Whey is a product with a high concentration of nutrients. Unlike extracts and extracts, there can be several in different proportions. In other words, whey is often a nutritious, rejuvenating or healing cocktail.
It also differs from creams, which are an emulsion - a suspension of fat particles in water or, conversely, microdroplets in fat.
The serum usually has a uniform consistency. Although its base can also be aqueous or oily, depending on the optimal environment for the active ingredients it contains.
Action on the skin
Due to its light and nourishing composition, the serum has a very intense effect on the skin and is able to:
- quickly improve its appearance;
- slow down age-related destructive processes;
- neutralize the first signs of aging;
- eliminate age spots;
- rejuvenate and refresh the face;
- restore skin firmness and elasticity;
- act against rosacea;
- deeply moisturize the epidermis;
- remove acne marks and blemishes.
There are also special therapeutic serums for problem skin with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and sebostatic effects. It is better not to use them without a doctor's prescription, because if used incorrectly, you can only aggravate the problem.
Application rules
To get the maximum effect from this literally and figuratively valuable cosmetic product, you need to know how to use face serum correctly:
- Apply it only on dry and clean skin, after washing it thoroughly and wiping it with tonic (without alcohol! ).
- It is advisable to use a moisturizing serum in the morning, then it will bring freshness for the whole day. But in bad weather and frost, you can go out with no earlier than half an hour later.
- Products for problem skin are best used at night. Then they will work successfully for several hours and give maximum results.
- Narrowly targeted action serums are used only in areas: anti-inflammatory - for acne; wrinkles - on skin folds; bleaching - in places with pronounced pigmentation.
- Anti-aging and lifting serums are also best applied to the neck and décolletage. And tighten the oval of the face - on the neck and under the lower jaw.
- Due to its light consistency, the serum is quickly absorbed and can penetrate quite deeply. Therefore, you don't need to massage your face and drive it with your fingers.
- It is important not to overdo it. Usually the bottles have a dispenser. And 2-3 drops of product are enough to treat the whole face.
- Once the product is completely absorbed, you can apply a cream on it. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the foundation often does not fit well with lifting and anti-aging serums. In this case, you will have to limit yourself to mineral powder.
In most cases, it is not necessary to rinse off the serum, unless required by the instructions, which should always be read before purchasing the product.
Secrets of choice
Only at first glance it seems easy to choose a face serum. In fact, there are several important factors to consider:
- Age. Up to 25 years, concentrated preparations are usually best used exclusively for medicinal purposes. It is recommended to use anti-aging serums after 35 years. And with the effect of superlifting, and even later - at 45 and older. The fact is that, receiving enough nutrients, our skin stops producing them. Don't let her relax too soon.
- Skin type. This is very important, because the serum has an intense effect on it. Accordingly, when applying an unsuitable product, for example, on dry skin, it can be provoked by severe irritation, peeling and even the rapid formation of wrinkles.
- Problems. For problem skin, some serums are not suitable. But there are products specifically designed for this. Also, many medications only focus on solving certain problems. This is usually indicated on the packaging.
- active components. Since they are found there in large quantities, people prone to allergic reactions should carefully study the composition of each new product and be sure to do a test before using it.
- Storage Terms and Conditions. Some professional preparations are sold in disposable bottles, after opening which quickly lose their useful properties. Yes, and homemade serums have a very short shelf life - from several hours to several days.
If we compare products purchased or prepared by ourselves at home, then in terms of impact strength the latter lose significantly. Therefore, those who want to achieve a quick and significant result should not save.
Best serums
The best serums are the ones that are perfect for you. As a specialist, of course, I prefer professional preparations. They use all the achievements of modern chemistry and cosmetology and are able to really prolong youth, especially if used for injections or a mesoscooter. But mass-market and home-prepared products work just as well.
Professional
The strong point of professional serums lies in a strictly balanced composition and the presence of patented formulas and nanoparticles in the products. Some of them are able to repair damaged membranes and regulate intracellular processes.
In addition, the beautician has tools that allow the beneficial substances to penetrate even deeper. And with the help of injections, mesotherapy or hardware procedures, the serum is delivered directly to the places where the skin needs it most. No wonder the results are impressive.
