How to properly use hyaluronic acid for the face?

Manufacturers of cosmetics try to attract the attention of buyers as much as possible, advertising their products under a variety of slogans. For example, that the composition of the serum consists of 75% hyalurons. In fact, this is just a trick, since at such a concentration the product would turn into a dense jelly. In addition to the acid itself, the serum with hyaluronic acid contains water and preservatives.

The serum allows you to control the water balance of the skin and maintain its tone for quite a long time.

What is a facial serum for?

Serum for facial skin is a highly concentrated cosmetic product for home care with intense, narrowly targeted action: the serum formula consists of several active components (up to 70% of the composition) that meet the different needs of each skin type (oily, problematic, dry, aging).

Types of skin serums

Depending on the composition, serums perform various functions or solve a whole range of problems aimed at increasing tone and improving skin quality.

Main functions of facial serum:

• Moisturizing, protecting the skin from dehydration and restoring water-lipid balance;
• Nourishment, skin softening;
• Cell regeneration;
• Increasing the density of the epidermis;
• Stimulation of collagen and elastin synthesis to maintain skin firmness and elasticity;
• Lightening pigmentation;
• Smoothing wrinkles;
• Antioxidant skin protection from the negative effects of free radicals;
• Skin rejuvenation and lifting.

Classification of facial serums according to skin types, existing problems and age:

1. Moisturizing serum for dry, dehydrated skin
   most often contains ceramides, hydrofixatives and intense moisturizing and softening components, for example, high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, which prevent transepidermal moisture loss by epidermal cells.
2. Serum for oily problem type
   contains soothing, sebum-regulating, mattifying components and salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation of the skin, reduces sebum production and prevents acne recurrence. Serum for combination skin strengthens and protects the epidermis, prevents pore contamination and the occurrence of inflammatory lesions.
3. Anti-aging serum for mature skin
   often contains antioxidants and active anti-age components (vitamin E, C, retinol, AHA acids, peptides), which have a rejuvenating compensating effect that helps even out the tone and relief of the epidermis, slow down the aging process of cells, and protect them from oxidative stress, improve microcirculation and normalize skin oxygenation.

Facial serums can be used both at a young and mature age, depending on existing skin imperfections.

For shine

Let's imagine a shine product.

Natuvalia Glowing Ampoules

12% ascorbic acid saturates the dermis with vitamin C, which makes the face radiant. The product synthesizes collagen, which removes fine wrinkles. With its help you can get rid of age spots and even out your tone. The composition contains many antioxidants and components that protect against ultraviolet rays.

Faberlic “Air Stream Oxygen Shine Highlighting” highlighter

This is one of the best inexpensive serums for young skin in a glass tube that will delight you with the correction of facial relief. It includes the innovative Novaftem O2 oxygen complex, which saturates the skin and gives it a healthy appearance. The highlighting properties are not so obvious here. According to the manufacturer, there is still a slight glow effect and it looks natural.

How to use facial serum?

Facial serum is an additional care product: the product is used not instead of, but before applying corrective cosmetics: basic day or night cream, enhancing its effect. Bioavailability (perceptibility by the body) of serums is several times higher than that of creams.

The serum formula works precisely, i.e. is aimed at solving a specific problem (or set of problems) depending on the type and needs of the skin. The light liquid texture of the product is quickly absorbed, penetrating into the deep layers of the skin, and immediately begins to act.

Let's look at how to use nutritional whey correctly and answer common questions about its use at home.

How to apply serum to skin?

1. The composition is applied to a previously cleansed face, neck and décolleté, once or twice a day: morning and/or evening. 4-5 drops of the product are enough.
2. Before applying the serum, you can use a toner - this will enhance the effect of the serum and accelerate the penetration of active components into the dermis for a more comprehensive and long-term effect.
3. Distribute the product along the massage lines using light tapping movements with your fingertips, do not stretch the skin and avoid the area under the eyes and around the lips (unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer).
4. After the product is completely absorbed, after 20-30 minutes, apply a cream according to your skin type, which will “seal” the beneficial substances into the skin, thereby increasing their effectiveness.

