Most skincare products are quite self-explanatory: make-up removers remove make-up, cleansers cleanse, exfoliators exfoliate, and moisturisers moisturise. But what do skin serums do? Let's explore the benefits of incorporating a serum into your daily skincare routine.
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Face Serum: What is its purpose?
Summary
Published May 13, 2024,
updated on June 26, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
3 min read
What are skin serums?
Applicable both day and night, face serums or body serums are topical solutions formulated with oil or water-based light and fluid textures containing high concentrations of active ingredients, higher than other skincare products, and fewer excipients (thickeners, emulsifiers, etc.). Some may contain a main ingredient, while others correspond to combinations of actives. Usually presented in small glass bottles (15 to 30 mL) equipped with a dropper for easy dosage, they have been designed to be easily absorbed when you spread it on the skin, thus providing a means to quickly and effectively deliver beneficial ingredients through the stratum corneum into the deeper layers for most actives.
It is essential to follow the application of a serum with a moisturising cream. While the serum targets specific skin issues, the moisturising cream seals in the previously applied serums to maximise their benefits, as well as hydration.
Why use a serum for the skin?
Applied before the moisturiser and after cleansing the skin, skin serums help to enhance a skincare routine by delivering large amounts of active molecules. They have been developed to manage and "reverse" a number of different skin issues, including blemishes, dull complexion, enlarged pores, redness, wrinkles, pigmentation spots or dryness, thus catering to various individual needs with just a few drops a day.
The high concentration of active ingredients can, in principle, yield more visible results than other types of skin products.
The potential benefits of serums and the desired results depend on the active ingredients present in the formula. They can thus be hydrating, soothing, mattifying, brightening, anti-inflammatory, etc. However, ingredients that are highly concentrated in a formula can irritate certain skin types. It is therefore strongly recommended to always test the product on a small area of the body before applying it more broadly.
Each facial and body serum targets a specific skin issue, depending on the active ingredients chosen.
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