Serum has two primary meanings depending on the context: 1. In blood and
medical context:
Serum is the clear, yellowish fluid component of blood that remains after
blood has clotted. It is essentially blood plasma without the clotting factors
such as fibrinogen. Serum contains proteins (except clotting factors),
electrolytes, antibodies, antigens, hormones, and other substances like drugs
or microorganisms. It is obtained by allowing blood to clot and then
centrifuging to remove the clot and blood cells. Serum is used in diagnostic
tests, blood typing, and immunotherapy, such as using convalescent serum
containing antibodies from recovered patients to treat others
. 2. In skincare:
Serum refers to a lightweight, highly concentrated skincare product designed
to deliver active ingredients deeply into the skin. These products have
smaller molecules than typical moisturizers, allowing them to penetrate deeply
and target specific skin concerns like wrinkles, dryness, discoloration, or
redness. Serums are applied after cleansing and before moisturizing and often
contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or niacinamide to improve
skin health and appearance
. In summary, serum can mean either the blood fluid without clotting factors used in medical diagnostics and treatments or a potent skincare product for targeted skin care benefits.
