- What is serum
- Serum composition
- Types of serum
- Useful properties of serum
- Contraindications
- How to use it correctly
- Top Korean products with serum
In Korea, serum or cosmetic serum is a mandatory element of multi-stage skin care. Our women continue to discover all the beneficial properties of the product. This is because for a long time serums were used exclusively in beauty salons, and they were not intended for home use. Let's consider what serum is in Korean cosmetics, all the advantages and rules of application, as well as the TOP 3 best products from Korean manufacturers.
What types of serums are there?
Unlike creams, this product is not selected according to skin type, but depending on age or a specific problem that needs to be solved (dryness, oiliness, dullness, sagging, dehydration, etc.). Therefore, whey comes in the following types:
- moisturizing
- sebum-regulating
- whitening
- renewing
- vitamin / antioxidant
- with lifting / botox effect
- and others
Types of facial serum
Facial serums have different compositions and uses (almost every woman knows what it is). Depending on the purpose, serums are divided into:
- Anti-acne. They have antibacterial, pigment-constricting and sebum-regulating effects. They contain zinc, salicylic acid and antibiotics that eliminate the inflammatory process. They normalize fat metabolism, remove grease, and prevent the appearance of acne. Dry it.
- Anti-stress. Characterized by a calming effect. They contain components such as aloe vera, chamomile and other herbal extracts. After using this product, irritation and redness of the skin go away. Cosmetologists recommend using it after aggressive peelings and hardware rejuvenation techniques.
- Regenerating. They are based on organic and inorganic acids. Loosen the surface layer of the epidermis and exfoliate. Actively launch cell renewal processes.
- Moisturizing. Aimed at enriching dry and dehydrated skin with moisture. Removes dryness, flaking, and tightness. The main active ingredients are low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vegetable oils.
- Anti-aging. They are actively fighting against age-related changes in the dermis. These are wrinkles, nasolabial folds, excessive dryness, sagging and laxity of the skin. Anti-aging facial serum contains retinol, coenzyme Q10, peptides, vitamins C and E.
- Nutritious. Designed for women with dry skin, because they experience wrinkles earlier than others. Eliminates the feeling of tightness and gray complexion. Smooth out fine wrinkles, saturate the skin with moisture and nutrients. Give the dermis vitality.
- Whitening. Remove pigmentation, unsightly dark spots, and brighten. Evens out the underlying skin tone.
When should you use serum?
If you don’t have any skin problems, you can completely do without serum, because this product is classified as “additional” in skin care. But if you cannot cope with one or another condition of the epidermis with the help of normal care, for example, severe dryness or dehydration of the skin, or the first signs of age-related changes have appeared - wrinkles, dull and uneven complexion, then a course with a properly selected serum will help very quickly improve the situation.
Serums are considered to be the heavy artillery in cosmetology, which is used when conventional products do not give the desired result.
How to choose the perfect serum?
1) If you have dry, combination types, dull skin or after peeling
Use Elixir Vital serum.
Regenerating and nourishing elixir for all skin types with beech bud extract. A two-phase elixir with a high concentration of plant extracts and 24 essential amino acids - a real activator of vitality and radiance of mature skin or skin damaged by extreme fatigue, excess sun exposure and emotional stress. The product fights dryness and dehydration, smoothes out small and large wrinkles, and gives the epidermis a noticeably more youthful appearance.
2) If you have pigmentation and dull skin color
Solution Clarte brightening concentrate is perfect for your skin .
This is a gentle everyday peeling that is enriched with prickly pear flower extract and fruit acids. It acts gently and gradually, accelerates the removal of dead skin cells and helps improve the overall condition of the skin. As a result, the skin looks cleaner and smoother, and the face acquires radiance and uniform color for a long time.
3) If you need to soften and moisturize your skin to remove blackheads
Apply HYDRA+ moisturizing concentrate .
The HYDRA+ booster contains many moisturizing ingredients, including plant-based glycerin, which can quickly and effectively quench thirsty skin. 100% natural blackcurrant extract enhances the soothing effect of the cream immediately after application. Your skin instantly becomes softer, more elastic, smoother and with a feeling of comfort.
How does a serum differ from a cream?
The most obvious difference is texture and consistency. Serum is a liquid substance that is available either in a bottle with a dispenser, or in a bottle with a pipette, or in an ampoule for professional use.
The second difference is the concentration of active ingredients in the formula. In the serum it is much higher than in any expensive effective cream. Therefore, serums are classified as intensive skin care products; they are used not on an ongoing basis, but in courses, and are usually quite expensive.
Contraindications
The main contraindication to the use of serums is individual intolerance to the components of the composition. All active products have a “tingle effect” - an irritating effect on the skin in order to improve microcirculation and metabolic processes. Moreover, after application, a feeling of slight tingling and redness is justified.
If a strong burning sensation occurs, swelling is a sign of an allergic reaction. It is necessary to immediately wash off the product and take an antihistamine. In case of severe reaction, consult a doctor.
What is the difference between water and oil serum?
Traditional serums are water-based, but there are also oil-based formulas. The first ones are applied under the cream, as they are more important for the inner layer of the skin. Oil-based serums are usually placed on top of a moisturizer because they are thicker and do not penetrate deeply into the skin. They create a kind of barrier that “holds” the cream throughout the day.
