Confused by serums? You’re not alone. While serums are the star of some beauty cabinets, many of us are left wondering what purpose a serum has in a beauty routine and if it is even needed at all. If you haven’t yet added a serum to your routine, we’ll help you understand why they’re worth considering – and if you are using one, here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of it.

Achieve Better Results

Finding a good serum is like starting any long-term relationship – the real benefits come when you stick with it day in and day out. While you may notice some improvements initially, true results come once you have been using it for an extended period of time.

However, it is important to choose wisely and avoid superficial serums that are all marketing hype. Avoiding serums that are made up of trendy anti-aging ingredients without legitimate research will keep you from wasting your time and money. Instead, look for serums with proven ingredients and antioxidants that are stable such as vitamin C derivatives and hydrolysed hyaluronic acid.

Age Is No Limit

We know that setting a good foundation for health and fitness in your early 20s is what keeps you healthy in the long-run. This is the same with your skin care regime. Using an anti-aging serum before signs of damage occur means that you are on track for a more even complexion and firmer skin as you age. Your skin won’t ‘get used’ to these ingredients, just like your body can't get enough of eating healthy foods. While these ingredients work even after skin damage, it is better to introduce them before damage occurs. 

Target Specific Concerns

While moisturizers and cleansers can help support particular skin concerns such as pigmentation or fine lines, serums contain more ‘room’ in their formulations for a larger amount of actives. This means that they work double duty to help address particular areas of concern. Some have also found that serums work well as spot treatments to really zone in and target particular problem areas.

A Few Tips To Help You Get The Most Out Of Your Serum

• Apply to damp skin: Moist skin is much more permeable than dry skin, so applying straight after cleansing or misting the skin promotes quicker, deeper absorption.
• Use your palm: Pressing the serum with an open palm instead of fingertips release active ingredients.
• Less is more: Serums are very concentrated, so to get your money’s worth, just use a few drops. Too much is a waste and may leave a residue.  
• Wait before moisturizing: A well-formulated serum should absorb quickly and disappear into your skin. Apply and wait 5 minutes before moisturizing.

Why Xtend-Life Age Defying Serum with Whitening?

Skin whitening is often associated with the Asian beauty industry. However, did you know that whitening products work by also brightening the skin? Skin brightening is a relatively new concept which uses targeted actives to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of imperfections such as age spots and acne scars.