Serums are designed to nourish, protect, and hydrate your skin.

A face serum is a significant next step after cleansing and before moisturising. Serums are thinner and lighter than moisturisers and can have a great variety of functions.

Usually, contain active ingredients that you want to penetrate as deeply as possible into your skin. For this reason, apply the serum directly to the skin after cleansing and toning and before moisturiser. Serums can be used both morning and night. They do not replace your moisturiser but can boost the hydrating effects of your moisturiser.

Serums can be formulated to address a particular skincare issue. There are anti-aging serums, skin brightening serums, and even acne removal serums. Serums tend to be expensive but are full of potent skincare ingredients. A little bit goes a long way.

Moisturisers are thicker and creamier than serums. They are meant above all to hydrate the skin and prevent water loss. Some moisturisers can have extra ingredients such as anti-aging ingredients so that they do double duty. But to address a complicated skincare problem like dark spots, you will need all the help you get, and serum is just the product for

you.

Serums are an excellent way to keep your face looking healthy and hydrated because they give your skin exactly what it wants: healthy oils. Natural oils absorb quickly into the skin, protecting the skin#39;s lipid barrier and preventing moisture from evaporating out of the skin. The top layer of your skin is called the stratum corneum; the outer layer of the epidermis is composed of dead skin cells held together by lipids (or oils.) Keeping this layer constantly supplied with healthy oils will protect your skin from the elements and help your skin have a beautifully healthy, moisturised glow. Because they do not contain any added fillers, waxes, and chemicals like many facial creams and lotions, they are considered non-comedogenic because they do not cause buildup or clogged pores. This makes serums suitable for all skin types.

TYPES OF SERUMS

1. Pure serums of oil 

2. Pure serums of water

3. Synthetic serums

4. Combination serums

Thus, we can make different types of serums

1. Pure serums of oil: It is naturally made of pure oils, extracts, aromatic oils, and safe emollient additives.

2. Serums with water or gel: This one will be natural but water base ingredients, with multi-vitamins and other nutrients.

3. Synthetic or silicon serums are made using silicon, and It is not advised to use on the  face.

4. Combination type: Another type of serum is pure and made of synthetic additives that give immediate and temporary results. Combination serums are the best use today as little silicon with pure oils is excellent and gives a natural glow, softness, and shine to the skin. It is always better to use pure and safe chemicals for long-lasting effects.

USING OF SERUMS

1. Serums are highly potent, used little only in drops. Apply it always on a clean face before using moisturiser. Here is a straightforward method to apply it:

2. Take a few drops of serum in your hand.

3. Apply dots all over the face & neck

4. Gently massage in an upward circular motion until completely absorbed

5. Follow it up with face moisturiser or sunscreen.

6. Use it twice a day for speedy results

For making facial serums, carrier oils and aroma oils with some additives are used.

CARRIER OILS are generally oils made from vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. They often go by Carrier Oils, Base Oils, Vegetable Oils, or Fixed Oils. These base oils are filled with essential fatty acids, which are so beneficial, and their uses are endless. Choosing Carrier oils are just as important as choosing essential oils because each oil has its unique

properties and can be used for the skin;s different needs.

The best oils for carrier oils you can find would be Cold Pressed (Raw) Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin oil as if how the oils are pressed isn’;t confusing enough.

Below are some excellent, effective carrier oils to use in making care or face care cosmetics, such as serum.

Almond oil is full of vitamins D, E, B1, B2, B6, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Vitamin E helps fight wrinkles and has a firming effect on the skin. Using sweet almond oil daily can significantly reduce dark circles under the eyes and scars and dark spots. 

Almond Oil is very light and absorbs quickly; it is beautiful at nourishing dehydrated skin.

Rosehip seed oil contains reasonable amounts of vitamin C. It is high in GLA, which helps reduce the signs of ageing, especially the fine lines around the eyes (crow’s feet) and lines around the mouth. The rosehip seed oil contains Vitamin A, which helps delay the effects of skin ageing, assists with cell regeneration, and promotes collagen and elastin levels to increase. Being rich in natural nutrients, vitamin C, and essential fatty acids helps fight signs of ageing while hydrating and rejuvenating the skin.

Grape-seed oil is light in texture and is easily absorbed by the skin. It is suitable for normal to oily skin. Grape-seed oil has mildly astringent qualities, which help tighten and tone the skin, making it an excellent cosmetic ingredient for anti-aging products. Grape-seed oil is known to contain potent antioxidants. It contains emollients, antioxidants, and nutrients essential to the growth of healthy hair and skin cells. While it possesses the same.moisturizing qualities as many other natural oils, grape-seed oil is superior in its ability to treat brittle and weak hair and hair loss

Pomegranate Oil is quickly absorbed into the skin. It is high in antioxidants (such aspolyphenol) which fight free radicals and promote skin regeneration. It has been found to nourish and moisturise the skin, improving elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and preventing aging. It has also been shown to help sunburned and ultraviolet damaged skin.

Walnut oil is reported to help prevent wrinkles. It is an excellent choice to use in formulations intended to treat eczema or control dandruff and rough, dry, or sunburned skin. Walnut oil is best used at 10-15% in anti-aging and skin toning products.

