Hydrating but not a moisturiser. Watery, but not an essence. A face serum is packed with vitamin-charged goodness, with tiny, potent ingredients that absorb quickly and deliver powerful antioxidants that protect and perfect the skin. Editor Trudi Brewer shares her faves are all under $50.
Image BeautyEQ
The skin firming serum
Essano Needle-Free Filler Concentrated Serum, $34.
There are some gems in the supermarket, and the Essano is one. Their latest serum is stacked with copper peptides; one acetyl hexapeptide 8 is known as a non-invasive alternative to Botox. Essentially it binds water to the skin, boosting firmness and elasticity, while sodium hyaluronate (derived from hyaluronic acid) locks that moisture in.
The skin clearing serum
AVÈNE CLEANANCE WOMAN CORRECTIVE SERUM, $49.
The latest corrective serum from a French pharmacy brand helps reduce blemishes if you suffer from a breakout. It refines an uneven skin texture with a combination of active ingredients. First glycolic and lactic acids help speed up your skin cell turnover and clear blackheads by tightening the pores. Then, the plant extracts Synovea, a stable form of linoleic acid, which is the gold standard in gentle skin lightening and is clinically proven four times more effective than hydroquinone. Finally, P-Refinyl from lentil seeds leaves a matt finish on the skin and helps tighten skin pores.
The Eye Serum
Boost Lab Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum, $35.
This affordable and effective serum helps blur the signs of fatigue that lead to wrinkles, dark circles and puffy bags, with a host of peptides (proteins) micro-algae, sodium hyaluronate, zinc and magnesium, as well as the AHA, citric acid from fruit that has a gentle exfoliating effect on the skin. All those good ingredients in a fragrance-free, lightweight liquid-like gel that absorbs in seconds.
For skin brightening serum
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% Alpha Arbutin 2%, $22.
Combining their low price point and some awesome potent ingredients in one effective formula, this serum is fab if you have dull skin or brown spots. With two stable forms of brightening ingredients include, vitamin C and alpha arbutin, in an anhydrous (water-free formulation) it brightens without the risk of irritation. It’s best applied after water-based serums, facial oils, and rich creams.
The ultra hydrating serum
Neutrogena Hydra Boost Serum, $30.
You can trust the high-tech formulations from Neutrogena. Our skin drinks, this lightweight serum, boosted with micro and macro hyaluronic acid to flood the skin’s surface and penetrate deep into the skin, giving your skin hours of moisture.
While pro-vitamin B5 and prebiotic technology help strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier, keeping that moisture in and nasties out.
The nail and cuticle serum
Revitanail KERATIN Strength Serum, $24.
If you haven’t invested in this serum for your nails, get to it. Stacked with the very thing your nails need to stay strong and healthy, protein and a clever keratin peptide will transform damaged nails and dry cuticles. It’s on our desks, and we massage it daily - even over our gel polish.
Ideal for Christmas gifting.