dream hyaluronic acid booster reviews

by

dream hyaluronic acid booster reviews

Check out the product here!

Elan Whisper Serum & Hyaluronic Acid Review

Disclaimer: This post features some gifted items I received in partnership with my work with Rare Beauty but this in no way biases my opinion of the brand. I would NEVER recommend something I didn’t love and use myself. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I tried these stunning products by Elan Skincare and expected them to be amazing before I had even tried them. The packaging is beautiful and unique which I feel fits the products and brand really well.

It worked, to a degree. My eyebrows in particular, whilst still a little dry, are noticeably smoother and less flaky (gross). My nose needs some kind of miracle serum to smooth out, but this skin booster definitely did a little something. It’s nothing groundbreaking, I’ve had other products that have worked with similar effectiveness, but for an affordable moisturiser that maybe makes you feel a bit fancy, this is a good shout.

Me+ Skin Boosters: Hyaluronic Booster and Lactic Acid (AHA) Booster Review

I’m quite a basic girl. When it comes to skincare, hand me a product with pipette and I’ll buy it. It feels science-y, like it’s going to work. Obviously it doesn’t always, but for a decent price I’m willing to take that risk.

Enter; Me+ Skin Boosters. Part of the Superdrug family and launched in the latter half of 2019, these 8 skin boosters have been curated to assist 5 different skin benefits; Moisture, Pro-Age, Exfoliate, Calming and Refine. For skincare illiterate’s like me, they’re also colour coded.

Back to my inane belief that things looking science-y mean they will work better, I’m really drawn in by this packaging. The dark brown glass bottle, with the periodic-esque logo and rubber pipette give the illusion of a prescribed product, fuelling my links to effectiveness even further. I know. I’m weird. Don’t come for me.

Me+ Hyaluronic Booster

It worked, to a degree. My eyebrows in particular, whilst still a little dry, are noticeably smoother and less flaky (gross). My nose needs some kind of miracle serum to smooth out, but this skin booster definitely did a little something. It’s nothing groundbreaking, I’ve had other products that have worked with similar effectiveness, but for an affordable moisturiser that maybe makes you feel a bit fancy, this is a good shout.

The big thing here for me is that it doesn’t smell, or feel, cheap. It’s got quite a pleasant non-smell, a little bit sweet, but in no way offensive. But the feel and texture of the Hyaluronic Booster is a dream. It’s thick without being sticky, and sinks in to the skin within a minute or two.

Me+ Lactic Acid (AHA) Booster

The Me+ Lactic Acid (AHA) Booster is one of two products in the Exfoliate range, and with a 5% solution of Lactic Acid, unfortunately is not great for sensitive skin. Luckily for me, the skin on my face is tough as nails, and given I do have some texture concerns, into my basket this went. It’s designed to “loosen away dead skin cells”, which I have in abundance.

As with above, the Lactic Acid Booster has the same non-smell, but is slightly more watery than the Hyaluronic Booster. It sinks in to the skin just as quickly, and again boasts noticeably softer and smoother skin in just 4 weeks. I’m only a couple of weeks in to using this, but I do think I can see a difference. The roughness on the end of my nose and the tops of my cheeks seem smoother, but the real clue is that my foundation seems to be sitting on my skin better.

All round a winner from me!

While I can’t speak for the whole range, if these two additions are anything to go by, I’ll be stocking up on the rest when lockdown is over. They’re vegan and cruelty free, which is an added bonus. At under a tenner per product, you really can’t go wrong with these Skin Boosters, and I’m excited to see if the range will expand to include some other skin benefits. As a bonus, these two products are Vegan and Cruelty Free.

So I introduced this 111skin Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster serum into my routine a few weeks ago and I’m ready to give you my review!

Newsletter

Don’t miss out on new content we publish.
Hey, it could be what helps you find the exact skincare product you were looking for.
We wouldn’t want you missing out on that now, would we 🙂

So now that it’s out of the way, let’s talk about 111skin products!

The founders have spent a lot of time designing their products to effectively accelerate skin repair, even working with ‘space scientists’ for their research. They developed 111skin’s star ingredient, NAC Y2, made up of n-acetylcysteine, ascorbyl phosphate and aesculu/hippocastum extract, a powerful antioxidant complex to treat skin trauma. This active ingredient is at the heart of many of the 111skin products (but not in the serum we are focusing on today, unfortunately).

The range, created about ten years ago, has grown considerably since then. 111skin is known for the quality of its sheet-masks and its treatment ampoule cures, which are its best-sellers.

I think that if I had decided to invest money (yes, that’s the right word given the price of the products!) to try the brand, I would have probably chosen these products.

That said, their serums are also quite popular! And I’m thrilled to have the chance to finally experience one of them.

111skin Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster

With more than 800 five-star ratings on Amazon, this SkinMedica serum is a worthy splurge. The TNS Essential Serum bottle is divided into two chambers that dispense two separate active formulas at once: One is a growth factor that "helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture," per its description, and the other is a blend of peptides, antioxidants, and other anti-aging ingredients that keep the skin firm and protected from free-radical damage. Since it's designed to support your skin's natural regeneration process, which occurs at night, it will be more effective in your evening routine. Plus it contains retinol, which causes the skin to become sensitive to the sun — further confirming its usage as a night serum.  

