JOIN USIt’s not enough to use the right shampoo and conditioner. For fab hair, you need one more thing: serum. The product has been in the market for a while now, but many are still ignorant about its many benefits. And the good news is that it is the magic elixir not just for your hair, but your skin, too.
Many tend to confuse it with moisturising lotions. But it isn’t a moisturiser. A serum is basically a liquid rich in proteins. While a moisturiser replenishes moisture in the skin and eliminates dryness, a serum is designed for specific functions like age control, removal of pigmented patches or spots, skin brightening, hair conditioning and so on.
Beauty from within
Serums are designed to address specific issues that plague our hair and skin everyday. Some serums also contain plant ingredients. The active ingredients in a serum are more concentrated and penetrate the skin’s deeper layers. This is the major advantage of serums over moisturisers. While moisturisers only form a barrier between the skin and damaging factors, serums replenish the skin from the inside. One of the major reasons serum is most sought-after as a skincare product is that it is light, easily absorbed and easy to use.
The molecules in a serum are much smaller than the molecules in a moisturiser or cream. They are also lighter in texture and do not make the skin oily. In fact, they can be used on all skin types. Serums have proved to be ideal for rejuvenation and anti-ageing benefits, because they help smooth out lines on the skin. They also help to reduce age spots and make the skin brighter and more youthful. Serums do not contain any mineral oil or pressed oils. They may contain essential oils, though.
A serum costs more than a lotion or a cream as it has a potent concentration of active ingredients. However, in the long run, the costs may be the same, because a serum lasts much longer than a cream or a lotion of the same quantity. One just needs to use a few drops of this rejuvenating liquid. Many serums, like Plant Stem Cell serum, come with a dropper, making it very easy to use.
Use it right
If you have an oily skin, you can just apply a serum and eliminate the moisturiser. But for those who have a dry skin, go in for both. Apply the serum first. Wait for a few minutes and then apply moisturiser. If the moisturiser is applied first, the active ingredients in the serum will not be able to penetrate the skin. Use the serum after you cleanse your skin.
Remember, the skin shouldn’t be damp. Wait for a few minutes after cleansing and then apply a few drops of the serum, smoothing it on the skin lightly, with your fingertips.
Serums come in day and night varieties. While choosing a serum for your hair, keep in mind your needs. You can use the serum on wet or dry hair. After shampoo, take a few drops of serum and apply it into the hair lightly. Then comb the hair so that it spreads easily. Or you can also comb your hair first and then apply the serum evenly. If you haven’t discovered the beauty of serums yet, waste no more time. But remember to pick a good brand, always. Your hair and skin will thank you!
(The author is a beauty expert)