Facial serum: how do you know if you need it? What exactly is it?

Effective home skin care involves several steps, one of which is the use of serums. This cosmetic product allows you to get the desired results quickly: even skin tone, remove inflammation or make it fresher and more elastic. But only the correct choice and use of the essence can get the effect.

Facial rejuvenating serum

Ads for facial serums can be very eye-catching and promising. It is not difficult to believe that this is indeed an elixir. In fact, in order not to be disappointed and hurt your skin, you need to be very picky about marketing techniques and choose your options carefully. Spoiler alert: The serum is working. But sometimes it does not work as you expect.

Any serum is an oil-based and water-based emulsion. According to the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of the two phases of the emulsion, one can distinguish:

  • Liquid, homogeneous emulsion, which consists of more water phase. These serums are more suitable for use in summer, or if you do not plan to go out in winter, they can also be used as an evening care.
  • An emulsion mainly composed of an oil phase. These essences are designed to restore the lipids of the epidermis and are very suitable for use in the cold season.

Why do I need care serums, can they be used instead of creams?

Most serums are used as base creams rather than as stand-alone products. Due to its chemical formula, whey provides higher bioavailability for the substances that make up its constituents. In other words, with the essence, you will be able to quickly deliver the necessary substances to the skin to get the effect.

Essence is not a substitute for cream, because it is a cream that "blocks" the essence and makes it fully effective. If you live in a place with a dry climate and insufficient moisture in the air, be sure to apply the cream on the serum containing glycerin. Only in this case can this essence really moisturize the skin.

What expectations will the serum meet?

In addition to treating and correcting existing problems, the main goal of home care is prevention. Whey is a product that can help you avoid a lot of trouble in the future.Dermatologist and cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .

"If you use a serum with sunscreen properties, the likelihood of age spots on your face will be much lower. And pigmentation is a very long-lasting defect that is difficult to get rid of. What is certain is-it is long and long. Expensive because it will require a complete and serious medical procedure-partial peeling, peeling, injection of special drugs. In addition, the problem lies in protecting the water-lipid mantle, optimizing moisture, and maintaining the elasticity of the skin. If you create conditions for the skin, let itIt can fully synthesize collagen and elastin, absorb moisture, nutrients, and oxygen, and don't let the skin's metabolism and antioxidant system "sleep"-this not only becomes obvious to you.

Regular use of serum can make the skin tidy, remove or less obvious existing problems, and supplement the deficiency of biologically active substances: vitamins, trace elements and macro elements. Serum is a simple and affordable alternative therapy that provides all the effects of the products we buy.

The most popular are serums containing antioxidants, peptides and acids. According to the combination of these ingredients, the product has a specific effect. "

Some serums are designed to solve and prevent specific problems.

Serum that promotes skin regeneration

A serum with a significant effect of stimulating skin regeneration. This is what we mean by the term "rejuvenation". These are products containing retinol, namely vitamin A, at a concentration of not less than 0. 2%. Please note that the composition completely contains retinol, not its derivatives. Because most retinol derivatives-or their beta-carotene form preforms will have antioxidant effects (prevent oxidative stress) and will not stimulate cell growth and division and skin renewal.

Lifting and firming skin aging serum

The main biologically active ingredients of these funds are peptides designed to reduce wrinkles, or collagen stimulating peptides and antioxidants, which help prevent cell lipid oxidation and cell membrane destruction. This type of essence restores the tone and density of aging skin to achieve a lifting effect.

Enhance the essence

Botox Serum

Serum containing peptide complexes with botulinum-like effects: argireline, botulinum-like sineik, suitable for those who want to prolong the effect of botulinum treatment. Or, you can use this tool as a standalone tool to minimize the number of botulinum toxin injections to the beautician. As you already know, this serum can smooth expression lines.

Brightening serum

This product is used to even out skin tone. May include peptides, retinol, and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as photoprotective agents. Therefore, we can prevent photoaging, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and will not overload the skin with sanitary protection agents. I want to point out that absolutely everyone needs to use cosmetics with sunscreen properties throughout the year. Especially for owners with sensitive, fair skin and easy to form age spots. Regular use of this type of serum will help gently correct and slightly "dull" freckles.

Serum for oily and problem skin

They usually contain acids, substances that reduce sebum production, and ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and pore-shrinking effects. Usually, they contain: Niacinamide, sea water components, represented by trace elements-silicon, magnesium and zinc, and acids. For example, salicylic acid. For those who want to reduce the severity of facial blackheads, salicylic acid essence can be recommended. Glycolic acid serum reduces the formation of milia, closes acne and stimulates cell division.

Dry skin essence

Serum containing vitamins C and E will help restore the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated and peeling skin. This type of serum is recommended for those who have already appeared or have just begun to form fine lines and early pigmentation network structure. It is also suitable for those who wish to delay the appearance of these signs of aging as much as possible.

I would also like to mention the serum containing mandelic acid. It is an excellent mild keratolytic agent. It can be used even on very dry skin. It can also be used as a rejuvenating peel on aging skin. .

It is important to understand that the final effect of using serum should not be evaluated 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 essence correctly?

It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids whose effect is to exfoliate and stimulate skin renewal, it is recommended to use it as an evening ingredient in home care. If the serum mainly contains antioxidants and can act as a filter for ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to use this serum in the morning. If your face tends to be puffy, you should not use moisturizing serum at night before going to bed. Indeed, in this case, the swelling on the face will be more intensely manifested. But as a morning care, such a product is perfect.

How to use serum correctly

Error using serum

  • A common mistake is to mix several incompatible serums. Many times, another serum will be applied to one serum. In most cases, this will cause one or two tools to not work at the same time. If you want to solve multiple problems, choose a universal serum that contains vitamin C and E. If you are worried about a particular problem, please choose a specially designed serum.
  • Another common mistake is not paying attention to the expiration date of the serum. After opening the tube or jar, many people will forget it. But the essence is active within three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its characteristics. Write down the date you opened the serum. It is convenient to do this in a diary or special application.
  • Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. See where your product is? If they are placed on a window sill, in a sunny place or near a radiator and heating equipment, or in a humid and warm bathroom, the components of the serum will decompose more quickly. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A convenient plastic container is useful to you and can be stored in the dark wardrobe in the bedroom. You will get it before your morning or evening home care class.
  • If you have sensitive and irritable skin, please try to avoid cosmetics containing a lot of alcohol and preservatives. Yes, this product will not be opened and stored for a long time. However, if you see preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and parabens in the serum, then you'd better refuse to use such products. Otherwise, after using the essence (which should have solved the problem), the skin may become drier and more irritated than before.
  • Pay attention to the amount of dye in the serum. They are usually marked CL on the label, which means color (color-eng). If you see several types listed in the ingredients, plus parfum or perfume label is a fragrance perfume, then know that it is best not to use such a product.