Most of us probably think we have our skin care routine down pat. Cleanse, tone, moisturize — what more could there be? Well, if you haven’t added a face serum into the mix, you may be missing out. A face serum is all the rage now with beauty enthusiasts.
So what exactly is a face serum?
It’s moisturising but not a moisturiser, oily but not a face oil, watery but not an essence.
So, let’s make this easy. A serum is a skin care product that you apply to your skin after cleansing but before moisturising with the intent to deliver a potent shot of ingredients directly into your skin.
Unlike a moisturiser, serums have a lipid-soluble base which allows the active ingredients to penetrate into the epidermis instead of lying on the surface. This way, they can offer highly-concentrated doses directly to your skin which makes them great for targeting specific concerns like wrinkles, brightness, acne or hydration.
It’s because of this ability to soak into your skin, paired with the fact that they contain concentrated doses of effective ingredients, face serums can often be costly but if it’s the results that you’re after, this isn’t a step you’re going to want to scrimp on.
How do you use one?
Using a pea-sized amount of serum, gently massage the product into your face and neck a couple of minutes are your cleanser. Then, proceed to apply your regular moisturiser and make-up as normal.
There are also formulas specifically designed for nighttime use so that you can slather on the product for maximal results come morning.
That being said, with so many variations on the market from hyaluronic serum to 100 squalane oil, just to name a few, knowing which one to pick for your skin can be a minefield.
A vitamin C serum and products that contain retinol and salicylic acid should be a go-to for anyone with acne-prone skin as these will help to reduce inflammation, ace as an antioxidant and unclog pores.
Ideal for women of all ages and skin types, the skin care benefits of vitamin C serum are numerous, beginning with the most popular – it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Those with dry skin should look for serums that contain Vitamin E, glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid for extra moisture, elasticity and gentle exfoliation.
While dull complexions will feel brighter and smoother thanks to ingredients like green tea extract and ferulic acid.
