Face serums have been commercially available since the early to mid-1900s. The earliest serums were based on an egg protein called albumin and aimed to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. The product gained instant popularity due to its efficacy, and to this day, serums are an integral part of the skincare regimen worldwide. You may be wondering what are face serum, and how to choose one that’s best for you.

What are serums
A serum is a lightweight skincare product packed with active ingredients and is easily absorbed by the skin. Serums are water, or coconut oil, soluble products that contain higher concentrations of active ingredients. Devoid of all the extra fluff that you can find in moisturizing creams and lotions, serums deliver the active ingredients with much higher efficiency.

Which serum should you use
Know your skin concern and pick serums with an active ingredient that fights against your issue. Next, identify your skin type is it oily, dry, or a combination of the two? This information helps you narrow your choices down to one or two products. Finally, perform a patch test to check if your skin has adverse reactions.

How to best use a serum
If all goes well, use a cleansing face wash, apply the serum and follow with a moisturizing sunscreen lotion to get the best results. Studies show that there is a significant improvement in the skin condition in four weeks of continuous usage.

When subjects used a serum for 12 weeks or more, they observed a 43% improvement in the appearance of their skin. Primarily, there was a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles; additionally, there was a reduction in brown spots and the appearance of pores. The overall result was softer, supplier, well-hydrated skin.

What are the active ingredients for various skin issues
Vitamin C: Vitamin C provides the following benefits: (a) it is an antioxidant, (b) it is a collagen booster, and (c) it brightens the skin. Serums categorized as vitamin C may have the following ingredients in them:

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate: Pure vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is not easily absorbed by the skin. So, scientists use the oil-soluble version of Vitamin C in skin care products to help the skin absorb it. Once absorbed, the serum boosts the production of collagen, they are tissues that support your skin, thus reducing wrinkles.

Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol: It is a synthetic molecule similar to Vitamin E. It works wonders against aging, as it is a potent antioxidant. When there are reactive oxygen or nitrogen molecules in the skin, the two interact to accelerate aging.

Antioxidants sweep up the reactive molecules and prevent them from causing further damage to your skin. Typically, antioxidant skin care products can protect you against sun damage and thus can be worn during the day.

Salicylic Acid:
Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) or salicylic acid is an organic compound containing carboxylic acid. It has a long history of treating acne as it effectively exfoliates the skin’s surface and pores. It is more effective than alternative ingredients such as Glycolic Acid (or AHA) and can even treat blackheads. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is perfectly suitable for oily or irritable skin.

Niacinamide:
Known as the superstar of the skincare world, Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3. It is water-soluble and provides benefits such as anti-aging, skin-lightening, and removing acne scars. It has a significantly high rate of skin penetration, thus delivering the benefits of vitamin B directly to your skin.

In summary:
Serums deliver active ingredients directly to your skin. The higher the percent number on the product’s label, the higher the ingredient concentration. However, not every skin type can handle higher doses, so it is best to start low and work your way up if needed.

Now that you know what face serums are and how to find an active ingredient suitable for your skin condition, conduct research of your own before jumping onto a particular product. Consult a dermatologist for the best outcomes.