You have got your face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, and exfoliator sorted, and you think that is all you need to make it work. No, one more skin care product is a potent source of nourishment and nutrition for your facial skin. It often remains undiscussed, the face serum.
You probably might think that you already have your skincare routine cleanse, mask, sunscreen, moisturize – what more could there be?
Well, if you have not added a face serum into the mix, you might be missing out. Not sure about the benefits of a face serum why, exactly. Should you surely be making room in your routine for one? If you are open to upgrading your skin care regimen, keep reading to learn about the best face serum that suits your face. Also, know the various reasons to use them.
What is a Face Serum?
Many of you might ask what exactly a face serum is? It is a concentrate of active ingredients, which primarily targets specific skincare concerns.
The ingredients are powerful and made up of smaller molecules. The level of active ingredients is higher than in a regular face cream. Probably because the heavier oils and ingredients have been done away with.
So while the cream could have around ten percent of active ingredients, the serum has a whopping seventy percent or more.
Benefits of a Face Serum
Serums are no doubt nourishing and can quickly weed out many of your skin problems at the root. However, they also come with visible benefits and perks.
- Your skin texture will improve, thanks to the Vitamin C and collagen content drastically. It helps your skin become firmer and smoother, leading to visibly younger-looking skin.
- There will be fewer scars, spots, pimples, and other marks as they start lightening with regular use of a face serum. Exceptionally if you choose the one with plant concentrates. It is done holistically, without the use of harmful chemicals and peels.
- With the regular face serum, you will see a reduction in the size of open pores. Its use gives rise to lesser whiteheads and blackheads.
- Under-eye serums also have visible benefits. Serums help reduce dark circles, dryness, and fine lines. They are an instant pick-me-up for brighter eyes.
- With face serum, you will have less inflammation, redness, and dryness; instead, your skin will look dewy, fresh, and moisturized.
Learn more about Witch Hazel Benefits and Uses here.
What Ingredients are Typically Used in Face Serum, and What are Their Benefits?
Ingredients in face serum can range from the ordinary to the exotic, depending on what you opt for. Here are a few common ones to watch out for.
1. Vitamin C
A common ingredient for anti-aging, so if you are in your late 30s and 40s, use a serum with vitamin C. Not only does this potent component help build collagen, but it also boosts your skin immunity.
Note that it should be a part of your skin care regimen regularly.
2. Hyaluronic acids
Yes, hyaluronic acids are a great way to treat dehydrated skin without the heaviness of emollients and creams. These trap your skin’s natural water levels and ensure that it does not lose any of its natural moisture, remaining replenished. Amino acids and ceramides also achieve the same results and benefits.
3. Antioxidants
As we all know, antioxidants are essential to protect your skin from stress and env damage. So beta-carotene and green tea are extracts to watch out for. While berries, grape, and pomegranate seed extract are other active ingredients.
4. Retinols
They are serum (retinol serum) ingredients ideal for your skin if you are prone to acne and address fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Plant-based active ingredients
These ingredients, like liquorice make for natural brightening ingredients that are just right to deal with pesky scars, sunspots, and patchy skin.
6. Anti-inflammatory
If you have sensitive skin, try using a serum with anti-inflammatory properties. As they prevent redness, breakouts, and inflammation. You should read the ingredients on the label you need to check out: zinc, arnica, and aloe vera.
Do Face Serums Differ from Moisturizers and Oils?
You might wonder if they are the same as moisturizers, but the answer is no. It is indeed true that they may share ingredients and properties. Your skin more easily absorbs face serums. Moreover, serums work below the epidermis, while moisturizers work on the top layer and hold in all the moisture.
Also, serums are water-based. In contrast, moisturizers and facial oils are cream or oil-based.
How Should You Choose a Face Serum?
You would be surprised at the number of options available on the serum market. Interestingly, all of them promise excellent, beautiful skin. But the best way to pick out one that is right for you is to consider two factors.
