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Serums are highly sought after skincare treatment products. A quality serum contains the optimal dose of performance ingredients. Each formulation has an effective delivery system to get those important actives deep down into your skin where they can do the most good.
Basically there are three different types of serums. You should combine theses three types to get the most out of your skincare routine. Today our focus will be on repair serums.
Exfoliating serums are basically acids. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) include Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid,Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid and Mandelic Acid. These acids have varying molecular sizes that affect their potency and their ability to penetrate the skin. For example Glycolic has the smallest molecule so it gets deeper into the skin and is the best at clearing pores. Lactic Acid is gentler but more hydrating. Alpha Hydroxy Acids work by dissolving the bonds between dead surface cells to loosen these cells and expedite their exfoliation. They help stimulate the production of newer, fresher cells. After using an AHA at night your skin will feel noticeably in the morning. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are similar, but are oil soluble and can permeate sebum in clogged pores while inducing an antibacterial effect that is beneficial for problem skin. Retinoids are Vitamin A derived acids that speeds up cell turnover and help reorganize surface cell layers. That means it softens lines, helps clear pores and blemishes and brightens pigmentation making skin look younger and and smoother, reviving its natural glow. In the lower layers it stimulates new collagen and supports the dermal matrix, improving firmness and the strength of the skin. Retinoids don't work as fast as AHAs but they result in dramatic improvements for the skin. Unless you have very sensitive skin, everyone should include a retinol serum and AHAs as part of their nighttime skincare routine, albeit not on the same nights.
Antioxidant Serums are skin protective serums that should be applied in the morning, to reduce oxidative damage caused by sun and other environmental agers and to increase the efficacy of your sunscreen. Vitamin C is one such antioxidant that helps protect against sun damage, brightens the skin and is critical for new collagen formation. Other antioxidant serums include super foods; fruits and vegetables that inherently possess protective chemicals that are passed on to you to protect your skin. An important characteristic of antioxidants are the polyphenols they contain. Polyphenols are micronutrients that we get through certain plant-based foods. They're packed with antioxidants with the ability to reduce the subtle inflammation that repetitively assaults the skin, a major factor when it comes to skin aging. Our C & E Antioxidant Serum has been the one constant in my skincare routine over 40 years and has had the most profound effect. Though most clients tolerate Vitamin C very well, very sensitive skins may not. This is when botanical based superfoods can work their magic at keeping pro-aging free radicals from causing damage.
But... damage happens. You've stayed out in the sun too long, been exposed to a polluted environment, eaten the wrong foods, missed your required amount of sleep, or been under prolonged stress. There are numerous repair serums that beef up your ability to correct damage within your skin due to extrinsic as well as intrinsic factors.
With so many serums out their how do you know which one is going to work best for you? Here at LONGEVITY we offer twelve specialty serums. We realize that might be a bit confusing so here is a brief explanation of who should be using which serum:
You have problem, oily, acne prone skin:
This skin type should focus on clearing the pores and stopping acne bacteria from overpopulating the skin. Your major focus should be exfoliating serums, especial those with antibacterial BHAs. When it comes to repair serums though, a problem skin needs to increase moisture levels to strengthen their skin’s integrity and reduce inflammation. They need to do this without adding extra oil. You should look for skin calming ingredients like niacinamide because as we now know, acne is more of an inflammation problem than just a problem of bacteria.
Hydraessence - This light hydrating serum calms and corrects dehydration using oil free hyaluronic acid that won’t clog your pores.
First Light Lotion - This mattifying serum protects very oily skin like a moisturizer but it’s major focus is to correct uneven pigmentation and inflammation using and optimal dose niacinamide.
You have oily skin but it’s also sensitive:
Even if you don't have acne your skin may still get occasional blemishes or just react to environmental stressors by turning red, stinging or becoming rashy. What repair serums will be the most therapeutic and healing for your skin? Choose serums that focus on calming polyphenols and omit occlusive, oily ingredients that would heat up your skin, making it red and more reactive.
Hydraessence - once again hyaluronic acid is the superstar here. Our super gentle formula is an an oil free method of drawing in moisture. The cold pressed Aloe Vera contains powerful polyphenols, along with several other compounds in aloe vera that inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause inflammation and breakouts. If you have younger skin, this serum is not over stimulating. Younger skins have a healthy metabolism and don't need the metabolism boosters found in many serums that can cause your skin to become over reactive.
Stem Stim - is a highly regarded repair serum featuring growth factors that gently heal imperfections that contribute to sensitive skin. It is also oil free. Besides growth factors it contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and peptides. If you have maturing, oily, sensitive skin that gets red easily this is a perfect choice for your skin.
You have combination skin:
If you have combination skin you have to worry that the corrective serums you choose will provide the hydration you need, but will not be a burden by over stimulating the oily areas of your skin. Beyond your exfoliating and antioxidant serums you might want to choose a serum that contains cell signaling peptides to jump start collagen production and include gentle, oil free botanical lighteners.
Brightening Peptide Serum - this is one such serum that combination skins feel very comfortable with. With regular use and sun avoidance, it's botanical brighteners effectively even pigmentation, yet doesn't feel heavy or pore clogging on the oily areas of your face.
