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 - this is what we will find out so as not to harm our skin.
What is serum
Women often ask whether such a product is needed at all if they can use face cream.Serums differ from creams in their increased concentration of active substances.There can be several of them, unlike extracts or extracts, and in different proportions.And if cream is a cosmetic product for daily facial care, serums are designed to solve a specific problem.They are usually homogeneous in consistency and can be oil or water-based.It depends on which environment is most suitable for the ingredients included.
What is a facial serum for?
It is used when conventional skin care products do not cope with the problem of the facial skin that is most relevant at the moment.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 for the expected result.Thanks to its nourishing components and light consistency, it has a very intense effect on the skin:
- refreshes and improves complexion;deeply moisturizes the skin;
- acts against rosacea;
- restores elasticity and firmness of 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 the condition of the skin is good, you should not use the serum.Due to the fact that this is a narrowly targeted cosmetic product, when choosing, you should carefully study the 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 face serums solve, they come in several types:
- soothing - intended for sensitive skin, containing 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 if in summer there is a feeling of dry skin and insufficient moisture.Can be used twice a day - morning and evening;
- to combat pigmentation - contain arbutin, vitamin C, retinoids, azelaic acid;
- exfoliating - help remove dead skin particles, with lactic, glycolic, salicylic acids.Such serums should be used in the evening;
- anti-aging lifting serums - help remove skin laxity, smooth out 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 be used only in the evening.It is also better to use a serum to combat pigmentation only in the evening, and during the day you need to protect your face with sunscreen from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Some active ingredients may be affected by the environment.Therefore, serum with retinoids or vitamin C is 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 attached to the package.Thanks to this, contact with air is minimized, and the serum can be used sparingly.Before using facial serum, you must follow the rules for its use and first cleanse your skin:
- remove cosmetics and impurities using micellar water or hydrophilic oil;
- use foam or gel for washing;
- Spray tonic to tone the skin.
When applying serum, it is important to know when to stop.4-5 drops are enough to treat the entire face.To get maximum effect on the skin, you can apply it in two ways.
Method 1. Apply facial serum to your fingertips and quickly distribute it without rubbing it into them.Apply quickly to face, following massage lines.Next, use gentle finger pressure to remove any remaining product that has not yet been absorbed.It is important to remember that the serum is absorbed almost instantly, so you should not hesitate.
Method 2 is best to apply the oil serum properly.Apply it to your fingers and lightly rub your palms together to evenly distribute and warm the serum.Apply your palms to your face with gentle movements, applying a little pressure.
After this, wait 5-10 minutes for the serum to be absorbed, and then apply a cream that will complement it and strengthen the protective barrier on the skin.It is advisable to combine cosmetic products from the same line - this way they will better complement each other, ensure quick results, and the effect will last longer.