Using serums in salon care
Cosmetologists also actively use serums in salon care. But during professional procedures, serums are often introduced using various hardware techniques - for example, using ultraphonophoresis or microcurrents, plus salon care usually includes deep cleansing of the skin, massage, and the application of various masks.
Naturally, with such an integrated approach, the active components of the serum penetrate the skin better, its effectiveness becomes higher, so the result is visible even after the first procedure.
Should you include serum in your home care?
If necessary, include serums in your home care - this is a truly effective and modern skin care product.
Is serum a moisturizer and can it replace cream?
Yes and no. Serums can be rich in moisturizing ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides) that help the skin retain moisture. But this does not make them cosmetic moisturizers in the traditional sense. Lotions and face creams will do a better job of this because they create a barrier on the surface of the epidermis to keep all these beneficial substances inside the skin.
If the serum has a gel-like texture, then it does not contain lipids and usually needs to be covered with a day or night cream.
If the serum is a liquid emulsion, then such a serum contains lipids and, as a rule, can be used both under a cream and as an independent product, that is, instead of a cream.
Reviews from women about serums
Facial serum with hyaluronic acid extract has caused a lot of controversy. Some had only positive opinions about him. They noted that the skin is transformed after this product. It became smooth and moisturized, peeling and irritation went away. The number of wrinkles has decreased and the complexion has become more even. The product is suitable for makeup base. The serum can be used at any time of the year, only in winter it should be applied at night. Some did not have enough effect of the serum, and their skin, despite the serum, suffered from a lack of moisture.
Negative reviews say that the serum feels sticky and you have to wait a long time for it to be absorbed. There are women who did not notice any effect after using it. Others noted the appearance of allergies in the form of acne. Ladies consider the price to be a disadvantage, because the cost of some serums reaches 10 thousand rubles.
Beautiful appearance, prevention of wrinkles and aging processes, preservation of youth, beauty and health - this is why women all over the world need facial serum.
How to use the serum?
It all depends on the specific product, its function and purpose (after cleansing, before moisturizing, night care, etc.). Before use, please read the information on the label. As a rule, 2-3 drops of the product once or twice a day (morning and evening) are enough, since this is a concentrated preparation.
The substance must be distributed over the skin of the face and neck with fingertips, stroking or patting movements, along massage lines. Then let the product absorb and only then apply day or night face cream and eye cream.
In some cases, it is possible to apply a few more drops of the serum locally to the problem area, for example, on age spots if a whitening serum is used.
Possible disadvantages
And here a vicious circle arises: well-groomed facial skin will not show the same effectiveness of the serum as problematic skin, but the effect of the concentrate will last longer. Because the structure itself is healthier, the serum substances will stay in the skin longer.
At the same time, “soft” fillers, humectants, silicones (dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, methicone) reduce the effectiveness of the serum.
The effect of a narrowly targeted serum is higher than that of a multitasking one. Universal con and “from everything” improve complexion, but it is better not to expect significant changes in the relief from them.
There are no “natural” serums and they cannot make a difference after use. This marketing ploy should alert buyers. But the content of plant components will be greater than in a cream or mask. However, the total amount of substances is relatively small.
An experienced dermatologist who has studied his client’s skin characteristics can select the correct composition of the serum.
Finding your serum is not as easy as it seems. A mistake can cause allergies and negate all other care steps. The best effect of cosmetics can be achieved in combination with other care products.
Related reading: What is a check-lift? Why is brushing needed and what is it?
Babor Moisture Glow Serum
Moisturizing serum for skin radiance Babor Moisture Glow Serum, 4410 rubles The formula of the Moisture Glow Serum serum includes a probiotic and prebiotic, aloe vera and red maple bark extract, hyaluronic acid, which moisturize the skin and even out its tone. It also contains reflective pigments that correct skin unevenness and give it a delicate glow.
Clinique Smart Intelligent Repair Serum
Clinique Smart intellectual restoration serum, 6150 rubles Retinol, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, mango seed and coffee bean oil, squalane, wheat and barley extracts - this is only a small part of what is contained in the Clinique Smart intellectual serum. Thanks to its carefully thought-out composition, this product acts in several directions at once. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, makes pores less noticeable, smoothes skin texture, moisturizes, soothes and restores radiance.
Serum Dr. Pierre Ricaud “Cellular Hydration and Radiance”
Dr. Pierre Ricaud Cellular Hydration & Radiance Serum The first thing you notice when you discover the Cellular Hydration & Radiance Serum is its aroma, which includes white flowers, musk and a drop of green tea. But then the initiative is taken over by the lightest texture, which is quickly absorbed, showing what it is capable of. Among the advantages of the product, which includes centella asiatica, vegetable glycerin and polysaccharides, are long-term hydration of the skin at the cellular level, increased protective properties and restoration of a healthy glow to the face.
Concentrated anti-wrinkle moisturizing serum Librederm Hyalur B5
Concentrated anti-wrinkle moisturizing serum Librederm Hyalur B5 Inside the Hyalur B5 serum contains three types of hyaluronic acids, as well as a moisturizing complex of natural biopolymers, provitamin B5 and much more useful things. This cocktail intensively moisturizes the skin, restores its tone, elasticity, firmness and smoothness, evens out the texture and reduces the number of wrinkles.
