Cosmetic serums have long been a product for use in beauty salons and are very expensive.Now they have become more affordable, but not everyone knows when and how to use them.What a serum is, how to use it correctly on your face and whether everyone needs it - that's what we're going to find out so as not to harm the skin.
What is serum
Women often ask whether this product is necessary if they can use face cream.Serums differ from creams by the increased concentration of active substances.There may be several of them, unlike extracts or extracts, and in different proportions.And if the cream is a cosmetic product for daily facial care, then serums are designed to solve a specific problem.They generally have a homogeneous consistency and can be oil or water based.It depends on which environment is best suited for the ingredients included.
What is a facial serum for?
It is used when conventional skin care products do not solve the most relevant facial skin problem at the moment.The serum helps to quickly achieve the desired effect - for example, getting rid of acne, eliminating dehydration, reducing or removing wrinkles.Before using a facial serum, you need to know what composition is necessary for the expected result.Thanks to its nourishing components and light consistency, it has a very intense effect on the skin:
- refreshes and improves complexion;deeply hydrates the skin;
- acts against rosacea;
- restores elasticity and firmness to the epidermis;
- slows down aging processes;
- removes age spots;
- rejuvenates, eliminates the first signs of aging;
- quickly improves the appearance of the dermis;
- eliminates blemishes and acne marks.
If the condition of your skin is good, you should not use the serum.Since this is a strictly targeted cosmetic product, when choosing, you should carefully study the composition, focusing not on your skin type, but mainly on the problem that you need to get rid of.
What are the means
Based on the problems serums face, they come in several types:
- soothing - intended for sensitive skin, containing herbal extracts, niacinamide, allantoin, neurosensin;
- serums for problem and acne-prone skin - contain antiseptic substances and components that regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands: zinc, retinoids, propolis, AHA and BHA acids, herbal extracts;
- moisturizing - for dehydrated and sensitive dermis, with glycerin, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid.These face serums are used if in summer there is a feeling of dry skin and insufficient moisture.Can be used twice a day – morning and evening;
- to combat pigmentation - contains arbutin, vitamin C, retinoids, azelaic acid;
- exfoliant - helps remove dead skin particles, with lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids.These serums should be used at night;
- anti-aging lifting serums - help remove sagging skin, smooth wrinkles, increase skin tone and slow down the aging process.They contain antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, vitamin C and retinol in high concentrations.
You should also learn how to use a facial serum depending on its composition and purpose.For example, a serum with retinol should only be used at night.It is also better to use serum to combat pigmentation only at night, and during the day it is necessary to protect your face with sunscreen from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Some active ingredients may be affected by the environment.Therefore, serum with retinoids or vitamin C is available in opaque packaging.It should be stored in a dark place and minimize contact with air.
How to use serum correctly
Typically, facial serum is produced in a container with a dispenser, in microcapsules, or a pipette is attached to the packaging.Thanks to this, contact with air is minimized and the serum can be used in moderation.Before using the facial serum, you must follow the rules of use and first cleanse your skin:
- remove cosmetics and impurities with micellar water or hydrophilic oil;
- use foam or gel to wash;
- Tonic spray to tone the skin.
When applying the serum, it's important to know when to stop.4-5 drops are enough to treat the entire face.To get the maximum effect on your skin, you can apply it in two ways.
Method 1. Apply the facial serum to your fingertips and distribute quickly without rubbing.Apply quickly to the face, following the massage lines.Then, use light pressure with your fingers to remove any remaining product that has not yet been absorbed.It's important to remember that the serum is absorbed almost instantly, so don't hesitate.
Method 2 is best to apply the oil serum correctly.Apply it to your fingers and lightly rub your palms together to evenly distribute and heat the serum.Apply your palms to your face with gentle movements, applying a little pressure.
After that, wait 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to be absorbed and then apply a cream that will complement it and strengthen the skin's protective barrier.It is advisable to combine cosmetic products from the same line - this way they will complement each other better, guarantee quick results and the effect will last longer.