How To Use Face Serum? | How To Apply Serum For Face?
If you are looking for a guide about how to use face serum or how to apply serum for the face then you are at the right place. Welcome to the MR. VOLUMISED.
You are not alone in having almost no idea what a serum is, there are a lot of persons in this world like you who lack the full knowledge about the face serums. Even if you're the proud owner of several serums, it's not a particularly clear product on its surface. Think of the contradictions: It's moisturizing, but you have to still use moisturizer. It can be oily, but it is not a face oil. It can be watery, but is its essence? So many questions and we haven't even gotten to ingredient lists yet!
Skincare should never stress you out (that would sort of defeat the purpose), so I pooled my knowledge, did a bit more research, and compiled a cheat sheet of sorts. There's not going to be a test, but study up anyway. We hear skincare talk makes great party ice breakers.
WHAT IS A FACE SERUM?
The serum is a skincare product that contains powerful ingredients and can be applied to your skin directly. They are applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Face serums are used to target skin concerns such as:
- Anti-aging
- Dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Acne and clogged pores
- Dehydration
- Uneven skin tone, redness, and sensitivity
FUNCTION OF A FACE SERUM
The serum is made up of small molecules with high penetration power and can deliver a high concentration of active ingredients.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE TYPICALLY USED, AND WHAT ARE THEIR BENEFITS?
Ingredients in serums range from the ordinary to the exotic, depending on what you're going for. Here are a few common ones to watch out for.
1) VITAMIN C
It is a common ingredient for anti-aging, so if you're in your late 30s and 40s, use a serum with this. Not only does this potent component build collagen, but it also boosts skin immunity and should be a part of your skincare regimen on a regular basis.
2) HYALURONIC ACIDS
Are a great way to treat dehydrated skin, without the heaviness of creams and emollients. These trap in the skin's natural water levels, and make sure that it doesn't lose any of its natural moisture, remaining replenished. Ceramides and amino acids also achieve the same results and benefits.
3) ANTIOXIDANTS
are essential to protect the skin from stress and environmental damage. So beta-carotene and green tea are extracts to watch out for, while berries, pomegranate, and grape seed extract are other active ingredients.
4) RETINOL
are serum ingredients ideal for skins that are prone to acne, while also addressing fine lines and wrinkles.
5) PLANT-BASED ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
like liquorice make for natural brightening ingredients and are just right to deal with those pesky sun spots and scars, as well as patchy skin.
6) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
If you have sensitive skin, use a serum with anti-inflammatory properties, preventing redness, breakouts, and inflammation. The ingredients to read on the label you need to check out are zinc, arnica, and aloe vera.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FACE SERUM?
Before choosing a face serum to consider this,
SKIN TYPE - Be aware of your skin type and the ingredients that go into your face serum. You do not want ingredients that dry up your skin if your skin type is already dry.
SKIN ISSUE - What are you trying to address with a face serum? Is it the fine lines around your mouth or the dark spots that are a result of sun exposure?
Always look for ingredients like the following:
- Hydrators such as ceramides are like the cement of the skin and prevent water from escaping.
- Antioxidants like vitamin C and grape seed extract help protect against sun damage and fight the signs of aging.
- Anti-inflammatories, including zinc, arnica, and goldenseal, soothe redness and prevent inflammatory cell damage.
- Plant-based ingredients like licorice help in skin lightening and help you get rid of those dark spots.
NORMAL SKIN
Try a serum with glycolic acid and aloe vera for an all-purpose option. If you have a “normal” skin type or simply want a serum to keep your skin flawless, try one with these ingredients. Aloe vera reduces redness and boosts skin hydration. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells so they don’t clog your pores. Great skin starts with hydration!
This is a great option if you don’t have any “problem areas” but still want to treat your skin to rich nourishment. It's also a good option to help fade sun damage and acne scars.
Additionally, look for serums with rosehip oil. This also reduces redness and helps hydrate the skin.
ACNE
Use a serum with vitamin C, retinol, salicylic acid, or Benzoyl peroxide to manage acne. Vitamin C will help revitalize your skin, while retinol and Benzoyl peroxide is powerful anti-acne ingredients. Salicylic acid helps heal existing acne, as well. This combination works great to reduce inflammation or redness manage oil, and treat or prevent acne.
In addition, serums with these ingredients help unclog your pores.
Salicylic acid can cause sunburn, so it is best to use this serum at night.
DRY SKIN
Apply a serum with glycolic and hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin. Both glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid help the skin retain moisture. These ingredients team up to deliver a potent, moisturizing serum that works great for dry skin. The serum will not feel like a heavy moisturizer, and it will deeply hydrate your skin in seconds.
You can also use vitamin E, rosehip oil, chia seeds, sea buckthorn, and camellia to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores.
WRINKLED SKIN
Choose a serum with retinol and peptides to reduce wrinkles. Retinol plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, and peptides help build healthy skin. Combine these ingredients, and you have a fabulous, wrinkle-reducing serum. For best results, apply these serums at night so your skin can absorb the serum as you sleep, helpful when treating wrinkles.
You can also use a serum with antioxidants including vitamin C and green tea extract. These ingredients help protect your skin as well as reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
SKIN BRIGHTENING
Try serums with vitamin C and ferulic acid to brighten your complexion. Your skin tone can look uneven or dull due to sun exposure, smoking, genetics, and poor sleep. Vitamin C and ferulic acid are powerful antioxidants that can bring your skin back to life. They neutralize free radicals in your skin, making your skin tone more even and lively.
In addition, many brightening serums use green tea extract, which is another helpful antioxidant.
