"Do I need to use a serum?" and "How do I choose a serum?" are the two most frequently asked questions by people seeking skincare advice. And it's understandable why. There are so many different types of serums on the market, and most of them are described with the same "special" buzzwords, making it even harder to understand where and how to start. We will try to clarify the topic of serums with a few simple tips to help you feel more confident in choosing a product that will do the best for your skin.
What is a serum?
Serums are lightweight cosmetic skincare formulas that usually contain higher concentrations of active ingredients compared to creams and lotions. Thanks to their viscosity, they deliver beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamins, acids, peptides, and natural extracts deep into the skin. Since serums are typically formulated to absorb quickly and easily into the skin, they are perfect for applying under your favorite day or night cream.
When should I start using a serum?
If you feel that your daily cleansing and moisturizing routine is no longer sufficient for your skin, it’s time to add a serum. Many people still think serums are only suitable for those seeking effective anti-aging care, but this is incorrect. A serum can be part of any skincare routine, regardless of age, and can be designed to address various skin issues.
How do I use a serum?
The first and fundamental rule in building the right routine is to start with the lightest, watery formulas and finish with the thickest and most occlusive products. For example – after washing your face, apply products in the following order:
- Hydrating spray or water
- Serum
- Day cream
- Sunscreen
Usually, a very small amount of serum is enough for the entire face – about 3-5 drops, and it is important not to forget to apply it also on the neck and décolleté. The serum is applied with gentle tapping motions on the skin until fully absorbed. Then you can continue with the next product.
How do I choose the best serum for my skin?
First and foremost, precisely identify the problems your skin is facing – lack of hydration, uneven and dull complexion, loss of density and elasticity, first wrinkles, etc. When you know what problem you are fighting, it is easier to choose the mix of ingredients that will help you solve it.
Second, when choosing a serum, you must ensure that the active ingredients in it are still active. Many vitamins and acids begin to lose their active potency already during the product’s manufacturing because unstable forms of the substance are used. This is a problem with serums containing vitamin C, for example. Formulas containing L-ascorbic acid become inactive within the first month because this form of vitamin oxidizes very quickly. Thus, the serum loses its effect, and your money is wasted.
The Brightening Serum Pure Skin contains the most stable and effective form of vitamin C, which remains active much longer, and the airless packaging helps protect the product from bacterial contamination.
The best serum for dry or dehydrated skin
It is a well-known fact that the best ingredient for moisturizing the skin is hyaluronic acid. It helps retain moisture in the skin due to its huge hygroscopic potential. There are several types of hyaluronic acid, but two are most commonly used: high molecular weight, which retains moisture on the skin’s surface, and low molecular weight – which penetrates deeper into the skin and exerts its moisture-retaining effect there.
Anti-wrinkle serum with anti-aging effect
The first signs of aging are usually fine lines and wrinkles, loss of skin density and elasticity, and the appearance of various pigmentation disorders. The holy grail for these problems are serums with retinol, which are becoming increasingly popular and attractive. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that supports skin cell renewal, stimulates collagen production, improves density and elasticity, and evens out the complexion. Results are usually visible after several months of use, but everyone is equally satisfied with the final effect. Unfortunately, retinol has side effects such as photosensitivity, redness, and peeling.
To avoid redness, irritation, and peeling, there are several techniques you can apply.
The golden rule is to always start with a low concentration of retinol at 0.1%, and after a few weeks, once the skin gets used to it, you can move to the next step of 0.3% or 0.5%.
For some women, concentrations above 0.3% might be too strong. Although this prevents the use of higher concentrations, low concentrations of retinol are not less effective for them and provide excellent results.
Another trick you can use is the "sandwich" technique – first apply a hydrating cream, then the retinol serum, and after it is fully absorbed, apply another layer of hydration.
As with vitamin C serums, it is important which derivative of vitamin A (retinol) you choose in terms of efficacy, skin tolerance, and stability of the active ingredient. For retinol to be effective, it must undergo several metabolic transformations after application to the skin until it reaches its biologically active form – retinoic acid.
