The cosmetic serum is a product for intensive care of the face. It is considered an elixir of youth, but to get an effective result, you need to know how to choose and use it correctly. Each product is designed to address a specific problem.
- There are serums for problem skin that help get rid of acne and red spots.
- To combat the first signs of aging, aimed at eliminating facial wrinkles.
- For aging skin, with a composition that improves complexion and removes pigment.
What's in the serum?
The serum contains: high concentrations of vitamins E, A, C, B, fruit acids, minerals. Enhancers (conductors) help nutrients penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin. 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 by the harmful effects of the environment, ultraviolet radiation, stress and damage the healthy cells of the body.
- Vitamin A - participates in skin regeneration, increases tone, heals various microcracks.
- Vitamin E - affects the capillaries that supply blood to the skin and participates in the energy exchange of cells.
- Vitamin C is responsible for the elasticity of tissues, participates in the formation of collagen and retinol and prevents the rupture of blood vessels.
- Vitamin B - participates in the regulation of cell metabolism, the synthesis of proteins and amino acids.
Metabolic processes in the dermis slow down with age and the skin needs to be nourished artificially, which is why vitamins are present in concentrated doses in facial serums.
"Elixirs of youth" contain ceramides. There are enough of them in young skin, but with age there is a deficiency. The main effect of ceramides is to maintain skin hydration and protect elastin (a protein responsible for elasticity) and collagen fibers from various destructive enzymes.
The fruit acids present in the serum remove a layer of dead cells from the surface of the face and the active substances quickly penetrate the skin. Exfoliation helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
Proteins and enzymes participate in the restoration of the "frame" of the facial skin, protect against the harmful effects of the environment and activate metabolic processes.
Firming anti-wrinkle serums with retinol quickly deliver vitamin A to problem areas of the face and show maximum results in a short time. The face serum stimulates the skin, activates self-recovery, restores health and beauty.
How to choose the elixir of youth
The product is designed to target a specific problem, so when choosing, they focus not on skin type, but on needs. For example, skin aging serums improve and even out the complexion, contain a special complex of phytoestrogens and antioxidants in a short time, reduce pigment spots on the skin and smooth wrinkles.
The anti-aging serum is designed to accelerate the skin's renewal process by rapidly exfoliating dead skin cells. After four months of using the product, the number of wrinkles is significantly reduced, the skin is smoothed up to 60%.
A few rules
- All serums contain a limited amount of active substances 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, the manufacturer spends a lot of time on research, up to ten years or more. When choosing a serum, pay attention to the brand's recognition and how long the company has been working in the medical cosmetics niche. It is not difficult to calculate that if research takes a long time, then the history of the manufacturer should be at least 10-15 years.
- Among all the variety of cosmetic brands, preference is given to manufacturers specializing in medical cosmetics as their main activity. Many luxury cosmetic companies also produce medicinal 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: active concentrates or creams based on them. Manufacturers produce a whole series of medicinal cosmetics that contain serums and creams. When choosing a specific brand, it is better to buy the entire 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 only a cream. Age after 40 requires the use of a cream in combination with a serum.
- The serum is always applied under a night, evening or day cream. 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 medicinal cosmetics, it is advisable to first decide whether it makes sense. These products are designed to help the skin cope with aging, to prevent the rapid development of this process and the destruction of its beauty. But if the skin is already in bad condition, then no serum will bring back its youth. Other methods, such as plastic surgery, will work more effectively. Otherwise, there is a high probability that you will throw money down the drain, considering that good medical cosmetics are not cheap.
How to use
Serums for general skin health are applied to the whole face, and to remove certain imperfections - to problem areas. At night, regenerative processes in the skin are especially activated, so the best results are achieved when using the product before going to bed.
Before using the serum, the skin is prepared. They clean 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 dries out, use a nourishing cream, it will protect against harmful atmospheric influences (ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes).
The 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
Daily care for aging skin is carried out in 3 stages:
- Cleansing and toning.
- Application of intensive recovery serum.
- Nutrition or hydration.
Apply the serum to the face strictly along the massage lines. Make a light massage along the course of the lymph flow, with light pressure without stretching the skin. With four fingers, light massaging movements without separating your hands from the skin:
- performed from the center of the forehead to the temples;
- of them along the ears;
- from the ears to the wings of the nose and to the corners of the eyes;
- around the eyes, through the lower eyelid to the outer edge of the eye;
- along the upper eyelid to the corner of the eyes;
- descend to the wings of the nose;
- performed along the circumlabial folds;
- along the line of the upper jaw to the ears.
The massage is performed with two hands, simultaneously on the right and left side of the face, all movements are symmetrical.
Intensive facial care serum is used at least twice a year. For more effective results, use in periods of variable weather conditions - spring and autumn.