Serums have become a definite favourite with many of us, and their active ingredients are a must when we are trying to improve your skin’s condition.
The serum is a concentrated skin booster formed from active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, Retinol, Vitamins, Niacinamide, CBD, or Seaweed extracts, to name a few, so I will tell you about some of them here.
If you are wanting to support your skin’s hydration it is easy when you use your carefully selected serums. It is all down to their active ingredients to obtain the skin results you are trying to achieve!
One of the must go to ingredients for hydration is Hyaluronic Acid (HA). It is an astounding molecule, with each one being able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in moisture. It can be in your serum, or even your moisturiser, as the HA molecule is able to help lock in the moisture within the skin and this give the skin a dewy and plump appearance. The serum is best and applied under a moisturiser is ideal, as the active ingredient (HA) can easily be absorbed into the epidermis and together they help to protect the skin from the colder, windy weather!
Retinol (derivative of Vitamin A) or bakuchiol (plant-based derivative) is great for skin rejuvenation, brightening, helps repair the skin's barrier and reduce irritation, so it helps to even the skin tone, refines skin texture, and increases skin elasticity – these are very popular serum ingredients especially for maturing skin types.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is a fantastic ingredient for the skin, and is classed as a superhero! It is water soluble although some manufacturers have added squalene to make it oil based. It is evens out skin tone and discolourations, prevents moisture loss, and minimises pores and redness, plus it regulates sebum or oiliness of the skin.
CBD has been a buzz word over the last few years and now appears in many skin care products including serums. It is great for relieving psoriasis symptoms, such as the itching and dry skin, but it is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. This means it benefits sensitive skin, as it is calming, but also good for maturing skin with wrinkles. It has a hydrating effect, and is also useful when you have breakouts too!
Seaweed is an amazing ingredient, as there are many types of seaweed and they have varying characteristics and qualities. Something else that affects the seaweed-derived ingredients is how they are extracted. For example, some company's have spent years of research to ensure that the seaweed they use is pure and not contaminated, plus the ingredients that are extracted to not damage them which results in extracts that are wholesome. These ingredients include a trace elements and minerals, vitamins, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins such as skin, collagen, etc.), and natural anti-oxidants. This means that this ingredient is often in a formulation that is suitable for most skin types and conditions and helps plump and hydrate the skin leaving is smooth and hydrated.
Ferulic Acid is known as hydroxycinnamic acid and is a substance that is naturally found in the walls of bran, oats, brown rice, egg plants, citrus fruits and apple seeds. It is an anti-oxidant that helps to neutralise the molecules in the cells that would can cause damage and lead to visible age-related effects of the skin, but also has the ability to boost the anti-oxidant activity in other ingredients, especially Vitamins C and E, where it increases photoprotection. This includes fine lines, loss of elasticity and dark spots (pigmentation), It helps to reduce pigmentation too, in conditions such as melasma, liver spots on the backs of the hands, etc. For some it may need to be skin tested, due to allergies to ingredients such as wheat intolerances, etc., so always check this out prior to applying to a full facial area.
There are many more amazing ingredients, and these are only the tip of the iceberg - so, enjoy your experimentation!
Love,
Shirley xx
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