Whether you’re looking to get younger, enhance your complexion, or even freshen up your look, adding a face serum can improve the overall experience and results of your regular skincare routine.
You’ve probably seen the infomercials on TV or heard about some new product promising to create new skin miracles. But you might be having trouble adding serums into your skincare routine. This blog post is for you! Here, I’ll be going over how to add a face serum to your skincare routine. If this sounds to your alley, then keep reading!
What are Face Serums?
Something that’s often forgotten and therefore not given the attention that it needs is our skin. It’s the largest organ and protects our body from disease and infection. While we can’t do much to protect ourselves from severe conditions like cancer, we can protect ourselves from acne, fine lines, wrinkles, dehydration, and pigmentation issues. This is where serums come in.
Face serums are lightweight formulations with a high concentration of skincare actives meant to target specific skin concerns. They are usually layered after your cleanser and before your moisturizer.
Here is how you can add a face serum to your skincare regimen
Morning skincare serum
The skin’s increased sensitivity to UV radiation is the sole drawback of using vitamin C in your AM routine. The exposure of our skin to pollutants and photodamage throughout the day may lead to aging and hyperpigmentation. Because of this, the abilities of vitamin C perfectly fit into a morning skincare routine.
Tip: Do not forget to wear your sunscreen.
Evening skincare serum
Every dermatologist will tell you to cleanse the skin before bed to allow it to breathe. However, adding a PM serum may give you that cherished youthful look. Retinol and skin acids increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays more than vitamin C. Adding in your nightly serum would be the best choice if you want to reap their benefits.
Anytime Serum
Niacinamide is a potent antioxidant without the skin sensitizing effects of retinol, acid exfoliants, and vitamin C to UV radiations. Therefore, one can use it in your AM and PM skincare routines. In addition, a serum that has hyaluronic acid as the principal ingredient would also be a good choice.
How to properly use a face serum
With so many irritants and toxins in our environment, you need a powerful barrier to help protect it from damage and premature aging. A suitable face serum can be king, but how you use it is queen.
Select one with targeted ingredients for your specific skin type and condition. Then apply in the morning and night after cleansing or toning for best results.
To apply a face serum, you need to use 1 – 2 drops with the aid of a dropper. 2 – 3 pumps would be enough if you use a pump bottle. Too much can clog your skin pores. You can choose where to put the serum, but dermatologists recommend using it on the whole face. Then, massage the serum into the skin in circular motions.
Make sure to concentrate on any dry patches or problem areas. It is essential to use light strokes and allow the serum to penetrate deep into your skin by patting lightly for maximal effectiveness.
If you are applying foundation after, wait until the serum has fully absorbed before using it. Doing this prevents the oils in the foundation from causing breakouts (especially if your skin is still damp).
If you’re in a hurry, you can apply most serums with a few sprays from an atomizer bottle and then apply foundation over the top after allowing it to dry.
Tips for the best results
First, Prime Your Skin
If you are just starting with a face serum, it is best to start with a small amount and work your way up. You should use retinol and chemical exfoliants not more than once a week. Doing this minimizes adverse reactions to the skin. Skip every other day before transitioning to daily vitamin C face serum use.
Avoid Two Ingredients that Might React with Each Other
The objective behind using a face serum is to address specific concerns in your skin. Pairing two actives in a routine may not help this course. For example, since benzoyl peroxide reacts with retinol, it is best to incorporate them into different routines. AM routine for benzoyl peroxide and retinol in the PM routine.
Order the Skincare Products Correctly
For best results, one should apply face serums after cleansing the face and using a moisturizer. Cleansing provides a clean slate to absorb your serum’s high concentration of actives. Adding a moisturizer to the serum helps lock it in for optimal results. Always remember to add sunscreen after your moisturizer for an AM routine.
Key Takeaways
Face serums are an essential part of your skincare routine. Whether you want to combat acne, battle wrinkles, or moisturize your skin, face serums are the perfect addition to your morning and nightly routines. Finding the right face serum for your needs can be overwhelming, with many brands. A good tip is to find a serum containing ingredients that will benefit your skin type and appearance.