Serums are the ally of choice for the skin but they are often left out of women’s beauty routines. In addition to meeting the skin’s specific needs, it is fully complementary to other skin care products. We discuss what face serums are, how to choose the right one and using it correctly for best results.
What are Face Serums?
“A serum is usually a liquid or gel containing high concentrations of skin actives, which are able to penetrate deeper than other topicals [like moisturizers] with content occlusives that prevent deeper penetration,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum.
Many people are confused over what a serum is: it’s moisturising, but you already use a moisturiser! Some serums are more watery; but it is not a toner! To put it simply, serums are applied right before moisturisers to penetrate powerful active ingredients into the skin and enhance the results of moisturisers. This is done through serum’s smaller molecules, as compared to moisturisers.
As we like to say, serums are the undergarments of your skin, keeping your private bits secure; and moisturisers are the clothes of your skin’ protecting your body from external forces and aggression.
How to Choose a Serum
In the same way as a day cream or an eye contour treatment, both of which are essentials in our bathroom, a serum is a true beauty asset that must not be forgotten in our routine. In addition to being an intensive skin care product with a higher concentration of active ingredients, serum also prepares the skin for its daily care while reinforcing its effectiveness. It is therefore essential to choose a serum that matches your skin type and needs.
-
Anti-ageing Serums: if you want to restore your skin’s firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, you should use an anti-aging serum composed of hyaluronic acid.
Our favourite one is the 640 Lift Expert Serum that has a 83% lifting index - anti-ageing peptides work in synergy with a precious ice wine extract to stimulate cell activity, increasing the production of collagen and elastin. The skin is immediately firmer, tighter and smoother!
-
Pigmentation, Uneven Skin Tone and Dark Spots Serums: using a Vitamin C based serum will be highly effective in reducing dark spots and evening out your complexion.
The D-520 Anti-Pigmentation Serum is a brightening serum that not only fades pigmentation marks and dark spots, but prevents new ones from forming as well. It contains an innovative anti-pollution complex of Horseradish Tree Seed Extract and Nasturtium Extract to free the skin of pollutants and acts as a protective shield.
-
Oily Skin and Acne-Prone Serums: common ingredients used in oily skin serums include salicylic acid and glycolic acid to reduce sebum production and reduce acne scars.
We love the 301 Perfecting Pore Refiner for its natural active ingredients that minimises the appearance of pores and fine lines on the skin. Your skin looks silky smooth and free of acne scars after using it.
-
Dry Skin Serums: using a hydrating serum before your moisturiser will lock in even more hydration for your skin!
The 5 Rejuvenating Cream intensely regenerates and strengthens the skin with active ingredients. Beeswax and Hazelnut Oil highly nourish the skin, regenerates and stabilise the skin’s lipid barrier.
How to apply a serum
A serum can be applied in the morning and evening on clean skin before your day and night moisturiser to boost the effectiveness of the skin care applied afterwards. Only a few drops of serum are needed for the ingredients to penetrate quickly. Massage from the inside toward the outside, applying pressure to the face to stimulate circulation. Once the skin is dry and the serum is absorbed, you can apply your daily skin care.