Today's post is going to be based on serums & face oils.
So many people miss out serums & oils in their routine, and think that their moisturiser is the most important product. It's not. It really annoys me when I hear people say things like "as long as you moisturise, you don't really need to do anything else!" Erm, no.
Of course, your moisturiser is important, they can contain some brilliant ingredients for the skin, but it's best to be a bit more 'spendy' on a serum or face oil, as the ingredients can penetrate more efficiently and absorb deeper into the skin than your moisturiser can. Think of your serum like your outfit, and your moisturiser like your coat.
If you are on a tight budget, spend more on exfoliating acids and a good serum, and you can then use cheaper cleansers & moisturisers.
A serum is generally a runny consistency, to be applied in the morning, under/before your moisturiser. A face oil is generally applied last thing in the evening, on it's own.
FYI: Do not apply products containing mineral oil to your face. Mineral oil is a clear, odourless oil, derived from petroleum - which in it's solid form, is basically Vaseline. It's used in a lot of skincare products, because it's cheap, SO cheap. It just sits on top of the skin and doesn't absorb, which clogs the pores, can cause spots, and has no beneficial effect on the skin. It almost 'suffocates' the skin, coating it like a plastic wrap, disrupting it's natural immune barrier. This in turn, slows down cell renewal and breaks down collagen, causing you to age prematurely. Johnson's Baby oil is basically 100% mineral oil, plus a bit of fragrance. Please, don't apply baby oil to your face!
If a product is expensive, and you notice 'petrolatum/mineral oil/paraffin' listed in the ingredients, do not buy it. It's a rip off.
The only times I would recommend using mineral oil/petroleum jelly/paraffin, is when you want to seal an area off from outside particles, and keep the area dry. On a rash/burn, for example.
There are a lot of serum & oils on the market, for different skin concerns. I'm going to list some that I have tried and liked, I have combination skin - some oily areas, and dehydrated areas. However, if you are looking for recommendations for a specific concern you have, just ask in the comment section below.
Without further ado:
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum, £22.50 from Boots.
I have mentioned this in a previous post, and also talked about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, which you can read here. It's a lovely velvety consistency, and is really hydrating and soothing, perfect for this time of year, where most of us do suffer with dehydration, from the cold weather and central heating. It doesn't really have much of a scent although it does contain fragrance, it's just a light, fresh smell. It's main ingredients are thermal spa water, and hyaluronic acid. This also does contain silicone, which is not my favourite ingredient, so I would avoid applying a moisturiser containing silicone on top. (More on silicones in a future post.)
Skin types: all, including sensitive.
To use: use one pump all over the face, before applying moisturiser.
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum, £24.99 available from Boots. (On offer at the moment for £16.66!)
This is the serum I'm using right now, as I ran out of the one above. This is my 2nd or 3rd tube of this - and is my favourite. It's simple, easy to use, and does what it says on the box, without making any fancy claims. It's the purest form of hyaluronic acid, and is really plumping, firming, and makes your skin glow. Most of us have dehydration, but especially at this time of year. This is more of a gel texture than a runny liquid, and it has no scent at all. It's not sticky either, if it does feel sticky, you're using too much.
Skin types: all, literally everyone should use this.
To use: apply a pea sized amount all over the face, before your moisturiser.
Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil £32, available here.
This is one of my favourite treatment oils to use at night. It's for oily/combination skin, it's main ingredients are Rose, Geranium, and Lotus which purify, tighten and balance the skin, and hazelnut oil soften and smooth the skin. If I have a spot, I will apply a small amount of my chosen spot treatment directly on the spot, then a layer of this all over my skin, and then some more spot treatment on the spot.
Skin types: probably suitable for all, but mainly oily/combination skin.
To use: Press a few drops onto the skin and leave on overnight, after toning.
Decleor Aromessence Neroli Serum, £44 available here.
This is a gorgeous, aromatic face serum. It has a lovely, delicate floral scent, with essential oils of Neroli to calm, Sandalwood to filter impurities, and Sage to revive the skin. It's rapidly absorbed, and is really hydrating. It looks like an oil, but isn't greasy feeling.
Skin types: all, particularly dehydrated, dull skin. There are also different versions of these serums for different skin types; eg. Ylang Ylang for oily skin, Iris for mature skin, etc.
To use: Apply 2 drops to your hands and pat into the skin, in the morning, before your moisturiser.
ESPA Optimal Skin ProSerum £48, available here.
This one is gorgeous. It contains omega 3, 6 & 9, vitamins A & E, aswell as white lupin, turmeric and sunflower. With it being omega heavy, it helps strength the lipid barrier and replenish the moisture levels. This will work on dry or oily skin, and there is nothing in here that will block pores on anyone who suffers with acne. The vitamin A is great for wrinkles, and vitamin E helps fight off free radicals. It smells absolutely divine, and feels like silk on the skin when you apply it. I love it.
Skin types: All.
To use: Apply a couple of drops to your hands and pat into the skin, in the morning, before your moisturiser.
