What is an anti ageing serum

An anti-ageing serum is a product you apply to your skin after cleansing and before moisturising, that's packed with powerful ingredients to help tackle common skincare concerns, such as wrinkles and fine lines.

• A serum is a special type of skincare product that has a thin and light consistency.

• Serums are designed to penetrate deeper into the skin compared to other skincare products, such as moisturisers, to deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients.

• An anti-ageing serum is used for skin that’s beginning to show signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles or sun damage.

• An anti-ageing serum can help to exfoliate the surface layer of dead skin cells, stimulate collagen production and give you an overall fresher appearance.

• To get the best results from your anti-ageing serum it’s also important that you maintain a good home care regime with good quality cleansers, toners and moisturisers.

Serums are more concentrated and potent compared to moisturisers and creams, so you only need a small amount each time.

Serums are more concentrated and potent compared to moisturisers and creams so you only need a small amount each time. They are also cheaper than moisturisers as they contain higher concentrations of active ingredients so you get more bang for your buck.

Some people like to combine serums with a moisturiser but it really depends on the serum you use, how much of it you apply and other factors that can affect how thirsty your skin is such as the weather and air conditioning. If in doubt, try applying your serum first then follow up with your moisturiser after a couple minutes if needed.

For best results, choose a formula that's lightweight and fast-absorbing – you want it to sink into your skin quickly so it doesn't interfere with your other skincare or make-up products.

Most popular ingredients in anti-ageing serums include vitamin C (to brighten), retinol (to boost collagen), hyaluronic acid (to plump) and Vitamin E (to prevent further sun damage to the skin).

To use your serum, begin by cleansing your face thoroughly with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

Here's the best way to get the most out of your anti-aging serum:

• Use a small amount. Anti-aging serums are highly concentrated, so you don't need to use very much. A little goes a long way! To make sure you're getting an even application, consider using an applicator such as a cotton ball or pad.

• Apply to clean skin. Your anti-aging serum will be most effective when applied to freshly washed skin that has been cleared of any other products (such as toner). If you wait too long after washing, dirt and oils could accumulate on your skin and interfere with the performance of your serum. Don't forget to follow up your application with a good moisturiser!

• Start slow if necessary. If you're new to using serums, try applying once a day at first and gradually increase the frequency if needed. For some people, this means starting every other day or just on weekends—and working their way up slowly from there until they can tolerate daily applications without irritation or redness. You should also avoid using too much or too often if you're using an anti-aging serum containing retinol (a powerful vitamin A derivative).