What does a serum do and how does it strengthen your skin care?

Curious about what a serum can do for your skin? Serums are the powerhouses of skin care, providing a concentrated dose of active ingredients that can penetrate deeper into the skin than a regular cream. This allows them to target specific skin problems, such as reducing fine lines, evening out skin tone, improving hydration or tackling pigment spots. Whether you’re dealing with dull skin, aging symptoms or blemishes, a serum can be a powerful and effective solution to achieving your skincare goals.

But how exactly do serums work and how do you optimally integrate them into your routine? Read on to discover everything you need to know about serums and how they can keep your skin in optimal condition.

What is a serum?

It is a gel-like liquid that feels thinner and lighter than a cream or ointment. Often this fluid base consists of hyaluronic acid, sometimes oil. This base is combined with concentrated active ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin B3, Bakuchiol or peptides.

Serum with a base of high and low hyaluronic acid sugars

Hyaluronic acid, the base we use for our serum, is a sugar compound with a high water-attracting capacity. This means that hyaluronic acid attracts water and thus hydrates the skin.

Iconic-Elements investigated the different molecular properties of hyaluronic acid. It turns out that hyaluronic acid is even better distributed and gets deeper into the skin if you break it up into different pieces.

We therefore developed a serum with a combination of high and low hyaluronic acid sugars as a base.

Why do you apply a serum to your skin?

It can give a boost: A serum is a skin care product with a high concentration of active ingredients. These ingredients are specially chosen to address certain skin problems. When we say that a serum can give a “boost,” we mean that it can effectively help the skin with specific problems, such as reducing signs of aging, reducing pigmentation, or soothing irritated skin.

Reduce pigmentation: Some serums contain ingredients that regulate melanin production in the skin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of our skin. When melanin production is irregular, pigment spots, such as pigment spots or melasma, may appear. A serum can help reduce these pigmentation spots by regulating melanin production.

Soothing your skin: Serums may also contain ingredients known for their soothing properties, such as aloe vera or chamomile extract. These ingredients can help reduce redness, irritation or inflammation on the skin, making it feel calmer.

Higher concentration: Serums generally have a higher concentration of active ingredients than regular creams or lotions. This means you often only need a small amount of it to be effective. So a few drops of serum can be enough to treat your entire face.

Penetrate deeper into the skin: The composition of serums is often lighter and thinner than that of creams or ointments. This allows serums to penetrate the skin more easily and deeply. This is important because it allows the active ingredients to work directly into the skin layers where they are needed most, rather than just on the surface of the skin.

In short, serums are powerful skin care products that offer effective solutions to various skin problems, thanks to their high concentration of active ingredients and their ability to penetrate deep into the skin.

Serum: an intermediate step in your skin routine?

You often apply a serum to your skin after skin cleansing. The structure of a serum is light and due to the gel-like composition it absorbs well into the skin, without leaving a layer.

You need very little of it and the properties of the liquid base make it very easy to spread. Because a serum does not stick, and penetrates the skin, you can combine it well with other skin care products, sun protection or make-up.

You could say that it is an intermediate product: you apply it after skin cleansing and before your standard skin care. The serum can be applied in the morning and evening.

FAQ about serums

Can I combine a serum with a moisturizer?

Yes, combining a serum with a moisturizer is not only possible, but also recommended. Serums contain highly concentrated active ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin and address specific skin problems, such as fine lines, pigment spots or hydration. A moisturizer has a complementary effect by retaining moisture and strengthening the skin barrier.

How does the combination work?

1. Step 1: Serum application
   After cleansing your skin, first apply the serum. Use a few drops and massage gently so that it is well absorbed.
2. Step 2: Apply moisturizer
   Once the serum is absorbed, apply the moisturizer to seal the moisture into the skin and protect the skin from environmental aggressions.

Why is this important?
A serum addresses specific skin problems, while a moisturizer provides hydration and a healthy skin barrier. Together they offer a complete approach to skin care.

What is the difference between a serum and a facial oil?

Although serums and facial oils may seem similar at first glance, they have different functions and compositions.

Serum:

• Texture: Lightweight, often water- or gel-like.
• Function: Serums are formulated with highly concentrated active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or retinol, that target specific skin problems such as pigment spots, hydration or fine lines.
• Absorption: Penetrates deep into the skin layers for maximum effectiveness.

Facial oil:

• Texture: Greasy and oily.
• Function: Oils mainly provide hydration by forming a sealing layer on the skin that prevents moisture loss. Some oils have additional benefits, such as antioxidants or anti-inflammatory properties.
• Absorption: Remains more on the skin surface and replenishes lipids in the skin barrier.

When do you use what?

• Choose a serum if you want to tackle specific skin problems, such as wrinkles, redness or pigment spots.
• Use a facial oil to hydrate the skin or provide an extra layer of protection, especially in winter or for dry skin.

Should I use a serum in the morning or evening?

This depends on the type of serum and the active ingredients. Some serums are better suited for daytime use, while others work best at night.

Morning serums:

• Antioxidants such as vitamin C: Protect the skin against damage from free radicals and pollution during the day.
• Moisturizing serums: Serums with hyaluronic acid retain moisture and provide a hydrated appearance.

Evening serums:

• Bakuchiol, retinol or other exfoliants: These ingredients work better at night because they renew the skin and can make it sensitive to sunlight.
• Repairing serums: Serums with peptides or ceramides support the recovery of the skin barrier during the night.

How do you choose?

• In the morning, use a serum that protects your skin, such as vitamin C.
• In the evening, use a serum that repairs or renews your skin, such as Bakuchiol.

Tip: Always read the instructions on the product to know when and how best to apply the serum.

Iconic Elements serums

Iconic Elements’ Targeted Pigment Serum and Firming Booster Serum:

Targeted Pigment Serum: This serum contains high-quality ingredients, including:

• Arbutin: A natural extract that reduces the production of melanin, which can help fade pigment spots.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): This powerful ingredient not only helps reduce pigmentation, but also regulates sebum production and improves overall skin texture.
• Malic Acid: With mild exfoliating properties, it helps remove dead skin cells, making dark spots less visible.

Firming Booster Serum: For beautiful radiance, this serum contains:

• Bakuchiol: An alternative to retinol that helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Cyclopeptide-5: This ingredient focuses on firming and repairing the skin.
• White Tea Extract: An antioxidant that protects the skin from harmful free radicals.

Why this explanation about the use of serums?

In my dermatology practice, people often ask me about skin-improving products. I see what they struggle with and unfortunately I often notice that certain care products help someone get out of the rain.
Because I want you as a user to be able to trust the product you apply, I combine scientific insights and my knowledge about the skin to develop a skin care line that stands out because it works (evidence-based)! – Francis Wu

Would you like to experience what a serum can do for your skin? Discover our serums, specially developed for effective and targeted skin care.

While you are here

Lotions, cream and ointment what are the differences? It is possible that because of the many products you no longer see the trees for the forest. Even worse if you apply the wrong product to your skin you can make the problem like dry skin worse. Learn more about the basics of lotions, creams and ointments