Man, oh man, whoever created facial serums is a genius. I mean, let’s be real here, they may be one of the best creations and our skin rituals are the greatest beneficiaries of them. Before we get too ahead of ourselves here and keep rambling about how great they are, let's take a deeper look into what facial serums are and the benefits that make them so freaking amazing.
Facial serums are topical products with a thin consistency and a high concentration of active ingredients. They were designed to nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin. There are a wide variety of facial serums available, each with different active ingredients suiting various skin moods and skin goals.
Serums can be divided into categories including but not limited to hydrating, brightening, and anti-aging. Moreover, some ingredients found in these serums are vitamins e and c, along with retinol or glycolic acid.
Due to the thin product consistency facial serums absorb quickly into the skin and feel light after application. Facial serums also soothe sensitive skin, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and have the potential to provide visible results. They’re so great we could scream.
You may be wondering, “ok but how can I get my hands on a great facial serum?!” and the answer is, in your own kitchen! You can create your own DIY facial serum and reap the benefits the ultra-concentrated product has to offer.
Oils chosen depending on your skin mood(s) can be combined with bases such as aloe vera, glycerin, or rose water. Here are some of the best oils for the face you can use in your DIY serums.
Almond oil also known as sweet almond oil has the “best” rating under Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary. The oil falls under the emollient (skin-smoothing) and skin-replenishing categories and is great for hydrating dry skin. It is known for treating eczema and psoriasis with its rich ingredients including triglycerides and fatty acids.
It’s clear to distinguish sweet almond oil from bitter almond oil. Bitter almond oil has harmful constituents that should not be used on the skin.
Argan oil is also a best oil for the face and falls under the antioxidant, emollient, and plant extract categories. It too can be used to hydrate dry skin. The oil contains beneficial lips, fatty acids, and the antioxidant vitamin e. It is advised that those with oily skin moods should steer clear of applying the oil as it can lead to the skin looking and feeling greasy.
Unsurprisingly, Vitamin E received a “best” rating as it is a highly known and studied antioxidant. Even though the body produces vitamin e naturally it can be depleted by sun exposure and other activities. Using vitamin e in a daily skin ritual replenishes the lost vitamin e and strengthens the skin's barrier function.
Be sure to use a natural vitamin e which is indicated by a “d” prefix rather than the synthetic vitamin which is indicated by a “dl” prefix to alpha. Studies indicate that even though both have antioxidant properties, natural vitamin e is more effective.
Castor oil is another good ingredient and falls under the plant extract and emollients categories. It is a vegetable oil, containing healthy fatty acids and antibacterial properties. Its benefits include moisturizing, reducing puffiness, fighting acne, and preventing wrinkles.
This is not an extensive list of oils available for use. Other oils include coconut oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and more that are also some of the best oil for the face in serums and masks. Check out Paula’s Choice for their ingredient information.
When creating your DIY serum, combine 1 tablespoon of your base and 1 tablespoon of your choice of the best oil for the face that suits your skin needs. If you are not sure what facial oil suits your skin the best, this guide may be beneficial.
Apply the serum after cleansing your face and follow with moisturizer. It’s recommended to only use 2-3 drops of the oil on the whole face. In addition to managing how many drops of oil to use, it’s important to manage how often you use it. Over moisturizing the skin with oils, too much can lead to breakouts and dry skin because the skin may stop producing its own moisture.
Don’t feel like DIY’ing it? Check out these six facial oils that are ready for purchase and use.
Written by Lauren Conklin