So many people miss out serums & oils in their routine, and think that their moisturiser is the most important product. It's not. It really annoys me when I hear people say things like "as long as you moisturise, you don't really need to do anything else!" Erm, no.
Of course, your moisturiser is important, they can contain some brilliant ingredients for the skin, but it's best to be a bit more 'spendy' on a serum or face oil, as the ingredients can penetrate more efficiently and absorb deeper into the skin than your moisturiser can. Think of your serum like your outfit, and your moisturiser like your coat.
If you are on a tight budget, spend more on exfoliating acids and a good serum, and you can then use cheaper cleansers & moisturisers.
A serum is generally a runny consistency, to be applied in the morning, under/before your moisturiser. A face oil is generally applied last thing in the evening, on it's own.
FYI: Do not apply products containing mineral oil to your face. Mineral oil is a clear, odourless oil, derived from petroleum - which in it's solid form, is basically Vaseline. It's used in a lot of skincare products, because it's cheap, SO cheap. It just sits on top of the skin and doesn't absorb, which clogs the pores, can cause spots, and has no beneficial effect on the skin. It almost 'suffocates' the skin, coating it like a plastic wrap, disrupting it's natural immune barrier. This in turn, slows down cell renewal and breaks down collagen, causing you to age prematurely. Johnson's Baby oil is basically 100% mineral oil, plus a bit of fragrance. Please, don't apply baby oil to your face!
If a product is expensive, and you notice 'petrolatum/mineral oil/paraffin' listed in the ingredients, do not buy it. It's a rip off.
The only times I would recommend using mineral oil/petroleum jelly/paraffin, is when you want to seal an area off from outside particles, and keep the area dry. On a rash/burn, for example.
There are a lot of serum & oils on the market, for different skin concerns. I'm going to list some that I have tried and liked, I have combination skin - some oily areas, and dehydrated areas. However, if you are looking for recommendations for a specific concern you have, just ask in the comment section below.
Without further ado:
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum, £22.50 from Boots.
I have mentioned this in a previous post, and also talked about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, which you can read here. It's a lovely velvety consistency, and is really hydrating and soothing, perfect for this time of year, where most of us do suffer with dehydration, from the cold weather and central heating. It doesn't really have much of a scent although it does contain fragrance, it's just a light, fresh smell. It's main ingredients are thermal spa water, and hyaluronic acid. This also does contain silicone, which is not my favourite ingredient, so I would avoid applying a moisturiser containing silicone on top. (More on silicones in a future post.)
Skin types: all, including sensitive.
To use: use one pump all over the face, before applying moisturiser.
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum, £24.99 available from Boots. (On offer at the moment for £16.66!)
This is the serum I'm using right now, as I ran out of the one above. This is my 2nd or 3rd tube of this - and is my favourite. It's simple, easy to use, and does what it says on the box, without making any fancy claims. It's the purest form of hyaluronic acid, and is really plumping, firming, and makes your skin glow. Most of us have dehydration, but especially at this time of year. This is more of a gel texture than a runny liquid, and it has no scent at all. It's not sticky either, if it does feel sticky, you're using too much.
Skin types: all, literally everyone should use this.
To use: apply a pea sized amount all over the face, before your moisturiser.
Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil £32, available here.
This is one of my favourite treatment oils to use at night. It's for oily/combination skin, it's main ingredients are Rose, Geranium, and Lotus which purify, tighten and balance the skin, and hazelnut oil soften and smooth the skin. If I have a spot, I will apply a small amount of my chosen spot treatment directly on the spot, then a layer of this all over my skin, and then some more spot treatment on the spot.
Skin types: probably suitable for all, but mainly oily/combination skin.
To use: Press a few drops onto the skin and leave on overnight, after toning.
Decleor Aromessence Neroli Serum, £44 available here.
This is a gorgeous, aromatic face serum. It has a lovely, delicate floral scent, with essential oils of Neroli to calm, Sandalwood to filter impurities, and Sage to revive the skin. It's rapidly absorbed, and is really hydrating. It looks like an oil, but isn't greasy feeling.
Skin types: all, particularly dehydrated, dull skin. There are also different versions of these serums for different skin types; eg. Ylang Ylang for oily skin, Iris for mature skin, etc.
To use: Apply 2 drops to your hands and pat into the skin, in the morning, before your moisturiser.
ESPA Optimal Skin ProSerum £48, available here.
This one is gorgeous. It contains omega 3, 6 & 9, vitamins A & E, aswell as white lupin, turmeric and sunflower. With it being omega heavy, it helps strength the lipid barrier and replenish the moisture levels. This will work on dry or oily skin, and there is nothing in here that will block pores on anyone who suffers with acne. The vitamin A is great for wrinkles, and vitamin E helps fight off free radicals. It smells absolutely divine, and feels like silk on the skin when you apply it. I love it.
Skin types: All.
To use: Apply a couple of drops to your hands and pat into the skin, in the morning, before your moisturiser.
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