One query I usually get from readers is about Serums / Essences.
What is a Serum / Essence?
Well, it’s a lightweight, light textured, easily absorbed fluid formulated to treat specific skin concerns like hydration, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, anti-acne, pore refining, whitening, etc. Serums were created for the purpose of delivering various ingredients to the skin more efficiently. They are typically of a thinner consistency than creams, but not completely liquid. Serums contains concentrated active ingredients which enhance the effects of your regular skin care routine. They are sometimes recommended as a short term “quick fix” but can also be used as part of a long term ongoing skin care regime.
So do I replace my moisturizer with a serum?
Unlike a moisturizer that does the job of moisturizing, serums targets specific skin conditions / concerns. As such, nope, you should not be replacing your daily moisturizer with a serum.
Which step of my skin care regime should I use the serum?
Serums / essences should be worn after your toner, before your moisturizer.
Who needs a serum?
Depending on individual requirement, you may or may not require a serum. Its not a must-have in your skin care regime.
So why are you using a serum?
Well, I have gone past my mid-twenties and I would like to target certain skin concerns before I hit the huge three-zero. Afterall, the saying goes, prevention is better than cure yes?
If I'm of the same age group as you, do I use the same serum(s) as you?
This is very subjective as everyone has a different skin type. Even if you have a similar skin type as mine (Oily prone to acne), you might have certain sensitivity to certain ingredients. Some products / ingredients might work for me but might not for you. Its always best to find out what your skin requires and search for a suitable serum.
What serum(s) are you using?
My main skin concern is pore refining at the present moment. I do have acne scars and enlarged pores on my cheeks from my teenage years. Thus, I'm constantly looking out for serums that has pore refining / minimizing properties. I do face dehydration at times too. When I'm feeling stressed out or on days that I do not have much water intake, I'll notice dry flaky patches around my chin and on the sides of my nose. I'll then use a hydrating serum to quench my thirsty dehydrated skin for a couple of days prior switching back to my pore refining serum. I have also started on fighting aging but at a slower pace as my main concern is still my enlarged pores. I'm using the Bio-Essence Youth Radiant Essence for fighting aging.
Recommendations for serums?
I am no skin care expert but after having been exposed and using serums for coming 2 years, my top 2 favourite serums are:
Pore Refining:
Skin Food Peach Sake Pore Minimizing Serum
Within the first week of using the serum, I noticed visible difference in the size of my pores! Continous usage of this product did keep my face matte throughout the day too! I'm onto my 3rd bottle of this serum to date!
*you might have noticed that I do have the Rojukiss Pore Tightening Serum & Micro-A Pore Minimizing Serum in the picture. They are alright I suppose, nothing as WOW-able as my Peach Sake. I do love the citrusy fragrance that Micro-A Pore Minimizing Serum has. I'm rotating this with my Peach Sake Pore Minimizing Serum as I prefer the texture of Skin Food over Micro-A.
Quenching my thirsty dehydrated skin:
Skin Food Lettuce & Cucumber Jelly Essence
I first used this for my trip to the States last year. To tackle the dry atmosphere in the aircraft, I applied the essence prior putting on my BB Cream so as to keep my skin hydrated for the entire 20 hours flight. As I was travelling to the North-East where its colder with a dryer climate, I made sure I did not skip this essence in my reigme. Even with the bitter coldness of Canada, my skin was kept hydrated throughout the entire month-long trip. Recently, I had an extremely dry and flaky patch on my chin that neither foundation or bb cream stay on for more than an hour without flaking off. I slapped on a thick layer of the essence and an extremely moisturizing night moisturizer to wake up to a supple and hydrated chin! I'm packing this along for my Bali trip to treat my skin after exposing it to the sun.
*this is the only hydrating essence that I've tried and have not looked into others as this works pretty well for me so far.
Are you using serums too? Share your experience with me!
happy