Facial serums: benefits for the skin or a dummy?

If you believe the promises, then facial serums are the “elixir of youth in a bottle,” a concentrate of the most beneficial natural ingredients that will rid your face of imperfections, be it age spots or wrinkles.

Facial serums are usually expensive, the packaging in the form of a beautiful bottle is pleasing to the eye, and sometimes they also offer discounts or a $10 iherb coupon. But do they really work? Why do we suddenly need to apply a serum under our moisturizer? Maybe serums are just a ploy by the cosmetics industry to get us to buy a product we don't really need?

Creams and ointments have been used in cosmetology since ancient times. Animal fats and vegetable oils (such as castor, argan or olive oil) have been used to relieve dry skin. Every culture has its own natural remedies for these purposes. But facial serums are a modern invention.

They are usually liquid, unlike creams. Although face creams are also used to hydrate the skin, the purpose of serums is to hydrate more effectively.

But this is not so difficult compared to what is included in the serum. Should we just trust the name on the label or should we still understand what we are buying? Serums are typically marketed as containing active ingredients, such as vitamins and antioxidants, that are specially formulated with smaller molecules to penetrate deeper into the skin.

To understand the components of serums and find out what the benefits of this cosmetic product are, The Epoch Times turned to Dr. Ariel Ostad, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.

Benefits of facial serum

Unlike conventional cream formulations, serums contain an increased concentration of active elements. If the cream is intended for daily application to the skin, then the serum solves a specific problem and is used in a course, like a medicine. It is used when conventional facial care products cannot cope with aesthetic problems.

The serum helps get rid of acne, moisturize excessively dry skin, and smooth out wrinkles. Before choosing a product, you need to find out what it consists of and what its action is aimed at. Thanks to its nourishing ingredients and light texture (oil or water), the serum has an intense effect on the skin:

• evens out complexion;
• moisturizes the epidermis at the cellular level;
• restores the structure, elasticity and firmness of the dermis;
• slows down the aging process;
• whitens pigmentation and marks from recently healed acne;
• rejuvenates;
• quickly and permanently improves appearance.

Note! If the skin is in good condition, the serum may not be used, since it is a highly targeted care product designed to eliminate a specific problem.

Selecting serum by skin type

Serum is a concentrate, you only need a few drops © iStock

Since the serum is used to solve specific problems, when choosing, you should focus not even on your skin type, but on its condition:

acne for oily skin;

Kinds

Depending on the purpose, serums are divided into:

• Calming. Suitable for sensitive skin. Contains plant and vitamin components.
• Pull-ups. They restore facial contours, moisturize the dermis, and make it more elastic.
• Exfoliating. Suitable for eliminating signs of acne and acne. They normalize the functions of the sebaceous glands and have exfoliating properties.
• Regenerating, accelerating the restoration of damaged cells.
• Lightening. They contain lactic acid, which tones the skin and makes it healthy.
• Collagen. Stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, nourish the skin, make it elastic.
• Anti-aging. Smooth out wrinkles and folds, prevent the premature appearance of deep senile wrinkles. Also, such serums nourish, moisturize, and improve complexion.
• Snails. They contain snail mucus and are suitable for those with oily skin types. The active component relieves inflammation, moisturizes the skin, and tightens pores.
• Hyaluronic. They help cope with pigmentation and dryness of the epidermis, and also prevent the appearance of red spots on the face and décolleté.

Completing a full course of serum therapy provides a noticeable tightening effect. The skin of the face becomes smooth, dense, and uniform.

Popular cosmetic serums

The cosmetology market offers both budget-friendly options for domestically produced serums and expensive ones.

The choice of product depends on a number of factors:

• expected result from use;
• product prices;
• woman's age;
• condition of the facial skin before using the product.

If you suffer from rashes, then products with mandelic acid will help you.

Dermatologist Jessica Kim

You already understand what a facial serum is and how to use it. Below we have collected the TOP best products, taking into account people's reviews.

When choosing a product, consider your age and the problems you want to solve. Do not use several serums at once.

How much does the serum cost? The cost of budget options starts from 500-700 rubles. But prices for expensive products can reach up to 10 thousand rubles.

How to choose a facial serum?

It is recommended to use the concentrate for cosmetic defects that basic products cannot eliminate. The main selection criterion is the problem that needs to be solved. For example, serums for women 30+ contain hyaluronic acid, which prevents the formation of wrinkles and moisturizes dermal cells. Panthenol is included in regenerating compositions, and herbal extracts are included in serums that reduce the sensitivity and reactivity of the epidermis.

Popular facial serum ingredients include:

• peptides of plant origin;
• glycerol;
• hyaluronic acid;
• ceramides;
• yeast proteins;
• Dead Sea minerals;
• lanablue;
• lotus and rice extracts;
• macadamia oil.

