When it comes to the skincare regime, mostly we talk about cleansing, toning and moisturizing. As a common tendency, people think investing in an expensive moisturizer is the best step taken for the skin. But that is not enough. Being exposed to pollution, heat, free radicals, UV rays, and more our skin gets more other concerns that need to be addressed and moisturizer can definitely be enough. We need more, and more is skin serum.
What Is Serum?
The serum is a topical treatment rich in active ingredients for the skin. The skin surface often appears dull, pigmented, dry, and wrinkled, with open pores and more concerns. The serum targets the concerns directly and wipes them off over time. When we talk about the active ingredients, we mean vitamins, acids, antioxidants, botanical extracts, peptides, and more.
This is used after toning and before moisturizer application. A moisturizer prevents water loss. Serums are water-based and when applied on bare skin, the active ingredients start sinking and working fast.
Why Do You Need Serum?
Lightweight: Serums have a fluid texture that is quite thin and it does not feel like you have applied anything on the skin.
Fast-absorbing: The creams and oils have occlusive ingredients that can create a barrier on the top of the skin, serums are made of small molecules that can easily and quickly penetrate the skin.
Non-comedogenic: Most serums are oil-free and silicone-free and do not clog pores or trigger acne.
Targeted: No matter what skin issue you are looking to improve, from dullness to fine lines to dark spots, there’s a serum for that.
Concentrated: The serums have active ingredients at a higher concentration than other products such as face creams.
Effective: The serums have the ability to penetrate deeply into the skin, and always give better results than any other topical products.
Easy to layer: Serums are weightless and can be easily layered under other skincare products such as moisturizers, face oils, sunscreens and foundations.
Types of Serums
Hydrating Serums
Purpose: Hydrating serums always deliver an extra layer of moisturizer underneath the face oils, face creams, or sunscreens. They use humectants that draw water into the top layer of the skin that is stratum corneum.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin, snail mucin.
Best for: All skin.
Antioxidant Serums
Purpose: Antioxidant serums make a protective layer on the skin from the free radicals that make the skin look aged. Free radicals are usually unstable molecular fragments that are generated by UV rays and air pollution. It attacks the cells through a process known as oxidation. The antioxidant ingredients neutralize free radicals and prevent damage.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, retinoids, vitamin E, ferulic acid, coenzyme Q10, and green tea.
Best for: All skin
Brightening Serums
Purpose: Brightening serums concentrate on boosting skin radiance, even out the skin tone and fade out the dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne marks. It is accomplished with the ingredients that restrict melanin production or prevent the transfer of melanin.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hydroxy-acids, niacinamide, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, tranexamic acid.
Best for: Dullness, hyperpigmentation, dark spots.
Resurfacing Serums
Purpose: Resurfacing serums, popular as retexturizing serums, are leave-on exfoliating treatments. They have BHAs, AHAs, or both. It dissolves dead skin cell build-up and creates a smooth skin surface. They’re milder than most acid toners, these serums are suitable for sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid.
Best for: All skin
Clarifying Serums
Purpose: Clarifying serums treats active breakouts and stops future ones as well as helps to reduce excess oil. The best ones have BHAs, which seep into the skin surface to deep-clean pores and eeeeeeee oil production. They’re often coupled with other ingredients that control inflammation and reduce redness.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc, willow bark extract, niacinamide.
Best for: Breakouts, clogged pores, oily skin,
Pore-Minimizing Serums
Purpose: Pore-minimizing serums reduce the large pores. Often, it is because they have become clogged and stretched out. These serums contain exfoliating elements and help the pores, loosen the clogs and reduce sebum secretion. They help to remove hard under-the-skin bumps and even out rough skin texture.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, mushroom extract.
Best for: Large pores, clogged pores, rough texture.
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