Effective home 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 the 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 facial serum can be very compelling and promising. It's easy to believe that this really is a magic elixir. In fact, in order not to be disappointed and not damage your skin, you need to be very critical of marketing tricks and carefully approach your choice. Spoiler alert: Serum works. But sometimes it does not work as 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 between:
- 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 out in the winter, and also as evening care.
- emulsions consisting essentially of an oil phase. These serums are aimed at restoring the lipid substance in the epidermis and are perfect for use in the cold season.
Why are serum in care necessary and can they be used instead of a cream?
Most serums are used as a sub-cream instead of as a stand-alone product. Due to their chemical formula, whey provides a higher bioavailability of the substances that make up their composition. In other words, with the help of a serum you will be able to quickly deliver the necessary substances to the skin and therefore have an effect.
Serum cannot replace cream, as it is the cream that "closes" the serum so that it can function 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 the serum with glycerin. Only in this case, such a serum will 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 many problems in the future.dermatologist, cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum that has sunscreen properties, the likelihood of age spots on your face is much lower. And pigmentation is a very persistent defect that is quite difficult to get rid of. And certainly - it's farand expensive as a whole course of serious medical procedures will be required - fractional reconstruction, peeling, injection of special drugs. It is also about preserving the water lipid sheath, optimal moisture, maintaining the elastic properties of the skin. If you create conditions for the skin whereit can fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nutrition, oxygen, do not let the skin's metabolism and antioxidant system "fall asleep" - it will be noticeable not only for you.
Use of serum regularly makes the skin well-groomed, removes or less obvious existing problems, replenishes the deficiencies of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro- and macro-elements. Serum is a simple and affordable replacement therapy that provides 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 special effect. "
There are serums designed to solve and prevent specific problems.
Serum that stimulates skin regeneration
Serum with a pronounced effect of stimulating skin regeneration, and that 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%. Be aware that the composition contains exactly retinol, and not its derivatives. Because most 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 agents are peptides for the purpose of reducing the mimicry of wrinkles or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants, which help prevent the oxidation of cell lipids and the destruction of cell membranes. Such serums restore tone and density to aging skin, resulting in a lifting effect.
Botulinum Serums
Serum containing a complex of peptides with a botulinum-like effect: argireline, botox-like sinus, is indicated for those who wish to prolong the effect of botulinum therapy. Or you can use this tool as an independent to minimize visits to a beautician for botulinum toxin injections. As you have already understood, such serum smoothing expression lines.
Luminous serum
The product is used to even out the skin tone. May contain peptides, retinol and antioxidants. Antioxidants act as a photoprotective agent. Thus, we prevent photography, including the appearance of pigmentation and wrinkles, and do not overload the skin with sanitary pads. I would like to note that absolutely everyone should use cosmetics with sunscreen properties all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive, light skin who are prone to age spots. Regular use of such serums helps to gently correct and easily "dampen" freckles.
Serum for oily and problematic 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 in seawater, represented by trace elements - silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serum can be recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of blackheads on the face. Glycolic acid serum reduces the formation of milieus, closed comedones and stimulates cell division.
Serum for dry skin
Serum with vitamins C and E helps to repair the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated and scaly skin. Such serums are recommended for those who have already appeared or have just begun to form a network of fine wrinkles and early pigmentation. And also for those who want to expose the appearance of these signs of aging as much as possible.
I would also like to mention serum 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 peel.
It is important to understand that the final effect of using serum should be assessed at the earliest in a month and a half. It is during this time that the skin will have time to renew itself completely.
How is the serum used correctly?
It depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids, the effect of which is aimed at exfoliation and stimulation of skin renewal, it is recommended to use it as an evening component in home care. If the serum mainly contains antioxidants that act as filters for ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If you have a tendency to swell in the face, you should not use moisturizing serum in the evening before bedtime. In this case, swelling of the face will actually show up stronger. But as morning care, such products are perfect.
Error using serum
- A common mistake is to mix several incompatible serums. Very often another serum is applied on top of a serum. In most cases, this means 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 worried about a specific problem, choose a specially designed serum.
- Another common mistake is inattention to the period of validity of the serum. After opening a pipe or jar, many people forget it. But serum is active from three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Write down the date of opening 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. Can you see where your products stand? If stored in a window sill, active sunlight or near radiators and heaters in a bathroom where it is humid and hot, the serum components will degrade faster. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A practical plastic container will work for you and hide in a dark wardrobe in your bedroom. And before you do your home care session morning or evening, get it.
- If you have sensitive and irritable skin, try to avoid the abundance of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product is not 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 use.
- 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 indicated in the composition, plus the perfume or fragrance label is a perfumed fragrance, then know that it is better not to use such a product.