Age is just a number. Sure. But ageing is inevitable.
As we age, our body goes through several changes. The appearance of grey hair, fine lines and wrinkles are some of the key indicators of ageing. Our face loses its youthfulness and our skin becomes drier and thinner. It loses its elasticity as there is a decrease in the levels of collagen and elastin in your body. It is a natural process that we cannot reverse.

But this doesn't mean that we cannot slow it down.

We can take some preventive steps to stop the signs of ageing from showing up on our skin. Apart from practising healthy skincare practices like regular cleansing and exfoliating, limiting sun exposure, using sunscreen, and so on, you can invest in anti-ageing serums!

If you are a skincare enthusiast, then the chances are that you are already familiar with the use of special serums to tackle different problems. But which one to pick for yourself? With the current marketplace overflowing with so many options, it can be quite daunting to figure out the one you need. As a result, you are left with questions like what does Vit C serum do for your skin or should you go for niacinamide serum?

If that's the case with you, then allow us to help! We will tell you everything that you need to know about serums.

First, let's start with a fundamental question: What is a serum?
A skin serum is an oil or water-based liquid that comes loaded with active ingredients that you can directly apply to your skin. It usually comes in a small bottle with a dropper.

Compared to lotions, creams, and ointments, serums tend to be lighter, thus getting absorbed faster into the skin. They are also lightweight and easier to layer or mix with other skin care products.

It is advised to apply a serum on a clean face.

What are the best anti-ageing serum ingredients?
Before we get started with this, you need to understand that there is no magic ingredient that will vanish all the wrinkles and fine lines. Even the best face serums can only help reduce the appearance of certain signs of ageing.

Let's have a look at the list of ingredients that help deal with different problems:

For wrinkles
Lack of collagen and elastin results in fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. You can count on Retinol, and Vit C face serums.

A derivative of Vit A, Retinol holds quite a reputation in the anti-ageing face serums world. It can go deep beneath the outer layer of the skin (called the epidermis) and alter the behaviour of the aged cells. In addition, it boosts elastin and collagen production and promotes the production of new blood vessels on the skin.

Similarly, Vit C serum can penetrate the skin pretty well when applied topically. It helps in tackling the damage done by the sun to your skin. As it is an antioxidant, the use of Vit C serum for the face also helps slow down the damaging effects of unstable molecules called free radicals.

For sagging skin
Peptides (a group of amino acids) help in making proteins, including collagen. The topical application of peptides triggers the skin cells to perform specific functions that encourage the skin to look and act younger. In addition to collagen, peptides also make up the elastin fibres (a type of protein). This makes the skin look firmer and tauter.

For age spots
Niacinamide face serum can diminish the appearance of age spots by fading them and boosting collagen production to plump and strengthen skin. In addition, it acts as a preventative to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – the scar formation and pigmented dark spots left behind.
Kojic acid, a chemical often used as a skin-whitening ingredient in products, can also help reduce age spots.

For uneven skin tone
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) remove dead skin cells. This could help to reveal new ones with a more even tone. Retinoids can do the same thing. However, both can irritate your skin, so use them cautiously if yours is dry or sensitive.

What should be the strength of serums?
Some over-the-counter products only come in one strength. Others have different levels of the active ingredient. If you choose something that might dry or irritate your skin -- like Retinol -- start with the lowest strength and get used to it before you try something more potent.

When should I put on a serum?
One thing that holds for applying any serum is that you must have a clean face. But apart from that, it depends on your serum's ingredients. For example, if you go for a retinol serum, ensure that you apply it at night. This is because it increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun. On the other hand, you can apply Vit C serum in the morning as it protects your skin from sun damage.