Face serum

Imagine having a cosmetic product that can slow down the aging of your skin, visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and restore the radiance of your face. In fact, you don’t need to force your imagination because such a product actually does exist. It is known as a “face serum” and is gaining popularity as an essential step in the skincare routine. Now, if you are curious to know what is behind this notion, what is the role of a face serum, in what cases it is good to apply it, as well as how to apply it correctly, then just keep on reading.

What is a face serum?

The face serum is a potent cosmetic product that is designed to address a specific problem. The composition of that type of product includes highly concentrated active ingredients such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and so on. That is the reason a given precious ingredient is faster and way more effectively absorbed by the skin – hence desired results become visible in a significantly shorter period of use compared to any other cosmetics.

What is the role of the face serum in one’s daily skincare routine?

When a facial serum is adopted into a skincare regimen, faster and better results for improving or treating a specific skin condition are aimed. Usually, these are delivered through either improved absorption or larger amounts of active ingredient molecules that reach beyond the very outmost layer of the skin. For example, if you have dry skin and you add Biotrade Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, it will help restore the water balance in the tissue and ensure optimal moisture levels, thus making the skin plumper, and more elastic and give a radiant look to your face.

What types of face serums are there?

Conventionally, face serums can be divided into a few types according to the problems they are designed to help for:

• Hydrating face serum – intended for dry and/or dehydrated skin, helps to provide deeper hydration, locks the moisture in the tissue, and ensures better density and elasticity of the skin;
• Brightening face serum – suitable for all skin types, it aims to brighten the existing dark patches and even out the complexion. The active ingredient here is usually vitamin C, which has a strong antioxidant effect and has a proven effect when it comes to lightening the skin tone;
• Anti-aging face serum – perfect for a more mature skin, aims to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Most of the anti-aging face serums are based on the famous active ingredient retinol, which stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin, as well as accelerates skin regeneration;
• Eye serum – a specially developed product for the skin around the eyes. It needs to cope with bags, dark circles, and the first signs of aging.

How to use a face serum?

Now that you are familiar with the most common types of serums and already have some idea which of these you would need for yourself, it’s time to figure out how to use that product properly.

Before applying a face serum, it is a must to remove the makeup and wash your face with a proper cleanser (soap, washing foam, oil, or gel).

The next step is to put a very small amount (one or two pumps are just fine) on the tips of your fingers and spread the liquid onto the face avoiding the eye contour area (unless the serum is meant for that zone – such as Pure Skin Glow Revival Eye Serum that fights wrinkles and dark circle under eyes). In order for the ingredients of this skincare product to be better absorbed, it is necessary to apply it with light patting movements of the fingers. You can also use a Gua Sha massage stone, facial roller, or other similar accessory. After the serum has been completely absorbed, it is recommended to wait like 10-15 minutes before applying any other product – in general, that should be a moisturizer (night or day cream/fluid).

Can a face serum be used alone?

A face serum is not a basic step in one’s daily routine but rather extra. However, depending on the needs of the skin, a face serum can be used both as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other products. For example, when the skin is young and well hydrated naturally, then the serum is completely sufficient.
In other cases, to achieve better results, a fluid or cream is also applied after the face serum, thus keeping the hydration for a longer time. A night fluid or day face cream kind of “seals” the active ingredient of the serum into the skin.

Is it better to apply face serum in the morning or in the evening?

Face serums can be applied in the morning or in the evening depending on the routine you follow but it also depends on the core active ingredient of the formulation. There are serums that need to be applied only in the evening – a nice example of these are the face serums based on retinol or AHA / BHA (alpha and beta hydroxy acids). Others – the hydrating ones – can be used at any time as typically they contain moisturizing ingredients – such as Biotrade Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.

How do you combine multiple face serums into one skincare routine?

In many cases or for specific skin concerns, you can benefit from combining several facial serums within a single routine. Before proceeding with such combinations, it’s advisable to consult a dermatologist or skincare specialist to ensure that the products you wish to use can be safely combined. For example, you cannot use a face serum with retinol together with another one based on vitamin C. However, these two can be successfully alternated – retinoid is used in the evening and vitamin C in the morning. Yet, it’s crucial to observe a break of at least 8 hours between the applications.

An example of a good complementary combination in one and the same routine is Biotrade Glow Serum with Vitamin C 15% and Peptides, and Biotrade Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.

As a common rule, when combining two or more serums, the order of the application should be defined by their consistency. The one that has a more liquid texture, or contains more water in the formulation, should be applied first, followed by the oil-based and/or more thick ones.

What is the difference between a face serum and a face cream?

The main difference between the two products is the texture. Face serums have a lighter and more watery texture than creams, which lets them be absorbed by the skin faster. Also, the active ingredients in serums are present in way higher concentrations compared to the same ones in creams.

Another significant difference is that a face serum is usually not a stand-alone product, while a cream is completely sufficient for a complete morning or evening routine. In this regard, the distinction between the two cosmetic products is also in the sequence and method of application. The more liquid product (in this case – the serum) is applied first, followed by the one with a higher viscosity.

In a nutshell, we can say that adopting a face serum or even a combination of several serums into your daily skincare routine is becoming a more and more popular method due to the many splendid benefits they deliver.

What particular product you decide on depends entirely on the skin concerns you wish to address, as well as your skin type. Optimal effect is in place only if products are properly selected and correctly applied. Dare to try, trust the process, and enjoy the results.