The passing of the years inevitably changes our skin. And no, the transformation we undergo is not just limited to the appearance of wrinkles. The level of hydration also changes, we witness tissue sagging, and, in general, we realize how the epidermis appears drier and more imperfect.
If it is true that no one can stop time and rewind it, it is equally true that the use of the right and necessary products is crucial. In the world of beauty, face serums are becoming increasingly popular. But what are they and what are they for? In this article, we will try to find a clear picture, let’s start to find out the facial serum should we choose.
What is it?
A facial serum is a cosmetic with a light texture that can come in the form of an oily solution, through to very light and rapidly absorbed emulsions. Apply after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing or anti-aging cream.
Facial serums contain formulations with generally higher and more specific concentrations of active ingredients than creams. Thanks to their light consistency, they promote deep and rapid absorption into the epidermis, treating problems such as wrinkles, dark spots, and dehydration. Unlike moisturizers, which create a film on the skin, serums have virtually no film-forming effect. This allows you to apply another treatment later without affecting their absorption into the epidermis.
How to understand which serum to use?
To understand which face serum to choose and how to use it, the first step is obviously to take age into account, although it should be noted that this skincare product is not intended solely for mature individuals, on the contrary. There is a wide range of products for young skin. The goal, in all seasons of life, is not to modify, but to preserve the appearance, well-being, and beauty of our face.
The sooner you start incorporating face serum into your skincare, the better. Taking care of your skin is not something you should do only after the age of 30-40: when you are very young it is difficult to understand its importance, but it would be crucial to act in time. Then, to make the right choice, you need to take into consideration:
Skin type
Lifestyle led
Stress level
Bad habits that mark the face
To evaluate your skin type, it would be best to consult a professional: a dermatological visit is always a good idea, also to be aware of the overall state of the skin tissue. Another thing to be considered is the lifestyle we lead: accumulated tiredness, little sleep, and stress can affect the skin and require targeted interventions.
Types of face serums
- Antioxidant Facial Serum
- Facial hydrating serum
- Uniforming facial serum
- Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum
- Revitalizing and Energizing Serum
- Serum for Pigmentation and Spots
- Soothing Serum for Sensitive Skin
- Serum for Oily Skin and Acne Control
Antioxidant Facial Serum: One of the most popular options is the vitamin C serum, known for its antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
Facial hydrating serum: Adequate hydration is essential to maintain healthy, radiant, and youthful skin. When skin becomes dehydrated, it can become rough, tight, and sometimes prone to irritation and skin problems. An intense hydrating serum effectively addresses these issues and provides your skin with the hydration it needs. Hydration is key to healthy skin.
These serums improve the skin’s hydration and texture, managing to retain moisture. One of the most commonly used active ingredients in this type of serum is Hyaluronic Acid since one of the properties of this active ingredient is its high capacity to retain water.
Uniforming facial serum: These serums contain in their formulations active ingredients with different properties, such as niacinamide, known for its uniforming ability, or glycolic acid (alpha-hydroxy-acid reference) and other active ingredients with exfoliating properties. These serums help visibly correct dark spots on the face and even out uneven skin tone.
Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum: Another type of the most sought-after serums, formulated to fight aging, firm, densify, or brighten the skin. Their formulations contain active ingredients such as retinol, a powerful anti-wrinkle ingredient, Proxylane, hyaluronic acid, or anti-aging peptides. To find out which type of serum is best suited to your skin, it is best to consult a skin care specialist for personalized advice that will allow you to achieve the best results.
How to use a facial serum?
As we have already said, it is best not to see the serum as “only” the ally of a mature face, on the contrary. It would be appropriate to organize correct skincare by introducing it from a young age. You could start as early as 18-20 years old, but it all depends on your skin type and this is also why (let’s reiterate) it would always be better to interface with a dermatologist.
Generally speaking, if chosen well and if it is based on the right ingredients suitable for our skin, the face serum is a faithful companion, never to be let go. As for how to apply it, the right way is always and only one: drop a few drops on the face and massage them differently based on the area.
If you apply them on the chin, it will be a good idea to make diagonal movements that go upwards, while if you apply them on the cheekbones and cheeks, you will always need to make upward movements that also go towards the outside of the face. On the forehead, then, it is recommended to massage the hair attachment. Finally, for the eye contour, it is a good idea to drop a drop of product on your index finger, slide it over the area, and then dab lightly.
When to start using facial serum?
When we talk about skincare, we often ask ourselves when it is appropriate to start using a serum. As for hydrating serums, they are suitable for all ages as hydration represents a fundamental element in every skincare routine and a hydrating facial serum can help you achieve this benefit. As regards the anti-wrinkle facial serum, it is usually recommended to start using it from the age of 25 or 30, when the first signs of aging begin to appear on the face.
Some serums require progressive insertion, for example, those that include retinol in their formulation. In the case of using retinol, it is necessary to apply it progressively, applying it once or twice a week and increasing the frequency after a few weeks. Furthermore, the active ingredients of some serums can thin the stratum corneum, i.e. the outermost layer of the epidermis made up of dead cells. By reducing the thickness, your skin becomes more vulnerable to UV rays, so be sure to always use sunscreen.
Different serums with their key ingredients
Hydrating serum
Hyaluronic Acid: This ingredient is a natural molecule found in our skin. It has an exceptional ability to retain water, making it a popular choice for hydrating serums. Hyaluronic acid helps increase skin hydration, leaving it soft and rejuvenated.
