Karpati Medispa Life: All About Serums

WHAT A SERUM ACTUALLY DOES AND WHY YOUR SKIN NEEDS ONE

It is a beauty misconception that serums are just a more expensive form of skin moisturiser. Yes, the price is more per ounce than your average skin care product, but that is because you’re getting more concentrated ingredients and deeper penetrating effects.

Get the low-down on why serums are worth every penny in my interview with Leigh Campbell from The Huffington Post Australia.

What is the role/purpose of a serum, and how do they differ from a moisturiser?

Serums are primarily created to help highly active ingredients penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. Usually water based which is more easily absorbed for deeper penetration, and also sometimes oil based, they are traditionally more highly concentrated than moisturisers and are generally segmented with a results driven, repairing purpose such as hydrating or brightening.

At which step is it applied in my skincare routine, and how should it be applied?

Serums should be applied to freshly cleansed skin either before, with or as a moisturiser, depending on the requirement. I always recommend cleansing the skin with an enzyme-based cleanser to remove any grease or residue prior to applying the serum, as water-based serums cannot pass through sweat and grease and won’t penetrate well.

My Karpati 100% Natural Marine Enzyme PolishingPowder is perfect as it acts as an exfoliator and cleanser in one to provide a skin resurfacing action to eliminate excess coenocytes, providing clarity and even tone. It also contains silica to boost the skins ability to retain moisture and prevent further dehydration.

If applying an oil-based serum, it is best mixed with a cream as they don’t penetrate well on their own as their molecules are too large to reach deep into the skin.

Depending on your skin type and the time of year, such as summer, sometimes applying a hydrating serum can be enough and can then be followed with an SPF but in cooler months or when you’re using multiple serums with multiple purposes, you may follow this with a moisturizer and then an SPF.

What are the different skincare concerns serum can help treat, and how?

Serums have much higher percentages of actives than creams and are therefore very effective at treating targeted skin concerns as quickly as possible including redness, dehydration, wrinkles and excess oil production. Skin issues and concerns generally stem from the deeper layers of the skin and this is where the serums can get to because they’re water-based penetrating abilities (as opposed to oils found in creams which sit on the more topical layers of the skin).

Can I use more than one serum?

Absolutely! You can use more than one serum as they are always so light in texture and are also targeting different concerns. You can also replace your cream with a hydrating serum in your skincare routine as you never ever get enough hydration and serums are more effective at delivering this.

What are some of the key/active ingredients commonly found in serums?

Some of my favourite ingredients found in serums include:

- Hyaluronic Acid, the primary component in the dermis that prevents skin dehydration through its ability to retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water within the intercellular matrix. Essential in the regeneration of the epidermis, Hyaluronic Acid plays a vital role in skin density and tone while retaining a natural state inside skin through various molecular weights.

- Collagen, one of the main components of the skin and is the key protein in the human body. Helping to keep the skin tissue toned, Collagen is known for its soothing effect and anti-aging action. Providing an intense hydrating effect, Collagen is also an excellent cellular regenerator and repairer.

- Vitamin C, naturally present in the skin and known for its brightening action, it reduces the production of skin pigments and therefore helps to keen the skin even and radiant. Energising and strengthening skin, Vitamin C’s anti-free radical power protects skin from external aggression.

My Favourite Serums are:

For hydration: