Addition of serum to your skincare routine can address many concerns, from wrinkles and blemishes to hyperpigmentation – but be wary: most serums carry steep price tags.
To optimize your serums’ potential, include them in an effective skincare routine that includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing. This enables the skin to better absorb and utilize its powerful ingredients.
1. Boosts Hydration
Hydration is key for healthy-looking skin, but prolonged dehydration can compromise its protective barrier. Face serums with moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin can help you fight back with additional moisture boosts for smoother, softer skin.
Search for a lightweight, non-greasy serum to prevent an oily appearance. If your skin is acne-prone, choose a soothing serum containing ingredients such as niacinamide and panthenol to soothe redness and inflammation.
Serums often include exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and BHAs for gentle yet effective chemical exfoliation of your skin. Be sure to read labels carefully, and avoid formulas containing oxidative exfoliants like vitamin C which deteriorate quickly upon coming in contact with air, diminishing their efficacy.
2. Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Face serums can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin’s natural elasticity with ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Plus, their thinner consistency allows it to quickly penetrate deeper into your skin where they can work their magic.
A top facial serum for wrinkles should contain retinoid or vitamin A compounds to stimulate collagen production and minimize fine lines and wrinkles, while plant and enzymatically-derived growth factors can also help rejuvenate skin for brighter, younger looking complexions.
To maximize results, it is best to apply serum after cleansing and before moisturizer in order to maximize absorption into the skin. Remember that just a few drops should cover your entire face!
3. Clears Acne
Serums can be an effective solution for dealing with breakouts and blemishes, since their powerful ingredients penetrate deep into the skin. If you have sensitive skin, look for serums containing soothing ingredients like niacinamide and zinc which can reduce redness.
Serums can help fade dark spots and even out skin tone by using brightening ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide and licorice root extract to brighten and lighten. Use morning sunscreen for optimal results then apply serum at night as part of your skin’s natural repair cycle for maximum benefit.
Spawake’s anti-acne serum employs salicylic acid to unclog pores, niacinamide to calm inflammation and hyaluronic acid to protect from dryness – creating an ideal combination for all skin types – even reactive or sensitive ones.
4. Reduces Pore Size
Pores are necessary for skin function and cannot be eliminated or their size altered without genetic manipulation; however, serums can help minimize their appearance by using ingredients like retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or gluconolactone to minimize large, clogged pores and improve complexion. Look for formulas containing these retinoids or refiners like azelaic acid, glycolic acid salicylic acid or gluconolactone to minimize large pore sizes while improving complexion.
Serums containing niacinamide can strengthen your skin barrier, helping prevent excess oil and impurities that contribute to pore enlargement. Kojic acid or vitamin C-infused serums may be helpful for brightening skin to combat blotchiness; for optimal blemish control throughout the day and to ward off potential pore clogging, consider selecting one with an oil-free matte finish finish instead.
5. Lightens Dark Spots
Skin pigment changes such as sun spots or more disconcerting melasma can take place over time due to prolonged sun exposure. Luckily, there are face serums available designed to lighten dark spots and even out your complexion; look out for products containing tranexamic acid which works as a pigment fader, or niacinamide which brightens and decreases discolorations.
If you’re using a lightening serum, be sure to apply it on clean skin first before layering on moisturizer and sunscreen (or other treatment products). Application order depends on what ingredients your serum contains – as you don’t want to overexfoliate or irritate the skin! Some serums are specifically designed to target only eye area treatments so can be applied before eye cream for best results.
