What are the benefits of using a serum on the face?
Serums are lightweight products that tend to absorb faster and can be applied underneath a moisturizer. Serums have a number of different benefits depending on the ingredients and what it is targeting. There is a variety of serums out there to addressing almost any skincare concern from fine lines, wrinkles, acne, dryness, and overall skin health. By using a skincare serum on the face you are treating your specific skincare concern with a higher concentration of active ingredients to address your needs.
2. Key Ingredients based on your skincare concerns are as followed:
For hydration, you want to look for a Hyaluronic acid-based serum. This popular skincare ingredient helps to hold moisture in the skin and even helps to increase the absorption of products applied over it. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000x its weight in water making it amazing at holding in moisture to the skin. Hyaluronic is naturally found in the body and is what gives us that soft supple skin when we are young. We start to create less as we age making it a great product to add to anyone’s regimen.
For brightening and overall skin health, Vitamin C serums are a great choice. This amazing ingredient is loaded with antioxidants that help to protect you against free radical damage. This type of damage is caused when a molecule looses and elctron and starts bouncing around trying to find its missing electron. When this happens it tries to steal its missing electron from another molecule creating this imbalance again and again causing damage to the cell. What antioxidants do is go in and offer an electron to stabilize the molecule stopping this chain reaction, thus stopping this process that causes these signs of aging. On top of Vitamin C, is a great natural brightener. It helps to reduce the amount of melanin produced in the skin giving the skin a brighter appearance, reducing hyperpigmentation and even melasma.
Acne got you down try a Salycylic Acid serum (often called BHA). This serum is great to use for acne! It works by getting into the pore and removing congestion. It also helps to smooth the skin by removing build-up on the surface. In fact, there are a number of exfoliating serums that have a lower percentage of acids to help to smooth the skin and are great for acne, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture.
Struggling with wrinkles or fines lines try a Peptide serum with top-of-the-line peptides like Matryxl 300 or Snap 8. These amazing peptides work as building blocks for the skin helping to build new collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are essential for youthful-looking skin. Adding a peptide serum can help to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and even help smooth the texture.
3. When should you use a serum:
All serums are different and may require a different application method, so make sure to read your instructions and ask your esthetician or dermatologist how and when to apply. Typically serums are applied after you cleanse and before you moisturize. A good rule of thumb is to look at the consistency of you products and apply them from the thinnest to the thickest. Your light weight serums are usually applied first followed by your heavier moisturizers and cream. I would suggest to use your serum 2x a day. If you find yourself not able to apply 2x a day focus on your night time routine.This is when you body is absorbing and repairing and it will be more beneficial time to apply than just the morning alone. If you are using an exfoliating serum then you may only want to use that at night, to avoid possible sun-damage. These exfoliating serums may also only be able to be used 2-3xs a week then eventually building up to daily.However Please speak with your provider for proper product instructions.
