In today's Reader Mail:
Dear BS:
What I'm wondering: What is a serum? Do you use one? I think it's snake oil, but I'm open to being convinced.
Love,
M.
We will say this: We do use a serum—the one above, Phytomer's Souffle Marin "energizing oxygenating serum." We only do this because we got it as a gift. What we have read about it: Phytomer Souffle Marin Oxygenating Serum is a fresh, light serum that envelops the skin in pure oxygen and offers it all of beneficial properties of the sea." What those are, we have absolutely no idea. Salt? WTF? The beneficial properties of the sea? Argh.
We use it because it feels nice and more to the point because we're paranoid about our skin and would basically smear dung beetle on it if someone was like, "Dung beetle! It's the latest thing!" When our freebie runs out, though, we're not sure we'll be running to the store to renew it.
We'd love to know which, if any, serums everyone is using, and the observed benefits (perhaps those sealike ones as well!), if any.
Serums are basically lotions that aren’t oil based. If you have a tendency to be oily or live in a humid climate, you’ll probably pefer serums over lotions or creams.
heart, your neighborhood (retired) esthetician
I used to work for Kiehl’s and was under the impression that a serum goes deeper into your skin than a moisturizer. So you’ll get longer lasting results and you can use it with a moisturizer too. I don’t use one now, but I always like the Kiehl’s Abbsyne serum.
You obviously don’t livenear the ocean. Whenever I make it to the beach I comehome with exfoliated skin that looks beautiful. I swear my skin clears up after each visit. I don’t know if this serum will mimic these effects, but i never say never.