Regenerize Longevity Eye Serum - This state-of-the-art anti-aging eye serum is great for everyone, but especially for combination skins as it's reparative architectural peptides are feather light and help tighten and soften lines in the eye area.
You have oily skin that is maturing:
Your skin may be maturing but you are still annoyed by the amount of oil you still produce. The best choices for your skin type include state-of-the art energy boosters and repair factors to keep skin looking youthful. Yet, you still have to keep an eye on pore clogging ingredients and avoid them in your skin correcting serums.
Ageless Longevity Serum - This serum fights aging on many fronts. It addresses pollution, poor diet and oxidative damage while at the same time it includes the most current and effective architectural peptides to build collagen, niacinamide to boost cellular energy and botanical stem cells to calm inflammation and protect against free radical damage.
Stem Stim - is our most advanced anti-aging serum. It contains the perfect combination of peptides, anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors encased within exosomes. Exosomes are similar to liposomes. Exosomes are little repair factories that easily transport growth factors and other repair factors into skin cells to wake up sleepy stem cells to go into repair mode.
You have normal to dry sensitive skin:
Your priority should always be to deal with the inflammation first. Make sure the products in your skincare routine always focus on calming sensitivity and healing the skin. Your repair serum is no exception. No fragrance, nothing to over stimulate and cause irritation. Finding anti-inflammatory ingredients is where your focus needs to be. You also need to repair your broken barrier layer.
Hydraessence - is alway going to be a good starting point because it is so gentle and uncomplicated. This Hyaluronic Acid based serum's goal is to increase moisture levels in the skin. Hydraessence can be used alone as a gentle hydrator if you have younger skin or blended with another serum. For sensitive skin you should try blending it with Zen Zone or Seawhip Soothing Lotion to maximize calming as well as anti-aging benefits.
Zen Zone - contains a combination of skin building and redness reducing peptides as well as soothing botanicals such as licorice root and green tea. It also contains a red marine algae known to strengthen skin's resilience and reduce redness.
Seawhip Soothing Lotion is a serum potency lotion that can be used alone for oilier skins or applied as a serum (alone or mixed with Hydraessence) under an emollient cream. Sea Whip is an extremophile; an organism that lives in very extreme environments and can survive conditions that would kill most other organisms. They survive in these hostile environments because they possess protective DNA repair enzymes that also benefit the skin. Topically applied Sea Whip is most helpful in reducing inflammation, soothing and healing the skin from harmful environmental factors such as sunlight and stress and making the skin stronger.
You have dry, mature skin:
As skin matures it tends to get drier due to hormonal changes, sun damage and the loss of the energy within the skin that’s needed to make the proper repairs and stimulate cell turnover. The major focuses on this skin type are (as far as serums go) is to boost energy and provide the needed chemicals (yes chemicals) necessary to jump start important repair processes which initiate from your stem cells. Stem cells are responsible for sending the right chemical messages to basal cells in your epidermis. These cells are responsible for producing healthy new cell layers that keep skin smooth and light reflective as well as supports the all important barrier layer to protect skin from drying out. Energy and the right chemicals are also required to support fibroblast in your dermis to make collagen, elastin and the dermal matrix that support tone in the skin, keeping it firm. Beyond exfoliation from AHAs and Retinol your skin will benefit from energy boosters in Stem Stim and Revitalize Cell Therapy. These two serums were formulated so that you could layer them together for maximum results. Always apply 5 drops Stem Stim first because we need it to penetrate the deepest. Two or three pumps of Revitalize cell therapy can then be your next layer.
Stem Stim Growth Factor Serum - is our most advanced anti-aging serum. It contains the perfect combination of peptides, anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors encased within exosomes. Exosomes are similar to liposomes. Exosomes are little repair factories that easily transport growth factors and other repair factors through the skin to wake up sleepy stem cells and send them into repair mode.
Revitalize Cell Therapy - is a time tested specialty serum that helps upregulate cellular energy to improve cell metabolism in the skin. With age, energy (the moving force of life) declines, until by age 60 your cells have about 50% less fuel to operate than at 30. Ergothioneine, the cell’s principal energizing antioxidant, restores power to cells, quenching age-producing radicals and supporting cellular activities from detoxification to the production of youthful proteins. Within days, visible redness is calmed, signs of repair are enhanced, and an even tone and clarity begin to return to skin.
Environmental Protection - As skin matures it becomes depleted of its vital barrier layer. Mature skin can benefit from a drop or two of this protective serum. Environmental Protection is unique because it is applied over your moisturizer, almost like a protective overcoat for your skin. The Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Seed Oil it contains are comprised of omega 3 fatty acids which soothe and smooth even the driest skin.
Need more help choosing the right serum?
Book a Virtual Skin Consultation to talk to Elizabeth and let her take a close look at your skin.
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Elizabeth believes in "Longevity Skincare", the idea that beautiful skin can endure throughout one's lifetime when utilizing the best that science and nature has to offer. LONGEVITY is a science-based skincare line that appreciates skin of all ages. LONGEVITY by Elizabeth Renee provides hydration, nutrition and protection from environmental aging. Your skin will receive high performance ingredients to help energize and repair its cells, resulting in a healthy skin with an enduring, vital glow.