After years of ignorance about the need to use serums from a certain age for skin care, we find ourselves in a time of excess supply: one does not know which is the best anti-aging serum for oily skin, for example, or how to apply it.
It's normal, that's why we're going to give you the keys to get the most out of your cosmetics, in this case the serum. First we'll explain What is a serum and what are the properties of an anti-aging serum , so that you know which product is most suitable for your skin.
What is Anti-Aging Serum for and how to choose the one that works best?
Once you become an informed consumer, you will understand why there are so many products with the same name, even within the same brand, and you will know what benefits you can expect from each of them and which ones you should never use.
What is a serum and what is it used for?
A serum is a cosmetic formula highly concentrated in active ingredients, so 2 or 4 drops are enough to cover and treat the skin of the face and neck.
In general, serums are formulated with a water base and a consistency that allows them to penetrate the skin quickly, since after them you must use your creams and, if necessary, sunscreens or makeup.
However, also There are natural cosmetic serums formulated with an oil base . These are still called serums because, again, they are concentrated formulas, although it would be more correct to call them liquid balms. They are applied in the same order as conventional serums, although they usually allow you to dispense with the subsequent cream or emulsion.
Ultimately, serums serve to deliver substances to the skin that conventional creams cannot reach and to treat problems that require more care, without having to resort to in-salon treatments.
How is an anti-aging serum different from other types of serums?
Anti-aging serum is an essential step in a beauty routine
An anti-aging serum is any type of serum that helps prevent aging or treat the early signs of aging . That is, if your skin is dehydrated, your anti-aging serum may be formulated to provide extra moisture first, while if you have dark spots or wrinkles, the serum's primary goal will be more than just making sure your skin is getting all the nutrients it needs.
Since almost all serums today cover several skin needs, It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between an anti-aging serum and one that is not . Our advice is not to focus so much on the benefits of an anti-aging serum or the type of skin for which it was originally formulated, but rather on its effects and what active ingredients it provides you with more effectively than the best of your creams.
Some of these star ingredients need to be in specific conditions to be able to perform their effect, so in the form of a cream or emulsion they would stop being effective shortly after opening the container.
If you are looking for an immediate, albeit temporary, tightening effect, the cosmetic you want is usually not a serum, but rather comes in the form of ampoules.
Is there a serum for every age or should I look at my skin type?
The indications about possible age ranges for people to whom a serum is recommended are merely indicative. Depending on whether your skin is oily or lacking in lipids, whether you are exposed to the sun a lot or live in a polluted environment, you may find that the best anti-aging serum for you may be the one that corresponds to your niece's age.
However, when serums explain what skin type they have been formulated for, it is worth paying a little attention.
If your skin is not oily , you can use almost any anti-aging serum that treats what you want to correct in your skin: wrinkles, sagging, dull tone, etc.
But If you have oily skin or suffer from adult acne , some of those serums formulated with a base of vegetable oils may not be suitable for you, although most will be suitable. In these cases, you should pay attention to the greasy comedogenicity of the cosmetic and not to the fact that it is oil-based, since there are oils that help regulate the natural production of sebum.
IMPORTANT: If you suffer from a chronic skin condition , there will be active ingredients that you should avoid or that you can only use in low doses. We are talking about retinol and its derivatives, also alpha-hydroxy acids and, in cases of very reactive skin, even well-tolerated agents such as vitamin C. Your dermatologist will inform you about which ingredients to avoid and which ones you can use if you see that you tolerate them, always starting with the mildest formulas.
When should I apply the serum within my skincare routine?
The best anti-aging serum is the one that respects the needs of your skin and is applied at the right time . If you do not respect the order of application of cosmetic products, your serum could be less effective or even become useless. Do you remember when we told you that certain cosmetic ingredients cannot be put into an emulsion because they are not very stable? Imagine that you apply a serum with that ingredient after your moisturizer.
The usual rule is to apply the serum before the moisturizing or nourishing cream, but always after facial cleansing and using the toner. However, some very specific formulations need to be applied differently, in which case it will always be indicated on the packaging.
If you don't find any special instructions, you know, after cleansing and before creams. And please check if your anti-aging serum is one that can be used both day and night or one reserved for night use. If it contains vitamin A or derivatives, it will always be an anti-aging serum that works while you sleep. On the other hand, there are serums with vitamin C that can be used during the day, as long as you apply a good sunscreen to prevent the appearance of temporary spots on the skin.
Can I alternate more than one serum? And apply one over another?
In fact, most anti-aging serums can be used in combination, if your skin has special needs or if you are going to do a shock treatment after returning from vacation. We mean that you can apply one in the morning and a different one at night, although there are also clients who, before going to sleep, apply two different serums a few minutes apart.
We are in favor of buying a multi-action serum before taking any risks, with the exception of some cosmetic brands that formulate their serums with this type of use in mind. We repeat: if the packaging does not indicate anything about a different use, you are looking at an anti-aging serum like the vast majority and you should use it in the correct order, without strange mixtures.
Our favorite anti-aging serums: natural cosmetics or parapharmacy
It's time to give our opinion based on our clients' experiences, but first we're going to raise a debate that is often repeated: is a drugstore serum better than a natural one? Which one offers better results?
Natural cosmetic serums must have a minimum percentage of natural active ingredients, not synthetic ones. This means that some serums, despite having a completely natural base, cannot fall into this category, especially if we also look for ecological certifications. When we talk about effective active ingredients in very low concentrations, the difference between natural serum and parapharmacy serum depends on the usual sales channel for the products of that brand. In other words, a company that distributes its products in pharmacies or parapharmacies is not going to distribute a new natural product in herbalists due to the difficulties involved and for brand image. On the contrary, some natural cosmetic brands do decide to offer their products in the parapharmacy section as well, as is the case, for example, with pure rosehip oil from certain companies.
Now, if you are looking for a multi-purpose anti-aging serum , so to speak, that serves to improve the appearance of your hands or relieve chafing, we recommend the rice germ oil with rosehip from La Albufera, which also combats acne marks. You can use it during the day, provided you always use a good sunscreen, or reserve it for the night.
If you are looking for a formulation that goes directly to the effects of the passage of time on the skin, neck or neckline, with multiple anti-aging actions, take a look at Diamond Ultra Anti-Aging Serum.
Serums are cosmetics that are very rich in certain ingredients or active ingredients . They are designed to care for the skin in a more personalized and efficient way compared to the use of creams. They are not exclusive cosmetics, except in specific cases, but rather complementary.
The best anti-aging serum is the one that gives your skin what it needs at a given time of your life or year . It is common to alternate more than one anti-aging serum to satisfy the extra care your skin may need. There are serums that can only be applied at night and, in any case, the order of application within a beauty routine is the key to being able to take advantage of the benefits of a good anti-aging serum.