If you don’t like the way your skin looks, you can change it. As my derm once told me, ‘there are too many advances in skin technology and too many great products out there to settle for so-so skin.’ I agree, especially because there are so many great serums out there to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin. Serums are potent treatments for the skin and what’s not in them is as important as what is. They don’t include the thick butters found in creams which are used to give the skin a soft feel but not to help the skin achieve anything in particular. Good serums are like a straight up vitamin cocktail for the skin infusing it with nourishment and healing so you can get that glowy radiance that you probably once had.
Here are some of the best ones I’ve been testing recently that also get a ton of press and accolades for their ability to transform skin.
Osmosis Stemfactor 1oz $125: Growth Factors are the next big advance in skincare because they use human stem cells which can actually communicate with your own cells to encourage regeneration. It’s pretty exciting stuff, the likes of which has been used for a while now in burn victims to encourage new skin growth. This is the one you get if you’re looking for some serious changes in your skin and you’re seeing signs of aging, sun spots, sallowness, and just an overall blah. It can all be corrected with this super-serum.
Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil .34oz $15: I’ve bought this serum over and over throughout the years, it’s one of my top most trusted products. Sibu’s USDA Organic sea buckthorn oil is from the Himalayas where they’ve been using it to treat dozens of ailments for thousands for years. Made from a nutrient-dense berry that can survive in the harshest conditions, it’s packed with omegas and 190 bioactive compounds. It really helps to fade dark spots and acne scars because it promotes skin healing, but it’s just a great all-purpose skin pick-me-up for any sort of skin issue. It isn’t a ‘dry oil’ so you can feel it on the skin for about 20 minutes until it absorbs, but it won’t clog pores or make skin appear greasy. When I use it my skin looks better, in fact I just bought this bottle today.
Obagi Professional-C Serum 15%, 1oz $70: We all know by now that Vitamin C is great for the skin, but what you may not know is that the type of C used means everything. L-Ascorbic is the most useful form of C for the skin (so say researchers) and the benefits of the vitamin is actually backed up by tons of studies. It has proven to stimulate collagen, minimize wrinkles, and make the skin soft and radiant. If you’re seeing dullness, sun spots, loss of firmness, and dryness, check out a high-grade C.
Kesh Beauty Organic Argan Oil with Rose Essence 1.7oz $40: Argan oils are popular for a reason, they’re light as air, don’t clog pores, and can be used on the hair, face, and body. This beautiful glass bottle contains cold-pressed USDA Organic Moroccan oil, rose essential oil, and nothing more. It will calm sensitive skin, rosacea, acne, and dryness without leaving behind the slightest slip. Best of all is the 2-in-1 aspect. I’ve been using this on my hair (both wet and dry) and face, but I wouldn’t be able to do the same with Moroccan Oil, the stuff that’s sold for hair only because they use other oils and fillers that’s not pure enough for use on the skin.
Eminence Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum 1oz $56: Breakouts don’t need harsh treatment in order to subside. I haven’t used benzoyl or salicylic in a long time when my skin acts up. When I know it’s heading for disaster, I use Clear Skin every night to keep it clear. Willow bark, peppermint, horsetail, and tee tree oils are naturally calming and antiseptic to chase away bacteria and bring inflammation way down. It’s not perfect and and it doesn’t always keep me 100% clear, but it’s better and I’m happy to have skin that’s not peeling and raw on top of being broken out too.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 1oz $50: Activated C, White Birch, and other plant extracts fade dark spots from the sun and melasma without using the way harsh hydroquinone. It’s a best-seller for Kiehl’s that they’re so sure of, there’s a guarantee on it if it doesn’t work after 28 straight days of use.