Serums, serums, serums OH MY! So many different options and so many different ingredients to look for when picking the best serums for your skin type and concerns.
WHAT IS SERUM?
Serum is a product that is applied after cleansing and before moisturizer. DOES a serum moisturize? Yes and no, SERUMS can hold very hydrating ingredients to help WITH moisture retention but will not provide the barrier protection of a moisturizer, so they need to be sealed. FOR BEST RESULTS, some serums only need to be used 1x a day and others 2x. Active serums SHOULD BE USED for night TIME, and always rinse YOUR SKIN in the morning to lessen irritation and sensitivity throughout the day. Serums are also pricier because of their concentration and potency. You get what you PAY FOR in this category! Invest in your serums they are doing the most work FOR YOU in your routines.
what does it do?
Serums SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE SKIN TO DO THEIR WORK, RATHER THAN WASHED OFF LIKE A CLEANSER. They are a lighter weight molecule topical delivering a higher potency of active ingredients. They have the ability to address deeper skin concerns in the skin. Known for their effectiveness, face serums are often used to manage specific skin care concerns, such as wrinkles. serums will also typically be thinner than a moisturizer, which makes them perfect for layering and they come in a variety of different formulas, including gels, oils, and light creams AS WELL AS water-like consistencies.
Serums are great when layered and you have free range to layer most of your products if they are being applied correctly and given ample time to absorb into the skin properly. Some serums are best left alone to avoid “pilling”. It's when you layer products together and they don’t absorb into the skin before applying the next layer, so it just piles up on the skin and beads. Always layer your product thinnest to thickest viscosity. Think your watery/fluid serums first then gels like hyaluronic and then creams like peptides etc.
It really all depends on the serums you have for your AM routine vs your PM routine. You should try to make it an “at home routine goal” to have different products for day and night to feed your skin everything it needs to thrive!
DAYTIME SERUMS VS NIGHTTIME SERUMS
During the day you want to have lighter consistency to protect and shield the skin where at night you are correcting and healing. Different products and ingredients will do different things.
Will you still get results if you use the same products/serums both morning and night?
Absolutely-after all our skin loves consistency. But it also likes to be tricked and fed different topicals based off what it needs. Start slow and as you get more EXPERIENCE AND RESULTS
with your steps you can add more goodies in. &&& we will help with all that!
what are serums best for?
You should be using a serum both morning and night to help combat certain concerns in the skin. They work great for correcting pigmentation, manage acne prone skin, exfoliate, hydrate, fight against free radicals, plump and reduce wrinkles and even out dull skin tone. Some are formulated with exfoliating agents like glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid and more.
HERE IS A GUIDE WHICH TO USE FOR DIFFERENT SKIN-TYPES:
- dry prone I would look for serums with ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, glycerin and Vit E.
-oily skin look for green tea, antioxidants, niacinamide, AHA/BHAs and yes even hyaluronic because in some cases you might be producing a lot of oil because it's actually dehydrated or dry.
-Sensitive skin avoid serums with fragrance and fillers. Stick to your antioxidants and skin rich ingredients to calm and soothe
-aging skin needs antioxidants like Vit C, retinol for daily night use, Peptides, Stem cells, hyaluronic acid
and of course, SPF FOR EVERYONE EVERYDAY
SOME OF OUR SGL SERUM FAVES
If you don’t know, SGL skincare is cruelty free, paraben free, medical grade, dermatologist approved and clinically tested, which means we have data to back all our products!
*Glow on serum is a green tea antioxidant serum great for acne, sensitive skin, rosacea with Vit E, Hyaluronic acid and of course green tea. Any skin type can benefit from this lightweight serum.
*Ageless serum is our Vit C and peptide blend for ultimate anti-aging, brightening and smoothing. With lilac stem cells It can help lessen inflammation, lessen breakouts and minimize pore appearance and decrease pigmentation with tyrosinase inhibition and fight free radicals. Encouraging collagen production and healthy glowing skin.