When choosing the right care product, you can follow these principles:

• All facial serums have moisturizing properties, but if you have excessively dry skin, you should purchase a concentrate containing lipids and ceramides. They penetrate deep into the dermis, nourish it from the inside, changing its texture.
• If acne often appears on your face, you should use a product containing grape or tea extract. However, you should be wary of preservatives, as they cause inflammation and can aggravate the situation.
• If acne occurs, a serum containing salicylic acid is suitable. This substance has an exfoliating effect and stabilizes sebum production.
• For hypersensitive skin, retinol is required. It tightens pores, relieves inflammation, and prevents the formation of rashes.
• For age spots, you need to select serums with vitamin C. They will not be able to completely eliminate all spots and skin damage, but they will smooth out and even out the tone.

Reviews

MARIA LOGVINOVA, MOSCOW:

“I used to think that serum was an unnecessary cosmetic product. I didn’t understand why it was needed, what it was. This was the case before I tried Lancome Serum. The feeling of renewed skin comes literally immediately. The action is much more powerful than in creams.”

EKATERINA KALACHEVA, VORONEZH:

“Not long ago, a friend advised me to use Black Pearl serum in combination with cream. This application really works! I'm very pleased with the result. I try to use serum and cream from the same line so that they do not conflict with each other.”

Terms of use

Before the application procedure, you need to prepare. This will not take much time and effort, but will significantly improve the absorption of the product:

• first, wash off decorative cosmetics and impurities from the face using micellar water or hydrophilic oil;
• wash with foam or gel;
• use tonic.

For the serum to have maximum effect, you need to apply it correctly. You can do this in two ways:

• Apply the composition to your fingers and quickly treat your face, without rubbing or hesitating. Using light movements, distribute the remaining concentrate along the massage lines, and gently tap into what has not yet been absorbed.
• Great for oil-based serums. You need to apply the emulsion to your fingers, lightly rub your palms, warming and distributing the composition. Then gently place your hands on your face, pressing lightly.

Features of application

There are several nuances that need to be taken into account when applying the serum:

• the concentrate must be used after washing and toning only on damp skin;
• To treat the entire face area, 4-5 drops of serum or one click on the dispenser is enough. More doesn't mean better. The serum is filled with useful substances, so its minimum amount is enough to ensure that the skin receives all the necessary components. If you apply too much emulsion, it will not be absorbed and will feel sticky;
• There is no need to rinse off the serum after application. It is well absorbed without leaving any traces (with the correct dosage). You can wash your face only if the skin shows signs of an allergic reaction (burning, itching, redness);
• After treatment, wait 5 minutes and only then rub in the cream. The product must be completely absorbed, and if you rush, the components included in the cream composition will reduce the effectiveness of the serum;
• some serums prepare the skin for cosmetic procedures, prolong their effect, and accelerate the recovery process;
• Before using a caring cosmetic product, you need to read the instructions. Some formulations must be applied to certain areas, and if nothing is said about this, you can treat the décolleté and neck area.

Facial serums work as a catalyst for cream formulations. By supplementing basic care with serum, you can significantly increase the effectiveness of cream and other cosmetics. To get the desired effect, you should use cosmetics from the same brand.

Updating

Nightly micro-peeling, accelerating skin renewal, Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, Kiehl's, with AHA acid and quinoa husk extract helps the skin quickly get rid of dead cells, resulting in a smoother, more radiant, and even tone.

Reviews

Lyudmila: “A magic remedy. I have dry sensitive skin and this is perfect.”

Julia: “Visible result after one week of use. The skin is more even, smooth, inflammation is dried out, acne marks are smoothed out. Pleasant application, practically does not sting, unlike other similar products.”

SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator moisturizing serum gently renews the skin without irritating it. The moisturizing effect is achieved thanks to a duet of urea at a concentration of 20% and hyaluronic acid.

Reviews

Natalia: “Wonderful serum. I really love this product. Indispensable for skin with enlarged pores. I use it all the time. The result is on your face! The skin is smooth and glowing."

Masha: “I’m delighted with the effect I get. Really renews and evens out tone without flaking, and there are fewer breakouts. The skin acquires a natural glow and a rested appearance. For me, this is an indispensable tool throughout the year.”

Anti-wrinkle

Anti-aging serum Revitalift Filler [hA], L'Oréal Paris, fills wrinkles with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, similar to professional fillers, and also gradually increases skin density.

Anti-pigmentation

Serum for even skin tone Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, Kiehl's, contains active vitamin C and peony extract, reduces the appearance of age spots and generally evens out skin color, restoring its radiance.

Review

Julia: “I have strong pigmentation on my face. I've been using this serum for about 3 months and it really works. The spots have actually almost disappeared. I use it morning and evening paired with day cream with SPF 30. If you have the same problem, I highly recommend it!”

