What is a SERUM and how does it work?

Hi everyone,

In my last post I talked about skincare routines and one of the categories I mentioned is SERUM. So what is a serum?

A serum is a cosmetic product that is chemically formulated with smaller molecules that are better able to penetrate deeper into the skin. Serums are water based and do not include oils. These are thin liquids containing a concentration of performance ingredients such as vitamins, lipids and antioxidants.

For example, these are the ingredients in the Vitamin C (20%) serum I use in my practice:

Ingredients: Deionized Aqua (Water), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), (Plant based) Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Arginine, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Retinyl Palmitate (vitamin A), Tocopheryl (Vitamin E), Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola Extract), Organic Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail Plant Extract), Organic Pelagonium Gravoleons (Geranium Extract), Organic Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion Extract), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe)

As you can see, The active ingredients are concentrated and appear at the top of the list of ingredients.

Serums are applied on clean skin under the moisturizer or mask. At my clinic I apply the serum to a freshly cleansed skin before applying the moisturizer and sunscreen.

Serums are usually more expensive than regular moisturizers because of the concentration of active ingredients in the formula. However, only a small amount needs to be applied to the skin. As I continue my research, I'll update the selection of high quality cosmetic products. In the meantime check out the list below.