The explosion in facial serums wasn’t too long ago—about two or three years ago. And since then, products called serums have appeared in the assortment of almost every self-respecting cosmetic brand. But many still do not understand what is hidden behind the English word and what is the innovation of the product. Beautician Victoria Oshchepkova, a specialist at the SM-Cosmetology clinic, will tell you how to incorporate this and the serum into your beauty routine.
Victoria Oshchepkova
Why is a serum product most effective?
Serums have two main advantages over other products. The first is the product with the highest active ingredient content. If they make up about 10-20% of the entire formula in creams and all other ingredients are thickeners and emulsifiers, serums can contain about 80% of the assets. Therefore, the result from use is more pronounced. Secondly, thanks to its light structure, serums are absorbed faster without forming a film and oily layer. For this reason, it is more comfortable to apply, especially for people with oily or combination skin types.
Both factors – high active ingredient content and fast absorption – cause the activity of serums to manifest much more than creams.
What problems can the serum solve?
Depending on the composition of the product, you can get the desired results.
hydration. Usually the leader in such serums is hyaluronic acid, but glycerin, urea, natural moisturizing factor, amino acids and trace elements are no less effective. Therefore, choose a product with any of the components in the composition.
Lightening and reduction of pigmentation. For this, the formula includes AHA acids (glycolic, mandelic, citric, malic, tartaric), retinoids, arbutin, niacinamide, vitamin C, ferulic and azelaic acids, etc. is necessary. For a detailed guide on how to get rid of pigmentation, read here.
Antiage effect. Anti-aging serums often contain vitamins C, E and A, peptides, retinol or plant extracts: baicalin, resveratrol, tannin, rose extract.
Inflammation treatment. The most common ingredients in anti-imperfection serums are salicylic acid, panthenol, niacinamide, allantoin, and tea tree oil.
exfoliation. A more intense look to the composition of AHA acids, and soft – for PHA acids (gluconic and lactobionic) and enzymes.
How to include serum in your care?
To incorporate a serum into your routine, it is important to identify the active ingredient that is right for your particular skin type and problem. Usually a beautician helps with this. Serums can be combined with each other, but it is better not to go beyond one line of a particular brand, so as not to cause irritation.
If you choose a serum with collagen-stimulating, whitening or brightening ingredients, it cannot be used permanently. In such cases, serums are usually prescribed over a period of about three to six months, depending on the condition of the skin, its reaction, the composition of the serum and the time of year.
Could there be contraindications?
When using any cosmetic product, an allergic reaction to one or another ingredient can never be ruled out. That’s why it’s best to test the serum on a separate area of the skin first. For example, on the skin of the forearm – this area is the most decisive in terms of tolerance of any cosmetic product. If the reaction is normal, the serum can be safely applied to the skin of the face, but in moderation (1-2 drops per area) and make sure that the product does not get into the eyes and mucous membranes of the lips.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
