top 5 Daily serums that do it all

The question I’m most often asked (after “What breed is your dog?”) is; if you had to buy one skincare product, what would it be? I’m cautious to recommend stuff without having seen the person’s skin to see if it’s similar to mine because I’m no expert, but I thought I’d put together a list of the daily serums and moisturisers that made a jaw dropping difference. For me a decent serum is the staple in a skincare regime so it’s definitely where I’d start.

I use serums in place of a moisturiser, I know it’s recommended to do both, but personally I prefer them and find using both is a bit much for my skin. Especially if I plan to use an SPF or a primer for make up on top of it – if I added in a moisturiser I’d just be a hot mess. Water based products tend to do better for me anyway, plus once I’ve got my SPF on for daytime my skin can’t really take much more…

So you can get an idea of what these products do, here is what I need from a serum: I need to feel moisturised, I don’t want it to be sticky, it needs to blend well with make up quickly after application (as I get ready in a hurry). I have combination skin; it needs to tackle dry patches and a greasy T zone. I am also (unless managed) prone to open pores and congestion around my nose and chin. Oh, and hormonal breakouts and the fact I’m 36 going on 76. So yeah… I ask a lot.

1. L’Occitane Immortelle Serum

I’ve just realised this is going to be tricky to write as all 5 of these products really are quite special, you’d do well with any of them. But firstly; L’Occitane’s entry. I discovered the product when we worked on its launch. We challenged influencers to try it out and post results after a day, a week and a month. I kid you not it was the easiest project ever because they all looked incredible. We used a mix of skin types, ages, skin tones and it worked on every single one of them. Everyone looked just that bit more alive, as if they’d been buffed. One of the girls in my team at the time now has it shipped over to Switzerland because she loves it that much. My Mum’s best friend swears by it. Every time I use it for a week or so I start to get compliments and it’s firmly in my pre-wedding arsenal. It makes you look like you’ve had a holiday, is the only way I can think to describe it. 

2. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

When you work in the beauty industry, even when just loosely like I do, you have a surplus of products. It’s inevitable as you need to try quite a lot. If I had a £1 for every time a friend has asked if I had any “spare” Advanced Night Repair, I’d be writing this from Aruba. The truth is, I never have any spare. I need it all. Because this product really is a winner for aging skin, if you need to tighten and brighten this really is the one. In fact the whole ANR range is brilliant – see also their eye patches which will erase the worst of late-night-induced sins. It’s a real treat, feels delicious on the skin and has an incredibly distinct smell. I’m an enormous fan – and there rarely is a serum review that doesn’t include it.

3. Murad Vita C Glycolic Serum

The Murad team sent me their Vita C serum to try when I was moaning about pigmentation after a holiday. I get a rather unfortunate dark patch over my lip which really doesn’t look that great and leaves me feeling really self conscious. I’d even been to a dermatologist who told me I’d been doing the exactly wrong thing to treat it; I’d been trying to scrub it off (which was never going to work as the darkness is in a deeper layer of skin, so all I was achieving was scrubbing away the lighter skin on top, making the problem worse). The Murad stuff worked, and was significantly cheaper than the prescribed stuff I was given (which in truth also worked but was £200). Whilst I always get caught out and after the first sunny day start my summers crying over looking like the leader of the Third Reich, Murad does come to the rescue. A mixture of Glycolic, Vitamin C and some very technical formula that means it can go deep into the layers of skin I need it to – it’s a real confidence booster.

4. Beauty Pie Japanfusion Genius Lift Elixir

If you have a Beauty Pie membership, make sure to add this to your basket next time. The Japanfusion range has a cult following but this is the one product I’m 100% with them on (the others for me are a little too moisturising, perhaps better for drier skins). It has all the buzz ingredients in it; hyaluronic acid for moisturising, grape extract for repairing – and something called “Jabara fruit” which is very good for hyper pigmentation. I’ve been using this on and off since its launch and really can’t knock it – especially with the £8 price tag!

5. Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

For people (like me) who struggle with pigmentation this cult product is one to try. I was recommended it by a friend of mine who was trying to clear her skin before her wedding and had very strong dark patches (particularly in photographs) on her face and neck. She used this stuff religiously, twice a day, for a month and she completely erased the problem. Suitable for sensitive skin types (another friend with very bad eczema also uses this) and reformulated this year to ensure it meets all bunny friendly and sustainable goals. Just in case they have any offers when you visit their website, also check out their grape face spray (I call it “face wine”) which works miracles on tired, dry skin – or as a barrier when travelling. I always carry one on flights.