Serums, power-packed formulas

Serums are designed to penetrate and treat various skin conditions, such as redness, dehydration or lack of firmness. They are usually applied at the end of a facial. They can also be applied before going to bed or before putting on a day moisturiser.
You may have seen products named “serums” on the shelf and read about them in beauty magazines, but what exactly are these pricey and tiny tubes and jars, and why do you need them in your beauty routine?
What is a beauty serum?
Serums have long been the beauty industry’s best-kept secret, used almost exclusively in spas as part of a facial treatment.
Similar to a moisturiser in design and purpose, a serum is a liquid meant to treat skin ailments such as dehydration, redness, pigmentation and fine lines. Containing highly concentrated ingredients chemically formulated into molecules much smaller than those in a moisturiser, a serum is absorbed into the skin quickly and more deeply for a more intensive effect.
Why use a beauty serum?
Because serums are so readily absorbed, their high concentration of skin-benefiting ingredients deeply penetrate the skin, producing dramatic and long-lasting results. Think of a serum as a multi-vitamin for your skin-nourishing, enhancing and boosting its performance.
Common benefits
Formulas will vary, but most serums are designed to smooth, soften and hydrate the skin, which minimises the look of wrinkles and fine lines.
Even if you’re not concerned about wrinkles and fine lines, a serum will tone, even out and brighten your skin, making it look healthy and radiant. Most serums contain exfoliating ingredients that not only minimise fine lines and wrinkles, but also reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolouration.
Other benefits of beauty serums
-firming and lifting of skin
-boosting collagen (to reduce the signs of aging)
-reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness in the eye area
-boosting the skin’s natural protection against the environment
-stimulating the skin’s circulation (for a natural “glow”)
How to use a beauty serum
Apply a drop of serum to your fingertips and massage it gently into your freshly-cleaned skin in the morning and at night, then follow with your usual moisturiser.
 During the day you may find using both a serum and a moisturiser a bit heavy on your skin, so you could then switch to using your serum only at night. You don’t need to use more than a drop or two to cover your whole face and neck.
You will likely feel an immediate change in your skin the first time you use a serum — it may feel softer, smoother and perhaps even a little tighter. But most formulas promise a visual change in four weeks, especially if you have fine lines and wrinkles, redness or large pores.
Serums are expensive and to add insult to injury, come in tiny containers. Luckily, because you need to apply so little to reap the benefits, that tiny jar or vial will last a long time.
We’d all like to find a fountain of youth so we could forever look young and radiant.
 That’s not likely to happen, but anti-aging serums can be the next best thing. An anti-aging serum, sometimes called an anti-wrinkle serum, is a vitamin-rich liquid that is applied to the face.
The antioxidant-rich serums are used to reduce fine lines and crow’s feet and to firm up your skin.
Instructions
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water before you apply serums, creams or lotions to your face after cleansing and toning.
Step 2
Use a very small amount of serum each time you apply it. Unlike makeup that is meant to cover the entire surface of your face completely, the serum just needs to absorb into your skin.
Step 3
Pour or squeeze out some of the serum into your palm. Rub both hands together to warm it up before applying.
Step 4
Use one long upward motion to apply serums to your face. You want your motions to work against the pull of gravity. A little dab is sufficient to work the product into your skin in an upwards and outwards motion
Step 5
Remember to use serums on your neck as well as your face. The serums contain vitamins A, B, C and D, which can help your skin remain elastic and firm. Firm skin is less likely to sag if you take care of it in your younger years.
Step 6
Let your serum absorb into your skin completely. Once your skin soaks them up, the antioxidants may reduce the number of harmful free radicals that can contribute to cancer and other diseases.
Step 7
Pair your serum with a moisturiser for best results. Use the lotion on your face after the serum has absorbed.
Step 8
Apply serum twice a day to receive the full benefits of its nutrients. Apply it to your clean face after you have showered in the morning, before you put on your makeup. The second time can be before you go to bed at night, after cleansing.
While it’s never too late to take care of your skin, the damage you already have will be difficult to reduce without all the above method.
If you haven’t yet reached your later years as yet, the best skin care advice is to follow a good skin care regimen at an early age. It’s an easy habit to get into and best of all, you’ll thank yourself later on. And finally, regularly moisturise your face and body!
We hope this benefits you all. Here is wishing you all a good skin day every day with Clarins whatever your needs.
– For all your queries or to be added onto our database – missk@zol.co.zw