Glycerin: It is an effective humectant that draws moisture from the environment and keeps it on the skin. It helps hydrate and soften the skin and is especially beneficial for dehydrated skin.
Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, aloe vera is a natural ingredient that can also reduce irritation and help heal skin.
Botanical Extracts: Ingredients like chamomile, calendula, and cucumber can soothe skin, provide essential nutrients, and increase hydration.
Anti-wrinkle and Firming Serum
As we age, our skin begins to show signs of aging, such as wrinkles and loss of firmness. At this point, an anti-wrinkle and firming serum becomes an essential ally in our skincare routine. These serums are formulated to address these signs of aging and provide skin with a younger, revitalized appearance. Ingredients such as retinol, peptides, and antioxidants in serums help reduce wrinkles, and fine lines and improve skin firmness, giving you a younger and revitalized look.
Key Ingredients:
Retinol: Derived from vitamin A, retinol is one of the most powerful ingredients for fighting wrinkles and fine lines. Stimulates collagen production, smoothes skin texture, and reduces the appearance of dark spots.
Peptides: These are protein fragments that can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. They help improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin, thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Antioxidants: Ingredients such as vitamins C, and E, and plant extracts are powerful antioxidants that protect the skin against damage caused by free radicals. This helps prevent premature aging and keep skin young.
Hyaluronic Acid: Also present in hydrating serums, hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Serum for Pigmentation and Spots
Dark spots and hyperpigmentation can affect the appearance of your skin. A pigmentation serum with ingredients such as vitamin C, kojic acid, or niacinamide can help reduce the appearance of spots and improve skin tone, leaving it more even and radiant.
Uneven pigmentation, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation can be a challenge to achieving even, glowing skin. A pigmentation-specific serum is an effective solution to address this common skin problem. These serums are designed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and improve overall skin tone, thus providing a more even and radiant complexion.
Key Ingredients:
Vitamin C: It is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve skin luminosity. It also helps inhibit the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots.
Kojic Acid: It is a depigmenting agent that is derived from certain fungi and can inhibit the production of melanin, thus helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots.
Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps reduce hyperpigmentation and improves skin texture. It can also help reduce the appearance of blemishes and redness.
Glycolic Acid: It is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can help exfoliate the skin, remove dead cells, and improve the appearance of blemishes and skin texture.
Soothing Serum for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin requires special care and specially formulated products to soothe and protect it. A soothing serum designed for this skin type is essential to provide relief from irritation, reduce redness, and provide additional hydration without causing discomfort. These serums are enriched with natural ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile; and soft that help strengthen the skin barrier and soothe sensitive skin, providing additional hydration without irritating sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients:
Aloe Vera: It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. Aloe vera helps relieve skin irritation and inflammation, providing a cooling and comforting sensation.
Chamomile: It has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help reduce redness and irritation on sensitive skin.
Calendula: It is a natural ingredient with healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Helps soothe and heal irritated skin.
Allantoin: It is a compound that softens and moisturizes the skin, providing relief from irritation and sensitivity.
Serum for Oily Skin and Acne Control
If you struggle with excess oil and acne, a serum specifically for oily skin can make a difference. Ingredients such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, and green tea help control oil production and reduce acne breakouts, leaving skin more balanced.
Oily, acne-prone skin requires special attention to control sebum production and prevent breakouts. A specific serum for oily skin and acne control is an excellent option to balance the skin, reduce excess oil, and keep the skin blemish-free.
Key Ingredients:
Salicylic Acid: It is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) known for its exfoliating properties and its ability to penetrate pores, cleansing them and reducing the appearance of blackheads and pimples.
Niacinamide: This ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties and helps regulate sebum production, which is essential for controlling oily skin and acne.
Green Tea: It is a natural antioxidant that calms the skin and helps reduce inflammation associated with acne. It also has antibacterial properties.
Revitalizing and Energizing Serum
Need a boost of energy for your dull, tired skin? A revitalizing serum with vitamins, plant extracts, and peptides can give your skin a more radiant and revitalized look, helping to restore its luminosity and vitality. If your skin looks dull, tired, or lacks radiance, a revitalizing and energizing serum may be the perfect solution. These serums are designed to breathe new life into your skin, providing a boost of energy and vitality that makes it look more radiant and fresh. With a combination of vitamins, plant extracts, and peptides, these serums are like an energizer for your skin.
Key Ingredients:
Vitamins: Such as vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the skin, and vitamin E, which helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Plant Extracts: Natural ingredients such as ginseng, green tea, ginkgo biloba, and other plant extracts that revitalize the skin, improve circulation, and provide essential nutrients.
Peptides: These are protein fragments that can help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, improving the firmness and overall appearance of the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid: Although it is also found in other serums, in this case, it helps hydrate and plump the skin, leaving it brighter.
Final Words
The skin is our canvas and taking care of it is essential to keep us radiant and healthy. Serums are a powerful tool in this process, offering concentrated solutions for a variety of skin needs. It is a very useful cosmetic for nourishing, hydrating, and purifying the skin, protecting it from premature aging. It is suitable for both young and mature skin. Remember, before incorporating any serum into your everyday use, it is important to test a small area to make sure there are no allergic reactions. It has often obtained different effects on the skin. This is because of its various forms. Always consult a dermatologist if you have specific concerns about your skin.
