What Are Serums And How Do They Work?

When it comes to implanting a beauty skincare routine, there are plenty of products to choose from. These products are there to clean your skin, as well as protect it from aging’s effects, such as wrinkles, dullness, brown spots, and more. Nowadays, people usually use cleansers, moisturizers, and toners in their skincare routine. But there is another ingredient that can offer a bigger dose of active ingredients, such as active serums. But what exactly are they and what do they do?

Apparently, serums can help with tackling many skincare concerns. If you are still wondering what all the hype is about, then do not worry. In this article, we explain what a serum is, its benefits, and the many different types of serums to choose from.

What is a serum?

Simply put, a serum is a lightweight skincare product that is designed to deliver a high dose of active ingredients to your face. They are easily absorbed oil or water-based liquid that you can spread on your skin. Usually, they come in small bottles with a dropper, as you only need a few drops to treat your entire face. They are typically applied before moisturizers so they can lock in moisture.

The good news about serums is that they can be customizable to skin types and concerns. You will definitely want to choose one that addresses your needs, as not every serum is created equally. Because they are so hyper-concentrated. Serums can get more immediate results and address any specific concerns. This is also the reason why they tend to be more expensive too.

Serum benefits

So, what are the benefits of using serums, you may ask? There are actually quite a few! Here are a few key benefits that we have listed below for your perusal:

• Absorbs into skin quickly: Serums are lighter than most moisturizers and other skincare products. As such, they can easily be absorbed into the skin. When it comes to layering on different products, this makes it an ideal first step.

• Improves appearance: A few face serums contain ingredients such as retinol. These can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines that make you appear older.

• Soothes sensitive skin: As a result of being so light, they are often more appropriate for people who have acne-prone or oily skin types.

• Protects skin from damage: Serums often contain ingredients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, green teel, ferulic acid, and more to help prevent damage from UV light and pollution. These radicals can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkles.

• Feels light: Because serums are quickly absorbed into your skin, they do not feel greasy or heavy, which is great if people have oily or acne-prone skin types.

• Potential to provide visible results: The more concentrated the active ingredients are, the more visible results will show on your skin, compared to other skin products out there.

Types of serums

When it comes to choosing a skin serum, there are plenty of choices on the market. As such, it is important to recognize the difference between each type and look for one that best complements your skin type and needs. Below are a few of the popular categories of serums.

Brightening serums

These serums are designed to reduce discoloration and target hyperpigmentation. As a result, they often contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C). This antioxidant helps to inhibit melanin production. Another popular ingredient is Niacinamide, which helps to fade dark spots and even out the skin tone. Other essential ingredients that help with this include tranexamic acid and kojic acid. Altogether this allows you to have a more vibrant and radiant complexion.

Anti-aging serums

Much as their name suggests, these serums can help to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. As such, they generally contain ingredients like retinol (vitamin A) and niacinamide (vitamin B). They tend to be beneficial to all skin types, and you can start using them in your twenties if you so choose. That being said, a few experts say that those with dry skin and who are planning to use a serum with retinoid should start with a low dose so that their skin can tolerate it before moving up to a higher dosage.

Hydrating serums

These serums help provide your skin with a boost of moisture and are often used in tandem with regular moisturizers. This way, they are used to supplement the benefits of a moisturizer. As such, those with dry skin should use this. Surprisingly though, people with oily skin types and even acne-prone skin are also great candidates for this particular serum. This is because the products are designed to hydrate without much emollient residue. A major ingredient in these serums is hyaluronic acid. One big appeal of it is that it can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. It can also draw water from its surrounding environment. As such, it is suggested that you apply these serums in a humid area like your bathroom after a warm shower. Otherwise, the serum will instead attract moisture from your skin, leaving you dry.

Exfoliating serums

People are regularly encouraged to use exfoliating serums in order to prevent the skin from falling dull or into breakouts. They generally come in two forms: physical and chemical. A physical one is grainy so that it can manually remove dead skin cells. However, it can be damaging to people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. On the other hand, a chemical exfoliant is a less abrasive alternative.

These serums often contain different types of acids. Glycolic acid helps to treat the surface level of the skin by removing dead skin cells. Salicylic acid goes deeper and can clear pores of blackheads, blemishes, and other impurities.

Antioxidant serums

These ones are great for overall skin protection and serve as a nice addition to anyone’s skincare routine. They are mainly designed to protect the skin against UV and environmental damage, as well as other free radicals. Aside from delaying visible signs of aging, they can also help heal and repair the skin. Because we are all exposed to radicals on a daily basis, everyone should use some kind of antioxidant serum. Of course, be sure to read the ingredients list before purchasing. Most serums contain products such as vitamins C, E, and more. Additionally, some may even come with sun protection, like SPF 30.