Effective home skin care consists of several steps, one of which is the use of serum. This cosmetic product allows you to quickly achieve the desired result: even out skin tone, cleanse from inflammatory elements, or make it fresher and more supple. But you can only achieve the effect if you choose and use the serum correctly.
Advertising for facial serums can be very compelling and promising. It’s easy to believe this is truly a magical elixir. In fact, in order not to disappoint or damage your skin, you need to be very critical of marketing gimmicks and approach your choice carefully. Spoiler Warning: Serums are working. But sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you expected.
Emulsion of any serum oil and water bases. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two phases of the emulsion:
- liquid, homogeneous emulsions, which consist more of an aqueous phase. It is preferable to use these serums in summer or if you do not go out in winter and also as evening care.
- mostly oil phase emulsions. These sera are designed to restore the lipid material of the epidermis and are perfect for use in the cold season.
Why are serums needed in care and can they be used instead of cream?
Most serums are used under cream rather than as a stand-alone product. Due to its chemical composition, whey provides higher bioavailability to the ingredients that make up their composition. In other words, by using a serum, you can quickly deliver the necessary substances to the skin and thus achieve an effect.
Sera should not be a substitute for the cream, as the cream "seals" the serum, allowing it to have its full effect. If you live in a dry climate and there is not enough moisture in the air, be sure to apply the cream to the top of the serums with glycerin. Only then will such a serum really moisturize your skin.
What expectations will the serum meet?
The main goal of home care is to treat and correct existing problems in addition to prevention. And whey is exactly the product that will help you avoid a lot of trouble in the future.dermatologist, beautician Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum with sunscreen properties, the chances of old age spots appearing on your face are much lower. And pigmentation is a very permanent defect that is quite difficult to get rid of. And certainly - long and expensive, as a whole series of serious medical procedures will be needed - fragmentary repainting, peeling, injection of special drugs. In addition, the preservation of the water-lipid jacket, the optimal moisture content and the preservation of the elastic properties of the skin should be addressed. If you create conditions for your skin in which you can fully synthesize collagen and elastin, get moisture, nutrition, oxygen, don’t let your skin’s metabolism and antioxidant system "fall asleep" - it won’t just be noticeable to you.
Regular use of serums makes the skin well-groomed, eliminates or less obvious existing problems, makes up for the lack of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro- and macroelements. Serums are a simple and affordable replacement therapy that gives all the effects for which we buy a product.
The most popular are sera containing antioxidants, peptides and acids. Depending on the combination of these ingredients, the product has a special effect. "
There are sera that are designed to solve and prevent special problems.
Serums that stimulate skin regeneration
Serums that specifically stimulate skin regeneration, and that’s exactly what we mean by "rejuvenation". These are products that contain retinol, i. e. vitamin A. The concentration is not less than 0, 2%. Make sure that the product contains exactly retinol and not its derivatives. Because most retinol derivatives - or their preforms in beta-carotene format - have an antioxidant effect (protects against oxidative stress) and do not stimulate cell growth, division, and skin renewal.
Lifting serum for aging skin
The main biologically active components of such bases are peptides to reduce mimic wrinkles, or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants that help prevent the oxidation of cell lipids and the destruction of cell membranes. Such serums restore the tone and density of aging skin, thanks to which they achieve a lifting effect.
Botulinum sera
Sera containing a complex of botulinum-like peptides: argireline, their botox-like sines, are recommended for those who want to prolong the effect of botulinum therapy. Or you can use this tool as an independent tool in order to minimize beautician visits for botulinum toxin injections. As you have already understood, such sera smooth the expression lines.
Brightening serums
The product is used to even out skin tone. It may contain peptides, retinol and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as sunscreens. This prevents light aging, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and does not overload the skin with health preservatives. I would like to note that absolutely everyone should use cosmetics with sunscreen properties all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive, light skin, they are prone to age spots. Regular use of such serums will help to gently correct and slightly "lighten" the freckles.
Serums for oily and problem skin
They usually contain acids, sebum-reducing substances, and anti-inflammatory and pore-tightening ingredients. These usually include: niocinamide, the components of seawater that are represented by trace elements such as silicon, magnesium and zinc, and acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid sera are recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of blackheads on the face. Glycolic acid sera reduce the formation of milia, closed comedones and stimulate cell division.
Serums for dry skin
The serum containing vitamins C and E helps to restore the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated and flaky skin. Such sera are recommended for those who have already appeared or are just beginning to develop fine wrinkles and early pigmentation. And also for those who want to delay the onset of these signs of aging as much as possible.
I would also mention sera containing mandelic acid, which is excellent mild keratolytic and can be used on very dry skin as well as rejuvenating exfoliation on aging skin.
It is important to understand that the final effect of serum use should be evaluated at the earliest after one and a half months. At this time, the skin will have time to completely regenerate.
How to use the serum correctly?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids that have the effect of exfoliating the skin and stimulating skin renewal, it is recommended to use it as an evening ingredient in home care. If the serum mostly contains antioxidants that act as a filter for ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If you are prone to bloating on your face, do not use a moisturizing serum at bedtime. Indeed, in this case, the puffiness of the face is more pronounced. But as a morning care, such products are perfect.
Errors in using serum
- It is a common mistake to mix multiple incompatible sera. Very often another serum is applied to the top of one serum. In most cases, this will result in one or both devices not working at the same time. If you want to solve more problems, choose a universal serum with vitamins C and E. If you are concerned about a particular problem, choose a specially designed serum.
- Another common mistake is inattention to serum validity. Once you open a tube or bottle, many people forget about it. But sera are active for three to six months after resolution. The product then loses its properties. Describe the date the serum was opened. It is convenient to do this in a log or special application.
- Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. Do you see where your products stand? When kept on a windowsill, in active sunlight, or near radiators and heaters, in a bathroom where it is humid and hot, serum components degrade more quickly. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A practical plastic container can be used and stored in the dark wardrobe of the bedroom. And before you do your morning or evening home care, you get it.
- If your skin is sensitive and irritable, try to avoid the abundance of alcohol and preservatives in cosmetics. Yes, this product cannot be stored open for a long time. But if you see that the serum contains preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, 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 have solved the problem) than before use.
- 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 in the composition, as well as perfume or fragrance marking perfume fragrance, you know that it is better not to use such a product.