Cosmetic serums are intensive facial care products. It is considered the elixir of youth, but to get effective results, you need to know how to choose and use it correctly. Each product is developed to address a specific problem.
- There are serums for problem skin that help get rid of acne and red spots.
- To combat the early signs of aging, aim to eliminate facial wrinkles.
- For aging skin, with a composition that improves the skin and removes pigments.
What's in a serum?
Serum contains: high concentration of vitamins E, A, C, B, fruit acids, minerals. Enhancers (conductors) help nutrients penetrate deeper into the skin layer. Thanks to them, the components of the serum are quickly absorbed into the dermis and quickly begin to act. Vitamins A, E and C are considered the most important in the composition of the product due to their ability to neutralize free radicals. These aggressive compounds are formed from the harmful effects of the environment, ultraviolet rays, stress and damage healthy body cells.
- Vitamin A - participates in skin regeneration, improves tone, heals various microcracks.
- Vitamin E - affects the capillaries that supply the skin with blood and is involved in cell energy exchange.
- Vitamin C is responsible for tissue elasticity, participates in the formation of collagen and retinol, and prevents vascular rupture.
- Vitamin B - involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism, synthesis of proteins and amino acids.
Metabolic processes in the dermis slow down with age, and the skin needs to be artificially preserved, which is why vitamins are present in concentrated doses in facial serums.
"Elixir of youth" contains ceramide. There are enough of them in young skin, but over the years there is a shortage. The main effect of ceramide is to maintain skin hydration and protect elastin (the protein responsible for elasticity) and collagen fibers from various damaging enzymes.
The fruit acids found in the serum remove the layer of dead cells from the surface of the face and the active ingredients quickly penetrate into the skin. Exfoliation helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
Proteins and enzymes participate in the restoration of the "skeleton" of the face, protect against harmful environmental influences and activate metabolic processes.
Strengthening anti-wrinkle serum with retinol quickly delivers vitamin A to problem areas on the face and shows maximum results in a short time. Facial serum stimulates the skin, activates self-healing, restores health and beauty.
How to choose the elixir of youth
These products are designed to target specific problems, so when choosing, they don't focus on skin type, but on needs. For example, serums for aging skin improve and even out the skin; it contains a complex of phytoestrogens and special antioxidants in a short time, reducing pigment spots on the skin and smoothing wrinkles.
The serum to combat the early signs of aging is designed to accelerate the skin's renewal process by quickly exfoliating dead skin cells. After four months of using the product, the number of wrinkles is significantly reduced, the skin is smooth by up to 60%.
Some rules
- All serums contain a limited amount of active ingredients and they are the same. The uniqueness of the product is not in its composition, but in the combination and quantitative ratio of the ingredients. To create a successful combination, manufacturers spend a lot of time on research, up to ten years or more. When choosing a serum, pay attention to brand recognition and how long the company has been working in the medical cosmetics production niche. It is not difficult to calculate that if the research takes a long time, then the manufacturer's history should be at least 10-15 years.
- Among all types of cosmetic brands, preference is given to manufacturers who specialize in their main activity in medical cosmetics. Many high-end cosmetics companies also produce medical cosmetics, but only for prestige, so the products of these companies are not very effective.
- When choosing a serum, it is useful to know that this substance is available in two forms: an active concentrate or a cream based on it. The manufacturer produces a whole series of medical cosmetics, which contain serums and creams. When choosing a particular brand, it is better to buy the whole line, then the effect of the serum will be supported by the cream. In the case of subtle age-related changes, it makes sense to use creams only. Age after 40 requires the use of cream in combination with serum.
- Serum is always used under night cream, night or day. Consider whether the treatment line will be compatible with your daily cosmetics; it is better to consult a specialist to avoid side effects.
- Before buying medical cosmetics, it is advisable to decide first whether it makes sense. This product is designed to help the skin cope with aging, to prevent this process from developing rapidly and spoiling its beauty. But if the skin is already in a bad state, then no serum will restore its youth. Other methods, such as plastic surgery, will work more effectively. Otherwise, there is a high probability of wasting money, since good medical cosmetics are not cheap.
How to use it?
Serum for general skin health is used all over the face, and to eliminate certain imperfections, on problem areas. At night, the regenerative process in the skin is mainly activated, so the best results are obtained by using the product before going to bed.
Before using the serum, the skin is prepared. They cleanse the face of dust and dirt accumulated during the day, treat it with a tonic, allow moisture to be absorbed, and apply a serum. When the skin is dry, use a nourishing cream, it will protect against harmful weather conditions (ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes).
Serum is used in courses from two weeks to 3-4 months. Take a break for a few months and repeat the procedure. With regular use of the composition, it is possible to protect your face from age-related changes for a long time.
How to use it?
Daily care for aging skin is carried out in 3 stages:
- Cleansing and refreshing.
- The use of serum for intensive recovery.
- Nutrition or hydration.
Apply the serum to the face tightly along the massage line. Give a light massage along the lymphatic flow, with light pressure, without stretching the skin. Using four fingers, light massage movements, without removing your hands from the skin:
- run from the middle of the forehead to the temple;
- of them along the ears;
- from the ears to the wings of the nose and up to the corners of the eyes;
- around the eye, through the lower eyelid to the outer edge of the eye;
- along the upper eyelid to the corner of the eye;
- down to the wings of the nose;
- run along the circumlabial fold;
- along the upper jaw line to the ear.
The massage is done with both hands, on the right and left side of the face simultaneously, all movements are symmetrical.
Serum for intensive facial care is used at least twice a year. For more effective results, use during periods of changing weather conditions - spring and autumn.