Are you ready to simplify your skincare steps for 2023? For building out a comprehensive daily ritual, one of our favourite ways to promote true skin transformation is with a targeted treatment serum. Curious about why you need a serum and how to select the right one? Here is what you need to know:
Serums 101: What is a serum and what does it do?
Simply put, a serum is a special skincare formula that is packed with a high concentration of active ingredients. Typically, serums come in a lightweight consistency and are meant to be used following cleaning but before your moisturizer and facial oils, so that they are able to quickly penetrate the skin and get to work. A treatment serum can be used to target just one specific skincare concern or multiple skin issues at once, depending on the ingredients. From brightening to tightening, barrier support and youth-boosting, there’s a serum for just about everything.
Our top tips for choosing and using a treatment serum:
Tip #1: Zero in on key ingredients - When shopping for a serum, the first thing you’ll want to check out is the ingredient list and understand what the formula is meant to address. Ingredients like Vitamin B and Vitamin E are antioxidants that help with fighting free radicals and protecting your natural barrier. Meanwhile, humectants like hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate help to hydrate and improve skin moisture levels. Additionally, some serums contain oil ingredients like jojoba which can work to rebalance oil production and deeply moisturize the skin.
Tip #2: Consider formulas that multitask –If you’re having trouble deciding which ingredients your skin needs most, don’t fret. Some good news is that these days, many serum formulations combine multiple superstar ingredients, meaning you can address numerous concerns using just one formula, instead of having to layer multiple treatment serums. Our Radiance Brightening Serum is a good example of this, as it was formulated to target uneven skin tone and dark spots with a concentration of Tranexamic acid as well as infuse the skin with Vitamin B, Sodium Hyaluronate, Azelaic Acid, Pea Extract, and other key ingredients skin loves.
Tip #3: Don’t forget to be consistent - Of course, as with any skincare product you add to the routine, the real trick to seeing a benefit is sticking with the protocol. Because your skin is constantly in a state of regeneration, it can take weeks–or even a few months–to start to see long-lasting change in your skin (typically 6-12 weeks depending on the serum). For optimal skin results, you’ll want to apply your serum at least once per day, if not twice daily, and do your best not to skip days. While this may require some patience on your part, we promise it’s worth it.
Hang in there and you will love the results, and if you feel like sharing your before and after photos we would love to share your skin transformation!