TOP SKINCARE PICKS: Serum Reviews

After about a week of receiving my Instagram poll responses from a lot of my friends and followers, I am finally putting together the list of the most mentioned product lines and curating a review. TBH, I do not have the funds, the time, or the patience to try every single one of these products. I did include my regimen and the products that I use/why I like them!

Facial care is not something that I have always taken seriously…but age, gravity, and practically being a walking Pringles slogan—Once You Pop, The Fun Don’t Stop (except replace the chips with children)—I have found that there’s really only a few things I can do to manage the changes my skin will continue to endure. I had to implement and stay dedicated to a daily regimen. The other option? Injections. It’s a personal preference! I am not better than anyone who chooses to go under the needle or the knife to improve their skin. But if there’s a regimen I can stick to that will prolong the appearance of youthful, bright, and smooth skin…I am ALL IN! So today, I am honing in on all things serum and how I fit it into my regimen.

My regimen is as follows (I’ll dive into the specific products I use in a separate blog post):

MORNING REGIMEN

Cleanser

Serum

Eye Cream

Moisturizer

NIGHT REGIMEN

Makeup Remover/Cleanser

Serum

Eye Cream

Moisturizer

Let’s talk serums! Three years ago, I would not have been able to tell you what the hell face serum was…let alone how or why people use face serums. So let me explain…

When I did my homework about serums, I kept reading that a multi-step regimen is just not for everyone, but that applying serum after cleansing and before moisturizing is a crucial step in targeting skin concerns! They are packed in nutrients and tiny molecules that cling to and penetrate your skin much more effectively than moisturizer. I also want to note that serums are generally very lightweight—their consistency is much thicker than that of moisturizers—so they really shouldn’t replace moisturizers. Their purpose is to replenish your skin of the nutrients and vitamins that it may be lacking. So before choosing a serum, it’s important to know what exactly you are wanting to target. My main concerns are breakouts, elasticity, and overall dullness/discoloration……….so basically everything. I have a lot of friends who were blessed with nearly perfect skin! Like…the kind of skin that you stare at while they are talking…thinking “DOES SHE EVEN HAVE PORES?!?” Oh well. We were all uniquely created, and I have accepted that my kids could make a game out of connecting the dots and spots on my face. SO FUN!

Moving on. Here are the serums from product lines that were mentioned the most in my Instagram poll. I did not include ALL because I wanted to narrow the list down to the highest rated products.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum ($88)—my choice

BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C + AHA/BHA SERUM

Applied day and night, after cleansing and before moisturizing. I use this serum because it’s all natural and it targets skin dullness. It gives my skin a glowy appearance and breaks away dead skin cells that cause dull discoloration. My skins overall texture has improved dramatically since adding this serum to my da/night regimen. It is packed with antioxidants, which is a HUGE contributor to restoring radiance. Here is a full list of its ingredient and a more detailed description of this product. The price is not ideal, but this is what works for me!

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum ($80)

Targets dark spots and wrinkles. Like Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Serum, this all natural product is loaded with antioxidants that fight against toxins/environmental stressors and washes away dead skin cells. Also like Tata Harper, it’s expensive! But the reviews on this product are extremely promising. So many users rave about its ability to restore their skin’s surface, leaving their face radiant and glowing. Something super interesting about this product that stood out to me was that it stays active for up to three days! So…you’re getting more bang for you buck! It is suggested that this product be used in the morning, after cleansing and before moisturizing, and that its antioxidant activity is most effective and preserved if refrigerated after each use. Click here for reviews and a full list of ingredients.

TULA Illuminating Serum ($68)

Okay yall…TULA is ALL THE RAVE amongst Instagram influencers right now. Although I only have one TULA product (which I will talk about later), I have to believe there’s proof behind this beloved skincare line. All the influencers who use this line and share How To videos have the most healthy, radiant looking skin! I know there are some skeptics out there, but the reviews on this line are pretty convincing. This serum targets dark spots and dull skin. Its price is a bit more appealing than the aforementioned serums, but might still be steep for some people. This all natural serum is hyped up by its users because of its ability to visibly even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Can be used morning and night, after cleansing and before moisturizing. Click here for full list of ingredients.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ($34)

Although I am not a Mad Hippie, my sister in law uses some of their products and she loves them! Loaded with Vitamin C and E, this serum targets wrinkles and discoloration. The hyaluronic acid ingredient helps to replenish what we lose naturally as we age, so this product is said to help plump up the skin! Price won’t break the bank. I think this little dude is worth trying. Click here for full list of ingredients.

La Roche Posay Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($30)

I had never head of this skincare line until a friend mentioned that she uses a lot of their all natural products! I’m glad I looked into it because the ingredients they use are very similar to the ingredients in the products I use, but La Roche is a fraction of the cost. Goes to show that a a less expensive product do not always mean it’s less effective! This serum contains the same main ingredient as the Mad Hippie serum—hyaluronic acid. It targets aging and sulking skin, and provides rich moisturize beyond the surface of the skin…can’t have enough hydration! One thing about this product that I was not pleased about was that it contains fragrance. I have super sensitive skin, so I try to stick with products that are fragrance free if they are going to be applied to my bare naked skin. This helps me avoid breakouts. Click here for full list of ingredients.

Like I said, I have not personally tried all of these serums. I do think serums are important to use to adequately nourish our skin with the nutrients that its screaming for! I included what I read in user reviews. If any of you have feedback about any of these serums or other serums that you love, leave your comments below!

Thanks for following along. Stay tuned for my next blog post about cleansers!