Why Facial Serums Matter
When you go skiing, you dress in a base layer of protective clothing to keep you warm and dry. Think about serums the same way. It’s the first layer you apply after you cleanse or exfoliate and before your cream. Your cream is your sweater and your jacket is your SPF. Serums allow your skin to function properly, stay strong and delay premature aging. Serums are supercharged formulas with a high concentration of ingredients to help protect your skin from free radical damage, premature aging, acne, dehydration, pigmentation, irritation and more.
There’s a serum for every skin condition. The molecules are small so they penetrate deeper into the skin. When you apply your moisturizer over your serum, the moisturizer occludes the serum pushing it into the skin. This is why you see serums that are antioxidant focused aka vitamin C. Vitamin C helps prevent oxidation. (Did you know that a blackhead is oxidized, rancid oil?) Serums are high in antioxidants and help protect your skin from pollution, which is an external stressor. Other stressors include stress, diet (sugar, salt, alcohol), weather, hormone imbalance, smoking, sun, dehydration and illness. The consistency of serums vary from watery to thick. Layering serums is also beneficial if your skin is super dry or aging.
What’s the difference between dehydration and dry skin? When you are dehydrated, you lack water. When you are dry, you lack oil. You can lack both. This is why some people respond better to water based serums that include hyaluronic acid which binds moisture to the skin. People who are dehydrated may not respond well to oils. In fact, the oil may make their skin feel tighter and dryer. Those who are dry and acne prone may love oils like jojoba, hazelnut and sea buckthorn as these oils help to balance the sebaceous glands and soften the skin. If you are going to use both a water based serum and oil, apply the water based serum first, then the oil to blanket the skin. This will help your skin function through the day and into the night before you prep for bedtime. An AM/PM regimen should last 12 hours. What I mean by this is, your skin should feel just as supple and hydrated at 4pm as it did when you apply your skincare in the morning. If it doesn't, you may want to reassess what you are using.
Should you use a serum both during the day and night? The answer is, it’s up to you. It’s more important to use it during the day to guard your skin from free radical damage. At night, I like to keep my routine very simple- eye cream + night cream, BUT if the serum is specific to nighttime, then go ahead and use it. This could include a probiotic, pigmentation suppressor, Vitamin A or AHA. I like my nighttime regimen to be simple for repair and rejuvenation and not necessarily for boosted hydration because I don’t want to get my pillow cases soiled and oily. Keep it simple.
There are so many incredible serums on the market. How do you choose what’s best for you? Listen to your aesthetician! She can make product recommendations based on your skin issues. Here are some of my favorites. Lovinah, Her Royal Hempress, Bioelements Moisture x10.
What I love about these serums:
Lovinah – All Skin Types
I could write a book about how incredible this product is but I will keep it short. EGF stands for epidermal growth factor, which is a single-chain, non-glycosylated protein that naturally occurs in our skin cells. Its main purpose is to heal the skin by promoting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. EGF is used in medicine to help speed up wound recovery and to provide other skin benefits such as helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, boost hydration, soothe the skin and prevent scarring. This is perfect for everyone as the first serum you apply before the others, after microchanneling, peels, laser, plasma skin tightening...any type of skin treatment that causes trauma to the skin. Lovinah EGF and Copper Peptide will expedite the healing process and strengthen your skin kissing fragility goodbye!
Her Royal Hempress – All Skin Types
With the help of cannabis, this supercharged whipped serum is jam-packed with vitamin C, antioxidant-rich botanicals, and full-spectrum cannabidiol (150mg). It has age-defying actives that will boost your skin’s natural radiance, revealing a luminous glow. This formula addresses nearly every skin concern possible. Dark circles, fine lines, acne, loss of tone and elasticity...it's all taken care of with this richly hydrating serum. Use it daily. It’s lab-tested to ensure purity & potency. No parabens, petroleum, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors or fragrances. PRO TIP: If your skin is oily or you live in a humid environment, use this as your serum and moisturizer combined.
I and I Botanicals – All Skin Types
i+i Face Serum rejuvenates the skin to provide a youthful, healthy glow. Their unique, lab tested formula of hemp, hyaluronic acid, and provitamin B5 naturally hydrates the skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and acts as a shield against everyday pollutants. Also known as the super-hydrator, this facial serum has it all. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant hemp work together with ultra-hydrating super-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. Pigmentation-reducing prickly pear oil soothes skin, while provitamin B5 penetrates and hydrates. PRO TIP: *I and i Botanicals serum is lighter than the Her Royal Hempress in texture so I would recommend it for oilier skin types.
Bioelement Moisture x10 – Dry and Dehydrated Skin Types
Delivers rapid relief for dehydration with hyaluronic acid that binds moisture to skin, dramatically increasing hydration to visually improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Moisturizer works more efficiently. Skin is smoother, feels softer. PRO TIP: *Apply Lovinah EGF then, then follow with Her Royal Hempress or i and i Botanicals if your skin is SUPER DRY. Then apply moisturizer and SPF.
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