Reform Vitamin C 20% Serum €69.99
Serums with a high concentration of vitamin C can work wonders to brighten skin and gradually erase pigmentation. Current research also shows that vitamin C can also help to prevent sun damage (but please don't dispense with your sunscreen; you obviously need it too). I like to mix pure vitamin C serums with hyaluronic acid serums – such as the ones I pick up cheaply in Aldi – and this mix of ingredients is great for hydration and brightening.
Bryt Nourish Serum Dry to Dehydrated Skincare €23.25
I've been using this a lot since I got it because it feels so rich and comforting on my skin. It's a thick gel-texture serum. A little goes a long way. It absorbs instantly and, because it contains aloe vera and jojoba extracts, it feels cool and refreshing. There is a good dollop of antioxidant vitamins and plant oils in the mix, too.
BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion €55
This is a serum with a story. Come closer and I'll tell you about a herb that grows only on one small island off the coast of Japan that is mineral- and vitamin-rich. The natives call it the Long Life plant, and it was the starting point for this mixture. The ingredients in this serum/essence (it's quite liquid in texture) contain a very high amount of niacinamide. This ingredient is a skincare winner. It can help ageing cells (sorry, that's all of us over 30) to continue to renew, thus delaying wrinkles and keeping skin stronger for longer. This ingredient also helps with acne and scarring.
Declaré €59.50
I've always been puzzled by Swiss brand Declaré and the prices of the products. I do like this serum, as it's very light and fluid in texture. If you layer your products, as I do, you will probably use this as an essence and then put a serum on top. If, however , you have oily or combo skin, you will find that this is all you need. It's hydrating and feels fresh. Most of the hydration comes from inexpensive glycerine and glycols, which is fine, but the mixture doesn't warrant this premium price. It certainly won't "lift" anything, either.
Stop Serum £50 from stopskincare.com
Stop Skincare is a range produced by dermatologists for younger skin. This serum relies on ingredients such as resveratrol and other antioxidants, and it carries a stern warning: put down that bag of sweets because sugar is dreadful for skin. Sugar acts in all sorts of ways to prematurely age and strip skin of suppleness. I find the diet advice refreshing and a good common-sense way to manage expectations. Skincare can't do all the work by itself – you have to watch what you're eating too.
AISLING LOVES . . .
Oskia Renaissance Brightlife Intensive Pigmentation and Dark Spot Serum £85
Without exception, all of the Oskia products I have used contain lots of actives and really work. Actives are the ingredients that actually do something as opposed to hanging around, bulking up the formula. This gloop is the perfect texture and full of goodies such as vitamin C, fruit AHAs and minerals. These ingredients lighten and brighten skin and can diminish age spots and hyperpigmentation. I got rid of my hyperpigmentation by using products such as this. They really do work.