Do I need to wash off the serum?

The product requires rinsing off only if an allergic reaction occurs to the active components in its formula. For example, sensitive skin may react with redness, irritation and itching to a serum's antioxidant content, such as its high vitamin C content.

In other cases, the product does not require rinsing with water; it acts as an intermediate stage in the beauty routine after cleansing and toning and before applying corrective cream.

How often can you use facial serum?

To obtain a visible, stable result, a highly concentrated serum is used daily, in courses from 2 weeks to 2 months. Courses are repeated 2-4 times a year, depending on the condition of the skin. It is not recommended to use a cosmetic product on an ongoing basis, as you can overload the skin with active ingredients, which will do more harm than good.

Comparative table of the presented funds

In order to compare the presented products, we recommend taking a look at the table with their characteristics.

How to choose a serum for facial skin?

Most often, serums are presented in the following formats:

1. Bottle with dispenser (pump);
2. Bottle with pipette;
3. Ampoules for professional use.

When choosing the right serum, take into account the current condition and needs of your skin type. We'll tell you how to choose the right serum for facial skin care.

Skin problems

Increased dryness or oily skin, acne, loss of elasticity are only a small part of the problems of the epidermis that can be solved with the help of serum. The product has a moisturizing effect, preventing moisture loss from skin cells, helps resist the destructive effects of free radicals, strengthens the protective functions of the skin, and effectively fights the first and obvious signs of aging.

Compound

• Formulas with vitamin E (to protect skin cells), glycolic acid (to gently exfoliate dead skin cells) or hyaluronic acid (to maintain skin moisture balance) are suitable for dry skin types.
• Choose a composition based on retinol (an antioxidant that smooths out age-related wrinkles), vitamin C (for intensive cell regeneration), zinc (for an anti-inflammatory effect) and salicylic acid (for cleansing pores) to care for oily and problematic skin.
• Use formulas with active anti-aging ingredients: resveratrol, vitamin B3, collagen, peptides and plant extracts to maintain youth, firmness and elasticity of mature skin.

Serum action

Some serums can be used as SOS products for an instant transformation of the skin: the serum will quickly restore its softness, smoothness and natural radiance. Other remedies have a cumulative long-term effect, which becomes noticeable after 1-2 weeks of regular use of the course.

Serum texture and base

Serums are water- or gel-based (suitable for normal, oily skin) and oil-based (suitable for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin). Lipid-based emulsions can be used as a stand-alone product for the care of aged and dehydrated skin.

Methods of using hyaluronic acid

The cosmetologist’s task is not only to rejuvenate the patient’s skin and restore it to its former freshness, but also to preserve the unique beauty that nature has endowed man with.

Methods of introducing hyaluronic acid:

• Using needle injections: papular, tracer and canal techniques for administering drugs. Injections can be performed manually or using a special device with various attachments.
• The cannula contouring technique is a new method of introducing hyaluronate into problem areas, in which a longer and thinner flexible blunt microcannula is used instead of a needle. It does not pierce, but spreads the tissues apart, which makes the procedure less painful and traumatic, and allows one puncture to treat several adjacent problem areas at once.
• Alternative methods of hyaluronate administration such as laser therapy, electroporation, electrophoresis and ultrasound therapy. A gel with hyaluronic acid is applied to the skin in the problem area, then its deep penetration into the tissue is ensured due to the effects of ultrasound, laser beam, microwaves, and so on.

It is important that all cosmetic procedures are carried out by qualified specialists with extensive experience. In each specific case, the cosmetologist individually selects the drug, its concentration, quantity and method of administration.

Review of the best facial serums from La Roche-Posay

Here are the TOP 5 La Roche-Posay serums, based on consumer reviews.

Concentrated anti-wrinkle facial serum for sensitive skin Hyalu B5

Concentrated product

With a delicate gel texture, it is quickly absorbed, does not leave a feeling of greasy or sticky, and immediately gives the skin softness and radiance. Increases skin firmness and elasticity, improves complexion, fights wrinkles, gives radiance, softness, fullness. The formula is based on two types of hyaluronic acid, panthenol and madecassoside, which has the ability to stimulate collagen synthesis, effectively smoothes out wrinkles and dehydration creases, preventing dry skin.

