Which Serum Should I Use? My Top Two

This weekend, as I drove back from Elfie’s birthday party at Hollywood Bowl, I got ID’d buying a bottle of wine. I was surprised – firstly because I had the look of a shellshocked crime victim, having just spent 2 hours manhandling fourteen 5, 6 and 7 year olds, but also because I am 12 days away from turning 31.

I handed over my driving license, expressing my surprise to the lovely, wonderful man behind the counter. “I have to ask anyone 25 or under” he justified. I could have kissed his face, but after such a stressful day I didn’t fancy getting arrested.

I was too tired to drink my 8 quid bottle of Beujolais Villages that evening, but I did get home and study my face. Thanks to my really strict skincare regime I have very few wrinkles (apart from my forehead, damn my constant winking ;), and I guess this is one of the reasons people often think I’m younger than I actually am.

One of the most important parts of this regime? My serums!

An often overlooked part of the beauty routine, your serum is applied after your toner and eye cream, and before your moisturiser. They’re formulated to penetrate the skin to quickly deliver potent, concentrated and targeted ingredients where it’s needed. Whether you need a bit of extra help in the moisture department, or crave a little more brightness in your skin, there’s a serum for you.

As much as I love to try new beauty products, my serums are one thing that have remained constant for the last six months. And that’s true of a couple of products – I still swear by Clinique’s Take The Day Off (reviewed here), have re-purchased Clarins’s brightening acid toner (see here) and have recently discovered the magnificence that is Tata Harper’s cleansing oil (pricey but worth it a hundred times over). If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and if it makes your face look amazing then keep using it. Profound advice: you’re welcome.

Why is why I’m sticking like glue to these serums, at least until I discover something that works better for me. Though at this point, to make my skin look better than it does at the moment would require a full face transplant from, I dunno, Anna Kendrick. I am THAT confident about it right now.

The first serum I enjoy is Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Complexion Correcting serum (£45). A product that has gained something of a cult status, it uses patented Viniferine to deliver relief from dark spots and a radiant and even skin tone. I use this every morning, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. My skin tone is brighter and more even, and I put this down to such regular use of the Complexion Correcting serum.

A really lightweight formula, a little goes a long way with this product and with once-a-day use I find it lasts me 5 or 6 months.

Left: Caudalie. Right (and a bit invisible): Darphin

My evening serum is one I fell in love with immediately. From Darphin, another French brand, Hydraskin (£28.66 with 33% off at Escentual) again does exactly what it promises: provides an intense shot of hydration exactly where its needed. I apply it as part of my nightly ritual and the first time I used this I woke up with plumper skin, all thanks to its active ingredients of pomegranate and hyaluronic acid. Darphin is a wonderful brand, and for me this is one of its star performers.

Do you use a serum?