All over the world, serums are an integral part of everyone’s skincare routine. In most European and Asian countries, serums are considered as important as facial cleansers. However, this trend has yet to gain popularity here. Many people are unaware of the uses and benefits that serums can add to their skincare routine. With that in mind, after understanding the effectiveness of serums; it becomes clear why they are such an essential part of skincare.
What is serum?
A serum is a type of skin care product in the form of a light lotion or gel that allows it to penetrate deep into the skin’s pores. This product has the highest concentration of active ingredients and ensures that the skin gets maximum benefit from each component. Serums are great products that help enhance any skin care routine.
Serums have the ability to penetrate deep into the skin because they are made up of smaller molecules that allow them to penetrate the deeper layers of the epidermis. This formula allows the ingredients to be cultivated from within and treat the skin at its core. Basically, serums can reach deeper levels of the skin that no other product can.
Not only can serums reach deeper layers of the skin, but these products are able to produce the most effective results. Serums have a high concentration ratio of active ingredients that provide the skin with the most powerful resources. Therefore, this concentration allows each ingredient to fulfill its purpose and adequately manifest itself on the skin.
The combination of small molecules allows the product to penetrate deep into the skin, and the high concentration of active ingredients gives the serum multiple benefits. The benefits of serums vary depending on the ingredients they contain. If you’re looking for a way to address a specific skin concern, it’s crucial to find a serum with ingredients that work for your needs. For example, some serums offer ingredients that help prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots, while others work to provide hydration. In other words, the serum you add to your routine should be the one that will benefit your skin the most. Some of these benefits include:
- Removing and preventing the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots
- Repairs sun damage and smoothes wrinkles
- Soothes redness and skin sensitivity
- Hydrates the skin
- Preventing loss of tone
- Exfoliates dry surface cells for smoother skin appearance
- Whitens brown spots and skin discoloration
Tips
Some tips for specific ingredients that help target different skin types include:
Acne-prone skin:
- Vitamin C – increases collagen production, improves skin recovery process and reduces inflammation
- Retinol – brightens skin, antioxidant, reduces irritation
- Zinc – soothes irritations, regulates sebum production
- Salicylic acid – cleanses pores, exfoliates oil and dead skin
Dry skin:
- Vitamin E – antioxidant, protects cells from oxidative damage
- Niacinamide – improves skin elasticity, increases ceramide levels in the skin
- Glycolic acid – reduction of scars and hyperpigmentation
- Hyaluronic acid – restores moisture
Oily skin:
- Retinol – brightens
- Green tea extract – antioxidant, cell renewal
- Resveratrol – antioxidant, cell renewal
- Ferulic acid – antioxidant, cell renewal
Anti-aging skin:
- Acmella extract – smoothing properties
- Immortelle – fights aging and fine wrinkles
How to use serum?
Once you find a serum with ingredients that best suit your skin’s needs, it’s crucial to integrate it into your skincare routine. While you can apply your serum in the morning, it’s more effective to use it during your evening skincare routine. During your evening skincare routine, your skin is more receptive to absorbing all the serum’s ingredients and benefits.
Furthermore, serum should be applied after cleansing and toning your skin, but before applying moisturizer. Applying after toner keeps your skin moist, allowing the serum to mix with the toner and penetrate deeper into the skin layers. Furthermore, applying moisturizer will create a protective barrier that “seals” the serum in.
Formulation
Serum B3 + B5 (nicotinamide + d-panthenol)
Rp./
- Keltrol CG-SFT 0.6 g
- Earth 3 g
- Nicotinamide 5 g
- D-panthenol 4 g
- Geogard 221 0.8 g
- Fragrance 0.3 g
- Purified water 86.3 g
Preparation: Dissolve Nicotinamide and D-panthenol in water. I recommend warming it slightly so that the d-panthenol dissolves as quickly as possible. While it is dissolving while heating, rub Keltrol CG-SFT with Zemea in a cup. When the d-panthenol has dissolved, add this solution to the cup with Keltrol and Zemea. Mix. A fluid, transparent gel will form. Add fragrance and Geogard 221, and mix. Fill into bottles with a pump or glass dropper.
This serum combines the action of Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide, niacinamide), which you’ll likely see listed as niacinamide on the ingredient list, and can help reduce blemishes and improve barrier function to reduce water loss and protect the skin from external pollutants and irritants. Vitamin B5, also known as panthenol, primarily acts as a hydrating ingredient, but also has soothing and restorative properties and helps support the skin’s natural barrier.
