Most of you guys probably know that I’m a skincare fanatic, but this wasn’t always the case. In my early twenties, my definition of skincare was remembering to wipe off my eye makeup and wash my face before bed. Oh yeah, and sunscreen had to be in there somewhere. Now that I’m older, taking good care of my skin is as important to me as taking care of my children. Okay maybe notjustas important, but at a level below that.
Not only should skin care give you the confidence to rock a dull face in public, it should also make your face feel nourished instead of neglected. When I first decided to get serious about my skin care regimen, getting hold of all the products and understanding how all the steps fit together was confusing as hell. It was hard to separate fad from reality, and I couldn’t translate the skincare jargon.
Therefore, today we will consider one of the foundations of skincare: the serum. To be honest, it’s hard to understand how to take care of your face and what a serum actually does, unless you have a skin care expert on speed dial. Now I am no expert, but I have learned a thing or two in this field. Also, I love you guys enough to research the topic and make sure I have everything straight.
Now then. Let’s talk about serums.
All Your Questions About Serums Answered
What is a serum?
A serum is a lightweight formula that contains a high concentration of active ingredients that you use to nourish and rejuvenate your skin. Serums contain the highest number of active ingredients that you can get without a prescription, making them one of the most expensive skin care products on the market. Traditionally, serums are water-based, ideal for people with oily skin. They are made up of small molecules that penetrate deep into the skin instead of just skimming the surface. A serum can be liquid or non-liquid depending on which brand you choose, and you can handpick a serum with a specific combination of ingredients to combat your specific skin care concerns.
When do I apply the serum?
You should apply your serum twice a day using one or two fingers and rub it into your skin. Since serums contain strong active ingredients, you should be able to use just a few drops (1-3) to get the desired effect. In the morning, you should use the serum after cleansing your face and applying toner. In the evening, use after cleansing your face and apply moisturizer before bed.
Do I want a water-based or oil-based serum?
Traditionally, serums are water-based, ideal for people with oily skin. Water-based serums have a lightweight gel-like texture and absorb quickly into the skin. Oil-based serums are best for anyone with dry skin, and leave you with a brighter complexion. This doesn’t mean you’re limited to water-based serums if you have oily skin. Just make sure the ingredients you want are in the serum you choose. You can look for non-comedogenic oils to complement your natural oils such as argan oil.
But Sai, what about moisturizers, essences, face oils, etc.?
Ah yes, I know. There are many products out there and they are amazing. So let’s break down the differences between all these products.
Serums vs. Essences:
Serums and essences are very similar except perhaps the texture of each product. A serum is more potent and usually has more ingredients while an essence is more watery. Basically, these products are just marketed differently, the word “serum” is used more in the US and “essence” is more prominent in Asian countries. You can achieve the same results depending on what ingredients you want.
Serums vs. Facial Oil:
Facial oils are great for anyone with dry skin, and they leave you with a brighter complexion. The facial oil is actually a supercharged moisturizer that provides even more intense hydration, shine and nourishment. This is applied just before moisturizing or you can choose to mix in a few drops.
Serums vs. Moisturizers:
Moisturizers have larger molecules than serums, they hydrate and protect the top layer of the skin. They seal everything in, while serums are like your skin’s daily vitamin, penetrating deep into the skin tissue.
How can I choose a serum?
The good news is that there are serums that focus on all different types of skin care concerns so you can find your skin care soulmate in a bottle. The first ingredient has the highest availability in each serum, and the potency decreases as you progress through the ingredients. So you can prioritize your skin concerns and find the best serum for you. Here are some ingredients based on your main skin concern.
Thirst | Vitamin E, niacinamide, glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reopen it to view this content.Dullness | Green tea extract, ferulic acid, resveratrol
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reopen it to view this content.Chiefs | Vitamin C, retinol, zinc, salicylic acid
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reopen it to view this content.Sai
