\nA foundation serum like the last Dior<\/a>, what is it exactly? A serum or a foundation?
\nAnd concentrates, elixirs, beauty oils, can they also be considered serums?
\nAnd above all, do you really need a serum?<\/p>\n
Today, I’ll try to give\u00a0you a clearer understanding\u00a0even if you feel dizzy with\u00a0so much\u00a0information and it’s sometimes quite confusing, I know.<\/p>\n
The use of serums has evolved<\/strong> so much recently. But these last 5 years, brands understood the attracting power<\/strong> of these little bottles which often look so much like pharmaceutical vials, promising\u00a0almost magical properties. So brands set out to\u00a0create serums for your skin’s every little need. A face\u00a0serum has a rather fluid texture<\/strong>. The concentration in active ingredients<\/strong> is more important than a regular moisturizer and it’s also much more efficient<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The texture is fluid because it facilitates the deep penetration of active ingredients<\/strong>\u00a0(more than a regular moisturizing cream). Serums are often more expensive<\/strong> than creams, due to the concentration of\u00a0higher active ingredients.<\/p>\n The purpose of a serum is to give the skin a little boost<\/strong>. But you\u00a0can also use them every day<\/strong> to treat a specific “everyday” needs (such as dehydration, or ageing signs for example).<\/p>\n For\u00a0a treatment or an occasional use, it’s better to\u00a0apply the serum in the evening<\/strong> before your\u00a0night cream. Overnight treatments are so much more\u00a0effective because the skin renews itself and the\u00a0cell activity is very important while we’re sleeping.<\/p>\n A lot! wink<\/span> <\/p>\n Some\u00a0serums will treat the skin. They’re very specific<\/strong>: Other face serums can\u00a0complete<\/strong>\u00a0a skincare routine when\u00a0the skin has become more demanding. This is the case for example of different anti-aging serums that you can start applying at the age of\u00a030. Ah ah, now that’s a tricky one!<\/p>\n According to any cosmetic brand’s\u00a0marketing teams, the answer would probably be: “But at any age, my dear!” Before 35 *, using a serum is only useful if your skin has a specific need and I don’t personally think it’s necessary to use it all year round. 2 to 4 times a year is already a very good rhythm.<\/p>\n (* I say 35, but it could be 30, it could be 40, that’s when you feel your skin is changing and more “tired”\u00a0than before)(at 36, I’m totally experiencing this feeling)(oh joy)<\/p>\n After 35, I find it’s a shame not to use a serum because these\u00a0skincare products have\u00a0the highest concentration of active ingredients<\/strong>. And, let’s not deny it, your\u00a0skin after 35 is more demanding! The difference is in the way you\u00a0use the serum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A serum is usually applied under a cream, never on it’s own<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A skin concentrate or elixir comes in different forms: either very liquidy or oily textures. In all cases, a quick look at\u00a0the directions for using it in the packaging\u00a0insert should help\u00a0you! wink<\/span> <\/p>\n There are differences of opinion on this topic!<\/p>\n I personally see them as kinds of elixirs<\/strong> that can boost the skin when they’re used with a cream. Yes, what about all these serums which\u00a0popped up a few years ago promising us a perfect, very soft, bright\u00a0skin (and without any pores)? Like a ‘Photoshop skin<\/strong>‘?<\/p>\n It’s easy to find some examples because skin perfecting serums have been quite popular recently: Lanc\u00f4me Visionnaire<\/a>, Id\u00e9alia by Vichy<\/a> or Youth Code by L’Or\u00e9al Paris<\/a>…<\/p>\n For me, these ‘serums’ are clearly not serums<\/strong>. These products’s formula is full of\u00a0silicone<\/strong>. Thanks to them,\u00a0the skin is covered with a thin layer<\/strong> of product which gives this very smoothing effect, like a\u00a0“my skin but better” effect. So yes, the fact that this kind of product should ever be considered\u00a0in the skincare category does not really making any sense to\u00a0me… because it’s clearly more of a makeup\u00a0product<\/strong> than a real skincare treatment.<\/p>\n However, I saw that this concept was recently launched in organic brands, and for once, I would be very curious to know what these organic “skin enhancers” have in their formulas… (no place for silicone I guess!) It’s the new “it-foundation”! Since serums are making it in the skincare ranges, why not duplicate the concept in makeup?<\/p>\n So suddenly, all foundation products packaging are some kind of\u00a0bottle with dosing syringe<\/strong> and the formulas are enhanced with skincare ingredients… And all this in a very fluid form, just\u00a0like a serum <\/strong>(of course)! No doubt here, these are foundations<\/strong>!<\/p>\n Why not? Serums are\u00a0a huge trend now in cosmetics! So, if you want to add a serum to your skincare routine, don’t forget to take a look at the composition because as you’ve\u00a0seen, the word “serum” can sometimes really be\u00a0misleading<\/strong>…<\/p>\n Photo credits: Dior.com, bonniegarner.com<\/p>\n![\"La](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/serums_dermae_caudalie_kielhs.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nA little history…<\/h3>\n
\nOriginally, the first face\u00a0serums mainly targeted\u00a0women with “mature skin” (gasp this term is so ugly) for a very specific\u00a0anti-aging action.
