Serums 101

Serums have become a critical part of the modern skincare routine because of how effective they are. These potions are designed to clear up skin problems, from redness to wrinkles, and even dark spots. When asked  how to treat certain skin conditions. dermatologists will almost always recommend you use a serum because of their potency. Here are five facts about them:

• Concentrated Active Ingredients – This is what makes a serum, a serum. While moisturizers and cleansers also have active ingredients, they also contain other things that minimize the effects of the effects of these ingredients. Serums on the other hand mostly contain mostly these active ingredients, and are more concentrated in nature. Their molecules are much smaller and can then penetrate your skin a lot deeper.
• Targeting Specific Concerns – Serums target specific concerns rather than doing multiple things at once. There are serums to fade acne scars, or to reduce the appearance of fine lines, or to lighten your complexion.  They don’t also do other things like clean or moisturize your skin. They only have one purpose and they do their job really well.
• Oil-like Consistency But Not an Oil – Yes, serums do have similar consistency to oils, but they don’t function the same way you use oils for your skin. Oils help trap the moisture in your skin to keep it soft, while serums target skin concerns. However, serums and oils can have interchangeable names. You do have to keep in mind that serums look like oils and can smell like oils but they don’t have the same purpose as oils.
• More Pricey – Serums can come with hefty price tags, but that’s because they do pack powerful active ingredients. You won’t find these ingredients in regular skincare products, or if you do, they are in minimal concentrations. You also have to think about the quality of the ingredients used, as in better active ingredients mean higher price tags. Serums are one of those “you get what you pay for” kind of products where the results justify the price tags. Cheaper serums tend to have weaker ingredients and therefore might not produce the results you want.
• Apply Them First and Mindfully – Serums are most effective when you apply them after just cleansing. Their potent ingredients work the best when when there are no other products layered underneath them (besides your cleanser), allowing deeper penetration into your skin. As far as how often you should apply them, it depends on the active ingredients. Some can be applied in the morning and at night, but serums with retinol, which is a very potent ingredient, should only be applied at night.