In the oversaturated world of skincare products, one relatively recent concept is the serum. A serum is basically a liquid vehicle to drive concentrated, potent, and powerful ingredients into the skin, after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing. It’s a step you can add to your skincare situation if you’re feeling like it needs a little boost, or if you’re just craving that new product feeling, without making drastic changes to a routine you already enjoy.
I’ve tested several serums so you don’t have to, and here are a few I can wholeheartedly recommend to the product curious of you out there!
Veriphy Skincare
Veriphy Skincare is a a female-founded and led company dedicated to supporting and uplifting women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and using their knowledge to make standout products. Their scientifically-proven formulas target common skin concerns such as aging, dullness, and dehydration, and claim to provide visible improvements within weeks. Veriphy also uses sustainably sourced, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients, bundled in chic and luxurious packaging – you’ll love lining these products on your bathroom vanity.
I’ve been using the Power Trip Facial serum for a couple of weeks now and so far I am impressed. It’s a gentle, exfoliating and hydrating lactic acid serum that is light and fast absorbing while still feeling nourishing. My skin feels smooth in the morning and cared for by day.
Skinceuticals
When we talk about serum superheroes this one is the leader of the superhero squad. Custom Dose by Skinceuticals is a custom created serum made with Skinceuticals’ branded combination of professional expertise and exceptional ingredients.
I had the chance to experience the Custom Dose serum by Skinceuticals process as well as the resulting product. The Skinceuticals’ skincare professional used what looked like a fancy skincare robot to perform a diagnostic on my face. She used the resulting data to determine which custom dose formula was best for my skincare needs, featuring 14 unique ingredients used to address the look of skin discoloration and visible signs of aging. From the brand themselves, “more than 85,000 lines of code process data from a tablet-led professional skin assessment. 1,227 unique mechanical parts dispense and mix serum. 1,200 rotations per minute yield industrial-quality compounded formulas. 500 subjects clinically tested for product safety, efficacy, and perception. More than 250 combinations of skin traits considered when selecting key ingredients. 49 unique formula concentrations chosen for their strength to address discoloration and signs of aging. 15 highly concentrated key ingredients and counting.” The resulting serum did make my skin feel absolutely incredible; I felt like I could definitely see the difference great ingredients and professional knowledge can do and I loved it.
https://www.skinceuticals.ca/en_CA/custom-d.o.s.e./custom-dose.html
Bella Aura Skincare
Bella Aura Skincare is a sustainable skincare line that uses multipurpose products, eco-friendly packaging made with sugarcane that is also recyclable and refillable and overall sustainable practices to reduce their economic impact and maximise their skincare influence.
I tested out their Multi Wrinkle Minimizer, an 8-In-1 skin-transforming serum designed to immediately lift, firm, tone and drastically diminish the look of lines and other imperfections in one application. This serum claims to make the skin instantly appear tighter and more lifted, providing a visible contouring effect to the face and neck. This serum was thicker and heavier than other formulas I tried, and I realized it was because it meant not only to sink into the skin but to work as a blurring product, flattening out fine lines and other little bumps and blemishes. While the price tag may be heftier than other products mentioned, with Bella Aura you do get several products in one, saving time, counter space and dollars over time.
Stoic Beauty
Chryso Advanced Regenerative Night Serum
Stoic Beauty is a female founded company bringing naturally derived, science backed skincare to the eco-conscious consumer. Co-Founders Dr. Jolanta Wodzinska, an MIT trained organic chemist, and her daughter, Artistic Director Maria Wodzinska, brought their passion for creating and a desire to combine their unique talents and perspectives to the beauty space when they founded Stoic Beauty in 2020. “We are a mother-daughter brand committed to science backed formulation, and all things beautiful: for ourselves, our communities & our water systems. We are keeping up with the latest studies to ensure we avoid ingredients that show ANY sign of being detrimental to water systems. We do this work, so you don’t have to.” – Jola & Maria Wodzinska
When I received the tester products from Stoic Beauty I was immediately drawn to the mystical branded packaging. There’s a little witch in all of us, and I was curious to sample the potions within. The standout product was the Chryso Advanced Regenerative Night Serum with Bakuchiol. A plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol works by promoting cell turnover but is non disrupting to the skin. This serum also contains Frankincense Essential Oil, known for its ability to reduce inflammation and promote cell regeneration. I recommend this serum for those who’ve been nervous to try retinols or have had issues with sensitivity to the product. I woke up with smoother, happier skin.
NusiVo Vitamin C Serum
Skin Optimized Vitamin C Serum
In the words of Dr. Brei, “NuVsio is all about nurturing and supporting the natural function of the skin and making sure that the microbiome and those beautiful bacteria that your skin needs to thrive and look radiant are doing what they are supposed to do”. NuVsio founder, Dr. Elena Brei has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry from the University of Toronto, which came in handy as she developed the unique skincare formula for NuVisio herself. Her endeavors as a PhD researcher in water technology at the University of Toronto allowed her to work hands-on with multiple minerals and conduct microbiome research for water purification, and applying that knowledge to skincare.
Vitamin C is a superstar skincare product so having such a luxurious delivery system for it is great. The advanced Skin Optimized Vitamin C Serum contains one of the most stable forms of vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) at 10% concentration in a highly-absorptive formula. The serum is lightweight and oil-based (no water or preservatives), and is meant to brighten, firm, even skin tone, and reduce the look of wrinkles. The beautiful citrus scent and silky texture made this serum a joy to use every morning and I noticed a brightness in my skin for the duration of my use of the serum. If you’re looking for a Vitamin C serum check out NuVsio and support a Canadian female founded and run company!
What are your skincare superheroes? Share on social @weraddictedmag and @thenadiae!
Nadia Elkharadly
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