Why should you consider using a serum?
Serums are often considered one of the most mysterious products in skin care. You may have a collection of different types (we do), but can you honestly admit that you really know what they actually do for your skin? We put together a serum overview so you can check it out and get a better understanding of this amazing product.
What is a serum?
Serums are a blend of powerful active ingredients that are used to treat a range of skin concerns. You’ll find that they can vary in consistency, but they are generally water-based and absorb into the skin in record time! Their formulas are made up of smaller molecules that can penetrate the lower layers of the skin. By penetrating deeper into the skin, they are perfect for treating areas like wrinkles and fine lines.
What are the benefits of serums?
Honestly, the benefits of serums for the skin are huge. With a wide variety of ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C, to name a few), the possibilities are endless. The point of a serum is to have a high amount of active ingredients that can penetrate deeper into the skin and fight skin issues.
Here are some of the key benefits of serums:
Serums can boost collagen production and help fight signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Serums can lock in moisture in the skin and prevent it from drying out.
Serums can reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Serums can protect the skin from harmful free radicals and environmental influences like pollution.
Serums can treat blemish-prone skin and prevent further formation of spots and blemishes.
That all sounds pretty impressive, right? You might be wondering why you should use a moisturizer when serums are so effective.
While serums can provide great hydration and nourishment to the skin, it is still recommended to use a moisturizer because they work on the outer layer of the skin and form a protective barrier on the face to keep all the good stuff in the skin and keep the bad stuff out. Get caught. This makes serums and moisturizers a powerful combination in your skincare routine.
Why should I use a serum?
Ultimately it depends on you and the products you use on your skin because it is your skin after all. However, if you find that despite the time and effort you put into cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your face every day, your skin looks dull, lackluster, and showing the first signs of aging, then you may have decided that adding a serum to your routine is the right solution.
Serums are more concentrated than moisturizers and work faster because once they penetrate the skin, they can work virtually undisturbed while the facial epidermis is protected by the moisturizer. It’s a win-win situation!
How to use a serum?
To ensure your serum is at its best, you need to use it at the right stage of your routine.
Here are the key steps you need to follow to ensure your serum works its best:
Make sure all traces of makeup have been removed using a makeup remover (preferably not wipes).
Cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove all traces of makeup, dirt, debris, oil, and daily accumulated grime and impurities.
Next, use a facial toner. This will remove the layer of dead skin cells that creates a barrier and makes it difficult for the serum to absorb into the skin.
Now comes the serum. Apply the serum all over your face (be sure to avoid your eyes) and allow the serum to fully absorb into the skin for a few minutes.
Use your favorite moisturizer to create a protective barrier and keep your skin’s water and oil levels balanced.
Lastly, apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to ensure your skin is protected from UV rays.
This is a great example of a basic skin care routine to try when you feel like your skin is missing something and needs a little boost.
Serums are considered the most expensive skin care product, but this is definitely an investment worth spending your hard-earned money on. The potent formula of a serum is incredibly powerful and effective and will do wonders for your complexion if used correctly.
When should I start using a serum?
Yesterday! But honestly, there is no wrong time to start using a serum in your routine. Prevention is the secret to keeping your skin healthy, happy, and youthful. So the sooner you start, the better!
Should you use a serum every day?
Yes or no, it’s still best to check by looking at the label. It all depends on the ingredients used and the idea behind the formula. For example, a night serum may contain retinol, which is UV-sensitive and ineffective when used during the day. However, generally speaking, most serums can be used every day.
Is using a serum right for my skin type?
Almost everyone will benefit from using a serum. Here are the key ingredients to consider when looking for the best serum for you and your skin type:
Oily Skin Prone to Blemishes –
Vitamin C
Retinol
Salicylic Acid
Zinc
Dry Skin –
Glycolic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Sensitive Skin –
A word of caution for those with sensitive skin. Due to the power of a serum, the potent ingredients can be a bit heavy and cause irritation. It’s always a good idea to do a 24-hour patch test before applying a serum to your skin.
For dull skin, using an antioxidant-rich serum can help prevent free radical damage to your skin and leave it looking rejuvenated. If you have any concerns or questions about using a serum, contact your dermatologist for further advice.
Serums are an amazing skin-transforming product and hopefully you now have a better understanding of what serums can actually do for your skin. With so many options on the market, many of which produce fantastic results, you really are spoilt for choice!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.