Effective home skin care consists of several steps, one of which is the use of a serum. This cosmetic product allows you to quickly get the desired result: even out 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 correctly.
Advertising for face serums can be very compelling and promising. It is easy to believe that this is indeed a magic elixir. In reality, 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: Serums are working. But sometimes it doesn't work 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 phases of the emulsion, one can distinguish:
- liquid, homogeneous emulsions, which consist more of an aqueous phase. These serums are preferable to use in the summer or if you are not going to go out in the winter, and also as an evening care.
- emulsions consisting mostly of an oil phase. These serums are aimed at restoring the lipid substance of the epidermis and are perfect for use in the cold season.
Why are serums in the care needed and can they be used instead of a cream?
Most serums are used as an under cream rather than as a standalone product. Due to their chemical formula, whey provide a higher bioavailability of the substances that make up their composition. In other words, using a serum, you will be able to quickly deliver the necessary substances to the skin and, therefore, get an effect.
Serums cannot replace cream, since it is the cream that "closes" the serum, allowing it to work fully. If you live where the climate is dry and there is not enough moisture in the air, be sure to apply the cream on top of serums with glycerin. Only in this case will such a serum really moisturize the skin.
What expectations will the serum meet?
The main goal of home care, in addition to treating and correcting existing problems, is prevention. And whey is exactly the product that will help you avoid a lot of troubles in the future.dermatologist, cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum that has sunscreen properties, then the likelihood of the appearance of age spots on your face is much lower. And pigmentation is a very persistent defect, which is quite difficult to get rid of. And for sure - it is long and expensive, since a whole course of serious medical procedures will be required - fractional resurfacing, peeling, injection of special drugs. The same is the case with the preservation of the water-lipid mantle, optimal moisture content, and the maintenance of the elastic properties of the skin. If you create conditions for the skin to fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nutrition, oxygen, do not let the metabolism and antioxidant system of the skin "fall asleep" - this becomes noticeable not only to you.
The use of serums on a regular basis makes the skin well-groomed, removes or less obvious existing problems, replenishes the deficiencies of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro and macro elements. Serums are a simple and affordable replacement therapy, which gives all the effects for which we buy a product.
The most popular are serums with antioxidants, peptides and acids. Depending on the combination of these components, the product has a particular effect. "
There are serums designed to solve and prevent specific problems.
Serums that stimulate skin regeneration
Serums with a pronounced effect of stimulating skin regeneration, and this is exactly what we mean by the word "rejuvenation". These are products that contain retinol, that is, vitamin A. The concentration is not less than 0. 2%. Pay attention that the composition contains exactly retinol, and not its derivatives. Because most of the retinol derivatives - or its preforms in beta-carotene format will have an antioxidant effect (protect against oxidative stress), and not stimulate cell growth and division and skin renewal.
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, which help prevent cell lipid oxidation 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 that contain a complex of peptides with a botulinum-like effect: argireline, botox-like sineik, are indicated for those who want to prolong the effect of botulinum therapy. Or you can use this tool as an independent one in order to minimize visits to a beautician for botulinum toxin injections. As you already understood, such serums smooth expression lines.
Brightening serums
The product is used to even out skin tone. May include 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 sanitary protectors. I would like to note that absolutely everyone needs to 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 "dim" freckles.
Serums 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, components of sea water, represented by microelements - silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serums can be recommended for those who wish to reduce the severity of blackheads 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 to restore 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 have just begun to form a mesh of fine wrinkles and early pigmentation. And also for those who would like to postpone the appearance of these signs of aging as much as possible.
I would also like to mention serums containing mandelic acid, which is an excellent mild keratolytic and can be used even on very dry skin and also on aging skin as a rejuvenating peeling.
It is important to understand that the final effect of using the serum should be assessed no earlier than in a month and a half. It is during this time that 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 stimulating skin renewal, then it is recommended to use it as an evening component of home care. If the serum contains mostly antioxidants, which act as filters for ultraviolet radiation, then it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If you have a tendency to puffiness on your face, you should not use moisturizing serums in the evening before bed. Indeed, in this case, the puffiness on the face will manifest itself more strongly. But as a morning care, such products are perfect.
Errors 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 inattention to the serum's validity period. Having opened a tube or jar, many people forget about it. But serums are active from three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Write down the date you opened the serum. It is convenient to do this in a diary or a special application.
- Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. See where your products stand? If they are kept on a windowsill, active sunlight, or near radiators and heating devices, in a bathroom, where it is humid and warm, the components of the serum will break down faster. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A handy plastic container will work for you and stow away in a dark closet in your bedroom. And before you do your morning or evening home care session, you will get it.
- If you have sensitive and irritable skin, try to avoid the abundance of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product will not be stored open for a long time. But, if you see that the serum contains such preservatives as phenoxyethanol, parabens, then you better 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 using it.
- Pay attention to the amount of dyes 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 parfum or fragrance marking is a perfumed fragrance, then know that it is better not to use such a product.