SERUMS: ARE THEY REALLY NEEDED IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE & HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE?

Are you facing a sudden onset of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots? Is your skin dull and lifeless? Skincare is a tricky topic and often requires more effort to unravel its enigma. With skin being the largest organ of our body, it has a massive surface area, and hence its concerns vary from a dime a dozen. As our skin ages, it demands certain attention and serums are the current go-to skincare solution to keep your skincare woes at bay. With so many options available in the market, you may often find yourself stuck at the crossroads of what facial serums to include in your daily skincare for best results. But no more! This article will put an end to your woes and help you find your perfect serum fit to add in your skincare routine.

What are Facial Serums?

These are lightweight formulations that come in tiny bottles with a high concentration of active ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, Retinol, and so forth. There are quite a few serums containing acids, peptides, extracts, vitamins and antioxidants, available in small containers and tubes and are often priced higher than moisturizers. So why should you invest in them?

Due to their lightweight nature and consistency, facial serums penetrate deep into the skin and can reach the layers below the skin with ease. Since these are oil-free, they are readily absorbed by the skin without clogging your pores. Further, it is easy to layer them under your makeup.

Types of Facial Serums

These topical treatment products are often designed to meet a variety of skincare objectives. Based on their formulation and suitability, the facial serums can be broadly divided into the below categories.

Anti-Ageing Serum

Anti-ageing serums work as an elixir for reviving your skin’s youthful radiance. Since collagen production undergoes a visible decline with age, Retinol used in anti-ageing serums prove to be magical for its treatment. It has anti-ageing benefits as it boosts collagen production and can slow down ageing concerns like fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin Brightening Serum

If you're prone to pigmentation and dark spots, a skin-brightening serum is what you need. Use a skin brightening serum with ingredients that inhibit melanin transfer. It may also contain light-reflecting particles that can create an instant brightening effect. Look out for Brightening serums that contain Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Liquorice root extract and Turmeric root extract. Niacinamide used in these serums balances oil production, although it does much more than that. Easily considered a miracle product, Niacinamide not only shields your skin by building keratin but has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the skin and reduce redness. It is best recommended for acne-prone or pigmented skin. But that’s not just it! It also helps in the gradual reduction of pores. Though keep in mind that niacinamide is a slow-acting product, and it may take up to 12 weeks to show amazing results.

On the other hand, Hyaluronic acid in serums help the skin to retain moisture up to 1000 times its weight. Hence, it locks in moisture and keeps the skin taut and supple. Vitamin C in the brightening serum prevents the skin from damage and free radicals. It is also a good melanin inhibitor. Liquorice root extract contains glycyrrhizin, a compound known for reducing inflammation, whereas Turmeric root extract reduces oxidative stress in the body and revives your skin’s natural glow. Reap the benefits of these ingredients with DROPS OF BRILLIANCE BRIGHTENING SERUM before moisturizing and after toning your skin for glowy bright results.

Exfoliating Serum

A thorough and gentle exfoliation process cleans out the pores, releases the impurities, and washes off dirt and germs that are responsible for skin breakouts and other associated problems. This process can be done chemically or physically using a grainy scrub. Facial serums for exfoliation often contain Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid and Gluconolactone, to give your skin the golden exfoliating experience it requires.

How do you choose the best serum?

There are so many facial serums in the market categorized under hydrating, brightening, antioxidant rich, calming, anti-ageing, clarifying, and so forth. Spoilt for choices, how do you know which one is the best? Simple, follow these tips:

1. Check your skin type

Every individual has different skin types. Though the problems may be common, the intensity and frequency of occurrence undoubtedly varies in all cases. Hence, proceed with caution and pay heed to invest in skincare early to reap the benefits later. The first step of following any skincare regimen is knowing your skin type. You can't wing it here, and awareness is vital for using the right product at the right time. There are mainly four different skin types:

• Dry skin
• Oily skin
• Combination skin
• Normal skin

With the increasing number of skin problems, dermatologists and skin specialists constantly recommend skincare products that are formulated for certain skin types. Knowing what your skin needs not only improves its overall health but also keeps it supple and happy.

2. Check for Sensitivity

Whenever you start using a facial serum, always ensure that it suits you and your needs. For instance, if you're suffering from eczema and apply a facial serum, you increase the risk of sensitizing the skin more because the active ingredients in the serum can lead to further irritation. There's no point in using the serum if it is causing redness and prolonging the hypersensitivity. Hence, using it in moderation and after checking the ingredients carefully is a wise way to go about it.

3. When to Use Them

Serums are ideally used after cleansing and right before moisturizing. Some serums are formulated for day use and some specifically for night use. Any which way, facial serums boost your skincare routine to better your skin's look and feel. But, before choosing any serum, be it antioxidant rich serums or hydrating serums, it’s always a good idea to consult a skin specialist and know your skin better.

Note: Once you start using the serum, keep the formulation container closed to prevent oxidation of the product. Also, a gentle reminder that facial serums are not instant fixes. They take time, effort and consistency. After all, choosing a suitable serum with the right ingredients helps a great deal in the long run, so the process is definitely worth it!