What is Face Serum?

What could be better than cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sunscreen?. You may be missing out if you haven't included a face serum in your skin routine. Not sure what a face serum is or why you should involve one into your routine?

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Face serums are an essential element of every skin care routine, and it's nearly impossible to avoid them. Serums can help tackle a number of skin care concerns. There are serums for everyone, whether you have normal, dry, oily, or combination skin. 

If you're new to serums, then you may have a lot of questions, such as who should use it? What are the benefits of using serum? When should you begin using serum? How do you pick the best face serum?. Let’s get into the benefits of using a face serum and how different kinds of serums can help you overcome your skin concern.

What is Face Serum?

Face serums are lightweight moisturizers with higher concentrations of active ingredients than standard facial moisturizers. Face serums, which are well-known for their effectiveness, are frequently used to address specific skin care issues, such as wrinkles, hydration, skin brightening, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone. A serum is typically thinner than a moisturizer, making it ideal for layering. Serums can be found in a variety of formulas, including gels, oils, and light creams, and in some cases, they can even have a water-like consistency.

What are the benefits of Face Serum?

• It helps to keep the skin hydrated.

• It helps to manage acne prone skin.

• It helps to minimize the appearance of dark spots.

• It helps to reduce the visible sign of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

• It helps to keep your skin safe from free radicals and future damage.

• It helps to brighten the dull skin and you may feel your skin more moisturized.

• It helps in reducing the open pores, resulting in fewer blackheads and whiteheads.

• It helps to boost the collagen formation, because of their collagen content. You will notice an improvement in the texture of your skin.

When should you begin using face serum?

In your twenties, your skin is at its best. Collagen and elastin are abundant in your skin. Collagen is the key component that gives youthful skin its plump the appearance. Elastin gives skin elasticity, which helps the skin return to its original shape after being stretched.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that declines with ageing. Your skin appears bright, bouncy, and plump in your early twenties because of the body's naturally occurring protein, "Your skin generates around one percent less collagen each year. Face serums can be far too active for younger skin.

Face serums are best used between the ages of late 20s and early 30s. This is the age when the first signs of ageing begin to appear. Incorporating a face serum into your skincare routine will not only improve but also protect your skin. 

How to pick the best face serum for your skin?

Everyone has a different skin type and the concern that comes with it. As a result, search for a face serum that has skincare components that are tailored to your individual requirements. Find out which serum is ideal for your skin type and concern.

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1. For Daily Protection

Look for antioxidants, including vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and green tea in a serum. They function as a barrier against environmental factors that deplete the life on your face (UV rays, air pollution, etc.).

2. For Dark Spots and Uneven Skin tone

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, has been shown in studies to help reduce undesirable pigmentation and prevent new dark spots. Vitamin C is a fussy component, Vitamin E and Ferulic acid extends the life and efficiency of vitamin C.

You may find it challenging to obtain a bright, beautiful complexion if your skin is dull. Use a serum that contains vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten and even the skin tone.

3. For Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, a serum packed with hyaluronic acid is essential for providing your skin with the moisture it requires. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating molecule that is naturally found in the skin and aids in water retention. Our levels of hyaluronic acid start to decline as we get older, which is where a moisturizing serum might come in handy.

Use this serum into your daytime and evening skin care routines. Also, make sure you use it after you've cleaned your face. This will allow the substance to absorb completely, providing more advantages.

4. For Acne Prone and Large Open Pores.

Serums for acne prone skin should be oil free and noncomedogenic. Exfoliants like glycolic acid. Retinol is also useful since it promotes cell turnover while also improving the absorption of your other acne treatments. 

• Look for hydrator, such as hyaluronic acid. 
• Anti-inflammatories, such as niacinamide. 
• Salicylic Acid can help to reduce the appearance of pores and prevent breakouts.

If your pores are large and very much visible, a targeted serum could be able to help you clear them out. Large pores are caused by pores that are clogged with dead skin cells and oil. A blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is used to decongest and reduce the pores.

5. For Sensitive Skin

Anti-inflammatory ingredients like as zinc, green tea, licorice root, and aloe vera should be looked out by sensitive skin types. Avoid using retinoids or acids on a regular basis, use Bakuchiol to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Bakuchiol is a natural retinol substitute that comes from the leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It works in the same way as retinol does on the skin, but it's less prone to cause responses (such redness and peeling), so it's an excellent choice for people looking for a milder anti-aging treatment having sensitive skin.

6. For Fine lines and Wrinkles and to Improve Skin Texture.

Fine lines and wrinkles are caused by the normal loss of collagen as people become older. So, you need to increase skin cell turnover and collagen synthesis. Retinol and Bakuchiol help in the formation of collagen and the improvement of skin texture. Hydrator such as hyaluronic acid plump the skin.

Begin by incorporating retinol (with lowest concentration) into your routine gradually, applying it only two to three times each week. You can gradually increase your usage once your skin has adapted and always use retinol at night. Also, because retinol can increase sun sensitivity, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning.

Now that you know what to look for in a serum and what it can do for you, let's go over some key steps to take when you first start using one and how to get the most out of a serum?.

How To Get The Most Out Of A Serum?

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• Do a patch test first, before applying anything, it's always a good idea to do a patch test.

• Cleansing is the initial step in every skin care routine. Before using the serum, make sure your skin is clean. Apply a small amount of liquid, alcohol-free facial toner using a cotton pad.  

• When applying serum to dry skin, do it while it is still damp, since the moisture aids penetration.

• Now, your skin is ready to apply the magical product, the face serum. Always read the instruction on the product as how to apply the face serum.

• Always remember that less is more, serums which are filled with potent ingredients. If your serum is pump based bottle 2 pumps are more than enough and, if you have a dropper then 3 to 4 drops.

• Gently massage your palms together after taking the serum in your hand to warm and activate it. 

• Lightly press your palms against your skin and pat the serum over your face and neck in outwards and upwards strokes until it is entirely absorbed and wait for 2 to 3 minutes before going to the next step of your routine.

So, this was all about Face Serums. By now, I hope you've realized how important face serum is in your skin care regimen and how it may help you overcome your skin concerns. The amount of time it takes for a serum to provide the desired outcome depends on the type of serum. It takes 4-6 weeks to see visible results, but you must follow a proper routine because the serum alone will not provide the desired results; other steps and a balanced diet are equally important.

Be picky with your time, friends and skincare.😉