HYALU B5

Hydrating concentrated anti-wrinkle serum

Increases skin tone and elasticity, gives the skin a healthy and fresh look.

RUB 2,708 more details

The serum is a godsend for those who don’t want to get facial injections, but want to maximally moisturize, nourish the skin, make it firmer and tighter, smooth out fine wrinkles, and also reduce deeper wrinkles. Thank you La Roche for giving me the opportunity to improve my facial skin without injections!

Inna Glushchenko, 31 years old.

Rosaliac AR Intense anti-redness serum

Serum formula

contains ambophenol, a substance that suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators and strengthens blood vessels. Thanks to ambophenol and the neurosensin peptide complex, which act on inflammatory mediators and reduce their activity, redness decreases. Strengthens blood vessels and soothes reactive skin.

ROSALIAC AR INTENSE

Anti-redness serum

Reduces the frequency and intensity of redness, effectively relieves inflammation.

RUB 1,796 more details

I have frequent facial redness. I bought this cream on the advice of my cosmetologist, it suited me. I'm already buying it for the 4th time. Well soothes the skin and moisturizes. The foundation applies well after application.

Olesya Klementyeva, 37 years old.

I am absolutely delighted with this serum. Wrinkles are smoothed out, the skin is moisturized. It does not clump and the skin is not sticky after application. I use it in the morning and at night.

Victoria, 33 years old.

Pure Vitamin C10 Serum antioxidant facial serum

Serum

evens out the surface and tone of the skin, visually reduces superficial and deep wrinkles, adds radiance, instantly moisturizes, softens the epidermis. Formula with pure vitamin C at 10% concentration. Suitable for sensitive skin.

VITAMIN C10 SERUM

Antioxidant Serum

Visually reduces superficial and deep wrinkles, gives the skin radiance.

RUR 3,088 more details

Excellent serum, quickly absorbed, delicate texture, economical to use, no sticky feeling after use. Perfectly moisturizes, softens, smoothes wrinkles, evens out tone. As a result, the skin looks healthy, radiant, and moisturized.

Anastasia Shatkovskaya, 29 years old.

I've been using it for a week and I can already see improvements. The skin is immediately comfortable, breathes better and is hydrated. The redness has smoothed out slightly, but I will wait a few weeks for the results, as written in the instructions. It is absorbed easily, I didn’t notice any greasy shine. The product has a light texture and only a little is needed, which means it is economical in consumption. Highly recommend!

Svetlana, 35 years old.

Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Soothing Serum

This intense serum

created specifically for skin that reacts sharply to external irritants. Helps strengthen the skin's defenses to reduce its reactivity, soothes, reducing signs of discomfort, and moisturizes the skin. Osmolyte + glycerin at the heart of the formula helps maintain the skin's moisture balance and strengthen the natural protective barrier. Neurosensin specifically soothes the skin, reducing its reactivity.

TOLERIANE ULTRA DERMALLERGO

Intense soothing serum

Increases skin resistance to allergens and intensively soothes the skin.

RUB 2,185 more details

I really liked this serum, it really prevents irritation. For a person who suffers from atopic dermatitis and other skin diseases, this is a great find.

Ekaterina Baglaeva, 25 years old.

I have been using this serum for 10 days and my pigment spots have become almost invisible! This is an excellent result!

Anastasia Nasonova, 33 years old.

What to look for when choosing

The selection criteria will help you purchase a high-quality and effective product.

• Age category. Hyaluronic serums most often do not have any age restrictions, however, some products still indicate an age category. Also, such products should not be used if you are under 18 years of age.
• Seasons. Products with different consistencies indicate what time of year they are best used. Light and liquid - spring, summer. Dense, thick - autumn, winter.
• Skin type. If you have dry and dehydrated skin, then you cannot do without hyaluronic serum. For ladies with oily and combination skin, using hyaluronic acid can aggravate their problem. In this case, it is recommended to consult a cosmetologist.