Some brightening serums feature snail mucin, which is popular for its ability to repair scars and heal discoloration or uneven spots.
HOW TO USE FACE SERUM IN THE BEST WAY?
TEST BEFOREHAND
Always perform a patch test before application.APPLY VERY LITTLE AMOUNT
Don't apply too much serum as they contain potent ingredients. Applying excess quantity can irritate the skin.APPLY ON CLEAN SKIN (CLEANSE BEFORE APPLYING)
The first step to any skincare routine is cleansing. Make sure to cleanse your skin before applying the serum.
For dry skin, apply serum when it is still damp because the moisture makes it easy for penetration. For sensitive skin, allow your skin to dry before applying the serum. Doing so will slow down the penetration of serum which is more likely to lead to irritation.
AVOID FRAGRANCES
Serums are packed with potent ingredients. The extra fragrances and colors interfere with the absorption of the product.BEST TIME TO APPLY FACE SERUM
Face serum can be applied during the day and at night. Apply face serum after cleansing and pat drying. If you are applying the serum at night, make sure not to layer too much. Night cream or moisturizer forms a heavy layer. So it is important to apply either a serum or a moisturizer.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR FACE SERUM TO WORK?
Face serums contain active ingredients in concentrated amounts. The time to show desired results depends on the type of serum. Ideally, it takes 4-6 weeks to see visible results.
SERUM V/S FACE OIL
The serum is water-based and the potent ingredients penetrate deeper in the skin.
Face oils, on the other hand, work on the surface of the skin to retain moisture. They have a thicker and oilier texture. Face oils take much longer to sink into the skin.
Face oils are usually for dry skin. But there are a lot of face oils that are non-comedogenic and can be used for oily skin too.
FAQS
∙ When do I apply a skincare serum?
You can use skin care serums at night and during the day. In the daytime, if you've got dry skin, wash your face and pat it dry, then layer your skin with a serum that quenches the skin's thirst for nutrition, wait for a few minutes for it to settle down. Follow up with a moisturizing sunscreen of your choice. If you can cleanse and rinse off this layer once in the afternoon, and reapply it, it would be ideal. For the night, try not to layer too much and instead let your skin breathe. Most night creams tend to be quite concentrated anyway, so either uses them or a night serum, not both. However, the key is not to overuse so don't apply it night and day.
∙ What is the best anti-aging serum for oily skin?
While it is true that those of us with active sebaceous glands need to worry lesser about aging, it is a complete myth that those with oily skin don't age! However, using products that dry out the extra oil and strip the skin of its natural emollients is not the solution. Instead, focus on a serum that has excessive hydrating properties. Serums that are purely water-based counter the oil levels in your skin, while also being absorbed quickly into restoring any degenerating cells below the epidermis. Look for ingredients like Vitamin E, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, amino acids, and blends.
∙ Is it safe to use the serum if I have skin problems?
Since serums are concentrated, you may be prone to certain allergies or reactions. So consult your dermatologist before you try out something new, or do a patch test in the beginning before you use it full force! Also, if you are pregnant, or have skin ailments like eczema, it's best to avoid using a serum with very potent ingredients. Lastly, use it correctly, without adding too much makeup on top, or chemicals that can react adversely to the serum.
∙ How can I use a serum to treat wrinkles?
Serums that treat wrinkles are more effective than creams and lotions, because of two reasons. One is the active ingredients, the second is that they don't come with a heavy, weighted feel that most regular anti-aging moisturizers come with. So look for ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, acai, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extracts, and even distilled argan oil which prevents wrinkles from forming easily. The serum gives you weightlessness and a non-greasiness while addressing wrinkles at the core from within, rather than just at the surface.
∙ How can I make a serum at home with essential oils?
It is usually not advisable to make your own serum, because unlike other skincare products, these are concentrated and require a high level of skill and knowledge to come up with. However, if you are really unable or unwilling to afford a store-bought serum, you can always make this at home. Take two tablespoons rosehip seed oil and mix it with about 10 drops of neroli oil or carrot seed essential oil. Stir well and store in an airtight container. Apply a thin layer with your fingertips and massage into the skin. This can be used both morning and night. Rosehip seed oil helps in collagen production, as well as reducing skin inflammation and other problems. The essential oil dilutes and helps hydrate.
FINAL WORDS
> A face serum can be your new secret weapon when it comes to achieving perfect skin.
> You just have to make sure you’re using it correctly in order to reap all of the skin goodness.
> Thankfully, face serums aren’t super tricky or time-consuming to use.
> There are just a few main steps to keep in mind once you start using one.
> Once you know the steps, it’ll be a piece of cake going forward and you’ll be a pro in no time.
> Here’s a quick recap on how to properly use face serum.
> First, cleanse and exfoliate your skin and follow it up with a toner or facial mist.
> Next, gently apply a small amount of serum to your face and neck with either your fingertips or palms.
> Then, wait 5 minutes for your face serum to fully absorb into your skin.
> Last, finish up the process by applying your favorite moisturizer.
> Also, be mindful of the correct order of application for your skincare products.
> This will help optimize your entire beauty routine.
> If you’re still looking for that perfect face serum to complete your regime, check out our list of the best face serums.
So that's all for today. Show your support in the comment section done and also ask your queries related to this post. I'll be happy to answer them.
RELATED POST: 21 BEST FACE SERUMS
So that's all for today. Show your support in the comment section done and also ask your queries related to this post. I'll be happy to answer them.
RELATED POST: 21 BEST FACE SERUMS
THANX FOR READING!!!!!!!!
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