Jojoba oil: It closely resembles the skins; sebum roll. This superior grade non-greasy oil is prized for its ability to penetrate and protect the three layers of your skin quickly. The oil;s vitamin E and minerals make your skin feel incredibly soft and moist. It has antioxidant and detoxifying properties that help to eliminate toxins, soothe oxidative stress, minimise the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, and improve circulation of the skin.

Apricot-kernel oil: It is suitable for nourishment: The light oil of apricot kernels can penetrate easily into the sensitive, delicate skin around the eyes, as well.  Apricot-kernel oil nourishes the skin and protects it from the cold and dryness, helping it stay supple and wrinkle-free.

Squalane: It is a detoxifier and plays a vital role in protecting and lubricating skin. It boosts hydration, which helps skin look healthy and vibrant. It has antioxidants that fight skin damage and free radicals. Squalane helps in firming the skin as it boosts collagen production. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is suitable for all types of skin. In serums olive squalene is used.

Olive oil: It is a highly versatile oil derived from pressing olives. It has protective and moisturizing properties. Since it coats the hair shaft and shields keratin, olive oil has protective qualities. It also has exfoliating and dandruff-fighting properties when combined with lemon juice.

Camellia Oil: It blocks harmful UV rays, maintains a Healthy pH, Promotes Hair Growth, and a good conditioning agent.

Marula oil: It is high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and amino acids. It’s widely used as an ingredient in skincare products and appears beneficial for oily, acne-prone, dry, and ageing skin. It's also effective at keeping hair soft, supple, and moisturised. It can help nourish hair from root to tip without making it overly greasy. The oil has hydrating, moisturising, and occlusive (preventing water loss) properties, making it beneficial for dry, frizzy, or brittle hair.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

Here is a list of recommended essential oils that you can use to improve your hair condition and growth.

1.) Carrot Seed Oil: It is an excellent oil for the skin; the rich golden oil of carrot seed is also highly nourishing to your skin. The essential oil is distilled mainly from the seed of wild carrots. It is full of Vit A and suitable for a head is highly regarded for its nourishing, detoxifying, and hormone-regulating qualities.

2.) Cedar-wood oil: Cedar-wood oil, while primarily used for treating dandruff, is a good oil for overall hair and skin health.

3.) Chamomile : Chamomile is an excellent calming and relaxing oil, and It soothes inflammation and has the property to detox. These qualities make it a great addition to your hair regimen for increased hair growth. Suitable for normal to dry hair.

4.) Clary-sage: It provides hormone balancing, relaxing qualities. It is beneficial for promoting cell growth, reducing hair loss, preventing dandruff, and limiting oil buildup in hair by reducing sebum production. It is perfect for a womans health – especially when itcomes to reproductive health. It is regenerative to cells, hair, and skin.

5.) Lavender: It smells heavenly, is balancing, soothing, regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and stress-reducing. And while it is great to put it right on your scalp, it is also suitable for all types of skin. Rich in terpenes, such as eucalyptol and polyphenols, help soothe inflammation and protect against free radical damage.

6.) Rosemary: Rosemary is great all-around oil. It is an excellent brain tonic as it refreshes and clears the mind. It is used to treat lacklustre hair, dandruff, oily skin, and more. Rosemary oil is perfect for promoting hair growth because it increases circulation to the scalp while stimulating cellular metabolism. This increased circulation improves blood and nutrient flow to hair follicles and boosts growth significantly.

Ylang-Ylang : Ylang-ylang, like lavender, is thought to reduce stress and is long used to increase the hair shaft’s thickness and grow thicker hair. Ylang -ylang can have a balancing effect on scalp oil. It is suitable for dry skin as it promotes blood circulation. Rich in Phenols and flavonoids, this oil acts as an antioxidant and stimulates blood circulation.

Tea tree oil: It is suitable for oily skin as it controls the sebum. Good for dandruff as well as acne as it is full of antiseptic properties.

Lemon oil: It is good to give the proper ph balance of the scalp. Suitable for all types of skin.

Orange oil: It is also known as glow oil, a good for all types of skin. It lightens the blemishes, tanning and pigmentation. Bergamot is also similar to orange aroma oil.

Patchouli oil: Good for dry and damaged skin.

Turmeric: Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components. These characteristics provide lustre and glow to the skin. It also revives skin by bringing out its natural radiance.

LIST OF THE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR VARIOUS SKIN-TYPE

For Oily Skin: Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Geranium, Cypress, clove.

For Breakouts and Blemishes: Tea Tree, Geranium, Vetiver, Lavender, Patchouli.

For Dry, Chapped Skin: Cedar-wood, Geranium, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Roman or German Chamomile

For Ageing Skin: Ylang-ylang, Patchouli, Cypress, Sandalwood, Lavender, Frankincense, Rose, Geranium, Palmarosa

For Combination Skin (Dry and Oily): Patchouli, Lavender, Bergamot, Orange

For Red Marks and Dark Spots: Lavender, Lemon, Frankincense.