All About Face Serums
All About Face Serums
Ask any dermatologist you know, and they’ll tell you that serums are where it’s at when it comes to your skincare routine.
They contain higher amounts of active ingredients—meaning they’re legit workhorses that really deliver. Equally noteworthy is the fact that there really is a serum for any and every complexion concern you may have.
What are Serums?
Serums are thin-viscosity topical products that contain concentrated amounts of specific active ingredients that can help tackle a number of skincare concerns. There are many different types of serums on the market that perform different jobs, ranging from hydration to skin brightening to anti-ageing.
Effectiveness
The concept with a serum is that larger amounts of active molecules with smaller molecular size will penetrate the skin’s surface on the deepest level for optimum effectiveness. Also, due to the higher concentration, it typically takes a shorter amount of time to see visible results, compared with other types of skin products.
Consistency
Most often, serums are clear, gel-based or liquid, and they tend to be less thick and more lightweight than a moisturiser. The thinner viscosity allows the serum to be absorbed more easily into the skin.
Application
Serums are typically applied after cleansing and before moisturising to help lock in moisture.
01 Place a few drops of serum onto the palm of your hand.
02 Quickly rub the palms together to further activate the serum.
03 Using both hands, push and press into the face, neck and décolleté for 30 seconds (do not rub your skin excessively!).
04 Let the serum absorb into your skin on its own before applying any other product.
Apply twice daily, once in the morning and then again in the evening.
Irritation
The active ingredient(s) in serums tend to be more concentrated and potent and can occasionally cause irritation and dryness in those who have sensitive skin.
It’s a good idea to consider any potential skin sensitivities before trying a new product by performing a patch test. Apply a small amount of product to a patch on the skin and see how your skin reacts after a day.
Results
Everyone's skin is different, but on average, you should give it about seven weeks to see how your skin responds to a new serum routine. Depending on the serum and the current state of your skin, you might even see initial results — like slightly more hydrated skin — in just a few days.
Serum Benefits
When it comes to choosing a skin serum, it’s important to recognise that there are different types of serums, as well as specific ingredients to look for based on your skin goals.
In general, face serums will have the following benefits:
Anti-Aging Serums
Anti-aging regimens improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, encourage skin renewal and collagen production and target loss of elasticity and firmness. At the same time, they often help with dullness, dark spots and pigmentation concerns. This type of serum often includes ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol, peptides, Vitamin C and hydroxy acids.
Skin-Brightening Serums
Brightening serums focus on boosting radiance, evening out skin tone and fading dark spots, post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation. This is accomplished with ingredients that inhibit melanin production or prevent melanin transfer, or with chemical exfoliants that remove dead, pigmented cells. There are a chock-full of antioxidants and pigment-fighting ingredients including, vitamin C, glycolic acid, kojic acid, ferulic acid, mushroom extract, liquorice root, or lactic acid, among others.
Hydrating Serums
Hydrating serums enhance your skin's hydration, prevent it from drying out and improve its moisture retention. Many serums contain lipid-replenishing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, a molecule that physically binds water in the skin to make it look more fresh, plump, and young. Additionally, hydrating serums often contain vitamin B5, which helps to hydrate skin, making it appear smoother and dewier. Other key ingredients include glycerin, aloe vera and snail mucin.
Free-Radical Fighting Serums
Pollution, sun radiation (UV light) and tobacco smoke in the atmosphere are the main causes of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress in cells and lead to accelerated cellular ageing and premature wrinkles. Serums with antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, ferulic acid, green tea, resveratrol, and astaxanthin fight free radicals that can damage healthy skin cells.
Clarifying and Anti-Acne Serums
Blemish-clearing serums treat active breakouts and prevent future ones while also helping to reduce excess oil. The best ones contain BHAs, which penetrate below the skin surface to deep-clean pores and regulate oil production. They're often paired with other ingredients that take down inflammation and reduce redness. Key ingredients to look for are salicylic acid, willow bark extract, zinc and niacinamide.
Calming and Sensitive-Skin Serums
Calming serums soothe sensitive skin, decrease redness and irritation, and help to strengthen a weakened skin barrier, making your skin more resilient. This is accomplished with ingredients that take down inflammation, restore the moisture content of the stratum corneum, and seal up the cracks between skin cells. Key ingredients to look for include niacinamide, ceramides, centella asiatica extract and propolis.
Reparative/Texture Improvement Serums
Retexturizing serums are leave-on exfoliating treatments that contain AHAs, BHAs, or a blend of both—which dissolve dead skin cell build-up and create a smoother skin surface. Key ingredients to look for are lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.