates or less obvious existing problems, replenishes the missing biological active ingredients: vitamins, micro and macro elements. The serum is a simple and affordable alternative that delivers all the effects that we buy a product for.
The most common are serums with antioxidants, peptides, and acids. Depending on the combination of these ingredients, the product has its own effect. "
There are serums designed to address and prevent specific problems.
Serum stimulates skin regeneration
The serum has a pronounced stimulating effect on skin regeneration, and this is exactly what the word "rejuvenation" means. These are products that contain retinol, ie 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 retinol derivatives - or its precursors in the form of beta-carotene will have an antioxidant effect (protect against oxidative stress), and do not stimulate cell growth and division andskin renewal.
Lifting serum for aging skin
The main bioactive components of these funds are peptides aimed at mitigating wrinkles, or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants, which help prevent cellular lipid oxidation and destructionmembrane. Such serums restore tone and density to aging skin, thus achieving a lifting effect.
Botulinum Essence
Serum containing a complex of botulinum-like peptides: argireline, botox-like sineik, is indicated for those wishing to prolong the effects of botulinum therapy. Or you can use this as a stand-alone tool to reduce visits to the esthetician for botulinum toxin injections. As you have already understood, such serums have smooth expressive lines.
Brightening Serum
The product is used to even out skin tone. May include peptides, retinol and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as photoprotectants. We therefore prevent photoaging, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and do not overload the skin with hygienic protectants. I would like to note that everyone absolutely needs to use cosmetics with sunscreen properties all year round. Especially for those who own white, sensitive skin, prone to the formation of age spots. Regular use of such serums will help fade freckles gently and slightly "fade".
Serum for oily and problem skin
They often 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. Serums containing salicylic acid may be recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of blackheads on the face. Serum containing glycolic acid reduces the formation of milia, closes milia and stimulates cell division.
Serum for dry skin
Serums with vitamins C and E will help 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 are just starting to form a grid of fine lines and premature 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 the serum contains mandelic acid, which is an excellent mild keratolytic and can be used even on very dry and aging skin as a rejuvenating peel.
It is important to understand that the final effect of using the serum should be assessed no earlier than a month and a half. It is during this time that the skin will have time to completely renew itself.
How to use serum properly?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acid, the action of which is to exfoliate and stimulate skin renewal, then you should use it as an evening home care ingredient. If the serum contains mostly antioxidants that act as filters for UV radiation, then you should use such a serum in the morning. If you tend to have puffiness on your face, you should not use a moisturizing serum at night before going to bed. Indeed, in this case, the puffiness on the face will manifest more strongly. But as a morning care product, such products are perfect.
Error in using serum
- A common mistake is to mix multiple incompatible serums together. Very often, a different serum is applied over the same serum. In most cases, this leads to the fact that one or both tools are not active at the same time. If you want to solve multiple problems, choose a universal serum with vitamins C and E. If you are worried about a specific problem, choose a serum specifically designed.
- Another common mistake is not paying attention to the serum's validity period. After opening a tube or vial, many people forget it. But the serum is effective three to six months after opening. The product then loses its properties. Write down the date you opened the serum. It is convenient to do this in a diary or a special application.
- Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. See where your product stands? If they are kept on a windowsill, where there is active sunlight, or near radiators and heaters, in the bathroom, in a humid and warm place, the serum components will break down faster. . Store cosmetics in a cool and dark place. A handy plastic box will fit you and stow away in the dark closet in your bedroom. And before you do your morning or evening home care session, you'll get it.
- If you have sensitive and easily irritated skin, try to avoid a lot of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product will not be opened for a long time. However, if you find that the serum contains preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, parabens, then you better refuse to use such products. Otherwise, skin may become even drier and more irritated after using the serum (which should have solved the problem) than it did before.
- Pay attention to the amount of dye in the serum. They are usually marked CL on the label, which means color (color - eng. ) And if you see some listed in the ingredients, plus a parfum or fragrance indication that it's a scented perfume, thenPlease know that it is better not to use such a product.