Routine Checkup: Spring Serum Edition
Featuring rose PDRN, retinal, and triple vitamin C.
My spring skincare routine is still a work in progress. I’m trying to find my new favorite moisturizers, but my serum lineup is truly phenomenal. Here are the formulas I’ve been loving and think you will adore, too:
☀️ Oliviaumma Jelly Vitamin Brightening Serum
After running out of the Abib, I needed a new morning serum. This triple-vitamin C one from Sephora’s newest brand addition turned out to be the perfect one for spring. They both have a jelly texture flecked with capsules, but melt onto skin in very different ways.
The Abib one left my skin with a jelly-like film of glycerin-y moisture, which I loved for the winter. Oliviaumma’s formula starts as a bouncy gel flecked but liquefies into a barely-there consistency. I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks, but my skin is visibly brighter and bouncier, helping me maintain my no-base-makeup-needed complexion vibe.
When to use it: Every morning
Where to find it: Oliviaumma or Sephora, $48
🌹 Haruharu wonder Rose PDRN Firming Serum
Last year, Haruharu wonder’s ultra-milky Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum was my top retinoid pick. This year, I can’t get enough of the K-beauty brand’s Rose PDRN Firming Serum. Formulated with retinal not retinol — don’t get it twisted — this tennis-ball-yellow, creamy gel formula is more powerful than its predecessor but still incredibly gentle and non-irritating.
I wrote about the difference between the two retinoids for HHW. Yes, they paid me to write that. But they aren’t paying me to plug it here, I swear. I just really, reallllllly love it for keeping my skin glassy and happy.
When to use it: Every other day or every three days, depending on what your skin needs and how it tolerates retinoids
Where to find it: Amazon or HHW, $22
✨ Banu AHA + BHA Blemish Control & Exfoliating Serum
I still break out after all these years post-puberty, so I’ll take any help I can get. This milky gel formula clears up even my peskiest pimples overnight. I wish I had this when I was a teen!
It’s spiked with salicylic acid (BHA) and mandelic acid (AHA) to kick nastiness out of pores while preventing dark spots from forming. Plus, allanoin helps calm irritation and support skin healing, so that heavy-duty acid combo never leaves my skin dry and flaky like old-school salicylic acid treatments.
Not dealing with breakouts? Well, this serum is still an amazing formula to consider adding to your spring skincare routine. It’ll keep your skin naturally luminous and your pores free of skin-dulling dead skin cells, excess oil, and debris. Think of retinoids as washing your floors, while acids are like vacuuming.
When to use it: Once a week or as needed, if you’re dealing with an active breakout
Where to find it: Banu or Sephora, $50
OK TTYL!!
Dev