The weakest form is rethynil esters, such as the popular retinyl palmitate used in cosmetics. It requires four steps to convert into retinoic acid. Pure retinol undergoes two transformations – into retinaldehyde and finally into retinoic acid. That is why serums containing retinal are a good choice, as retinaldehyde requires only one metabolic transformation compared to two for pure retinol. The fewer the transformation steps, the faster and more effective the active ingredient in the product works.
But the cherry on top is retinol in the form of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which is the most stable over time and the gentlest on the skin. This is an innovative form of retinoid, an ester of fully trans direct retinoic acid, and thus undergoes only one metabolic transformation.
The best serum for pigmentation spots
The undisputed leader in this category is serums with vitamin C, which have been proven to even out the complexion and lighten accumulated pigmentation spots. Additionally, vitamin C has an anti-aging effect thanks to its powerful antioxidant action, fighting free radicals in the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production, and giving a freshness and density characteristic of youthful skin.
Serum for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, you should choose a serum that contains soothing action and ingredients that help restore the skin’s barrier function. A serum for sensitive skin should not contain perfume, acids, retinol, or other active ingredients that can irritate the skin.
Which serum is suitable for acne-prone skin?
Acne-prone skin is usually oily, with many clogged pores – comedones, scars from old and new pimples. Retinol is a classic treatment for these problems, but azelaic acid and niacinamide are also very suitable.
Eye serum
The area around the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on our body, making it easily prone to sagging, puffiness, and wrinkles. But it also responds fastest to good care with quality products. An eye serum must improve hydration, drain to reduce puffiness and swelling in the vessels, and stimulate skin tightening. Look for serums with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, caffeine, ruscogenin, squalane, peptides. In fact, you don’t need to look far because you have already found what you need in Pure Skin brightening eye cream-serum!
The delicacy of this serum perfectly suits the delicate skin around the eyes, but don’t be fooled by its light formula. It is powerfully loaded with high concentrations of active ingredients that work deeply and restore the freshness of your eyes.
So, the mystery of serums is now unraveled, and the main question you started with remains – what is the problem with your skin that you want to fight? We hope you find the solution quickly and easily.
How to choose the right serum?
"Do I need to use a serum?" and "How do I choose a serum?" are the two most frequently asked questions by people seeking skincare advice. And it's understandable why. There are so many different types of serums on the market, and most of them are described with the same "special" buzzwords, making it even harder to understand where and how to start. We will try to clarify the topic of serums with a few simple tips to help you feel more confident in choosing a product that will do the best for your skin.
What is a serum?
Serums are lightweight cosmetic skincare formulas that usually contain higher concentrations of active ingredients compared to creams and lotions. Thanks to their viscosity, they deliver beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamins, acids, peptides, and natural extracts deep into the skin. Since serums are typically formulated to absorb quickly and easily into the skin, they are perfect for applying under your favorite day or night cream.
When should I start using a serum?
If you feel that your daily cleansing and moisturizing routine is no longer sufficient for your skin, it’s time to add a serum. Many people still think serums are only suitable for those seeking effective anti-aging care, but this is incorrect. A serum can be part of any skincare routine, regardless of age, and can be designed to address various skin issues.
How do I use a serum?
The first and fundamental rule in building the right routine is to start with the lightest, watery formulas and finish with the thickest and most occlusive products. For example – after washing your face, apply products in the following order:
Usually, a very small amount of serum is enough for the entire face – about 3-5 drops, and it is important not to forget to apply it also on the neck and décolleté. The serum is applied with gentle tapping motions on the skin until fully absorbed. Then you can continue with the next product.
How do I choose the best serum for my skin?
First and foremost, precisely identify the problems your skin is facing – lack of hydration, uneven and dull complexion, loss of density and elasticity, first wrinkles, etc. When you know what problem you are fighting, it is easier to choose the mix of ingredients that will help you solve it.
Second, when choosing a serum, you must ensure that the active ingredients in it are still active. Many vitamins and acids begin to lose their active potency already during the product’s manufacturing because unstable forms of the substance are used. This is a problem with serums containing vitamin C, for example. Formulas containing L-ascorbic acid become inactive within the first month because this form of vitamin oxidizes very quickly. Thus, the serum loses its effect, and your money is wasted.
