Effective skin care at home 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 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 serums can be very compelling and promising. It is easy to believe that this is truly a magic elixir. In reality, in order not to be disappointed and damage your skin, you need to be very critical of marketing tricks and approach your choice carefully. Breaker Warning: Serums are working. But sometimes it does not work as you expect.
Each serum is an emulsion of oil and water bases. Depending on the amount of emulsifier and the ratio of these two emulsion phases, you can distinguish:
- liquid, homogeneous emulsions, which consist more of an aqueous phase. These serums are preferable to use during the summer or if you are not going out in the winter, and also as an evening care.
- emulsions consisting mainly of an oily phase. These serums are intended to restore the lipid substance of the epidermis and are perfect for use in the cold season.
Why are care serums necessary and can they be used instead of a cream?
Most serums are used as a sub-cream rather than as a standalone product. Due to their chemical formula, whey provides a higher bioavailability of the substances that make up their composition. In other words, by using a serum, you will be able to quickly distribute the necessary substances to the skin and, therefore, get an effect.
Serums can not replace the cream, as it is the cream that "closes" the serum, allowing it to 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 serums with glycerin. Only in this case such a serum will really hydrate the skin.
What expectations will the serum meet?
The main purpose of home care, in addition to treating and correcting existing problems, is prevention. And whey is exactly the product that will help you avoid a lot of trouble in the future.dermatologist, cosmetologist Anna Smolyanova. . .
"If you use a serum that has sun-protecting properties, then the chance of age spots appearing on your face is much lower. And pigmentation is a very persistent defect, from which it is quite difficult to get rid of. Andfor sure - it is long and expensive, as it will require a whole course of serious medical procedures - partial reappearance, peeling, injection of special drugs. Also, the issue is with the preservation of the water-lipid mantle, optimal humidity, maintenanceIf you create conditions for the skin in which it can fully synthesize collagen and elastin, receive moisture, nourishment, oxygen, do not let the metabolism and antioxidant system of the skin "fall asleep" - it becomes apparentnot just for you.
The use of serums on a regular basis makes the skin beautiful, removes or removes less obvious existing problems, replenishes the deficiencies of biologically active substances: vitamins, micro and macro elements. Serums are a simple and affordable replacement therapy, which gives all the effects for which we buy a product.
The best known are serums with antioxidants, peptides and acids. Depending on the combination of these ingredients, the product has a special effect. "
There are serums designed to solve and prevent specific problems.
Serums that stimulate skin regeneration
Serums with a pronounced effect of stimulating skin regeneration, and this is exactly what we mean by the word "rejuvenation". These are products that contain retinol, namely vitamin A. The concentration is not less than 0. 2%. Pay attention to the fact 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 do not stimulate cell growth and division and skin renewal.
Lifting serum for skin aging
The main biologically active components of such funds are peptides aimed at reducing mimic wrinkles, or collagen-stimulating peptides and antioxidants, which help prevent the oxidation of cellular lipids and the destruction of cell membranes. Such serums restore tone and density to aged skin, due to which an uplifting effect is achieved.
Serumet Botulinum
Serums containing a complex of peptides with a botulinum-like effect: argireline, botox-like syneic, are indicated for those wishing to prolong the effect of botulinum therapy. Or you can use this tool as a standalone in order to minimize the visits to the cosmetologist for botulinum toxin injections. As you have already understood, such serums soften the lines of expression.
Lightening serums
The product is used to even out skin tone. May include 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 protectors. I would like to point out that absolutely everyone should use cosmetics with the properties of sunscreens all year round. Especially for owners of sensitive, bright skin, prone to the formation of age spots. Regular use of such serums will help to smoothly correct and slightly "fade" the stains.
Serums for oily and problem skin
They usually contain acids, substances that reduce fat production and ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and pore-tightening effects. As a rule, they contain: niocinamides, components of seawater, represented by trace elements - silicon, magnesium and zinc, as well as acids. For example, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid serums can be recommended for those who want to reduce the severity of blackheads on the face. Glycolic acid serums reduce the formation of milia, closed comedones and stimulate cell division.
Serums for dry skin
Serum with vitamins C and E will help restore the damaged skin barrier. This problem is common in people with dry, irritated and cracked skin. Such serums are recommended for those who have already appeared or have just started to form a network with fine wrinkles and early pigmentation. And also for those who want to delay the appearance of these signs of aging as much as possible.
I would also like to mention serums containing mandelic acid, which is an excellent mild keratolytic and can be used both on very dry skin and also on aged skin as a rejuvenating skin.
Importers It is important to understand that the final effect of using the serum should be evaluated no earlier than in a month and a half. It is during this time that the skin will have time to completely renew itself.
How to use the serum correctly?
Depends on the composition of the product. For example, if the serum contains active acids, the action of which is aimed at exfoliating and stimulating skin rejuvenation, then its use as an evening ingredient in home care is recommended. If the serum contains mainly antioxidants that act as filters for ultraviolet radiation, then it is recommended to use such a serum in the morning. If you have a tendency to bloat on the face, you should not use moisturizing serums in the evening before bedtime. Indeed, in this case, the swelling on the face will appear more strongly. But as a morning care, such products are perfect.
Errors in using the serum
- A common mistake is to mix some incompatible serums. Very often, another serum is applied over a serum. In most cases, this leads to the fact that one or both tools do not work immediately. If you want to solve more than one problem, choose a universal serum with vitamins C and E. If you are concerned about a specific problem, choose a specially created serum.
- Another common mistake is to neglect the period of validity of the serum. When opening a pipe or jar, many people forget about it. But the serums are active from three to six months after opening. Then the product loses its properties. Enter the date you opened the serum. Conveniently suitable for doing this in a journal or in a separate application.
- Storing whey in the wrong place is another big mistake. See where your products stand? If they are kept on the windowsill, active sunlight, or near radiators and heating appliances, in a bathroom where it is damp and warm, the serum ingredients will break down more quickly. Store cosmetics in a cool, dark place. A handy plastic container will work for you and will be placed in a dark wardrobe in your bedroom. And before you do your morning or evening home care session, you will get it.
- If you have sensitive and irritated skin, try to avoid the abundance of alcohol and preservatives in your cosmetics. Yes, this product will not be stored open for a long time. But, if you see that the serum contains preservatives such 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 using it.
- Pay attention to the amount of dyes in the serum. They are most often labeled with CL on the label, which means color. use such a product.