La roche posay serum

WHAT IS A FACE SERUM?

Facial serums are skincare products designed in a liquid or gel vehicle with concentrated, key ingredients delivered to the skin. Typically, serums have a light, fluid texture that is absorbed quickly into the skin.

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR IN A SERUM

The ingredients to look for in a serum depend on the specific use of the facial serum and your skin type. Facial serums may be incorporated into your daily skincare routine to help address fine lines and wrinkles, anti-aging benefits, acne, and even to help moisturize and hydrate skin.

Dry, sensitive skin: Dermatologists recommend the following ingredients in facial serums to help provide an added boost of moisture and help hydrate skin:

Hyaluronic acid is a crucial molecule for skin hydration.

Glycerin is a humectant, a moisturizing ingredient that draws water into the surface layer of the skin and helps reduce further water loss2.

Ceramides are lipids found in the skin’s surface layer, also called the stratum corneum1.

Oily, acne-prone skin: Dermatologists often recommend the following ingredient in facial serums that may help unclog pores and minimize oily skin:

Salicylic acid is a type of beta-hydroxy acid and is used for the treatment of acne. This ingredient is a “keratolytic” class, meaning it helps remove excess dead skin3.

Anti-Aging Benefits: Dermatologists often recommend the below ingredients to help fight various signs of skin aging.

Glycolic acid is alpha-hydroxy acid incorporated in serums to help reduce the look of dark spots and discolorations and help skin look brighter3.

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. It helps promote surface skin turnover, thus reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles and helping to reduce the visible signs of sun damage3.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential antioxidant in one’s skincare regimen as it helps fight skin-damaging free radicals and is known to help improve signs of aging such as skin tone, radiance, and texture4.

WHEN TO USE A SERUM IN YOUR ROUTINE

Serums are generally applied after cleansing your face and before any daytime or nighttime creams or lotions. The time of day you use, the serum depends on the type of serum and the ingredients within the serum. For example, serums that contain antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, are recommended for daytime use versus serums containing retinol or glycolic acid that increase sensitivity to the sun and are recommended for nighttime use.

The following are examples of how you can incorporate facial serums into your daytime and nighttime routine:

Daytime:

Wash your face with a non-comedogenic facial cleanser.

Use a facial toner or facial mist.

Apply 3-4 drops of facial serum to the entire face and neck.

Apply eye cream.

Apply moisturizer.

Remember the sunscreen!

Nighttime:

Wash your face with a non-comedogenic facial cleanser.

Use a facial toner or facial mist.

Apply 3-4 drops of facial serum to the entire face and neck.

Apply eye cream.

Apply moisturizer.

For those prescribed topicals for daytime and nighttime use, consult your board-certified dermatologist before using a facial serum.

DERMATOLOGIST TIPS FOR USING A FACE SERUM

Choosing a serum: When choosing a serum, consider your complexion, skin type, and what you want to target. Everyone has different goals, and searching for a serum that contains ingredients that will target your specific needs is essential.

Please keep it simple: While there are so many facial serums, maintaining a simple skincare routine is recommended. Using multiple facial serums throughout the day may increase your risk of skin discomfort.

Storing your serum: keep your serums in a cool, dry place to help maintain their effectiveness.

Application tip: To prevent the over-application of a facial serum. Apply 3-4 drops of the serum on the top of your hand, dab your fingertip into the serum, and apply to each area of your face & neck and gently rub it in.

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