Here at Harleh, we truly believe in the power of skincare, not only for its physical appearance benefits but also for the mental self-care moments it provides as you take a moment out of your day to pamper your skin. Navigating the world of skincare products can be challenging, especially with so many brands making bold claims about their products' efficacy. Today, we want to simplify things for you. Let’s start with serums.
What is a Serum?
A serum is a skincare product designed to deliver concentrated benefits to target specific skin imperfections such as fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dullness, and more. Serums typically have a runnier texture compared to moisturisers, allowing for more effective absorption into the skin. Each serum is unique, and we like to refer to this part of the skincare routine as your "targeting product."
Where Should I Start with Serums?
Each skin is different and the target serum will depend on what skin goals you have in mind. Our strong focus for today is on the main three vitamins that your skin just shouldn't live without: Vitamins A, B, and C.
Just like the alphabet, let’s learn our ABCs!
Let's Start with Vitamin A
The umbrella term for all forms of Vitamin A is retinoid, but the most common forms of retinoids you’ll find in skincare are retinol or retinal. They may have different names depending on their molecular structures, but these are the most common forms. Both retinol and retinal can help accelerate skin cell regeneration (cell turnover or skin metabolism) and collagen production, reducing fine lines, aging signs, pore size, and blemishes. They can also help regulate oil production in the skin.
Vitamin A is our all-rounder ingredient that works for all skin types, benefiting everyone. It consistently boosts cell turnover, giving you fresh, new skin, and stimulates collagen production to keep your skin firm and bouncy. Plus, it’s the only FDA-approved ingredient for treating acne, so you know it’s legit!
Using Vitamin A regularly will smooth out your skin, make fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable, and fade those pesky dark spots and scars. It’s not just hype; it’s scientifically proven magic! Every skin type needs Vitamin A, but finding the right match is key. We’ll help you choose the perfect retinol product tailored to your skin’s needs.
Some of our top picks for certain skin types...
Aging skins - Click here
Red skins - Click here
Pigment skins - Click here
Breakout skins - Click here
Not sure if the above options suit you? Get in touch for a free online consultation
Now Vitamin B…
Vitamin B 3 (more commonly known as Niacinamide),6 & 12 are commonly seen in lots of skincare products. This vitamin has countless benefits for the skin which is what makes it one of the skin's most favourite vitamins.
Vitamin B regulates sebum (oil) production in all skin types. This means that in dryer skins it helps to stimulate the pilosebaceous unit to produce more oil, and in oily skins, it reduces oil flow. It also reduces trans-epidermal water loss leading to increased hydration levels within the skin, while supporting healthy barrier function of the skin. Think of B for B happy, B bright, B Balanced, B beautiful.
Vitamin B also helps to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or post-inflammation, and long-term use reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and softens the skin! What more could you want from an ingredient so kind to our skin?
Some of our top picks for certain skin types...
Aging skins - Click here
Red skins - Click here
Pigment skins - Click here
Breakout skins - Click here
Not sure if the above options suit you? Get in touch for a free online consultation.
Thirdly, Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredible antioxidant that helps to protect the body against free radical damage and UV damage. What does this mean? Reduced appearance of premature aging and pigmentation is what it means! Think of Vitamin C like sunscreen, it will offer you a protective layer from pollutants in the air similar to a sunscreen layer protecting you from the sun!
Vitamin C can reduce pigmentation, brighten your skin's complexion, improve skin tone and texture, plump up the skin and promote healthy oil flow. It encourages collagen production, so paired with vitamin A which is a collagen stimulant, it makes a great serum assistant!
Vitamin C is best suited to dryer, mature skin types. Now, if you are an oily, breakout-prone skin type you may have heard Vitamin C can cause breakouts. This now comes down to what form of Vitamin C you are using as it stimulates oil production which can lead to congestion. However, with the correct use of an antioxidant serum best suited to you, expect no breakouts!
Some of our top picks for certain skin types...
Aging skins - Click here
Red skins - Click here
Pigment skins - Click here
Breakout skins - Click here
Not sure if the above options suit you? Get in touch for a free online consultation.
& just for fun... below we have listed just some of our FAVE serums coming into the colder seasons!
Nina
Cosmedix Remedy oil. It's my favourite product I can’t live without it. The delicious essential fatty acids, avocado, vitamin E and antioxidants nourish my skin morning and night making my skin feel plump smooth, hydrated and super dewy under my foundation which I love as this is hard to achieve as you get older.
Maddy
Multi B Plus Serum is my absolute favourite for every day! It has helped improve my cystic acne and teenage skin which often experiences breakouts. I always notice a difference in hydration and redness when using this product.
Nikki
Cosmedix Define is my product I can not live without this time of year. This serum is a multi-tasking anti-aging serum with retinol + AHA, a beautiful creamy texture with a tingle. As soon as I wake up my skin looks and feels brighter, smoother and more hydrated.
Kate
At the moment I can’t live without IS Clinical active serum, it’s completely changed the texture of my skin leaving me with soft smooth skin instead of dry and flakey skin. It keeps my hormonal breakouts away which is amazing. I had insane results in just a few days of using this product, I’m so glad I’ve found an all-around amazing product that keeps my skin clear.
Ro
Autumn this year I love my HydraA cream … my skin feels quite dry at the moment with the cooler weather but I want the anti aging benefits too so rather than my serumA iv substituted that for a cream.
Toni
Multi B - Lightweight, Hydration, Calming & Soothing for breakouts Brightens Firming & reduces appearance of fine lines
Bella
Cosmedix Affirm is a lightweight, nourishing antioxidant serum that's essential in my morning routine. It protects my skin from free radicals and ensures a smooth and glowy base for makeup, even in colder, drier seasons.
Nourishing your skin with the right vitamins is essential for optimal skin health, and that's why we're so passionate about them. However, it’s important to introduce these vitamins correctly! Make sure the brands you choose use chirally correct ingredients. This ensures that your skin can properly absorb and utilise the ingredients as they were intended.