The Brightening Serum Pure Skin contains the most stable and effective form of vitamin C, which remains active much longer, and the airless packaging helps protect the product from bacterial contamination.
The best serum for dry or dehydrated skin
It is a well-known fact that the best ingredient for moisturizing the skin is hyaluronic acid. It helps retain moisture in the skin due to its huge hygroscopic potential. There are several types of hyaluronic acid, but two are most commonly used: high molecular weight, which retains moisture on the skin’s surface, and low molecular weight – which penetrates deeper into the skin and exerts its moisture-retaining effect there.
Anti-wrinkle serum with anti-aging effect
The first signs of aging are usually fine lines and wrinkles, loss of skin density and elasticity, and the appearance of various pigmentation disorders. The holy grail for these problems are serums with retinol, which are becoming increasingly popular and attractive. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that supports skin cell renewal, stimulates collagen production, improves density and elasticity, and evens out the complexion. Results are usually visible after several months of use, but everyone is equally satisfied with the final effect. Unfortunately, retinol has side effects such as photosensitivity, redness, and peeling.
To avoid redness, irritation, and peeling, there are several techniques you can apply.
The golden rule is to always start with a low concentration of retinol at 0.1%, and after a few weeks, once the skin gets used to it, you can move to the next step of 0.3% or 0.5%.
For some women, concentrations above 0.3% might be too strong. Although this prevents the use of higher concentrations, low concentrations of retinol are not less effective for them and provide excellent results.
Another trick you can use is the "sandwich" technique – first apply a hydrating cream, then the retinol serum, and after it is fully absorbed, apply another layer of hydration.
As with vitamin C serums, it is important which derivative of vitamin A (retinol) you choose in terms of efficacy, skin tolerance, and stability of the active ingredient. For retinol to be effective, it must undergo several metabolic transformations after application to the skin until it reaches its biologically active form – retinoic acid.
The weakest form is rethynil esters, such as the popular retinyl palmitate used in cosmetics. It requires four steps to convert into retinoic acid. Pure retinol undergoes two transformations – into retinaldehyde and finally into retinoic acid. That is why serums containing retinal are a good choice, as retinaldehyde requires only one metabolic transformation compared to two for pure retinol. The fewer the transformation steps, the faster and more effective the active ingredient in the product works.
But the cherry on top is retinol in the form of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which is the most stable over time and the gentlest on the skin. This is an innovative form of retinoid, an ester of fully trans direct retinoic acid, and thus undergoes only one metabolic transformation.
The best serum for pigmentation spots
The undisputed leader in this category is serums with vitamin C, which have been proven to even out the complexion and lighten accumulated pigmentation spots. Additionally, vitamin C has an anti-aging effect thanks to its powerful antioxidant action, fighting free radicals in the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production, and giving a freshness and density characteristic of youthful skin.
Serum for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, you should choose a serum that contains soothing action and ingredients that help restore the skin’s barrier function. A serum for sensitive skin should not contain perfume, acids, retinol, or other active ingredients that can irritate the skin.
Which serum is suitable for acne-prone skin?
Acne-prone skin is usually oily, with many clogged pores – comedones, scars from old and new pimples. Retinol is a classic treatment for these problems, but azelaic acid and niacinamide are also very suitable.
Eye serum
The area around the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on our body, making it easily prone to sagging, puffiness, and wrinkles. But it also responds fastest to good care with quality products. An eye serum must improve hydration, drain to reduce puffiness and swelling in the vessels, and stimulate skin tightening. Look for serums with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, caffeine, ruscogenin, squalane, peptides. In fact, you don’t need to look far because you have already found what you need in Pure Skin brightening eye cream-serum!
The delicacy of this serum perfectly suits the delicate skin around the eyes, but don’t be fooled by its light formula. It is powerfully loaded with high concentrations of active ingredients that work deeply and restore the freshness of your eyes.
So, the mystery of serums is now unraveled, and the main question you started with remains – what is the problem with your skin that you want to fight? We hope you find the solution quickly and easily.