Lifting

Intensive regenerating serum Rénergie Multi-Lift Reviva-Plasma, Lancôme, is aimed at comprehensive skin rejuvenation and restoration of facial contours. The seriousness of intentions is evidenced by the combination of two technologies: Multi-Tension and Multi-Vital, which together act on all five layers of the skin, day after day stimulating the activity of cells, in particular fibroblasts, which promote collagen production. Special polymers are responsible for the instant lifting effect.

Reviews

Chita: “This serum is a godsend for my skin. Absorbs quickly and improves skin appearance from the first use. Instantly smoothes wrinkles, softens, and adds radiance.”

Yulia Kurakina: “You can feel the lifting effect! Soft texture, economical to use!”

Facial serums are different - moisturizing, tightening, tightening pores. But all of them, one way or another, have a restorative effect. Cosmetologists usually recommend using concentrates in courses, applying them under a base cream. But some serums can be used independently, especially in the warm season.

Just a few miraculous drops of this product will be life-saving for mature skin, thanks to a higher concentration of active substances than in the cream. You can use cream serums from the age of 25. At least from this age, many girls begin to take a closer look at them. Before you find your serum, you will probably have to visit a lot of cosmetics stores. And we hope that our rating of the best facial serums will help you make the difficult choice of your dream bottle!

How often can I use it?

If the skin is imperfect and there are aesthetic and dermatological flaws, then you can start using the serum from the age of 20. Anti-aging compounds should be used later, from 30-35 years. After 40 years, serums should be used regularly; they will serve as an excellent beauty aid and prevent the occurrence of many problems.

Concentrated products must be used in courses, the duration of which is indicated on the package. The approximate duration of serum therapy is 2-10 weeks. Next you need to take a break, after which it is advisable to repeat the therapy. You can conduct 2-3 courses in a year.

Important! If one course of using facial serum has ended, but another problem has arisen, you should not immediately start a new therapy. You need to wait 1-2 months to start using the highly concentrated product.

Wash your face regularly (and thoroughly)

It's no surprise that minimizing pores starts with good skin care, and one of the easiest ways to minimize pores is to always cleanse them thoroughly. However, according to a GH study, 12% of women do not use facial cleansers regularly. “When dirt clogs pores, they expand and appear larger. So it's important to always cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser, especially before bed, to remove excess dirt and oil, explains Margarita Lolis, MD, a dermatologist in Hackensack, New Jersey.

“To cover all areas of the face, including the hairline and around the nose, where dirt can accumulate and clog pores, apply cleanser from the middle of the face up, then down the hairline and around the perimeter just below the chin,” says senior beauty lab chemist Good Housekeeping Institute Sabine Wiesemann. Using a facial cleansing brush has shown in GH Beauty Lab testing that it can help provide an even deeper clean.

In addition to daily cleansing, always use clean makeup brushes (clean them at least once a week) and never touch your face with your fingers. Your complexion (and your makeup brushes!) will thank you.

DIY serum

Homemade serums are in no way inferior to store-bought cosmetic products in terms of effectiveness. They consist of natural ingredients, are easy to prepare and quickly absorbed:

• Whey on milk. Pour the milk into a saucepan and leave it warm until it sours. As soon as the product begins to ferment, it is placed on a low flame and boiled until it coagulates. Then cool and filter through cheesecloth. The resulting composition is used to treat the skin to lighten pigmentation and dark spots left over from acne.
• Vitamin serum. 25 ml of calendula oil, 8 ml of jojoba oil, 7 ml of sesame oil are poured into a sterilized container. Mix the components thoroughly and add 4 drops of vitamin E, 4 ml of rosehip oil.

Homemade serums are used in the same way as professional care products. Before the procedure, the skin is cleansed and then the composition is applied. If the emulsion has not yet been absorbed, you can wash your face with warm water. Store ready-made serums in the refrigerator for no more than six months.

Whey: homemade option

What is this, milk serum for the face? Since ancient times, the residual product obtained from the preparation of cottage cheese, whey, has been used by housewives to maintain their beauty.

The predominant composition of the product is water (94% of the volume), which contains lactose, vitamins, minerals, proteins and beneficial bacteria (probiotics).

In addition, this is a natural product, has virtually no contraindications for use and is well tolerated.

Having regenerating and protective properties, milk serum lifts and cleanses the surface of the dermis.

You can try making another homemade serum. A small dark glass bottle will be needed.

You need to combine 5 ampoules of ascorbic acid (1 ampoule contains 2 ml), 10 ml of previously boiled water, and glycerin, which is sold at the pharmacy. All this is poured into the prepared container. Subsequently, it is used as a regular serum.