August 20, 2022 5 min read

HOW TO APPLY FACE CBD SERUM WITH A DROPPER

Serums are quite a new invention in the beauty industry. They are gel-based, creamy, or water-like formulations with active ingredients like antioxidants and vitamins created

There are several serums on the market today, but finding the right serum could be a hassle, unlike other skincare products such as thick face creams and moisturizers that you massage into your skin upward, serums are meant to be applied to your face in small tapping motions with your fingertips or your palms. Do not rub your skin excessively; let the serum absorb into your skin on its own. However, you may be wondering how to use the new serums that come with a dropper. Let's discuss how to apply serums correctly and apply a CBD face serum with a dropper.

What is CBD?

 CBD has become a buzzword in the beauty industry for some time now. You'll find it in serums, moisturizers, face creams, mascara, etc. It has been hyped as potentially helping users achieve a glowing and healthy complexion. As a result, brands and manufacturers incorporate this ingredient into their products. If you're not familiar with CBD or cannabidiol, it's a chemical compound naturally found in different types of cannabis plants like hemp and marijuana. CBD is non-psychoactive, so it won't get its users high. THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the other cannabinoid responsible for making you high.

The body has the endocannabinoid system that contains cannabinoid receptors in every layer of the skin that works to keep your cells functioning properly. Therefore, the body is already designed to receive CBD, which is why these products are so exciting when it comes to skincare. Although research into CBD is limited, there are promising few studies that suggest CBD as a potent treatment for inflammatory conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe, calm, and reduce redness. Peyravian & Jimenez (2022) showed a significant improvement in acne. The study showed that, besides acting as an anti-inflammatory, CBD also helps to reduce excess oil production, a contributing factor in acne. The anti-inflammatory properties could also make CBD helpful for those with sensitive skin.

 GUT (2019) reported that CBD contains antioxidants that help strengthen the skin barrier to retain moisture and keep pathogens out, leading to healthy skin. Also, the antioxidants in CBD are potent anti-aging ingredients. Antioxidants reduce free radical damage caused by environmental factors like pollution and sun exposure.

What is a Face Serum?

More than a mere cream or lotion, face serum is essential to your skincare routine. Its consistency lies somewhere between a gel and liquid. It's a lightweight product that penetrates the skin's surface layers to address specific skin concerns on a deeper level, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening out skin tone, or the overall skin brightening of the skin. Moreover, their thin consistency makes them a great option for oily skin types who may be conscious of putting anything too greasy on their skin. However, brands are designing serums suited for nearly every skin type.

How to Correctly Use Face Serum

There's more to just applying face serum than slathering it all over your face before going to bed. Of course, that may work, but the difference between good and bad techniques can make a major difference. Arif\ (2015) noted that a poorly applied face serum results in lower absorption, lower efficacy, and reduced levels of skin cell turnover. It's recommended that all your skincare products be used in a specific order to get the most out of each product. Here's how to use your face serum with a toner, moisturizer, and other skincare products.

Cleanse

Before applying your face serum, ensure the skin is properly prepped. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser of your skin type and then exfoliate if necessary. It helps to remove any buildup or debris that might hinder the absorption of your serum.

Toner

After cleansing, use a cotton ball or pad to apply a small amount of liquid, alcohol-free toner on your face. It would help if one did this in small, gentle circles. If facial toners aren't your go-to, an individual can dampen a washcloth with lukewarm water and gently pat it on the face. This step is critical because damp skin is more permeable than dry skin and will be more accepting of your nutrient-dense face serum.

Serum

After cleansing and dampening the skin, it’s now time to apply face serum. Generally, less is more when it comes to serums. Most serums come with a dropper. Squeeze the dropper and immerse it into the serum. Subsequently, release the dropper, and the liquid will be suctioned into the dropper. Now press the dropper and release liquid onto the palm of your hand. Gently rub your palms together to warm and activate the serum. Then lightly press your palms onto your skin and pat the serum on in outwards and upwards motions until it's fully applied to your face and neck. Wait for a couple of minutes for the serum to completely penetrate your skin before continuing your skincare regime.

One benefit of a dropper is that it makes your serum application an easy and mess-free process while also keeping the face serum bacteria-free. Also, the dropper helps you control how much product you use and controls wastage. Always ensure the dropper never touches the skin, this leads to picking up bacteria from the skin back into the serum. Oxygen is an enemy of all skin serums. According to Bristow et al. (2016), the moment air enters the bottle, the serum inside starts to oxidize. Unless you're using a pump bottle, which is a great idea, you'll need to open the bottle to use the dropper. There's no other way around it. So, if you aren't using a pump bottle, ensure you squeeze the air out of the dropper before putting the dropper back into the bottle. Always remember this important rule. That eye-dropper may be bad for your serum if you misuse it.

Conclusion

Remember, face serums are very potent and have a high concentration of active ingredients, so a little goes a long way when it comes to face serums. You only need to cover your face in a thin, light layer so that the product can easily penetrate your skin. If it's dropper formula, 3-4 drops are enough. Don't forget your neck. Also, face serums aren't intended to replace your daily moisturizer, even though they contain moisturizing agents. After you've waited for some time, apply your moisturizer to your face and neck. The moisturizer is the final step that helps seal in your serum and lock in the nutrients. The general rule is to apply products based on viscosity, so start with the thinnest product and finish with the heaviest or thickest. Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are probably already a part of your skincare routine. But now that you have a better understanding of how to use CBD face serum, it’s time to get your hands on the best serum suitable for your skin type and start your journey to healthy and glowing skin.

References

Arif, T. (2015). Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology8, 455.

Bristow, L. A., Dalsgaard, T., Tiano, L., Mills, D. B., Bertagnolli, A. D., Wright, J. J., ... & Thamdrup, B. (2016). Ammonium and nitrite oxidation at nanomolar oxygen concentrations in oxygen minimum zone waters. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences113(38), 10601-10606.

GUT, M. (2019). aesthetics.

Peyravian, N., Deo, S., Daunert, S., & Jimenez, J. J. (2022). The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. Journal of Inflammation Research, 15, 2795.