The Importance of Serum
Lately I’ve become OBSESSED with serum. Lets face it, at 45 it takes a village does it not? And ever since reading that serums can do great things for skin which is determined to go South, I’ve been doing a bit of reading up.
I’m no expert, I get as overwhelmed as you with skincare.. in fact my knowledge is distinctly Newsround..but I’m very happy to share what I know.
I mean who really needs to know the in’s and out’s…all we need to know is…WILL IT STOP THE BLOODY WRINKLES?!
What is Serum?
Basically a serum is typically a water based product made up of small powerful molecules which penetrate deeper into the skin than your average moisturiser. They can deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients and are best applied immediately after cleansing for maximum impact.
How are serums different from moisturiser?
Serums do provide a level of moisture in the forms of, for example Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides etc, but they are not moisturises per se. Basically, you get get all the good stuff in via serums and you lock it in with a barrier of moisturiser on top. They give a bit more bang for their buck, hence why they are often a bit more spendy.
Where do face oils fit in?
I looooove a face oil. They are one of my favourite products for my very dry clients. But where do they fit into this melting pot of face products? Without going into all the details, oil based products should go on top of moisturiser as they have bigger molecules and will keep creams moist during the day.
Here’s a handy list to remember the order of the house
Cleanse
Serum
Moisturiser
Face oil
SPF
Makeup
You can choose serums based on your skins needs
Dry Skin:
Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide. Glycolic Acid, Vitamin E
Dull/ Blemish Prone
Salicylic Acid
Acne Prone
Retinol, AHA’s, Vitamin C
Lots of these ingredients will cross over from one skin type to the next. Don’t forget the ingredients are stronger so it’s best to go gently at first in case your skin reacts.
Products to consider
I am certainly no skin expert. As you may know, I have full trust in using Epionce products and when I’m thinking about new products, I always default back to using this brand.
What is true lately is that I’ve been throwing the kitchen sink at my skin, particularly my eye area.
Here are some products I use on my own skin or am happy to use on clients. Before you decide what products are best for your skin, particularly serums as they are stronger, make sure you research them thoroughly.
I hope that helps when thinking about serums and whether to add them to your skincare routine. I think it’s worth considering as we mature to help replenish the skin with nutrients and keep it healthy and hydrated.
Until next week xx