When Suzanne LeRoux came to Vert Beauty last month for a ‘Meet the Maker’ I couldn’t resist popping in to see the creator of the adorably packaged line I first tried back in 2011. They’ve expanded since then hatching a few cult faves and a big following for their Ecocert skincare that’s easy to use and great for those wanting to tackle skin concerns safely. I was recommending this serum to a friend the other day when she admitted she didn’t really know what a serum was. Good question. Do you? Some cool facts about everyone’s fave skincare splurge follow a OLO review of what I bought at the event including an eye balm that has me obsessed.
Vitamin E Eye Balm $49 With the consistency of soft shea butter, this eye balm is the best of the bunch. I emulsify a tiny (and I mean tiny) amount between my fingers and pat it all around my eyes before bed and when I wake up I can still feel a slight slip. It’s not for daytime or under makeup, but this mix or organic butters, oils, and plants is exactly what my skin needs to soak up over night combating crow’s feet and dryness. I’ve had several friends pick this up on my recommendation and they all rave. Having a ton of moisture around your eyes is a total no-brainer, especially a safe option like this one.
Easy Does It $29 I forgot how much I really loved this one-size-fits-all cleanser that’s so popular that they sell it in a giant family size to also be used on kids as a body and hair wash. The scent of fresh, bright apple and honeysuckle is invigorating without being ‘perfumy’ and the non-drying gel foams up into a rich lather that cuts dirt and makeup easily.
Love Springs Eternal $75 Their signature serum is also their most expensive because it uses top notch actives like green tea seed oil, (meadowfoam seed oil is their carrier- it’s more beneficial to the skin than Jojoba and just as acne-friendly), along with watermelon and date seed oils, and sea algae. Each targets skin concerns like moisture loss, firming, and relaxing of fine lines. It’s not a rich oil so it’s best suited for skin that’s acne-prone, combo, normal, or just those who prefer lightweight hydration without a greasy feel. I consider my skin to be normal/combo and it’s not enough hydration for me, so I layer a cream over top when I use it at night to get its benefits and also stay hydrated. Which leads me to..
What Is A Serum?
First, I’m not talking about serums that contain mysterious chemical crap that has no value or true purpose. I’m talking about organic, real oil-based serums like OLO which are typically made up of 2 parts- essential oils and carrier oils.
Carrier Oils:
Are made from nuts, seeds, and kernels- the fatty parts.
Provide the base for the serum and are typically the first or second ingredient listed.
Don’t evaporate
Are vegetable-based
Coconut, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Rosehip are popular ones, here’s a full list.
Essential Oils:
Are made from leaves, bark, roots, and flowers- the parts that have a scent.
They evaporate.
They provide the skin healing, balancing, and improving aspects.
Tea Tree, Lavender, Rose, and Neroli are just a few but there are tons out there. THIS is a great list that also gives huge insight into each one.
The carrier oils are the heart of the formula and full of rich, fatty, vitamin packed goodness. I’ve learned which ones my skin likes (jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip) and which break me out (coconut, safflower) so I usually know what might cause problems before I buy it. (This is a good thing to check out on the serums you loved and ones you didn’t so you know going forward what works best.) Essentials are where you get the ‘personality’ of the serum- soothing, redness-reducing, calming, skin-clearing, etc.. Because essential oils are too potent to use directly on the skin, carrier oils dilute them and ‘carry’ them in a way that’s easy for the skin to absorb and ‘use.’ If you want to seriously geek out on essential oils, and also learn why the cost of serums vary, check out THIS article on how the oils are extracted which I’m fascinated by. All oils aren’t created equally which is why I stick with serums from companies I know are making products responsibly (like Ecocert OLO) so when I do invest, it’s in something that I trust will benefit my skin.