Ageing is a natural process. Though we cannot prevent ageing, we can delay face serums the early signs of ageing like wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and dullness by taking good care of our skin.
When we are young, a simple cleansing, toning, and moisturising routine are more than enough. However, as we age, our skin needs more nourishment and some extra care in the form of face serums.
Face serums are magic potions that penetrate deep into your skin and help to reverse the seven signs of ageing. Unlike moisturisers, face serums contain active ingredients in high concentrations that work from within and provide you with youthful and glowing skin.
This article contains all the information regarding serums and will help you choose the right face serums for yourself. So continue reading!
What is a Serum?
Serums are light, oil or water-based liquids that contain active ingredients like Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid that seep deep into the skin. They come in small bottles with a dropper. One only requires a few drops of serum for the entire face. Face serums help prevent and reverse the early signs of ageing and give you smooth, younger-looking, plump, radiant, and hydrated skin.
Benefits of Face Serums
- Minimise dullness, discolourations and dark spots
- Reduce fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing
- Naturally, brighten dull-looking skin
- Hydrates the skin
- Improves skin texture
- Give a radiant, dewy, and a younger-looking skin
Types of serums to look out for
Anti-ageing serums
As the name suggests, these serums treat and reverse the signs of ageing. They target fine lines, saggy skin, wrinkles, dark spots, pigmentation and other signs of ageing. In addition, they rejuvenate the skin by giving a smooth texture. Retinol is a powerful and significant ingredient in anti-ageing serums. It increases collagen production, prevents loss of elasticity, and makes the skin firm.
Common anti-ageing ingredients: Retinol, fruit stem cells, grape seed extract, peptides, Vitamin C, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), etc
Skin Brightening Serums
Skin brightening serums help to lighten, brighten and rejuvenate dull and lifeless skin. These serums contain active ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, kojic acid etc., that gently removes the dead skin layer. Regular use of skin brightening serums can help you improve your skin texture, brighten your complexion and give you glowing skin.
Common Skin Brightening Ingredients: green tea, liquorice root, grapefruit, antioxidants like vitamin C, E, peptides, kojic acid, etc.
Acne-Fighting Serums
Acne fighting serums contain active ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc, tea tree etc., that helps to prevent acne. Acne fighting serums also help reduce acne scars by gently exfoliating the skin and removing the dead skin cells that cause clogged pores. In addition, they help to tighten the skin, absorb excess oil, minimise pores, reduce redness, and prevent the formation of acne-causing bacteria.
Common Acne-Fighting Ingredients: salicylic acid, alpha- hydroxy acid (AHA), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), glycolic acid, citric acid, zinc, tea tree, green tea, etc.
Hydrating Face Serums
Hydrated skin equals healthy skin. Hydrating serums penetrate deep into the skin and hydrate it from within. Hydrating face serums are a must-have for people with dry skin as dry skin ages faster due to a lack of moisture.
Common Hydrating Ingredients: Argan oil, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, rosewater, jojoba, vitamin E etc
Exfoliating Serums
Exfoliating serums gently removes the dead skin cells and gives you a smooth, bright and even-toned complexion. They also help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, exfoliating serums help unclog pores, prevent breakouts, reduce pigmentation, and fade away dark spots.
Common Exfoliating Ingredients: Alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, retinol, enzymes from plant or fruit extracts, citric acid, etc.
Repairative and Renewing Serums
Reparative and renewing face serums, as the name suggests, repairs your skin from within. They help reduce acne scars, discolouration, dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage while promoting collagen growth in the skin cells. These serums effortlessly repair, renew, and protect the skin from all the wear and tear.
Common Repairative and Renewing ingredients: seaweed, green tea, retinol, antioxidants, essential oils, Omega-3 fatty acids, etc.
The Perfect Age to Begin with Skincare Ingredients
Vitamin C
It helps in brightening the skin and protects it from environmental damage. The earlier you start using vitamin C, the better.
Best Age to use: 18
Hyaluronic Acid
It hydrates the skin and makes it look plump and dewy. If you want to have youthful skin forever, then start using it in your 20s itself.
Best Age to use: 20
Retinol
It increases elastin and collagen in the skin and helps to renew the skin cells. Early signs of ageing start appearing in your mid-20s. Therefore, include retinol in your skincare regime as early as possible.
Best Age to use: 25
AHA
It goes deep into the skin and helps in brightening the complexion.
Best Age to use: 25
How To Use A Serum
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- Wash your face
- Now take a small amount of serum in your palms. 2-3 pumps are more than enough
- Rub it gently in between your palms and pat the serum on your face and neck
- Massage it gently in circular motions for 5 minutes
- Apply the serums on your face in small tapping motions with the help of your fingertips
- Do not rub the serum. Let your skin absorb it slowly
- Wait for a few minutes before continuing with your other skincare routine
Serums contain active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Unlike thick moisturisers, serums penetrate deep into the skin and repair it from within. Start using an anti-ageing serum as early as your mid-20s to maintain younger-looking skin. If you have any skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation, dull skin, etc., use a serum accordingly. We hope this article was helpful for you.
