Cosmetic serums: characteristics and use

Modern cosmetics have truly magical properties and are available for use not only in professional salons, but also at home. One such product is a serum, multivitamin or with botox effect, for the body, face and hair. Let's take a look at how to properly use a cosmetic serum.

Once having applied a cosmetic serum, many women remain faithful to it due to the quick result of skin transformation. Getting rid of rashes, reducing inflammation and wrinkles, whitening freckles, dullness and radiance - all this is the merit of serums that act on skin problems in a targeted manner. Serum, beauty concentrate, activator, cocktail or elixir - all these are the second names of the cosmetic serum.

Serums are characterized primarily by their light, melting texture, which are based on a concentrate of active fruit acids and effective for the skin vitamins, minerals and organic substances such as hyaluronic acid and collagen. A large number of active substances is the main difference between serums and other types of cosmetics. For comparison: the face cream has a much smaller amount of active substances, they are indicated at the very end of the composition, which indicates their presence in the product only about 10-12%.

Easy application, rapid absorption of the serum occurs due to the absence of fats and oils in it. There are serums and oil based serums (anti-aging or for very dry skin), but these are usually easily absorbed types of oils.Special substances in the serum - enhancers - provide an effect not only superficially, but also on the deep layers of the epidermis, provide them with access to vitamins and minerals.

All types of serums can be divided according to their purpose, they should solve one or another problem of the skin or hair: acne, large pores, dryness, fine wrinkles, fatigue. And also vitamin elixirs can be classified according to the place of their application, that is, serums for the face, hair and body.

The following can be distinguished.

• Moisturizers and nourishing. In winter, when the central heating is working, and in summer under the hot rays of the sun, the skin dries quickly and peels off. The problem can get worse with age. But a moisturizing gel serum can come to the rescue, which contains one of the best moisturizers today: hyaluronic acid. Together with glycerin and essential oils, this beauty elixir has an instant effect, nourishes and "seals" moisture inside skin cells.
• Among the moisturizers, there is a large block of serums designed for use under make-up. As you know, makeup is based on a persistent tonal base, under which there is a moisturizer: primer or fluid. A light-textured moisturizing serum may well act as this remedy.

• Anti-aging. These serums are designed to restore elasticity, reduce the depth of existing wrinkles and postpone the appearance of new ones. They can be collagenous, with peptides, contain mucin (snail mucus), retinol, a special protein coenzyme Q10, elastin, which has the effect of botox. It is used for both face and neck and eyelids.
• Regenerating or restoring. They activate the work of cells, renew the upper layers of the dermis. Renewal occurs due to the work of concentrated acids (can be of organic and inorganic origin), as well as vitamins. These multivitamin active elixirs for the skin are the first step in accelerating the renewal of skin cells.
• Anti-stress. Designed for an intense urban lifestyle, used at night, during which they eliminate traces of stress. Aloe vera, chamomile, and various herbal concentrates provide a relaxing and calming effect. Anti-stress serums relieve irritation, redness and after some cosmetic procedures (cleansing or peeling).
• Anti-inflammatory, for acne. Serums for this purpose contain zinc drying up inflammation, reduce pores and prevent inflammation thanks to salicylic acid. And also more effective substances may be included in the composition: antibiotics, if the condition of the skin requires it. They can be prescribed by a cosmetologist.

• Whitening. Freckles have their own charm, but only when they do not interfere with the hostess. And with age, many women suffer from the appearance of age spots. The brightening serums contain special acids that brighten and even out the tone of the dermis.
• For a mesoscooter. A dermoroller (mesoscooter) is a cosmetic roller studded with microneedles of a certain diameter. When a mesoscooter is applied to the face, microtraumas are applied, which give an impetus to the skin for renewal, enhanced collagen production, and, as a result, rejuvenation. For home use, small needles are used in the mesoscooter, no more than 0.5 mm, and with the help of the device, the face is actually massaged. It is more effective, safer (and more painful) to carry out this procedure in the beautician's office.

