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: it evens the skin tone, purifies it from inflammatory elements or makes it fresher and more elastic. However, you can achieve this effect only if you choose and use the serum correctly.
Advertising facial serums can be very attractive and promising. It's easy to believe that this is truly a magic potion. In reality, you need to be very critical of marketing gimmicks and carefully approach your choice, so as not to be disappointed and harm your skin. Spoiler alert: Serums work. But sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you expect.
Any serum is an emulsion of oil and water bases. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two stages of the emulsion, the following can be distinguished:
- liquid, homogeneous emulsions consisting mostly of an aqueous phase. It is preferable to use these serums if you are not going to go out in summer or winter and also as an evening care.
- emulsions consisting mostly of an oil phase. These serums aim to replenish the lipid substance of the epidermis and are perfect for use in the cold season.
Why are serums in care needed and can they be used instead of creams?
Most serums are used as an under-cream rather than a standalone product. Due to its chemical formulas, whey provides higher bioavailability of the substances that make up its composition. In other words, by using a serum, you will be able to deliver the necessary substances to the skin quickly and thus achieve an effect.
Serums cannot replace cream, as it is the cream that "closes" the serum and allows it to work fully. If you live in a place where the climate is dry and there is not enough humidity in the air, make sure to apply the cream over glycerin serums. Only in this case such a serum really moisturizes the skin.
What expectations will the serum meet?
The main aim of home care is prevention as well as treating and correcting existing problems. And whey is a product that will help you avoid many troubles in the future.dermatologist, beautician Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum with sunscreen properties, age spots are much less likely to appear on your face. And pigmentation is a very permanent defect that is quite difficult to get rid of. And of course - it is long and expensive, because all serious medical procedures will be required - fractional resurfacing, peeling, injection of special drugs. Also, the matter is about the preservation of the water-lipid mantle, optimal moisture, the preservation of the elastic properties of the skin. The skin can fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nutrition, oxygen, not allowing the skin's metabolism and antioxidant system to "fall asleep" if you create conditions - it just goes unnoticed to you.
Regular use of serums ensures well-groomed skin, eliminates existing problems or makes them less pronounced, corrects deficiencies of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro- and macro-elements. Serums are a simple and affordable replacement therapy that provides all the effects we buy a product for.
The most popular are serums containing antioxidants, peptides and acids. Depending on the combination of these ingredients, the product has a certain effect. "
There are serums designed to solve and prevent specific problems.
Serums that stimulate skin regeneration
This is exactly what we mean by serums with a pronounced skin regeneration stimulating effect and the word "rejuvenation". These are products containing retinol, that is, vitamin A. The concentration is not less than 0. 2%. Note that the composition contains exactly retinol and not its derivatives. Because most retinol derivatives - or their preforms in beta-carotene format, will have an antioxidant effect (protection against oxidative stress) and will not stimulate cell growth and division and skin regeneration.
Lifting serum for aging skin
The main biologically active components of such funds are peptides aimed at reducing mimic wrinkles, or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants that help prevent oxidation of cell lipids and destruction of cell membranes. Such serums restore tone and density to aging skin, due to which a lifting effect is achieved.
Botulinum Serums
Serums containing a peptide complex with botulinum-like action: argireline, botox-like synic, is indicated for those who wish to prolong the effect of botulinum treatment. 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 the expression lines.
brightening serums
The product is used to even out the skin tone. May contain peptides, retinol and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as a photoprotective agent. Thus, we prevent photoaging, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and do not overload the skin with hygienic preservatives. I would like to state that absolutely everyone should use cosmetics with sunscreen properties all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive, fair skin prone to the formation of age spots. Regular use of such serums will help to gently correct and slightly "dimple" freckles.
Serums 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: niosinamide, seawater components represented by trace elements - silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serums can be recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of black spots on the face. Glycolic acid serums reduce the formation of milia, closed comedones and stimulate cell division.
serums for dry skin
Serum with vitamins C and E will help repair 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 network of fine wrinkles and premature pigmentation. And also for those who want to delay the appearance of these signs of aging as long as possible.
I would also like to mention serums containing mandelic acid, which is an excellent mild keratolytic and can be used as a rejuvenating peel on very dry skin and aging skin.
It is important to understand that the final effect of using the serum should not be evaluated before a month and a half. During this time, the skin will have time to completely renew itself.
How to use the serum correctly?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids, the action of which is aimed at exfoliating and promoting skin regeneration, then it is recommended to use home care as an evening component. If the serum contains mostly antioxidants that act as filters for ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If you have a tendency to swelling on your face, you should not use a moisturizing serum before going to bed in the evening. As a matter of fact, the swelling on the face will show itself stronger in this case. But as morning care, such products are perfect.
Errors in the use of serum
- A common mistake is to mix several incompatible serums. Very often, one serum is applied on top of another serum. In most cases, this will result in one or both tools not working at the same time. If you want to solve more than one problem, choose a universal serum with vitamins C and E. If you're dealing with a specific issue, choose a serum that's specifically designed.
- Another common mistake is not paying attention to the validity period of the serum. Many people forget this after opening a tube or jar. However, serums are active three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Note the date you opened the serum. It is convenient to do this in a diary or in a special application.
- Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. Have you seen where your products stand? The components of the serum will decompose faster if it is kept on a window sill, in active sunlight or in a humid and hot bathroom, near radiators and heating appliances. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A handy plastic container will come in handy and hide in a dark wardrobe in your bedroom. And before you have your morning or evening home care session, you will.
- If you have sensitive and irritable skin, try not to include large amounts of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product will not be stored outdoors for long. 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 after using the serum (which should fix the problem) may become drier and more irritated than before using it.
- Pay attention to the amount of dye in the serum. Usually they are marked CL on the label, that is, color (color - eng. ) And if you see several types listed in the composition, also know that if the perfume or fragrance mark is a perfumed fragrance, it is better not to use it. such a product.