Neal’s Yard Wild Rose Beauty Serum
This wild rose beauty serum is formulated with wild rosehip seed oil, hyaluronic acids and essential oils of rose and geranium.
Avoid beauty products with essential oils if pregnant/nursing. Many skincare items contain cocoa butter and/or zinc oxide (also found in sunscreens, cosmetics and deodorants). So if you live with pets, wash your skin before letting pets kiss you, or avoid items containing them.
Most kerbsides recycle plastic packaging. You can also recycle (including pipettes and hard-to-recycle items) at any Boots store (look for the recycling box).
What is a beauty serum?
It’s basically a blend of oils and other ingredients to deliver potent active ingredients into the skin, although know that nothing really can penetrate the dermis, only just under the epidermis, so don’t fall for ‘wonder serums or creams’.
Most skin moisturisers sit on the surface to lock in moistures. But serums usually have smaller molecules so can address specific skin concerns like lines, dehydration or pigmentation (age spots).
They tend to have a higher ratio of active ingredients compared to skin creams, and many are high in antioxidants like vitamin C to protect from pollution and UV rays. Some contain hyaluronic acid to provide intense hydration (look for vegan brands, as some hyaluronic acid is from the combs of roosters).
A few anti-ageing ones contain retinol or alternatives. These are designed to increase cell turnover to help booster your own collage and reduce fine lines. But they can make skin more sensitive, so keep out of sunlight after use, or avoid for very sensitive skin.
Likewise those with salicylic or glycolic acids, used to exfoliate pores, and often used to help people with acne or congested skin. Serums with niacinamide (B3) are used to balance oil production (and calm redness).
How to use beauty serums
Serums are applied to the face, neck and décolletage after cleansing the skin, but before you apply skin cream. You only need a few drops to pat onto the skin. Recommended by dermatologists, choose one with natural ingredients. They don’t have to be silly expensive, it matters more what they are made with.
