Moisturizers are all well and (very) good, but if you want to see the kind of results that actually make you want to FaceTime in broad daylight, add a serum to your regimen. Packed with active ingredients, serums have smaller molecules that allow them to penetrate deeper into the skin to get serious work done with only a few drops. For added oomph, exfoliate skin first with a mild scrub or washcloth. Celebs and makeup pros take serum-prep to the next level with Dermaflash ($189), a home dermaplaning tool that's supposed to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz to give you a perfect canvas. (Hey, we were skeptical, too. But maybe there's a reason it’s a bestseller at Sephora.) Here, a few of our readers' favorite new serum solutions.
Glow for It
Eve Lom’s Time Retreat Radiance Boost Treatment (about $95) uses naturally derived alpha hydroxy acids along with a mild retinol to boost cell turnover (key to revealing brighter skin) without irritation. Another glow-getter: vitamin C, which reduces sun damage and discoloration. A few options to try: emerginC's vitamin C serum ($79) with anti-inflammatory antioxidants; Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum ($34), a fragrance-free choice packed with active ingredients.
Get the Red Out
Redness from rosacea, inflammation or over-treated skin is no one’s best look (or feel). Dr. Jart’s New Cicapair Tiger Grass Re.Pair Serum (about $46) will quickly calm irritation. (Beauty trivia: Tiger Grass is an Asian herbal plant known to aid in skin recovery.) NeoStrata’s Redness Neutralizing Serum is designed to have a light cooling effect and reduce the appearance of flushing.
Rejuvenating Multitaskers
The latest serums contain a smorgasbord of ingredients that join forces to plump, hydrate and tighten. Miracle Age Repair Serum (Thank You Farmer, about $50) does all that good stuff, plus contains burdock extract to help diminish dark spots. Want to splurge? Check out Rodial’s Rose Gold Serum (about $230), which is enriched with 24 Carat Gold technology, peptides and marine extracts.
Don’t Feel Bad About Your Neck
Skin care, like gravity, doesn’t stop at your jawline. Boots No. 7 Restore & Renew Face and Neck Multi-Action Serum (about $34) contains calcium amino acids that work to repair crepiness, peptides to reduce wrinkles, and hibiscus seed extract to help support collagen production. Because, really, you can’t wear turtlenecks every day.
Jeff Elkins
