Tiny bottles. Big price tags. Are they worth it?
When it comes to skin care regimens, I've always believed in simplicity. Use only the number of products you need to keep your skin healthy. So for many years, I thought serums were “extra” and unnecessary. Then a funny thing happened...I turned 40. And all of a sudden, my needs changed. My simple regimen was no longer enough to fend off wrinkles and sun damage. I needed more.
That was 10 years ago, and now I covet serums like Gollum and his “precious.” I only wish I had started using them sooner.
What is a serum? Lightweight and chock-full of potent, active ingredients, serums are designed with small molecules to penetrate faster and deeper. They "feed" the skin with concentrated vitamins and antioxidants that trigger cell renewal.
How do they fit into my regimen? Serums can be used day, night, or both depending on their ingredients and their purpose, and should be layered underneath your moisturizer and SPF.
Which serums should I use? That depends on what you'd like to improve or prevent.
Fine lines? Look for serums containing Vitamin A (retinol), peptides, or CoQ10.
Pigmentation? Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, and Hydroquinone are your best choices.
Acne? Try salicylic acid, glycolic, or benzoyl peroxide serums. And don't use an "all-in-one, do everything" serum. Too many ingredients start to dilute each other's efficacy. And they're usually more expensive, anyway. You're better off getting two serums and using one in the morning and one at bedtime.
Why are they so spendy? Since serums are formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients, they often come with a higher price tag. But you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars. We've got some amazing budget-friendly choices that work wonders!