Firstly, it solely depends on the skin problem you are trying to address. Do you want to banish those sun spots on the nose? Or do you want to get rid of fine lines around the mouth? Find a serum that claims to do just what you need it to.
Secondly, consider your skin type. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, select a face serum with retinoids, salicylic acid, and rosehip seed oil. You should try something with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for mature and dry skins. Normal skin works well with glycolic acid, as it traps the moisture and keeps your skin refreshed and rejuvenated.
Are Face Serums Heavy on the Pocket?
When comparing them to other ingredients, a facial serum is a more expensive ingredient. This is primarily because the ingredients used are often concentrated and not diluted with fluff.
However, on the upside, you will need fewer other products if your serum addresses most of your skin problems. Indeed, more expensive serums often tend to have better quality ingredients.
Moreover, cost-effective ones work wonders if only you do your research on your skin’s needs in advance. Also, once you buy your face serum, it is good to use it regularly and every day. The reason is that the active ingredients tend to expire faster.
So if you keep the serums – it is just a waste of good money if you use it at the earliest. It is important to note that the serum goes past its best before date. It is typically anywhere from 6 months to a year.
FAQs on Face Serums
When do you apply a face serum?
You can use skincare serums at night and also during the day. If you have dry skin in the daytime, wash your face and pat it dry. Then gently layer your skin with a serum that quenches your skin’s thirst for nutrition. Wait for a few minutes for it to settle down.
Follow up with a moisturizing sunscreen SPF 50 or below of your choice. If you can cleanse and rinse off this layer once in the afternoon and reapply it, it would be ideal skin care. For the night, try not to layer too much serum. Instead, let your skin breathe.
As you know, most night creams tend to be quite concentrated. So either use them or a night serum but not both of them. However, the key is not to overuse them, so do not apply them night and day.
What is the best anti-aging serum for oily skin?
Those with active sebaceous glands indeed need to worry less about aging. But it is a complete myth that those with oily skin do not age.
However, you should note that skincare products that dry out the extra oil from your face and strip the skin of its natural emollients are not the solution. Instead, try focusing on a face serum that has excessive hydrating properties.
Note that serums that are purely water-based counter the oil levels in your skin. In addition, they also get absorbed quickly to restore any degenerating cells below the epidermis. Therefore, look for ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, amino acids, and blends.
Is it safe to use serum if you have skin problems?
Since face serums are concentrated, you might be prone to certain reactions and allergies. So consult your dermatologist before you try out something new. Else do a patch test in the beginning before you start using it entirely.
Note that if you are pregnant or have skin ailments like eczema, it is best to avoid using a serum with very potent ingredients. Moreover, use it correctly, without adding too much makeup on top or chemicals that might react adversely to the serum.
How can you use a face serum to treat wrinkles?
Serums that treat wrinkles are more effective than lotions and creams because of two reasons. One is the active ingredients these serums contain. Secondly, they do not come with a heavy, weighted feel like most of the regular anti-aging moisturizers that you often find.
So you should look for ingredients like antioxidants, acai, peptides, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extracts, and even distilled argan oil as they prevent wrinkles from forming easily.
It is important to note that serum gives you weightlessness and a non-greasiness. At the same time, they address wrinkles at the core from within, rather than just at the surface.
How can you make a serum at home with essential oils?
It is usually not advisable to make your serum. Unlike other skincare products, serums are concentrated and typically require a high level of skill and knowledge to come up with.
However, if you are unwilling or unable to afford a store-bought serum, you can try making one at home. Take two tablespoons of rosehip seed oil and mix it with about 10 drops of neroli oil or carrot seed essential oil.
Stir the mixture well and store it in an airtight container. Apply a thin layer using your fingertips and massage into your skin. You can use it both in the morning and at night. Rosehip seed oil is excellent, helps collagen production, and reduces skin inflammation and other issues. The essential oil dilutes and helps hydrate your skin.
