This lightweight serum is designed to hydrate, brighten, and smooth the skin, giving it a luminous, “glass skin” appearance. It combines humectants, antioxidants, and skin-loving ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Low Molecular Weight):
- Why: Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air into your skin, plumping it up and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Low molecular weight HA penetrates deeper.
- 1 teaspoon Niacinamide Serum (10%):
- Why: Niacinamide helps to even out skin tone, minimize pores, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce redness. It contributes to a smoother, brighter complexion.
- 1/2 teaspoon Snail Mucin Extract:
- Why: Snail mucin is known for its hydrating, repairing, and skin-smoothing properties. It contains hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins, and other beneficial ingredients that promote a healthy glow.
- 1/4 teaspoon Glycerin (Vegetable):
- Why: Glycerin is another excellent humectant that helps to keep the skin hydrated and supple.
- 5 drops Vitamin C Serum (L-Ascorbic Acid or a stable derivative like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate):
- Why: Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that brightens the skin, promotes collagen production, and protects against environmental damage. It helps create a more radiant complexion.
- 3 drops Rosehip Seed Oil (Optional):
- Why: Rosehip seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin A, which can help to hydrate, regenerate, and brighten the skin. If your skin is oily, you may want to skip this step.
- 2 drops of a preservative (like Germall Plus or Phenoxyethanol):
- Why: Because this recipe contains water based ingredients, a preservative is very important to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
Instructions:
- Sanitize: Thoroughly sanitize all your tools and containers with rubbing alcohol. This is crucial for preventing contamination.
- Combine Ingredients: In a clean glass bowl or beaker, combine the hyaluronic acid serum, niacinamide serum, snail mucin extract, and glycerin.
- Add Actives: Carefully add the vitamin C serum and rosehip seed oil (if using).
- Preserve: add the preservative, and mix very well.
- Mix Thoroughly: Gently stir the mixture until all ingredients are fully combined. Avoid vigorous shaking, which can create foam.
- Transfer: Pour the serum into a clean, dark glass dropper bottle. Dark glass helps to protect the ingredients from light.
- Storage: Store the serum in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator.
- Usage: Apply a few drops of the serum to clean, damp skin morning and night. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.
Important Notes:
- Patch Test: Before using any new skincare product, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any allergic reactions.
- Ingredient Quality: Use high-quality ingredients from reputable suppliers.
- Preservative is Vital: Do not skip the preservative. Serums containing water without a preservative will spoil quickly.
- Vitamin C Stability: L-Ascorbic Acid is the most potent form of Vitamin C, but is also the most unstable. If you are new to vitamin C, start with a more stable derivative.
- Adjust to Your Skin: This recipe is a starting point. Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your skin type and preferences. For example, if you have very oily skin, you may want to omit the rosehip seed oil.
- Shelf Life: Due to the nature of homemade products, the shelf life will be shorter than commercially produced products. Expect a shelf life of around 1-3 months if properly preserved and stored.