\nThe highly acclaimed\u00a0Advanced Night Repair by Est\u00e9e Lauder<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Double S\u00e9rum by Clarins<\/a>\u00a0were both born in the 80s.<\/p>\n
\nNow, everyone can add a serum to their\u00a0care routine. There are all kinds of serum, and for\u00a0all budgets!<\/p>\nBut what exactly is a serum and how should you\u00a0use it?<\/h3>\n
\nHowever, although it penetrates into the skin very well, it may not be enough to protect it and that is why it’s often paired with a moisturizing cream (applied after the serum). This cream will\u00a0moisturize and protect\u00a0the skin.<\/p>\n
\nSo, it’s usually\u00a0used as a treatment<\/strong> (at each change of season, for example) or occasionally<\/strong> (in case of fatigue, stress, or after sun exposure…) and for a period of 1 to 3 months (to see any real result on your\u00a0skin).<\/p>\nWhich kind of serums exist on the market?<\/h3>\n
![\"La](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ask_bonnie_2_serums_dermae_caudalie.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n– moisturizing<\/strong> serums for dehydrated skin,
\n– nourishing<\/strong> ones for dry skin,
\n– soothing<\/strong> for sensitive skin,
\n– purifying<\/strong> for oily and\/or acne prone skin,
\n– brightening<\/strong> for\u00a0dull or tired skin,
\n– anti-dark spots<\/strong>\u00a0for hyper-pigmentation,
\n… and I have\u00a0forgotten\u00a0many others!
\nThey can be used on a daily basis (every day)\u00a0or as a treatment, regardless of your age.<\/p>\n
\n– antioxidants serums (which preserve youthful skin),
\n– anti-wrinkle serums,
\n– lifting serums,
\n– global anti-age serums (they’re basically doing everything: moisturizing, nourishing, anti-wrinkle, firming, anti-dark spots… They’ll also do your ironing and a coffee if you ask nicely;) )
\nThey can be used every day on a daily basis, morning and\/or evening.<\/p>\nAt what age is\u00a0a serum effective?<\/h3>\n
\nIn my opinion, it depends, on your skin’s needs<\/strong>, your skincare<\/strong>\u00a0habits<\/strong> (you love taking care\u00a0of your skin and you’re interested in it or you\u00a0don’t have\u00a0time) and of course on your budget<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nFor me, it’s better to invest a little more in a good serum, even if you then\u00a0buy a cheap moisturizing cream.
\nThe cream is mainly intended to form a protective layer on the skin. The penetration of active ingredients is quite limited with a moisturizer. So investing a crazy amount of money in your day cream isn’t really worth it!<\/p>\nWhat is the difference between a serum and an\u00a0skin\u00a0elixir or a concentrate?<\/h3>\n
![\"La](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ask_bonnie_2_serums_kielhs.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nGenerally, you can add a few drops<\/strong> directly into your skincare cream to give it a little boost.
\nOr, and this is more the case with\u00a0oily formulas, it can be applied alone<\/strong>, like\u00a0Kielh’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate<\/a>, for example …<\/p>\nCan face beauty oils be considered a kind of serum?<\/h3>\n
\nBut\u00a0of course, there are lots and lots of different oils: simple vegetable oils, mixtures of different oils, face oils with essential oils added….
\nI will probably have to write a new blog post on\u00a0the subject some day! wink<\/span> <\/p>\nAnd what about all those Skin perfecting serums?<\/h3>\n
\nI see them more as a makeup product, like a\u00a0primer<\/strong> that gives you a smooth finish to the skin in order to apply the foundation better. But applying any skincare products after this kind of product would be totally useless<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nThe issue is that with such a\u00a0large\u00a0amount of silicone in the formula, I have big doubts about the penetration<\/strong>\u00a0efficiency of the other ingredients in the formula… and clearly, for the same reason, I don’t\u00a0really\u00a0see the\u00a0point\u00a0of then applying a moisturizing cream on top.
\nSilicones (in terms of size) are big ingredients and therefore usually, they will remain on the surface<\/strong>\u00a0of your skin (when you have a lot of them in a formula). That’s why you’ve got this very soft and “plastic skin” feeling. Your skin is just “filled” with silicone.
\nThe flip side is that other active ingredients, which are supposed to go deeper in the skin, will remain in the skin’s surface too. And it’s such a waste<\/strong>…<\/p>\n
\nI will try to find one a do a review for you if you want! wink<\/span> <\/p>\nAnd foundation serums, what about them?<\/h3>\n
![\"S\u00e9rum](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/covers_sku-Y0778930-F077893020_v2-770x501.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSome examples: Fusion Ink foundation by YSL<\/a>\u00a0or the latest Diorskin Serum Foundation Nude Air by Dior<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nPerfecting the skin<\/strong> is totally something I want from\u00a0my foundation. The fact that it’s lightweight and will cover my skin to make my pores (or my wrinkles) disappeared is clearly a bonus!
\nCome here, little Diorskin Nude Air, come to Mama… wink<\/span> <\/p>\nIn conclusion:<\/h3>\n
\nMany so called\u00a0serums\u00a0really have nothing\u00a0to do with skincare<\/strong> but everything to do with makeup.<\/p>\nAnd you, are you a serum user? Which one is your favorite?<\/h5>\n