Buying guide for best anti-aging serums
When your skin looks its best, you look your best. Fortunately, there are many products on the market designed to nourish, soothe, and moisturize your skin. In addition to lotions and creams, anti-aging serums are part of this family of skin-loving potions that offer numerous benefits to almost any type of skin.
Anti-aging serums come in a variety of formulas, plus their liquid texture makes them easy to apply. Serums also make skin feel soft and smooth without weighing it down. With all the benefits they provide, it’s no wonder that these products have gained popularity in recent years.
However, choosing the best one for you might have you stumped. We at BestReviews have compiled some useful information in our shopping guide to help you take your skin-perfecting ritual up a notch.
Anti-aging serums vs. other products
The feature that stands out most about serums is how lightweight they feel on the skin. Moisturizer creams and lotions often include heavy thickening ingredients that trap or seal moisture into the skin. While this characteristic can be beneficial to most skin types, it can also result in skin that feels oily or greasy. These products can also pose a greater risk of breakouts for individuals with oily or blemish-prone skin, as well as be too thick or greasy to wear under some types of makeup.
Because of the lightweight nature of anti-aging serums, they absorb quickly. In contrast, creams and lotions can feel as if they don’t completely work their way into the skin, which results in a heavy sensation. The ability of serums to absorb so easily makes them ideal for wearing during the day or under your favorite makeup products.
Benefits of anti-aging serums
The lightweight feel of an anti-aging serum is an important benefit, but it isn’t the only one offered by this type of skin solution. If you aren’t yet sold on trying a serum, check out these other benefits you might experience from using one.
Improved skin texture: Many serums have ingredients that enhance moisture and rejuvenate skin cells. When applied as directed, the result is softer, smoother skin.
Acne prevention: Your skin might be maturing, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t prone to developing blemishes and acne. There are serums available that not only improve the look and feel of your skin but also help prevent and soothe breakouts.
Cell nourishment: Serums don’t have a lot of added ingredients like most creams and lotions do, but they do contain highly concentrated ingredients. Because of this potency and the lack of additives, anti-aging serums are able to absorb easily into the skin, where they nourish and replenish cells.
Diminished lines and wrinkles: Not only do serums absorb more completely than similar products but this ability also enhances the effects they have on lines and wrinkles. Plus, those with ingredients like retinoids and peptides make the difference when it comes to smoothing and plumping skin while reducing these traits that often show up as we age.
Glowing skin: The combination of quality ingredients, formulas targeted at specific skin issues, and lightweight consistency works to improve your skin. For many consumers who use serums regularly, the result is a noticeable healthy-looking glow and brighter skin.
Anti-aging serum ingredients
Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E can help to tone and nourish the skin.
Kojic acid: This mushroom derivative can brighten the look of dull, dry skin. Kojic acid is also known to minimize the look of brown spots and prevent new ones by blocking melanin production.
Retinoids: These vitamin A derivatives have been used for decades to slow down skin aging, improve its texture, and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles.
Peptides: If you’d like to improve your skin’s collagen production, look for a serum that contains peptides, amino acid compounds known for their ability to stimulate collagen formation in the skin.
Ceramides: Anti-aging serums with lipids in the form of ceramides help to moisturize the skin.
Hyaluronic acid: This component found naturally throughout the body, helps the skin retain moisture as well as improve its texture.
Niacinamide: Do you find that your skin is losing elasticity as you age? Using a serum that contains this form of vitamin B3 will help strengthen skin and reduce the size of pores.
- Plant extracts: Many anti-aging serums are also formulated with various types of plant extracts that serve a wide range of purposes, from soothing to moisturizing to improving skin, as well as providing a light, pleasant scent.
Did you know?
The liquid consistency combined with the potency of the active ingredients in skin serums means that a few small drops go a long way. You don’t have to apply a lot of product to experience the skin-enhancing results.
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Anti-aging serum prices
Anti-aging serums are a nice investment in almost anyone’s beauty routine because they come at various price points. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way, so expect to get your money’s worth, regardless of your budget. You can expect to pay from about $20 to $75 and up for an anti-aging serum.
Inexpensive: Serums that come in numerous formulas are available in the $20 to $49 price range.
Mid-range: You can find premium brands and specialized serums that target several issues in one product and contain superior ingredients for $50 to $74.
Expensive: If you don’t mind spending $75 or more, you can find luxury brands of anti-aging serum.
Tips
Target your skin type. If you have very dry skin, look for the words “hydrating” or “moisturizing” when picking out the right anti-aging serum for you.
Look for retinoids to reduce wrinkles. If preventing fine lines is your top priority in skin care products, an anti-aging serum that contains retinoids will help your skin by targeting dead skin cells and helping to rejuvenate new ones, which in turn can help reduce lines and prevent new ones from forming.
Keep it cool. Try storing your anti-aging serum in the refrigerator during warm weather. This will add a refreshing boost to your skin routine when you apply it.
Apply serum gently. Use a light touch when smoothing on your favorite anti-aging serum to prevent tugging and pulling on your skin.
- Finish with sunscreen. A serum can be worn with sunscreen. Apply your serum first, and rub it into your skin thoroughly. Follow up by smoothing on a generous amount of your favorite sunscreen lotion.
FAQ
Q. I’ve heard that anti-aging serums can also help control acne and breakouts. How do they work on these types of skin issues?
A. Skin that is prone to acne doesn’t respond well to thick moisturizers that are loaded with heavy ingredients. On the other hand, the lightweight consistency of serums is less likely to block pores, which could lead to flare-ups. Additionally, some serums contain ingredients like salicylic acid to help control acne and treat blemishes.
Q. Dropper or pump: which type of applicator makes it easiest to apply an anti-aging serum?
A. It’s really a matter of preference as to which applicator form you choose because both are designed to make it easy to apply the serum. Droppers tend to be a bit messier, but pumps are more prone to clogging and breaking.
Q. What’s the best way to apply a serum and liquid makeup?
A. It’s true that serums are perfect for layering with makeup, but the right technique will help your look last. Before applying either, wash or rinse your face and pat it dry. Smooth on a few drops of your favorite anti-aging serum, making sure it absorbs thoroughly before you apply liquid makeup. Again, be sure to rub the makeup in completely. Top it off with a dusting of pressed or loose powder for all-day wear.
