Many things get better with age; unfortunately, your skin is not one of them. Wrinkles, brown spots and dullness appear as we age. To counteract these problems, many women turn to a facial serum. Serums are light, easily absorbable oil or water-based liquids that you spread on your skin. They usually come in small bottles with a dropper and you only need a few drops to cover your entire face.
A facial serum is not a moisturizer like a lotion or cream. Instead, they are highly concentrated formulations designed to quickly penetrate the skin, delivering an intensive dose of ingredients that can target common skin complaints.
How to choose and use a facial serum? Serums are usually applied to the skin after cleansing, but before moisturizing. Some serums have one main ingredient, while others, including those that target the signs of aging, are combination formulas. It is wise to choose a serum that contains a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid. Vitamin C, in particular, has been shown to prevent brown spots, reverse ultraviolet damage and stimulate the growth of new collagen.
Other good facial serum options for treating wrinkles are those with antioxidants including tea polyphenols and resveratrol. Retinol, which reduces inflammation, is another good option, as is niacinamide.
If you're looking for rosacea and discoloration products, look for formulas that can brighten and lighten dark spots, including kojic acid and glycolic acid. If your skin is dry, tight, and flaky, look for a serum that contains vitamin E, niacinamide, and glycolic acid. Also look for ceramides, which are fat molecules that help hold the skin together and prevent moisture from escaping. Other good options are serums that contain hyaluronic acid, or those with collagen peptides, epidermal growth factors, or stem cells.
Are all skin serums created equal?
Not all serums work the same. How well they work depends on the active ingredients, formulation and composition stability. The prices of serums range from cheap to expensive, but price makes no difference. More important than price are the ingredients in the serum - so it's a good idea to read labels to find the best formulation for your needs.
Caution when using a facial serum
Powerful ingredients can irritate sensitive skin. Always test a small area before applying a large-scale facial serum. And be careful when combining acid-containing serums with other products that also contain acids. For example, your skin can become irritated if you use a serum with vitamin C (which is acidic) and a retinol cream, or if you use a retinol serum with a prescription retinol cream.