*HAyleys comet- AKA my favorite serum ever. Every skin type can benefit from a Hyaluronic acid. This cooling gel helps with redness and irritation, fights signs of aging, dark spots and other signs of aging, delivers immediate and long-term hydration, protects from free radical damage caused by UV/HEV light and soften/soothes rough dry skin. Formulated with a snow mushroom extract that helps with TEWL(trans epidermal water loss), a special with ania Somnifera Flower Extract that protects the skin from the digital pollution and visible light, including photoaging and hyperpigmentation. Boosting skin's vitality and youthful glow, other protective botanicals and a powerful Hyaluronic Acid.
*Skin Smoothie- this might be our top selling product! Everyone loves skin smoothie once they experience the smoothing and plumping effects of this serum. Super hydrating and replenishing, great for most skin types especially Dry, sensitive and aging. Antioxidant replenishing serum restores skin’s bioidentical glycolipids and vitamins E and F. Contains strongest antioxidant, Lipochroman® to help correct and protect skin from environmental aging. Provides instant glow and smoother, plumper skin.
*HA Zinc- great serum for all skin types especially oily/acne/sensitive and rosacea prone. A simple yet so effective serum to help combat breakouts and redness in the skin. Vit E, Hyaluronic acid, Vit E and glycerin.
SOME OF OUR BRANDED FAVES
SINCE THERE REALLY ARE SO MANY, I HAVE LISTED HERE SOME THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN-TYPES, BUT PLEASE REACH OUT TO US IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC SKIN CONCERNS AND WE WILL RECOMMEND ONE FOR YOU!
*Skin Better Alto Defense Serum is an excellent everyday brightening, anti-aging and protective serum. Fueled with Vit C and 17 additional antioxidants designed to provide comprehensive defense against free radicals, redness, improving skin tone and luminosity. Best used during the day but can be used both morning and night.
*Skin Better Clearing serum improves the appearance of skin clarity, pores, oil and overall texture and tone. Excellent for more acneic skin types, even rosacea. With active ingredients like retinoids, AHAs and BHAs it is best used in the evenings for a correcting serum to minimize sensitivity throughout the day.
*Obagi Hydro drops- heaven in a bottle. Featuring a special technology called, Isoplenix it has an encapsulated hibiscus oil and Abyssinian oil in gold beads that burst into the skin once applied with the highest form of Vit B3 to hydrate, brighten and soften the skin. Great for both dry and oily skin types and can be used as a serum and lightweight moisturizer. OH, AND IT smells as luxurious as it feels.
*Obagi Vit C serum- the strongest and purest form of ascorbic acid AND comes in 3 strengths. AVAILABLE AT all our locations
10% sensitive skin
15% all skin types especially dry
20% oily/acneic
*Obagi Elastiderm serum- LOOOOVE this one. Feels so smooth and hydrating going on. Your ultimate anti-aging potion for long-term skin-tightening and plumping. Clinical data shows real dermal thickening which means collagen and elastin are being produced when using both AM and PM. I like to use this one at nighttime and I wake up glowing and revived.
*Epionce PM Pigment perfector- Holy grail for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tones. HQ free approach. A powerful botanical-based product formulated to help brighten and correct the visible appearance of uneven tone on the face and body without irritation as well as use of hydroquinone and bleaching systems. Helps reduce hyperpigmentation, prolong results without damaging the skin and intended to use for nighttime!
Special ingredients include:
Apricot oil
Mulberry root extract
Pea extract
Turmeric extract
Apple fruit extract
Lemon balm Leaf Extract
Meadowfoam Extract
Peppermint Leaf
Date fruit
Bamboo extract
All of the products we retail we also use in our treatment rooms for back bar options to completely customize your treatments.
we have tons more but those are some OF OUR TOP SELLERS, AND my favorite's!
Come see ONE OF OUR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS FOR A FREE skin consultation OR VISIT OUR SKIN-BAR AT OUR ELIZABETH CITY LOCATION AND TAKE A WALK THROUGH ALL OF OUR SERUMS ON OFFER!
