I’ve been manifesting so much recently and it is changing my life – shout out to Francesca Amber and Law of Attraction Changed my Life Podcast! I spend so much time watching stuff on my phone that actually that isn’t going to make me rich and successful. What do we get from looking at so much on our phones 24/7? Anyways, I am not here to tell you how rich and successful I am going to be (or am!). I am getting back onto blogging because those whole 3 blogs I did, I really enjoyed every minute so I have no idea why I stopped. I’m going to blame COVID because it’s the excuse of the world right now.

I want to talk about serums and if you’re serious about skincare, then you need to be serious about serums! Serums are what is going to give you results. They are a thinner, stronger concentrate of ingredients which deal with the shit your moisturiser won’t. Wrinkles? Get a serum. Pigmentation? Get a serum. Dull skin? Get a serum. 

You get the idea. Get a serum. Cleanse, tone, SERUM, moisturise. Serums don’t replace your moisturiser, understand?

Serums are expensive, but that’s because they do what they say they do. Ok I’m not saying every serum is going to give you insane results because it may take you some time to find your holy grail, but they will give you much better results than a moisturiser on it’s own. They deliver powerful ingredients deep within the skin, penetrating further than your moisturiser. 

Serums treat your concern, moisturisers treat your type. 

My top picks!

Estee Lauder Advance Night Repair 

The UK’s number 1 selling serum! Although don’t be confused by the word ‘night’, this is to be use morning AND night! The formula is patented until 2033 meaning no other company can copy it’s formula so this baby is one of a kind! It is suitable for all skin types and is oil free meaning those oily gals don’t need to fear it. It tackles all skincare concerns such as ageing, uneven skin tone, dryness, loss of firmness etc etc etc. IT DOES EVERYTHING. 

Honestly though, I have a love hate relationship with this serum. For me, it’s fragrance free and I live for a product with oozes boujee’ness. When I come to the end of a bottle, I don’t miss it. But then when I get another bottle, I love it again. We have a rocky relationship, it’s nothing personal, there’s just other serums which I prefer and LOVE. 

Price starts from £60 for a 30ml which is expensive but it tackles everything you need a serum to tackle so for me, I think it’s great value for money!

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

OH. MY. GOD. My favourite serum in the whole god damn world. I feel emotional when this comes to the end. It smells like I am smothering my face in cold, juicy, fresh oranges which wakens the skin and makes you feel SO fresh and clean. It combines exfoliating acids to help remove dead skin cells and vitamin C which brightens the skins revealing a brighter complexion from the first use. It also contains banana powder inspired pigments which help protect the skin against pollution and assists in the brightening process. If your skin is dull, tired and needs a kick of hydration, then this needs to hit your basket right this second!

50ml is £53 which is a STEAL. 

Pixi Clarifying Serum

If you suffer from breakouts, this is the serum for you. It contains salicylic acid which tackles those little bitches that aren’t welcome on your face. 

I use this when I’m having a breakout hormonal camp out on my chin. It is generally quite rapid at clearing up the area when I apply 3/4 times over a period of 2 days. 

For £26 for 30ml, it really isn’t a bad price for a product to become your breakout hero product. Deffo one to keep with the time of the month products for sure! They do a whole range of clarifying products in the Pixi range which I haven’t tried but given this product has delivered what it promised, I would be intrigued to try the other products in the range!

Elizabeth Arden Capsules

I’m yet to find a serum as silky smooth as Elizabeth Arden. Honestly, it’s like applying liquid silk to the skin. They do a range of different capsules such as vitamin C, ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid. The only issue for me is the capsules are a little bit gimmicky and a faff. I mean just put it in a bottle and be done with the capsules.

I have tried the vitamins C, the ceramide youth activating and the hyaluronic acid capsules and LOVE them all. My skin feels fresh and brighter after the first use and I will not be without them. No7 recently brought out a similar concept but they didn’t do it for me. I felt they dragged and was like putting glue on my skin. I went straight back to the Elizabeth Arden version because for me, they’re a 10/10. 

They are around £73 for 60 capsules which if you use it twice a day, that’s only a months worth. I tend to use these in the evening and another serum in the morning just because I can’t justify a £73 monthly expenditure on one serum (especially when I like all the range!!)

Wishful Thirst Trap Juice Serum

Wishful was created by Huda Kattan who founded Huda Beauty. It’s the skincare range which has really taken off! This serum was created because Wishful released a face mask called Thirst Trap Cocoon mask which quickly hydrated skin in just 15 minutes. People went crazy for the serum that infused the mask so Huda launched a bottle of the stuff in its pure form, no mask needed!

I bought this because I just love products that hydrate my skin and for £43 for 30ml, it was worth trying! Its infused with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and hollyhock rose which really gives your skin a drink of the good stuff, leaving you with plumped, hydrated glowing skin! This is your perfect winter serum!!

No7 Protect and Perfect

So this product shot to fame in 2009 when I appeared on a BBC programme. It had been shown to effectively reduce wrinkles and leave your skin feeling and looking firmer in 2 weeks – pretty insane claims for a product as cheap as this! It contains antioxidant complex which helps protect the skin against future ageing as well as pro-retinol which supports the skin’s renewal process to reduce the appearance of ageing. 

For £25.95 (and usually on 3 for 2), this product has stats which shows it delivers and is a perfect start for a first time serum user. The product goes on the skin nicely and does soak in without leaving a sticky finish! My only downside to this product is that it is in a tube so there is no control on how much you actually use!

The Ordinary

As a brand in general, these are brilliant and one serum I will ALWAYS have with me is the hyaluronic acid 2%. It’s priced at £5.90 and is one of the highest (and deffo the cheapest) percentages of HA on the market. If you want basic skincare that just does what it needs to do, then ordinary is your gal. 

Niacinamide is great for reducing pores. Alpha Arbutin is great for pigmentation. Buffet is a cocktail of different ingredients to target ageing and caffeine solution is great for reducing dark circles. You can pick these up for a couple of ££ each and layer them to target your concerns. It is recommended you do not combine vitamin C and niacinamide just because they effectively cancel each other out and is therefore a big fat waste off your hard earned dollar!

I’m always looking out for a new serum to try just because there is a vast amount on the market! These are a few that I have tried and tested and learnt to love. I’m yet to try a Clinique serum which is surprising given how much I LOVE the brand! Maybe I’ll add that to my next shopping list… 

Let this be your sign to go and treat yourself to a serum and report back to me the results!

Good luck!