Friday Faves: Serums, tried & tested

The topic of skincare is so saturated with information so I generally try my best to recommend products that I truly believe in and have tried myself. Being on the receiving end of so many skincare products (which I’m so grateful for) means that I get to try a variety of different brands at different price points. The best part? I get to share what is worth it and what isn’t.

My skincare has definitely changed a lot over the years – along with the needs of my skin.

I remember being a teen and buying my first facial cleanser (shout out to Clean and Clear, lol). Now at 26, my skin has come a long way.

While I do have pretty unproblematic skin, my main concerns are hydration and brightness. That’s not to say I go without the occasional pimple (yes, your skin has an amazing way of showing you when you’re a little too stressed or tired) and I always listen to it and cater to what it might need at the moment.

Here, I’ve listed five different serums that yield different results from under-eye bags to dull texture. Leave a comment or drop me a DM if you have any questions or want my take on anything else.

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1. La Roche Posay Vitamin C, £38

I used it incorrectly previously by layering it with tons of other products and then saw no result (duh). After months of properly researching skincare, I know that less is more. My skin was starting to look dull and I wanted something to brighten my texture and after reading about the benefits of Vitamin C in a routine, I picked it up again. 

Vitamin C has antioxidant and anti-ageing properties and leaves your skin looking brighter and more radiant. This one by La Roche Posay comes at a 10% concentration and in a 30ML bottle with a dropper. After a super gentle toner in the morning, I apply a little bit onto my fingertips and smooth it onto my face. I consider this my must-have step in my AM routine and you definitely see the results after a few weeks of use. 

2. Liz Earle 'Calming' Drops, £19.50

I was introduced to the brand because of a partnership but their products are still one of my favourites to use. Their water-based Botanical drops are super lightweight and easy to mix in with moisturiser for daily use. Out of the three, my favourite version of the serum is the Calming one and I loved using it in the summer. I don’t usually get problematic skin but whenever I feel a bit of a flare up I always make sure to incorporate it into my routine. Mix in with a moisturiser for an extra boost or apply as per usual after a gentle toner. 

3. Vanderohe Nourishing Face Serum , £88

Now, this product is a bit on the pricier side but If you have the money for it, it’s worth trying it out. It’s an oil-based serum with 100% organic and wildcrafted plant ingredients and I use it as part of a night routine. Every now and then, I need a bit of a pampering sesh and I’ll sit with my jade gua sha tool and gently massage this all over my face after a steaming hot shower. It smells incredible and feels so luxurious — the perfect alternative to going to a spa, I say. 

It also comes as a smaller 30ML bottle at a fraction of the price so if you want to test it out on your skin and don’t want to break the bank, opt for a mini version instead. 

4.Pixi Beauty Milky Hydrating Serum, £26

I love products with a milky formula and it’s been around in the skincare arena for ages with its soothing and hydrating benefits. I’m an avid user of Pixi Beauty’s products and one of my other hero products is this milky hydrating serum. They sent over their entire milky hydrating range when it was launched a few months ago and I went straight for this serum. I find it super hydrating and sits really lightly on the skin. In the summer where my skin needs an extra TLC during the scorching hot afternoons, I include this in my makeup routine too by dropping a few drops into my serum foundation and applying it like a tinted moisturiser. With such an affordable price for a versatile product, this is definitely one to add to your list.

5. The Ordinary Caffeine Serum , £6.10

What can I say about The Ordinary except for, I LOVE it.

From the price to the packaging to the overall effectiveness of the products, I think it’s the perfect intro into skincare. As a brown woman, I suffer from hyperpigmentation especially in the under-eye area and after years (and i mean, YEARS) of trying different products, I can quite confidently say that this is one of the few products I’ve seen a massive difference after using.

Caffeine is an antioxidant that not only perks up the skin, it’s also a vasoconstrictor as well, stimulating circulation and helping with reducing puffy eyes and dark circles.

After using it consistently ever AM and PM, I’ve noticed a difference in both the puffiness and discolouration to the point of being able to freely go out without concealer. Now, thanks to lockdown, I’ve been pretty lazy with my skincare which is when I realized how my under eyes have changed because of the lack of use. *writes on to-do list*