What are Serums and Why do I Need Them?

Serums have become increasingly popular over the last few years and continue to remain so – but what are they and what do they do?

Serums are specially designed with smaller molecules to easily penetrate the skin, and deliver potent doses of active ingredients (vitamins, antioxidants) into the deepest layers where they will be most effective. In short, serums are designed to give results. Serums tend to be on the pricier side, but that is because they are formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients than other products.

If you already have a regular skincare routine that you follow, you can easily incorporate a serum. When applying your products at night, always apply your serum after you tone but before you moisturize – this will ensure optimum absorption and moisture retention. If you are using a serum to brighten your skin, use it at night and apply sunscreen before going out in the day.

Interested in trying a serum but unsure about where to begin? Start off by considering your skin type and what you are trying to treat. If you are treating pigmentation consider serums with vitamin C, licorice root, vitamin A, bearberry, lactic acid or kojic acid.

For anti-aging benefits, looks for serums with vitamin A, coenzyme Q10 (to promote collagen production), hyaluronic acid (for hydration), malic acid or glycolic acid.

If you are treating acne, serums with salicylic acid are ideal, as are glycolic and lactic acids. If you are sensitive and prone to inflammation, choose serums containing aloe, lavender, ginger or chamomile.

Here are some of my favorite cruelty free serums:

Dermaquest is one of my favorite cruelty free skin care lines, and they have a great selection of serums. Check out the Advanced B5 Serum, which is great for all skin types. Formulated with sodium hyaluronate, this effective serum is great for hydrating combination to oily skin without extra oils. To use, just apply a pea size amount to fingertips and gently smooth into the skin. Allow penetration before applying your next product. For very dry skin, I would suggest following up with a heavier moisturizer.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Promotes skin cell regeneration which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Promotes skin firmness, softness and elasticity
• Improves moisture retention
• Helps to restore a natural glow
• Advanced liposome technology repairs and prevents DNA damage from UV and environmental oxygen radicals

Pevonia Spa Clinica Acne Spot Serum is great for keeping acne far, far away! You can get rapid relief from the breakouts and blemishes associated with adult acne by applying this serum once daily – just to the areas that tend to break out (seems like lately this has been most of my face!). The serum doesn’t smell amazing, but it works! It includes 5% benzoyl peroxide AND salicylic acid AND sulfur – major acne-fighting cocktail! Plus, it has grapefruit peel oil (to lighten spots), and Vit E, horse chestnut, allantoin and witch hazel to soothe skin.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Major acne fighting power
• Lightens acne spots and fine lines
• Gives skin a clear glow

If acne is not your issue, go to the Pevonia Spa Clinica website to use their customized skin concern tool. It will help you figure out which products are best for your skin. You can also send a photo of your skin and get a free analysis from a professional aesthetician! You can have the video emailed to you or you can Skype live with them. I just sent in my no-makeup face pic (scary!) so I’ll let you know what they say.

Update: Here’s my video (don’t be scared of my no-makeup close-up photo – LOL!) – http://youtu.be/w5bebsI52VY.

These products are potent – highly recommended!

Got normal to dry skin? Try Nuance by Salma Hayek’s affordable Anti-Aging Super Serum Concentrate! You can buy it at CVS drugstores. Salma’s line is inspired by her grandmother, who dedicated her life to keeping women beautiful.

With tepezcohuite, borage oil & vitamins A & E, this serum helps revitalize, restore moisture and tone skin. Ancient Mayan civilizations sought after the bark of tepezcohuite tree as an effective natural skin treatment. Native to Brazil and southern areas of Mexico, its dark brown and gray bark is known for its antioxidant properties and its ability to rejuvenate the skin. Tepezcohuite helps tone, condition and smooth skin. Borage & babassu seed oils target dry skin to help tone and firm, and restore skin”s vitality. Antioxidant vitamins A & E nourish skin, helping to restore moisture to skin”s lipid layer.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Revitalizes and restores moisture
• Tones skin
• Antioxidant properties
• Great for normal to dry skin

Aging or dull skin? Look no further than Blue Plasma by Perricone MD. They call it the “un-peel” – a non-acidic daily peel for brightness and glow. It’s designed to give you the benefits of a traditional peel without redness or irritation. This cutting edge liquid treatment works to attack only dead skin cells and lift surface debris, unclogging and purifying the skin of build-up and rebalancing skin’s hydration with enriched water. This serum contains copper and salmon roe enyzmes (not for vegans). Apply a few drops daily and follow with your regular skincare regimen.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Resurfaces and unveils new skin
• Achieves luxurious luminosity & glow
• Smoothes, hydrates and plumps lines & wrinkles

No matter what your skin type or skin condition, you can always benefit from regular use of the proper serum.