The Best Face Serums

  • Best Overall:SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
  • Best Budget:The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum
  • Best for Wrinkles: OleHenriksen Truth Serum
  • Best for Dry Skin:Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum
  • Best Anti-Aging:Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment
  • Best With Vitamin C: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
  • Best With Hyaluronic Acid: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
  • Best for Acne: iS Clinical Active Serum
  • Best for Oily Skin:The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum
  • Best Hydrating:Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum
  • Best Night Serum:SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum
  • Best Brightening: Herbivore Botanicals Prism AHA + BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum
  • Best Organic: Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
  • Best Splurge:La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum

Get your skin ready for slathering because after reading this, you'll want to jump right into your skincare regimen.

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

If you've ever spent time on skincare Instagram, you've likely heard of this widely acclaimed serum. It's a pricier one, but thousands of people have deemed it worth the cost. It's a vitamin C serum that has "antioxidant protective benefits," per the product description, and helps combat scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles. Also, in combination with an SPF, it "helps neutralize free radicals induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation (IRA) and ozone pollution (O3)."

With 3,500 five-star reviews on Dermstore, the serum has reviewers praising its ability to brighten, tighten, and smooth. "This one actually works on reducing the discoloration," one reviewer wrote. "It instantly rejuvenated my dull skin," another added.

Best Budget: The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum

Retinol is one of skincare's pricier ingredients, so at just $10 for 1 percent concentration, this Inkey List serum is a steal. Its stabilized retinol releases slowly so as to not irritate the skin. Plus, the formula contains squalane, so it's hydrating, too. 

"Love this retinol! This is my first retinol and I think it's a great starter retinol," said a Sephora customer. "It feels very smooth and gentle on the skin. I've been using it for about three months now and have noticed a difference in my skin brightness and wrinkles."

Shop now: $10; sephora.com

Best for Wrinkles: Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Truth Serum is a longtime fave in the way of vitamin C products, with more than 19,500 likes and a 4.5-star rating on Sephora. Vitamin C and collagen come together to brighten, encourage line reduction, and support the skin's natural elasticity. It gets a hydrating boost from hyaluronic acid, which also aids in plumping wrinkles and awakening a dewy glow. 

"I started noticing wrinkles on my forehead at age 21 and a beauty expert at Sephora recommended this to me," a reviewer wrote. "Three years later at 24, I no longer have those wrinkles because of this product." Another shared, "My skin looks better, dark spots are almost gone, and the hydration is much better."

Shop now: $52; sephora.com

Best for Dry Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum

With hyaluronic acid at its base, this hydrating serum from Peter Thomas Roth instantly quenches dryness while improving the overall health and appearance of your skin. It's formulated with the brand's 75 percent hyaluronic acid complex, which draws in water and locks it in to prevent future moisture loss. This also gives skin a visible plumping, helping to reduce the look of wrinkles and bumpy texture. Speaking of texture, the serum also features silk proteins to further enhance your skin's smoothness and softness — hence the cloud part. 

"This stuff is great," an Ulta shopper raved. "It works to attract and retain hydration. I've tried everything to keep my skin hydrated. I live in the desert, and I have severely dry skin." They added that "it's like a time machine" for how well it softens wrinkles. 

Best Anti-Aging: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment

Good Genes is a lactic acid-based exfoliating serum that leaves skin with a refined glow. Potent AHAs work in conjunction with licorice root, lemongrass, and arnica and prickly pear extracts to brighten, tone, and smooth skin, respectively. This powerful team of ingredients can be used to target enlarged pores, uneven texture, dark spots, and fine lines and wrinkles. For some, it acts as an effective skin plumper and tightener, as well as a remedy for breakouts and acne scarring.  

"[I've] been a makeup artist for 15 years, I'm obsessed with this particular product because of its immediate results," an Amazon shopper said. "It plumps the skin and gives it life." Another wrote, "Daily use for a month or [so] has reduced lines, improved wrinkles and moistened skin."

Best With Vitamin C: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

A plant-based formulation made to treat, hydrate, and protect, this serum is among Amazon's top-rated serums overall. This vitamin C-rich pick boosts collagen, brightens away dullness, and delivers reparative antioxidants directly to the cells so that you can achieve more youthful-looking skin. But its vitamin C efficacy isn't its only highlight: It's free of synthetic color additives, fragrance, and stabilizers, instead consisting of aloe vera, botanical hyaluronic acid, witch hazel, and organic jojoba oil. 

It has a whopping 10,855 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers. One wrote, "With or without makeup, my skin is bright, smooth and my spots are disappearing." Another chimed in: "Two weeks of using this serum, and my 17-year-old tells me I look like I am in my twenties rather than thirties. Fine lines are going away. Acne scars fading. Pigmentation evening out. Even my neck and jawline are smoother. Now my husband wants some for his 'dad neck.'" 