Mass market
On the shelves of mass markets, the abundance of serums is increasing every day. On the one hand, it's fun. However, this raises doubts about the quality of the product. Especially with a low price. A high-quality biologically active concentrate cannot be cheap, if only because of the high cost of its production.
To smooth mimic wrinkles, it is better to use not serums, but fillers. These are even more concentrated preparations designed to replenish lost soft tissue volume.
Home made
If you wish, you can prepare homemade anti-aging serums for the face. Their effect will be weaker than that of the store. But on the other hand, in the complete absence of chemistry, the skin will be able to be nourished with useful substances.
oily
For dry and sensitive skin, as well as mature skin covered with multiple fine lines, an oil-based serum is ideal. All natural oils are suitable for it.
The thinner the skin, the lighter it should be.
The best is argan oil. It is universal, does not leave greasy marks and has a wonderful anti-aging effect, but it is expensive.
Olive, peach, apricot or grape seeds, wheat germ, jojoba, etc. are also good.
Here are some cooking recipes:
- For dry. Mix a tablespoon of avocado and entotera oils, add the main thing: 6 drops of geranium, 3 - chamomile and 2 - lavender. The composition has a calming, anti-inflammatory and softening effect.
- For maturity and discoloration. Base: two tablespoons of apricot or grapeseed oil, one - rosehip. We add two teaspoons of carrot or 5 capsules of vitamin AEVit, 5-6 drops of geranium oil, 3 - rosemary, 2-3 - neroli. The tool perfectly tones the skin, smoothes wrinkles, improves skin tone, increases skin turgor.
- For normal. One tablespoon of jojoba or coconut oil, three teaspoons of tocopherol oil solution, one tablespoon of sea buckthorn oil. Now add the main thing: 5 drops of cinnamon, 2-3 - ylang-ylang, 3 - sweet orange. The serum slightly lightens the skin, increases its protective properties, helps with rosacea, slows down the aging process.
Such serums are not found under makeup, so it is best to use them on weekends or at night. Store away from light in a well-stoppered glass container at room temperature.
Kefir
From the house, the face serum with kefir is the most popular. It's not surprising - it is the easiest to get and it has many beneficial properties due to its high content of potassium, calcium, choline and other vital substances:
- tightens the oval of the face;
- improves skin color;
- whitens surface pigmentation;
- helps eliminate toxins;
- eliminates greasy highlights;
- relieves inflammation and swelling;
- reduces puffiness under the eyes;
- eliminates blackheads and blackheads;
- restores the hydrolipidic balance.
But it is important to remember that when heated above 50 ° C, the beneficial properties of kefir whey are quickly lost.
It's easy to prepare. And it is better to do it from homemade whole milk. It should be left at room temperature until completely sour. A piece of rye bread tossed into a jar will help speed up the process. When the milk separates, drain the whey and strain it through several layers of cheesecloth. Some people heat the curds over low heat, but it's so easy to go wrong and overheat.
You can use this serum after washing or in the evening before applying the night cream.
If you make ice cream from it and wipe your face with it every day, the skin will become fresh and rosy, and the oval of the face will be clearer. In addition, the serum allows you to get rid of acne and small rashes, because it contains lactic acid.
Cream or serum
I am often asked which is better: cream or serum. For me, it's like choosing between a bun and jam. Naturally, a bun with jam is much tastier and more nutritious than these products alone.
The serum has an intense directed effect on the skin. The cream does the rest:
- prolongs the effect;
- normalizes the hydrolipid balance;
- contains sun filters;
- helps retain moisture in the skin;
- helps smooth wrinkles.
In fact, it is the cream that ensures a complete and balanced daily care of the skin. Therefore, cosmetologists recommend using them together.
In addition, the finished products should be from at least the same manufacturer, and preferably from the same series, in order to complement and reinforce each other, and not to conflict with each other.
Abstract
Cosmetic serum for the face and skin around the eyes is really a very necessary and useful product. It can cause damage only in one case - if it is poorly chosen. And positive results can be seen after a few days of regular use.
When buying ready-made products, you should focus not on the rating, but on the composition and focus. The question of which works better - serum or face cream - is meaningless. They should be used together, as they have different effects on the skin.
High-quality serum not only visually improves the condition of the epidermis, but also promotes the production of collagen and elastin, rejuvenates the tissues from the inside.