3 of the Best Face Serums
Face serums are my newest, favorite discovery. After using the same face products for years I noticed my skin was responding. In a bad way.
My skin was always dry and the fine lines that used to be hardly visible were prominently on display. Not a good thing!
After doing some research and discussing options with my dermatologist I decided to try out three face serums: Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, and Vitamin C.
I was hesitant at first because they were different from what I had done in the past but I gave them a try. And I am so glad that I did!
Let’s look at each one!
Hyaluronic Acid
Ever heard of the injectable fillers used to smooth wrinkles? Guess what one of the ingredients is… it’s hyaluronic acid (HA)!
Good news is, you don’t have to go to the dermatologist or plastic surgeon to get it. Hyaluronic acid can be found in many over the counter moisturizers and serums.
So what does it do when applied? It is a great humectant, meaning it’s able to increase the moisture content of your skin.
This makes your skin feel dewier and smoother; wrinkles are less pronounced.
Now the really great thing about hyaluronic acid is that it’s a naturally occurring substance in the body.
The clear, lubricating substance is found in the skin, joints and in other tissues. By using it, you’re basically just adding to what you’re naturally producing.
After using hyaluronic acid daily for about 3-4 weeks I noticed that my fine lines were noticeably less visible. Something I didn’t think was possible.
I use a HA serum as well as a sunscreen that contains it. Both are easy to apply, not sticky or greasy, and don’t smell. I highly recommend it!
Retinol
What is it? Think Vitamin A molecules that stimulate new skin cells. This provides an exfoliation effect that rids the skin of older layers and replaces them with newer, healthier cells.
The result? Skin looks smoother and firmer. Appearance of sun damage is reduced. Fine lines and wrinkles improve. Sounds great right? Well, it is!
Only issue with retinols is that some women with sensitive skin may experience redness and it can also cause sensitivity to the sun. Because of this, you should start off slow.
Use it 2-3 times a week for several weeks until you see how your skin likes it.
In addition, applying at night is recommended to prevent sun exposure.
I started out using retinol every other night for several weeks and I didn’t have any issues. However, I did notice that my skin improved during that time.
My laugh lines weren’t as obvious and my skin looked brighter and more youthful. Definite improvements!
Vitamin C
Images of oranges might pop into your head when you hear Vitamin C but great skin should also come to mind.
Antioxidant Vitamin C is known to increase collagen production. And as we all know, collagen is important for great looking skin. It plumps up the skin reducing those annoying fine lines.
The vitamin’s antioxidant properties help strengthen the skin and fend off harmful things. Combined with sunscreen, you can really combat the nasty effects of the sun on your face.
One of my favorite benefits of Vitamin C serum is more even skin tone. It helps get rid of those little red patches that seem to show up at exactly the worst time.
To top it off Vitamin C is natural, it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals found in other facial products. This means it’s generally safe to use for you girls with sensitive skin.
Combine all 3 for maximum benefit
The three serums really compliment each other. So using all of them in your daily routine will enhance the positive benefits.
My Routine for Face Serums
In the morning:
- Wash your face. Always start with a clean face.
- Apply the Vitamin C serum right after washing and gently patting dry. The product that goes on freshly washed skin first will be better absorbed. Let the serum dry.
- Hyaluronic acid serum comes next. This will lock in moisture.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen! Apply that next to block those harmful rays.
At night:
- Makeup, dirt, pollution, and other grimy stuff gets on you face during the day. You gotta wash that off at night. Your skin will thank you for it. Use a good, gentle cleanser to clean your skin.
- Apply retinol once your face is dry. Remember to start off only using retinol 2-3 times per week in the beginning.
- Moisturize! I like to use a lightweight product for this step.
See if you notice the improvements
It seems like a lot of products but it really doesn’t take much time at all. And best of all, you can find these three amazing face serums for relatively little money.
Try these steps out and you’ll notice the difference. Don’t just wish for youthful looking skin. Make it happen!
