Serum functions and types you need to know & bull; hello healthy

You have been diligent in washing your face, scrubbing several times a week, and not forgetting the morning and night moisturizer and sunscreen? Apparently that is not enough for the skin. You need to add one product skincare again namely serum. Check out the following serum functions.

What is the function of serum for skin and face?

A facial serum is a small bottle of a clear, light-textured, oil-free gel solution. A bottle of serum contains a number of active ingredients, from various vitamins and acids, retinol for skin, to antioxidants.

In a way, this product is a moisturizer with a lighter texture. However, the ingredients are higher in concentration, so they can penetrate deep into the skin more quickly, easily, and evenly than regular moisturizers.

This beauty product specifically targets more specific skin issues, for example encouraging skin rejuvenation, brightening the skin, and reducing wrinkles, acne, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, or uneven facial tone.

Based on function, facial serum is divided into:

• serum as a product anti-aging ,
• facial lightening serum,
• facial moisturizing serum,
• free radical scavenger serum,
• serum for sensitive and acne prone skin, and
• serum to improve facial texture.

What is the difference between a serum and an ordinary moisturizer?

You may notice that a bottle of serum is much smaller than an ordinary facial moisturizer. The active substances in it play a big role in determining the difference in the size of a facial serum with facial moisturizers in general.

The active ingredients contained in a small bottle of serum are richer and very concentrated than the active ingredients in moisturizers. This is because serum does not have the "heavy" ingredients that are often added to moisturizers.

A good facial serum contains only the necessary core ingredients. This product does not contain any occlusive moisturizing ingredients, aka airtight, such as petrolatum or mineral oil which protects the water content from evaporation.

A bottle of serum also contains less lubricating and thickening agents, such as nuts or seed oils. Because of its high concentration, this is also the reason why a bottle of serum costs above the average of a facial moisturizer.

Compared to moisturizers, most facial serum products are also water based. This completely removes the oil properties that can clog pores and cause acne in some people.

Tips for choosing the best facial serum

Serums and moisturizers help the skin in different ways. Some are sufficient to use serum alone to provide a nutritional supply, while others need the help of serum and moisturizer at the same time.

The following is the serum requirement for each facial skin type.

1. Oily skin

For oily skin owners, facial serum can provide all the goodness for healthy skin without the interference of oils commonly found in facial moisturizers. This means that using serum can provide enough moisture without having to add more moisturizer.

By using a serum, you can also focus on specific treatments for problem areas due to dark spots, exfoliate your face, and treat other common skin issues without having to worry about excess oil.

The best serum for oily skin should contain at least one of the common active ingredients, such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid , salicylic acid , glycerin, niacinamide, and lactic acid.

2. Dry and sensitive skin

Serum has an important function in moisturizing the skin, so its use is also needed for people with dry and sensitive facial skin. However, owners of this skin type should wait 15 minutes after washing their face before applying serum.

This is so that the serum does not get into the skin too quickly so that it does not become irritated. People with skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea also need to discuss with a doctor before using this product as the high concentration of active substances may aggravate the skin condition.

Owners of dry and sensitive skin need to be more careful in choosing serum content. In general, the following recommended active ingredients are hyaluronic acid , glycerin, panthenol, niacinamide, and oil or plant extracts.

3. Normal and combination skin

If your skin is fine just by using ordinary moisturizer, you don't need to force yourself to use a serum. Even so, that doesn't mean you with normal or combination skin can't or shouldn't use serum.

For those with combination skin, using serum can provide moisture to the oiliest areas of the face such as forehead, nose and chin. Serum can also treat skin problems even for normal skin owners.

A good face serum for normal and combination skin is actually similar to a serum for oily skin. However, you may have to try several products before you find the one that works best for your skin.

4. Aging skin

Almost everyone can reap the benefits of serum, including those with aging skin. You only need to find the type of serum that suits your skin condition.

If you have a skin problem that you really want to fix, such as dark spots due to premature aging, or wrinkles and fine lines, adding a serum to your daily beauty ritual can help improve the appearance of your skin.

Look for a serum that provides the benefits of ceramide, collagen, retinol, and niacinamide. You can also look for serums that are rich in acid content in the form of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid .

How to use a facial serum?

To use the serum, you only need to use 1-2 small drops of the liquid and apply it to the entire face and neck, especially the problem areas, twice a day every morning and night.

Here's how to use the correct and function-appropriate serum.

1. Wash your face as usual, rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Wait one minute before moving on to the next step.
2. Clean your face with product toner to remove stubborn dirt and dead skin, and balance the pH of the skin. Wait 1-2 minutes until the skin is still damp, but not too wet toner .
3. Immediately apply serum to the face. Moist skin will be easier to penetrate than dry.
4. Apply it toner massage the open palms, not the fingers, to more efficiently release the active ingredients of the serum into the skin.
5. Wait 2 - 3 minutes. If the serum leaves a sticky or oily residue on the skin, it means that the serum is not working properly.
6. After that, just continue your facial care routine such as eye cream, sunscreen, and / or moisturizer.
7. Warm the moisturizer with your hands to activate the ingredients in it, then massage in an upward motion, starting from the center of your face towards your hairline.

Misuse of serum that misses function

Mistakes in choosing and following the steps for using serum can reduce the function of the skin. Therefore, make sure you avoid the following mistakes when using serum.

1. Do not use moisturizer

Serums do contain active ingredients that moisturize facial skin, but that doesn't mean you can leave moisturizer at all. The reason is, moisturizing products help absorption skincare next, including serum.

2. Use a moisturizer before the serum

If you apply a moisturizer before the serum, it will be more difficult for the active ingredients of the serum to penetrate your skin. So, please follow the order in which you use the product skincare with serum first. Always use a moisturizer at the end of the treatment.

3. Only use an expensive serum

An expensive serum is not necessarily the best for you. However, it cannot be denied that expensive serums contain high quality ingredients. Instead of looking at the price, you should focus on the active ingredients needed.

4. Use it on the skin affected by the disease

Using serum on skin affected by eczema, rosacea, etc. can worsen symptoms. You may have to discuss with your doctor first or not use serum at all.

5. Using it too much

Serum does have an important function for the skin, but that doesn't mean you have to use it in large quantities. Just use a few drops at night and massage evenly to all parts of the face.

Regardless of how many steps skincare that you want to apply, facial serum is one of the basic products that should not be missed. Using serum for the right skin type and problem can give more optimal results.

x