For greater efficiency, a vitamin serum is applied before the procedure, which can penetrate even deeper with the dermoroller. Serum for a mesoscooter (meso cocktail) can be any based on the needs of the facial skin: moisturizing, whitening, nutrition, rejuvenation. It is not recommended to use the mesoscooter in the presence of acne and inflammation.

Usually, the skin of the body needs hydration, nourishment and getting rid of stretch marks and orange peel - cellulite. In the fight against these problems, women are relegated to the background of lotions, balms, creams and other cosmetics for the body, preferring to use serums. Non-greasy serums are instantly absorbed without stickiness, leaving the skin velvety and saturated with moisture.

• If the skin on the body or your hair requires increased elasticity, hydration, nutrition, the composition of such serums will be similar to the composition of facial products and contain nourishing oils, collagen or hyaluronic acid. For deeper penetration of vitamin cocktails into the skin of thighs, legs, breasts, many women use a mesoscooter.
• Anti-cellulite serum contains plant extracts, amino acids, minerals that improve microcirculation of blood vessels under the skin, where necessary, and accelerate metabolism. Due to this, the "orange peel" should be less pronounced. However, one should not rely on the miraculous effectiveness of serum alone. Lymphatic drainage massage, nutritional control, bath and other procedures will additionally help in the fight against cellulite.
• Stretch mark serum contains active acids, vitamins, peptides, minerals and, with regular use, evens out the surface and skin tone. And also they are designed to stimulate the production of its own collagen, elastin, smoothing irregularities.
• Hair serums may contain amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements that are essential for hair. The most versatile and effective hair serum is keratin, it instantly smoothes hair. For dry ends, two-phase oil serums are used. Apply them to wet or dry hair, do not rinse.

When choosing a serum, you should determine the task with which it must cope. There is no need to pin great hopes on the serum and wait for several miracles. Each serum is a specific remedy, it fights a specific problem, with a maximum of two. The tasks can be as follows:

• increased skin tone;
• reduction of wrinkles;
• elimination of dryness;
• normalization of the sebaceous glands, pore narrowing;
• reduction of pigmentation;
• reducing the impact of the environmental situation.

If it is difficult to determine the task yourself, it is better to consult a cosmetologist. After the problem of the skin has been identified, it is better to choose a serum according to the following criteria:

• the product must be appropriate for your age;
• the daytime serum should contain protection from the sun's rays, which are harmful to the skin;
• you need to purchase such funds only from trustworthy sellers - on specialized sites and stores, in a pharmacy, for fear of fakes;
• with a serum (be it for the face or for the body) it is better to buy a cream of the same line, since these are complementary cosmetic products.

Often a quality serum is supplied with instructions for use. However, many women have questions about their use, especially since almost all serums are equipped with pipettes and have an unusual watery consistency. Thanks to this fast-absorbing consistency, the serum should be applied to the face, free from make-up and impurities, with quick, confident movements.The movements of the fingers should follow the massage lines: from the middle of the forehead to the temples, from the nose to the cheekbones. Don't forget about the nasolabial folds, chin and neck. Apply the eye area serum with your finger in pinpoint movements.

It is important not to overdo it with the amount: just a couple of drops of the concentrate is enough. If the serum is moisturizing, you must apply it at least 2 hours before going outside in the cold season. The night serum should be applied a couple of hours before falling asleep. After the serum has been absorbed, a cream of the same series and action should be applied to the face.

Highly concentrated serums can be prescribed by a cosmetologist for very specific indications:

• acne, enlarged pores;
• first and deep signs of aging, wrinkles;
• violation of the water balance of the skin, peeling;
• stress, gray complexion.

Serums can be classified as cosmetic and medical products, so they also have contraindications:

• open wounds, dermatological eczema;
• papillomas;
• rosacea (the presence of spider veins);
• intolerance to the components;
• discrepancy between age and used serum.

Anti-inflammatory serums for combating acne should not be used without consulting a specialist: their active substances can lead to the opposite effect.

In the next video, you will find a hit parade of 15 cosmetic serums.