Thanks to their potent formulations, targeted results and customization options, serums are an essential step when dealing with skin concerns like wrinkles, dark spots or dehydration. We look at a few reasons why you should consider adding a serum to your skin care regime.

Much like our fingerprints, each person’s skin is unique. Many factors affect our skin – from genes and the climate we live in, to extrinsic and intrinsic factors invisible to the human eye, like UV radiation, essential nutrients found in food and the microbiota that live on our skin, also known as the skin microbiome.  

Developing a skin care regime is a process that looks different for each of us, as we pick and choose products that meet the unique needs of our particular skin. Some of these regime steps, and their associated product categories, are common across the board, like cleansing, moisturizing or exfoliating. However, the types of products we use depend on what concerns or specific needs or restrictions our skin has. Oily skin types, for example, have a different set of needs compared to eczema-prone skin. This is where serums come into play and why they can be so beneficial to each of us.

What are serums?

Serums are lightweight moisturizers that contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or antioxidants, compared to topical creams. Serums are typically designed to target specific conditions, like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or acne, and deliver their benefits by penetrating the layers of the skin. As each person’s skin care needs are different, you can customize your skin care regime to include a serum that serves you best.

Serums are perfect for layering and can be combined with other skin care products when developing a skin care regime. Serums work best when applied to moist skin and are typically applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. One added bonus is that serums can also help the permeability of active ingredients found in other skin care products, increasing their effectiveness. Some overnight serums are created to treat your skin while you sleep, when your body goes into repair mode, rejuvenating and restoring cells.

Skin serum benefits

Serums can come in varied formulas, like oils, gels, light creams or even water-like liquids, so they can easily be applied, absorbed and layered. Furthermore, with serums, a little bit goes a long way, and a small amount of serum can typically be sufficient to cover the entire face, neck and décolletage. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits serums can have on your skin.

Brighter skin

Serums help to rejuvenate the skin by increasing cell renewal. New, healthy cell turnover is one of the processes that keep the skin healthy, plump and bright. Many serums contain cell-renewing lactic acid and antioxidants like Vitamin C that fight free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress in the skin, resulting in dull skin, texture changes or uneven skin tone. Serums help to regulate blemishes and skin complexion, revealing renewed, more youthful-looking skin.

Fewer dark spots

Daily UV exposure and aging due to sun damage can result in an impaired skin barrier, causing hyperpigmentation, discolouration or dark spots. A healthy skin barrier serves two basic functions: it helps the skin retain moisture and it protects the skin from harsh elements, like UV radiation, pollutants and chemicals. Serums are great for delivering active ingredients, nutrients and antioxidants, all of which help to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. To boost sun protection to an optimum, apply a nourishing serum twice a day and wear sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher, remembering to reapply when needed.

Reduced appearance of wrinkles

Serums are usually developed to target specific skin concerns, such as premature skin aging. Wrinkles and fine lines are the most common signs of skin aging, and are most often the result of dehydrated skin, combined with a breakdown in collagen and elastin fibres, and chronic exposure to UV radiation. Anti-aging serums work to promote collagen synthesis, water retention and deep moisturization, while also repairing damaged cells and promoting cell renewal. These actions help to keep the skin rejuvenated, plump, soft and smooth.

Prevents sagging

As we age, our skin loses moisture and volume, especially in delicate areas like the cheekbones and under the eyes or chin. This is due to a decreased production of collagen and elastin fibres, those building blocks within the skin that keep it supple and smooth, and a decreased ability to retain moisture, those important lipids and fats that bind collagen and elastin together. Serums containing hyaluronic acid and silica will help keep these areas plump and lubricated by boosting collagen production and locking in much-needed moisture.

Intense hydration

Moisturizing alone might not be enough to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated. By boosting the skin’s natural barrier function, serums can prevent transepidermal water loss. Hydrated skin is also an important parameter when it comes to sun protection, flaky, itchy or dry surface areas, inflammation or redness. As serums can deliver an intense shot of hydration easily, they can help quench dehydrated skin, relieving tightness and offering a soothing, calming effect.

VISIBLE RESULTS

To boost your skin protection, keep it hydrated, moisturized and youthful, incorporate ChitoCare beauty Anti-Aging Repair Serum into your skin care regime. It contains a combination of active ingredients that will help keep your skin firm, smooth and radiant, including high-quality chitosan, hyaluronic acid, geothermal silica and lactic acid, that promote collagen normal production and help lock in moisture, and prickly pear stem extract, that’s rich in Vitamin E, soothing the skin, providing photo-protection and uncovering a brighter complexion with a healthy glow.

A clinical study conducted on women (n=14, ages 50-70), demonstrated the efficacy of the ChitoCare beauty Anti-Aging Repair Serum alongside the ChitoCare beauty Face Cream, when applied twice daily for 6 weeks, with significant improvements in the following parametres:

• skin hydration improved by 16%
• skin firmness increased by 22%
• skin elasticity increased by 7%
• skin roughness decreased by 19%