If you only add one thing to your skincare regime, what should it be? In my mind, the answer is simple: a great serum.
As a beauty editor of more than 20 years, I can confidently say that serums are the area of skincare that’s worth investing in. They’re the lynchpin of any regime. Created with potent, highly concentrated actives and the latest skin science, these smart formulas might be lightweight but they’re the real heavy hitters when it comes to visible results.
However, no matter how mighty your serum, a few tweaks to the way you use it can make it work even harder. Here’s how to supercharge your serum, the beauty editor way.
1. Clean up your act
Even the smartest serum will struggle if it comes up against a dirty or oily barrier. That’s why it’s vital to cleanse your face before applying your serum. You might think this only applies at bedtime, but any oil your skin produces overnight can also hinder your serum come morning. Just use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin barrier.
2. Less is more
Serums tend to contain a lot of active ingredients, so a little goes a long way. Start by patting on a small dab, then smooth it out with your fingertips. If you just rub serum between your hands and smear it all over your face, you’re using more than you need and wasting money. Serums are a fantastic investment in the future of your skin, so be sure to get the maximum from every drop.
Searching for a serum that packs a punch when it comes to delivering smoother skin? Caudalie’s Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum is formulated with an active component derived from vine shoots that targets wrinkles to smooth the complexion, with 98% of users seeing firmer results in 56 days*. And if you’ve found yourself faced with the irritating effects of retinol, rejoice. This serum’s patented complex has been proven to be three times more effective than retinol at firming and lifting**, so you can enjoy the same smoothing effects without any dryness, flakiness or redness.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Serum
3. Never apply dry
You might be surprised to learn that your serum will sink in better if your skin is damp rather than dry. Better absorption means faster results, so don’t worry that you’re somehow diluting your serum’s effects by applying it on a damp face. Plain water works, or you can spritz on an essence that’s designed to prep your face for serum.
4. Layer your serum
How you layer your serum is key. As a basic rule, you want to apply skincare in order of thickness. Watery products like cleanser, toner and essence go first, then serum slots in next. Allow serum a minute to absorb, then follow with a day or night cream. This allows your serum’s smaller molecules to slip in easily, instead of being blocked by thicker products who’ve jumped their place in the queue.
The smoothing powers of resveratrol don’t need to be limited to your serum. Caudalie’s Resveratrol-Lift collection features five cutting-edge products formulated with hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen to help you on your way to glowing skin. After cleansing, lift and firm with the Instant Firming Serum, then smooth and de-puff with the Eye Gel Cream. Seal in all that goodness with the Cashmere Cream in the daytime, or the Night Cream if it’s time to hit the hay. Plus, when you’ve finished your serum, day cream or night cream, you can simply stock up with a refill, which helps to reduce packaging by 85 per cent***.
Resveratrol-lift Firming Cashmere Cream
Resveratrol-lift Firming Eye Gel Cream
Resveratrol-lift Firming Night Cream
5. Feed your face twice
Most serums are designed to be applied morning and night, so don’t let your skin miss out at bedtime. Nourishing your skin twice a day provides a consistent drip-feed of actives for optimal results. I like to elevate my evening regime by using my fingertips or gua sha to massage in serum. As well as boosting blood circulation, it’s a great way to soothe any tension that’s built up in the jawline.
Shop Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum online at uk.caudalie.com
*Clinical study % of satisfaction; 42 volunteers, 56 days.
**Ex-vivo test on ingredients association, on the thickness of collagen fibers at the serum concentration.
*** Estimated amount of packaging saved in the manufacture of the refill versus the sales jar