Shop now: $19 with coupon (Originally $30), amazon.com

Best With Hyaluronic Acid: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

This serum goes above and beyond to moisturize the skin with its dual-hyaluronic acid formula. Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid works to plump fine lines, and the brand's HA-Pro Complex penetrates deep into the skin to promote 24-hour moisture retention. This advanced formulation also encourages the skin's natural hyaluronic acid production, meaning less dryness and more dewiness. Ceramides and niacinamide are also present to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent future moisture loss. 

"This is such a soothing, rich product that plumps and adds moisture as well as minimizes the appearance of lines and dryness," shared one Dermstore reviewer. "This is a keeper and a facial care staple for certain."

Best for Acne: iS Clinical Active Serum

If you struggle with acne-prone skin, look no further than the iS Clinical Active Serum. It's formulated with pore-clearing white willow bark extract (which is where acne all-star ingredient salicylic acid comes from) to remove breakout-causing dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. Instead of drying out your skin and causing irritation, it leaves behind a moisturizing blend of bilberry and sugar cane extracts. This effective exfoliation also makes this serum an excellent pick for addressing fine lines, uneven texture, and dark spots. 

"Holy grail of skincare, almost as good as a retinol," an Amazon reviewer shared. "Keeps breakouts at bay [and] heals existing ones. It also assists with smoothing out your complexion, just use it consistently and you will see results." 

Shop now: $138; amazon.com or dermstore.com

Best for Oily Skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum

This little bottle of magic has earned a seal of approval from more than 3,000 Sephora customers. Its strategic niacinamide-zinc combo calms redness, controls oil, and makes pores appear smaller, translating to a shine-free, breakout-free, and noticeably more even complexion. And did we mention that it's only $6? 

"Oh, man, I am obsessed," one Sephora reviewer said. "Within a week of using this product my skin was noticeably brighter, and after three weeks, my oil production is significantly lower and my acne scars are starting to fade." Another remarked, "My Hoover Dam-sized pores have drastically reduced." 

Shop now: $6; ulta.com or sephora.com

Best Hydrating: Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum

If hydration is your main concern, give this ultra-moisturizing serum a try. First stop on the hydration train is Avène's thermal spring water, which instantly replenishes dry skin and relieves the irritation and tightness associated with it. Then, a trio of lipids binds the moisture to the cells to ensure retention and prevent dryness. They also play a role in improving the elasticity of the skin. What sets the Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum apart from its counterparts is its delivery system; both ingredients are housed in hydrating microspheres that are time-released for maximum absorption and efficacy. 

"This is a soothing, moisturizing serum-lotion that absorbs quickly and makes your skin go, 'Ahhhhhhh,'" an Ulta reviewer said of the formula. "It is very lightweight and two dots cover the whole face. I put it on as my last step before makeup. Highly recommend if you have persistently dry skin or skin that appears dry." 

Best Night Serum: SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum

With more than 800 five-star ratings on Amazon, this SkinMedica serum is a worthy splurge. The TNS Essential Serum bottle is divided into two chambers that dispense two separate active formulas at once: One is a growth factor that "helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture," per its description, and the other is a blend of peptides, antioxidants, and other anti-aging ingredients that keep the skin firm and protected from free-radical damage. Since it's designed to support your skin's natural regeneration process, which occurs at night, it will be more effective in your evening routine. Plus it contains retinol, which causes the skin to become sensitive to the sun — further confirming its usage as a night serum.  

"This is by far the best product on the market," exclaimed a Dermstore shopper. "Instant results when applied; my skin looks plumper, fine lines are gone and it gives me an amazing glow. I cannot live without this serum. I've been using it for years. Pricey, but worth every penny." 

PROS: Available in four different shades (so far, at least), this illuminating serum can be used in multiple ways — mixed with moisturizer or foundation for an all-over glow, dabbed onto the high points of the face like a highlighter or even mixed with body lotion to bronze your arms and legs.

JLo Beauty That JLo Glow Multitasking Serum ($118)

PROS: The packaging is stunning. Both Page Six Style editor Elana and Page Six’s senior news reporter Eileen experienced subtle tightening effects after applying this product, though not much in the way of immediate hydration.

CONS: At $118 for 1.5 fluid ounces, this stuff is expensive, and Eileen noticed some slight redness and irritation after using it for the first time. Similarly sensitive-skinned Elana did not, but was a bit bummed that retinol — arguably the gold standard when it comes to anti-aging skincare — wasn’t among its list of ingredients. Could a separate JLo Beauty retinol be coming down the line?

Our price is lower than the manufacturer’s "minimum advertised price." As a result, we cannot show you the price in catalog or the product page.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration/skin replenishing), Hyaluronic Acid (hydration/skin replenishing), Ceramide NP (hydration/skin replenishing), Ceramide AP (hydration/skin replenishing), Ceramide EOP (hydration/skin replenishing), Phytosphingosine (hydration/skin replenishing), Yeast Extract (skin replenishing), Adenosine (skin-restoring), Cholesterol (skin replenishing), Panthenol (skin replenishing), Silanetriol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (hydration), Carbomer (texture-enhancing), Xanthan Gum (texture-enhancing), Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20 (texture-enhancing), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservative), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).