This week the Glossy team invest in their skincare and put serums to the test - do they really make a difference?
Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum
Price £17
Buy online www.boots.com
Feedback "As someone with incredibly sensitive skin, when it comes to skincare I really have to pick my brands wisely before I even begin to look at the product itself. Avene, a French brand, is my go-to guru for skincare that never, ever makes my skin react - the equivalent of beauty gold dust to me and I'm therefore a very loyal fan. This serum is no exception and is incredibly gentle; it has a delicate, silky texture which glides onto the face and sinks in instantly.
"With continued use my skin certainly felt and looked calmer, despite a recent reaction to another product. However, my skin type is also pretty dry (the beauty gods weren't kind), even more so in this weather - so I'd hoped that the serum would give a dramatic moisture boost too, which it didn't quite. All in all, brilliant for soothing sensitive skins and giving a little protection against the elements, but when it comes to hydration a rich moisturiser is still needed."
Reviewer JJ
Score 8/10
SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer
Price £69
Buy online www.dermacaredirect.co.uk
Feedback “Being a pale, slightly reactive Celt I am prone to occasional bouts of redness and inflammation (this never ending Narnia-style winter definitely doesn’t help matters). Anything that reduces the ruddiness is welcome in my washbag, especially if it means that I don’t have to go at the foundation with a heavy hand to conceal colouration. After applying this redness neutraliser morning and night post-cleansing for just over a month, I am pleased to report that inflammation was abated and unwanted rosiness reduced. It even feels good to apply - it’s milky, cooling and sinks in fast. I have a feeling that this little potion would be a lifesaving tonic for severe rosacea and sunburnt skin - not that we’re likely to suffer the effects of this particular complaint in the UK anytime soon.”
Reviewer AH
Score 9/10
Guerlain P.E.A.R.L. Fusion Whitening Treatment
Price £82
Buy online www.harrods.com
Feedback “Don't be alarmed by the fact that this serum has the word 'whitening' in its name - it’s actually designed to target pigmentation and therefore even out skin tone. The serum itself has quite a watery texture but absorbs into the skin very quickly - though a little goes a long way. The serum is a treatment serum and targets pigmentation for ten days non-stop (note: it shouldn't be used for longer than the recommended ten days). Surprisingly, it did reduce my dark spots and pigmentation within the recommended time and therefore makes for a great intensive treatment before moving onto a 'regular' daily dark spot correcting serum (such as the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector , £39.50) which will continue to diminish the remaining pigmentation over time.
Reviewer KB
Score 9/10
Darphin Vitalskin Anti-fatigue Dynamising Serum
Price £49
Buy online www.darphin.co.uk
Feedback “With two children, a busy, busy job and a commute into London every day, I often feel that I could do with more than just a little bit of help in the morning, and I’m the prime candidate for any product that has the words ‘anti-fatigue’ written on it. The Darphin Vitalskin Anti-fatigue Dynamising Serum doesn’t disappoint. Quite watery in texture, my initial reaction was to wonder if anything so thin could make a difference. However on reading the information about the product, the point of the aqua-light texture is so that it permeates your skin with freshness. Containing skin boosting vitamin C, skin plumping hyaluronic acid, and energen to revive, it really does give skin a clean, plumper, fresher-looking appearance - immediately. What’s more, I used it over the course of a month and my skin definitely looked brighter, more radiant, less generally fatigued by the end of it.”
Reviewer ST
Score 8/10
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
Price £44
Buy online www.esteelauder.co.uk
Feedback "This serum is a must-have in anyone’s beauty routine – it is now a firm staple in mine. It's packed with antioxidants and hydrators and protects your skin against environmental aggressors. The clear serum has a lovely smooth consistency and absorbs quickly, perfect for finishing off after a thorough cleanse before bed. I instantly felt that my skin was smoother, more hydrated, and radiant. It definitely gives skin a fresher appearance; I use it every night but it's also fine to use under a day cream."
Reviewer SM
Score 9/10
Decléor Paris Aromessence Néroli
Price £44
Buy online www.decleor.co.uk
Feedback “I thoroughly enjoyed using this serum, most of all for the pretty heavenly aroma. I lost count of the number of times someone walked into my room to see me with my eyes shut and my hands covering my face, as I inhaled the tranquil, calming fumes. No, not embarrassing at all.
“Fragrance aside, this essential oil did a great job of balancing the oil levels in my skin (my T-zone is no longer as shiny as it once was) and it absorbed very quickly upon application. I would recommend however using it in conjunction with the Neroli Essential Night Balm , £32.50 before going to sleep for an extra hit of hydration.”
Reviewer AM
Score 9/10
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
Price £39.50
Buy online www.clinique.co.uk
Feedback “My olive skin is very prone to pigmentation and dark spots and generally can look a bit sallow. Using this serum for just two weeks made the world of difference and it’s now a staple to my skincare routine. The clever combination of vitamin C, yeast enzymes, salicylic acid and glucosamine visibly brightens the skin and within four weeks I've noticed that my skin is considerably more even in tone. I've tried countless products which claim to brighten and even out skin tone as well as help with anti-ageing but this is the first product to tick all the boxes. This award-winning super-serum definitely warrants the many accolades it receives.
Reviewer KB
Score 10/10
Clarins Double Serum
Price £55
Buy online www.clarins.co.uk
Feedback "A couple of months ago, before the Clarins Double Serum landed on my desk I was an avid Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair fan. I would not betray it for any other serum. But there was so much hype around this one that I had to see if it was as brilliant as it sounded… and I have to say, I was more than impressed.
"The double pump system ensures the right amount of serum is dispensed (two pumps is plenty) before you rub it in your hands and onto the face and neck. My skin type is normal, though is prone to a few dry areas and the odd break out - on my first use, my skin was so dry it sank in immediately and wasn’t too heavy so it's perfect for younger skin. I liked that there was no greasy or oily residue afterwards and it didn't leave me looking shiny; in fact, it really evens out your complexion so it made a brilliant base for make-up. After continued use, my skin tone is looking more even and noticeably brighter, while my skin feels much softer and healthier.
"Sadly, I loved it so much that I definitely over-pumped in the first week of using it so I finished my bottle a lot sooner than I should have, but with its lovely fresh scent which isn't too overpowering and classic Clarins packaging, you really can't go wrong. It's quite possibly my favourite ever skincare product."
Reviewer SM
Score 10/10