Facial serums are generally found in exclusive spas as part of a facial treatment. The type of facial treatments has been a beauty secret in the spa industry for a long time. Serums are liquid treatments high in concentrated ingredients to treat skin problems such as redness, fine lines, discoloration and dehydration.

Facial serums are fashioned to add extra nutrients to the deepest layers of the skin. This is due to the fact that facial serums contain anywhere from 10% to 70% active ingredients, whereas most facial moisturizers and lotions usually contain less than 10%. Furthermore, moisturizer and lotions only affect the top layer of the skin. Additionally, fluid facial serums usually do not carry binders and waxes as found in typical moisturizers.

Due to the high concentration of nutrients serums are fast acting and easily absorbed into the deepest layers of the skin. A serum nourishes, enhances, and boosts the natural ability of the skin to regenerate and moisturize it self. Consider a serum as a multi-vitamin for the face!

The principal reason to use a facial serum is to add nutrients under the skin which your moisturizer can not do. There are a variety of facial serums, such as anti-aging serums, skin brightening serums, and even acne preventative serums. Serums are applied after your toner and before your moisturizer.

Serums are quite expensive, especially when you see such a little bottle for the price. However, when applying a serum only a drop or two is required to cover the neck and face. Serums can transform your complexion by providing the nutrients it needs to regenerate.

Below is an easy Vitamin C facial serum recipe:

¼ teaspoon Vitamin C also known as L-ascorbic acid. Do not use vitamin C tablets or calcium Ascorbate.

1 teaspoon glycerin

1 teaspoon water (preferably distilled)

Dissolve the l-ascorbic acid in 1 teaspoon of water in small glass sterilized container. Make sure the acid has dissolved before proceeding. Add 1 teaspoon glycerin and mix well. Apply once a day, preferably at night and increase to twice daily if your skin tolerates the serum. Store in dark container and refrigerate. Light will degrade vitamin C, therefore, it is important to watch for yellowing of your serum, this indicates that the vitamin C is oxidized. Once oxidized the vitamin C has lost it usefulness as a facial serum that delivers nutrients to the skin. As it undergoes oxidation the ascorbic acid takes on a yellowish tinge, so it is important to check your creams or serums before you put them on your face, and if there is any yellow discoloration, discard. Vitamin C in skin care offers many benefits such as reducing blotchiness, stimulates collagen, reduces fine lines and wrinkles and also protect against sun damage.

As with any new skin care product, it is recommended that you do a patch test first as follows: Mix up a small amount of the recipe and apply it on the inside of your arm, wait 24 hours. Please note that the responsibility of your skin care lies with you.