Serums typically provide intensive targeted care for specific skin concerns, skin types or conditions - more so than a toner for instance. Which is why arguably they're considered a staple product even among the most concise skincare routines. During Winter, the needs of your skin alter, resulting in the need to switch-up your serum to one which is more season appropriate.
Winter skincare isn’t just about topping-up skin with extra hydrating formulations, this period also calls for skin barrier strengthening or repairing ingredients in addition to illuminating dull skin tones which don’t see as much natural sunlight. It’s not a case of overloading skin with products rich in emollients, instead we should be coating skin with conditioning skincare products in gradual layers. Focus on using antioxidants, vitamins and probiotics/ferments to improve the overall health and natural functions of your skin regardless of which skin type you have.
Now we would like to elaborate on 5 of our most treasured Winter approved serums, which supply various skin-nurturing ingredients.
BENTON SNAIL BEE ULIMATE SERUM – £27
A multi-tasking daily serum which supports in the maintenance of the dermis and epidermis. Its versatility serves multiple purposes: moisture replenishment, nourishment and fortifying skin’s protective layer. When used as part of a regular skincare routine, this serum delivers a dense supply of nutrients harvested from Snail Secretion Filtrate (Saccharomyces), anti-microbial tea tree oil and botanical extracts native to oriental regions.
The Bee Venom extract works as an anti-inflammatory, whilst the Oarwood Algae intensifies moisture retention though to the deepest layers of skin. In fact the number of Korean traditional skincare ingredients used to formulate this serum are mind blowing!
IUNIK NONI LIGHT OIL SERUM – £15.50
Noni, is a plant belonging to the coffee bean family. It’s used in this iUNIK Noni Light Oil Serum for its nutritional value, anti-ageing and skin revitalising qualities – providing deep hydration to dry skin and brightening depleted skin types. Noni holds over 200 vitamins, nutrients & minerals; most of which improve skin elasticity and naturally encapsulate antioxidants.
This serum greatly contributes to diminishing the signs of ageing with a complex of natural plant-origin oils from macadamia nuts, jojoba seeds and rosehip. In turn, these oils are also exceptional hydrators which little-by-little seep into skin over the course of a day or night. With 42% glow-boosting Noni fruit extract, skin is sure to look youthful.
ABIB LUMINOUS SERUM MELTING VITA – £39
This is a watery oil serum which brings back that rejuvenating glow to dull and fatigued skin types, which many of us experience during the colder months due to shorter periods of daylight and the use of central heating. It’s antioxidant-rich, packed with Q10 and makes use of propolis extract. It’s unique light watery oil texture blends into skin with little effort. ‘Melting Vita’ refers to the vitamin capsules within the serum which burst upon application to deliver concentrated nutrients. The capsules are miniature and non-abrasive to prevent irritation to sensitive skin types.
This serum doesn’t just hold antioxidants from several plant extracts such as broccoli, tomato, spinach and blueberry – it contains Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) for making complexions more radiant. Other notable ingredients are Soybean extract – a ferment which plays a role in strengthening and protecting the skin barrier, Oats – for conditioning, soothing and brightening effects, and Edwelweiss - a flower which grows in The Alps of Switzerland – it promotes the production of natural Hyaluronic Acid for plumper skin.
IUNIK BETA GLUCAN POWER MOISTURE SERUM – £20
Beta Glucan is a dietary fibre which iUNIK source from mushrooms. In skincare Beta Glucan is an anti-ager: firming and re-plumping skin. Furthermore, it has healthy immune enhancing bacteria. Beta Glucan is 20% more effective for moisture retention that Hyaluronic Acid. This serum contains a staggering 98% worth of Beta Glucan and only 6 ingredients in total! We greatly appreciate this simple yet highly effective moisture boosting serum and firmly believe it is fantastic for incorporating into your Winter Korean skincare routine.
SIORIS BRING THE LIGHT INTO YOUR SKIN SERUM – £28
Near the beginning of this month, we published a blog post titled: ‘Discover Natural, Clean & Vegan K-beauty With Sioris’ – in this we discussed details relating to the skin illuminating benefits of this serum’s superfood ingredients and how it helps with flaky skin. We invite you to read that post for an in-depth analysis of the ingredients.
This time round, we have included this serum in this guide for its hydrating and skin protecting factors. This serum contains a high concentration of Niacinamide, which is crucial for regenerating healthy skin cells which are needed to shield skin from environmental aggressors. We also recognise this serum’s long-lasting moisturising abilities as is contains Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid and 66% organic green plum water: all of which maintain satin-soft skin which is nor inner or outer dry.
Emma Moseley from SimplyEm's Blog