A Face Serum In Your Beauty Routine Is A Good Idea

Face serums are skincare products that provide an extra concentration of active ingredients such as vitamin C, while also treating specific conditions like wrinkles. Here, we take a look at why they should be an essential part of your daily beauty routine.  

Lightweight beauty

Unlike a moisturizer, cream or lotion, a serum is a lightweight formula designed to penetrate deep into your skin to deliver active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and vitamin C, among many others. A serum, with a high concentration of formulations, can help effectively manage specific skincare concerns such as discolouration and blotchiness, and works especially well as an anti-ageing treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Dr Carlos A. Charles, founder and medical director of Derma di Colore in Chelsea, New York, explains why face serums are so effective to Huffington Post, “By leaving out many of the heavier ingredients that are found in traditional moisturizers, [face serums] contain a much higher proportional concentration of active ingredients.”

Going that extra length

You may think that applying a serum is a time-consuming process, but it can be extremely beneficial in the long run. Typically applied after cleaning and toning but before moisturizing, the regular use of a face serum can make your skin firmer, smoother and reduce the size of skin pores. “I definitely recommend serums for anyone who is concerned about ageing. It’s a really good way to get extra anti-ageing effects, more than your typical moisturizer and sunscreen,”  says Dr Abigail Waldman, instructor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

How to choose the right one

There are serums with one main ingredient, while others have a combination of formulations to target a host of skin problems. For example, there are serums with antioxidants such as tea polyphenols and resveratrol to target fine lines and wrinkles; others have kojic acid and glycolic acid to fight blotchiness and discoloration. Those who want a brighter and more youthful skin should go for serums with vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid (a plant-based antioxidant) that are known to reverse sun damage, prevent brown spots and stimulate the growth of collagen in the skin.

Read the label carefully before you make a choice. If you’re just looking for a hydrator, pick a serum with hyaluronic acid, amino acids and essential fatty acids that nourish the skin. “As a basic guideline, younger patients focused on prevention should look at antioxidant-rich serums, like vitamin C,” says Dr Adam Geyer, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC and global medical director for Skin Laundry, in an article in The Oprah Magazine. Those looking to smoothen their skin or reduce wrinkles should look for options with ingredients such as retinol or peptides.

Note: If you’re still confused about the right serum for you, consult a skin expert or a dermatologist before ordering one. Quality serums tend to be a little more expensive than regular moisturizers.