Effective home skin care consists of several steps, one of which is the use of serum. This cosmetic product allows you to quickly get the desired result: even out 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 properly.
Advertisements for face serums can be very attractive and promising. It was easy to believe that this was indeed a magic potion. In fact, 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: Serum works. But sometimes it doesn't work out the way you expect it to.
Any serum is an emulsion of an oil and water base. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two emulsion phases, one can distinguish:
- liquid, homogeneous emulsion, consisting of more than an aqueous phase. This serum is better to use in summer or if you are not going out in winter, and also as a night treatment.
- an emulsion consisting mostly of an oil phase. This serum is intended to restore the lipid substance of the epidermis and is especially suitable for use in winter.
Why is serum in treatment needed and can it be used instead of cream?
Most serums are used as a bottom cream rather than as a stand-alone product. Due to its chemical formula, whey provides a higher bioavailability of the substances that make up its composition. In other words, using a serum, you will be able to quickly deliver the necessary substances to the skin and, accordingly, get their effect.
Serum cannot replace cream, because it is the cream that "covers" the serum, allowing it to work fully. If you live in a dry climate and there isn't enough moisture in the air, be sure to apply the cream over the serum with glycerin. Only in this case such a serum will really moisturize the skin.
What expectations will the serum fulfill?
The main goal of home care, apart from treating and correcting existing problems, is prevention. And whey is a product that will help you avoid many problems in the future.dermatologist, cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum that has sunscreen properties, then the chances of age spots appearing on your face are much lower. And pigmentation is a very persistent blemish, which is quite difficult to remove. And for sure - it is long and expensive, because the wholeserious medical procedures will be required - fractional resurfacing, peeling, injection of special drugs. Also, the problem is with the preservation of the lipid-water coat, optimal moisture, maintenance of the elastic properties of the skin. If you create skin conditions in which it can completely synthesize collagenand elastin, receiving moisture, nutrients, oxygen, not letting the skin's metabolic and antioxidant systems "sleep" - this becomes real not only for you.
Regular use of the serum makes the skin well-groomed, eliminates or is not clear of existing problems, replenishes the lack of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro and macro elements. Serum is a simple and affordable replacement therapy, which provides all the effects that 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 certain effect. "
There are serums that are designed to solve and prevent certain problems.
Serum that stimulates skin regeneration
A serum with a pronounced effect on stimulating skin regeneration, and this is what we mean by the word "rejuvenation". This is a product that contains retinol, namely vitamin A. Its concentration is not less than 0. 2%. Pay attention to the fact that the composition contains retinol, and not its derivatives. Because most retinol derivatives - or their initial form in beta-carotene format will have an antioxidant effect (protects against oxidative stress), and do not stimulate cell growth and division and skin renewal.
Lifting serum for aging skin
The main biologically active components of the fund are peptides aimed at reducing mimic wrinkles, or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants, which help prevent the oxidation of cellular lipids and the destruction of cell membranes. Such a serum restores tone and density to aging skin, due to which a lifting effect is achieved.
Botulinum Serum
Serums containing a peptide complex with botulinum-like effects: argireline, cineic as botox, are indicated for those who wish to prolong the therapeutic effect of botulinum. Or you can use this tool as an independent tool to minimize visits to the beautician for botulinum toxin injections. As you already understood, such a serum smoothes expression lines.
Brightening Serum
This product is used to even out skin tone. May include peptides, retinol and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as photoprotective agents. Thus, we prevent premature aging, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and do not overload the skin with a sanitary barrier. I want to note that everyone really needs to use cosmetics with sunscreen properties all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive skin, fair skin, prone to the formation of age spots. Regular use of such a serum will help to gently and slightly "dim" the spots.
Serum 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, a component of seawater, represented by trace elements - silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serum can be recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of blackheads on the face. Glycolic acid serum reduces milia formation, closed comedones and stimulates cell division.
Serum for dry skin
Serum with vitamins C and E will help restore the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated and scaly skin. Such a serum is recommended for those who have already appeared or have just started to form 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 a serum that contains mandelic acid, which is an excellent mild keratolytic and can be used even on very dry skin as well as on aging skin as a rejuvenating exfoliant.
It is important to understand that the final effect of the use of serum should be assessed no earlier than one and a half months. It is during this time that the skin will have time to completely renew itself.
How to use the correct serum?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids, the action of which is aimed at exfoliating the skin and stimulating skin renewal, then it is recommended to use it as a component of home care at night. If the serum contains mostly antioxidants that act as a filter for ultraviolet radiation, then it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If your face tends to be puffy, you should not use a moisturizing serum at night before going to bed. Indeed, in this case, the puffiness on the face will manifest itself more strongly. But as a morning treatment, such a product is perfect.
Error in using serum
- A common mistake is mixing several incompatible serums. Very often, another serum is applied on top of one serum. In most cases, this leads to the fact that one or both tools do not work at once. 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 not paying attention to the shelf life of the serum. After opening the jar or jar, many people forget about it. But the serum is active from three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Note the date you opened the serum. It is easier to do this in a diary or a special application.
- Storing whey in the wrong places is another big mistake. See where your product stands? If stored on a windowsill, in active sunlight, or near radiators and heaters, in a humid and warm bathroom, the components of the serum will break down more quickly. Store cosmetics in a cool and dark place. Practical plastic containers will work for you and are kept in a 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 irritable skin, try to avoid a lot of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product will not be stored for a long time. However, if it turns out that the serum contains preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, parabens, then you should refuse to use these products. Otherwise, your skin may become drier and more irritated after using the serum (which should solve the problem) than before.
- Pay attention to the amount of dye in the serum. They are most often marked CL on the label, which means color (color - eng. ) And if you see several types listed in the composition, plus the sign that the perfume or fragrance is a perfumed fragrance, then know that it is better not to use such products.