The expert's guide: serums to know now

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The expert's guide: serums to know now

Searching for the perfect product to supercharge your skincare routine? Look to serums. These lightweight, easily absorbed elixirs ‘deliver high-strength ingredients into the skin with a very small amount of product,’ says London-based aesthetic expert and surgical doctor, Dr. Deepa Panch. Discover our guide to the must-try serums, formulated to target every skin concern.

THE VINTNER'S DAUGHTER ACTIVE BOTANICAL SERUM

If you’re in need of moisture or some TLC for your skin barrier, this oil-based serum is a must-try as it’s packed with fatty acids and plant-based ceramides — two ingredients key for a healthy and balanced complexion. Formulated with 22 botanicals that are extracted from whole plants in a careful process that takes three weeks, its blend of powerful antioxidant-rich oils also help to calm inflammation, refine texture, and protect your skin from external and environmental stressors.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum

Sought-after aesthetic expert Dr. Barbara Sturm has turned anti-inflammatory skincare into an artform by creating products that boast gentle, science-backed formulations to restore and renew the skin — and this serum is no different. Its revitalizing formula boosts elasticity, smooths fine lines and nourishes with an antioxidant-rich cocktail of ingredients including reparative glutathione, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and the botanical extracts skullcap and purslane to stimulate collagen and strengthen skin against damage.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum

This transformative product is on wishlists everywhere for its innovative combination of hard-working actives. Featuring resurfacing glycolic acid, cell-renewing granactive retinoid and cell-repairing ferulic acid, the powerhouse serum should be slowly added into your routine to build up your skin’s tolerance. Use it as little as once or twice a week to target stubborn pigmentation, uneven texture, fine lines, dullness and congestion.

Sarah Chapman Platinum Stem Cell Elixir serum

For skin that’s losing its elasticity, brand founder and London-based facialist Sarah Chapman offers a blend of clinically tested actives to lift and strengthen with every use. Among this serum’s supercharged ingredients are: patented growth factors that plump thinning skin, a retinol derivative to repair cell damage, vitamin C for improved radiance and circulation and omega-rich fatty oils to bolster overall skin health.

Joanna Czech The Soothing Serum

Formulated to calm, soothe and protect, we like to think of this product as a relaxing vacation for stressed skin. Whether you’re repairing a damaged moisture barrier or simply in need of a gentle serum to bolster hydration, this is a must-try product. Created especially for sensitized skin, it’s brimming with ingredients guaranteed to improve skin health and reduce the signs of inflammation, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides and amino acids.

Omorovicza Acid Fix serum

Wake up with brighter, smoother skin when you add this exfoliating serum to your evening routine. It contains three different acids to reveal a glowing complexion and healthier skin. While glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells and promotes renewal, lactic acid smooths texture and salicylic acid decongests pores. Considering this potent mix, the experts at Omorovicza advise only using the serum two to three nights a week, and wearing SPF during the daytime to minimize the chances of sensitizing your skin.

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner serum

This award-winning offering from BeautyStat isn’t just on every beauty editor’s must-have list, it’s also loved by skincare practitioners, with Dr. Panch describing it as ‘a daily essential’. She explains, ‘it contains L-ascorbic acid —the most potent form of vitamin C. And it’s packaged in an opaque bottle with a pump dispenser to minimize the risk of it oxidizing and becoming ineffective.’ Introduce this formula to your day or night routine to target hyperpigmentation, fine lines and congested pores.

Augustinus Bader The Serum

Aside from being a stylish addition to your beauty lineup, this serum has also been tried, tested, and approved for performance and payoff by Violet Grey’s council of industry experts. The lightweight, milky formula combines high-potency botanical ingredients such as rice bran oil, edelweiss and pomegranate seed extracts to give skin a smoother appearance, boost hydration and collagen, as well as promote healing.

Chantecaille Blue Light Protection Hyaluronic Serum

Created with all skin types in mind, Chantecaille’s protective hyaluronic acid serum is a refreshing, hydrating remedy for tired and dehydrated skin. The skin-cushioning gel formula contains a mix of vegan botanicals that deposit moisture deep into the skin, decrease the appearance of dark spots, strengthen the moisture barrier and protect against blue light pollution.

Macrene Actives Neck and Décolletage Treatment

Beloved by Violet Grey’s council of beauty experts, this serum makes a strong case for taking extra time to care for your neck and chest. With each application, it imparts a potent mix of plant-based actives selected to target delicate skin that loses firmness and elasticity over time. You can expect it to smooth fine lines with hyaluronic acid and peptides, strengthen against cell damage with green tea extract and pomegranate extract, decrease redness with coffee seed and bisabolol, as well as brighten with glucosamine, arginine and amino acids.