Superhero serums: Find the right one for your skin
Superhero serums
Superheros
Here's how serums work, in case you missed the memo: The highly concentrated formulas (you might say the triple espressos of skincare) are made up of a combination of active ingredients — vitamins, antioxidants and plant extracts — and are designed to take aim at specific skin conditions (acne, dry skin, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging, to name a few). Unlike moisturizers, which can sit on top of your skin, serums are finer formulas that easily absorb and penetrate deeper into the epidermis. It's easy to sneak one of these powerful elixirs into your routine: Massage a few drops onto your skin after cleansing, let it absorb, then apply your moisturizer, sunscreen or night cream to help lock in the benefits. Remember, a little goes a long way.
Target: Aging skin
Two separate formulas in this double serum are preserved in a high-tech pump so that when they mix together, magic happens. The result? Thanks to 20 plant extracts, the look of wrinkles and fine lines is diminished, and skin looks more even-toned.
Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate, $85.
Target: Acne
This organic skincare line is a favourite of spas and eco-conscious beauty buffs. Blemish busting astringents willow bark and tea tree oil are paired with the famed herbal remedy horsetail to calm inflammation and irritation. You can feel it working after just one drop.
Éminence Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum, $56.
Target: Dull complexion
Okay, this is splurge-worthy. Right from the start this pearly liquid adds a glow to tired, dehydrated skin. Its essential oils add plumpness and the look of youthful radiance that we all dream about.
Lancôme Absolue Sublime Regenerating Oleo-Serum, $190.
Target: Sagging Skin
Apply this peptide-rich gel (peptides are one of the building blocks of collagen) over your face and neck. This hard-working formula is safe for sensitive skin. Even better, it does an excellent job of supporting the skin's structure and tightening up the jiggly bits.
NeoStrata Firmalift Firming and Tightening Serum, $62.
Target: Crow's feet, puffy eyes and dark circles
We admit to being just a bit obsessive when it comes to eye products. Not only does this serum smooth wrinkles, it also soothes and protects the delicate skin around eyes. Vitamins, peptides and a cocktail of botanicals are some of the star ingredients jam-packed into this little tube.
Dermalogica Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum, $65.
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