The serums provide the skin with a highly concentrated dose of nutrients and active ingredients directly. To use them, just apply a few drops after washing your face, before moisturizing the epidermis. Unlike moisturizers, which remain on the surface, the serums are absorbed deeply by the skin. They are very effective products for treating specific ailments, such as acne, dryness, dull skin and wrinkles. After washing your face, apply a small amount of serum to your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Use daytime and nighttime for best results.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing a Serum
Step 1. Try a serum based on glycolic acid and aloe vera if you are looking for a multipurpose product
If you have normal skin or just want a product to help keep it looking perfect, try one with these active ingredients. Aloe vera reduces redness and promotes skin hydration. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells, preventing them from clogging the pores. The first step to having beautiful skin is to moisturize it.
- This option is ideal for those who do not suffer from particular problems but still want to deeply nourish the skin. It is also recommended for reducing sun damage and acne scars.
- You can also look for a serum containing rosehip oil. This type of product is equally effective for reducing redness and moisturizing the skin.
Step 2. Use a vitamin C, retinol, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide serum to help control acne
Vitamin C helps revitalize the skin, while retinol and benzoyl peroxide are very potent anti-acne ingredients; salicylic acid also helps treat existing acne breakouts. This combination is very effective for reducing inflammation and redness, but also for controlling sebum, treating or preventing acne.
- In addition, serums containing these ingredients help to clear pores.
- Salicylic acid can cause sunburn, so this serum should be used in the evening.
Step 3. In case of dry skin, apply a serum based on glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid
Both of these active ingredients help to retain water inside the skin, in fact their combination allows to obtain a very powerful moisturizing serum, ideal for dry skin. While not having the same texture as thick and full-bodied moisturizers, it deeply hydrates the skin in seconds.
You can also use vitamin E, rosehip oil, chia seeds, sea buckthorn, and camellia to hydrate skin without clogging pores
Step 4. Choose a retinol and peptide based serum to fight wrinkles
Retinol fills in fine lines and wrinkles, while peptides help make and keep skin healthy. Serums that contain both of these ingredients are very effective in smoothing wrinkles. For best results, apply the product in the evening to allow your skin to absorb it while you sleep. This little trick is very useful for treating wrinkles.
You can also use a serum that contains antioxidants, such as vitamin C and green tea extract. These ingredients help protect the skin, but also visibly reduce wrinkles
Step 5. Try a vitamin C and ferulic acid serum to brighten the complexion
The complexion can be uneven or dull due to sun exposure, smoking, genetic factors and poor sleep quality. Vitamin C and ferulic acid are powerful antioxidants capable of revitalizing the epidermis. They neutralize free radicals, reviving and unifying the complexion.
- In addition, many brightening serums contain green tea extract, another powerful antioxidant.
- Some brightening serums contain snail slime, which is known to be effective in repairing scars and treating pigmentation problems or blemishes.
Step 6. If you have an uneven complexion, treat it with licorice root extract and kojic acid
Licorice root extract helps visibly reduce pigmentation problems and blemishes caused by skin aging. Kojic acid, on the other hand, allows for the treatment of scars, damage caused by the sun and inhomogeneity of the complexion. If you use a serum with a high concentration of these ingredients, your skin will appear more even and radiant within a few weeks.
- You can also look for a serum based on vitamin C, which is known to be effective in brightening the skin.
- Alternatively, choose an arbutin-based serum if your goal is to even out the complexion. Arbutin is commonly used to reduce dark spots. It is also effective for brightening the complexion in general.
- If you have decided to choose a vitamin C-based serum, look for one that contains L-ascorbic acid, which is the most effective compound in the vitamin. Its action allows you to revitalize and even out the complexion.
Step 7. Use an eye serum if you want to reduce dark circles
This product is specifically formulated to treat dark circles. Therefore, opt for such a serum if you wish to combat this imperfection. These are products usually rich in licorice root or arbutin extract. Apply it directly to the affected area.
- These serums can be used both day and evening.
- Avoid applying a specific eye serum to other areas of the face. Ingredients designed to be absorbed into the eye area tend to be richer and more concentrated, which is why they can cause irritation or pimples.
Step 8. Choose both a day and a night serum for best results
Day serums tend to be less concentrated, so you don't need to worry about sun exposure. The night serums, on the other hand, have a high concentration and the active ingredients are effective while you sleep. Use them both to have healthy skin in perfect condition.
- Use the serums gradually to allow your skin to adapt to new products. Start by using the night serum every other day and gradually increase the application over the course of a few weeks, then start using it every night. Then add the day serum.
- Use an antioxidant serum in the morning to keep skin protected. Instead, apply a retinol-based night serum to keep her young.
Part 2 of 2: Apply the Serum
Step 1. Wash and exfoliate your skin before using the serum
Before applying the serum, wash your face with an exfoliant or scrub. Moisten your skin and massage the product onto your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Make small circular motions with your fingers and rinse. Washing allows you to remove surface dirt and sebum, while exfoliation allows you to perform a deep cleansing of the pores.
Wash your face daily and exfoliate your skin 3-4 times a week for best results. Avoid combining the use of manual and chemical exfoliants (such as glycolic acid) on the same day
Step 2. If using a diluted serum, apply 1 drop to each section of the face
The amount of serum to use depends on the consistency of the ingredients. If it has a diluted consistency, you will only need a tiny amount. Apply 1 drop to your finger and massage it into your cheek. Repeat on the other cheek, forehead, and nose and chin area. Gently massage it making upward movements.
Step 3. If the serum is thick, warm 3-5 drops between your hands before applying
Thick consistency serums should be heated prior to application. Then pour a few drops of product on the palm of one hand and rub it with the other. This way you will distribute it in your hands. Then apply it on the entire face by exerting light pressure with your fingers. Put it on your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.
When applying the serum, massage it gently while exerting light pressure on the skin
Step 4. Gently pat the skin for 30-60 seconds, until the serum is absorbed
After massaging the serum into the skin, press your fingers on the cheek making small circular movements. Repeat the procedure on the entire face for about 1 minute.
This way the serum will be thoroughly absorbed by the skin
Step 5. Wait for 1 minute before applying the moisturizer
The serum will be almost completely absorbed after about 1 minute. At this point, squeeze a small amount of moisturizer onto your hand. Massage it into your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.
- The moisturizer allows the skin to retain all the nourishing properties of the serum, so that it results immediately radiant and luminous.
- If you do the procedure in the morning, you can put on makeup after applying the moisturizer. Just wait for it to dry for 1 minute before starting.
Advice
If you use a serum daily, you should see results within 7-14 days
Warnings
- Avoid using night serums during the day. They can cause a variety of problems, including dryness, pimples and sun burns.
- Avoid overdoing the serum - in most cases just applying a small amount. Since excess product is not absorbed by the skin, there is a risk that it will cause pimples and irritation.
