Health: Serums - helping you stay forever young?

Designed to be worn underneath a moisturiser, serums are packed with any beauty brand’s most cutting-edge ingredients. We’ve tried the hottest buys on the market right now. Here are our reviews.

YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum £80 for 50ml, www.yslbeauty.co.uk “My youth definitely needs liberated, so I was keen to try this potion, which contains YSL’s new “miracle ingredient” - synthetic glycans (natural sugars). After two months of use, I can’t say that my lines have softened particularly, but my skin is perfectly hydrated. It’s also great for wearing under make-up.” GABY SOUTAR

Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum Intense Hydration Wrinkle Plumper

50ml for £90, www.guerlain.com

“It could just be my failing eyesight, but I fancied that the fine lines and wrinkles around my peepers were reduced slightly when I was using this reassuringly expensive unguent. Unlike most serums I have tried, it has a creamy consistency which I felt soaked into my skin, rather than sitting on the surface. The key ingredient is an AquaComplex created by the French brand to revitalise this product, which has been on the market for 25 years. This complex supposedly redirects the flow of water around your skin cells, among other miracles. It’s serious cash to part with for a bit of H20, but I have to say that I did like the results.”

ALISON GRAY

Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Skin Tone Correcting Serum

£46 for 30ml, www.origins.co.uk

“This claims to reduce the signs of UV exposure, primarily dark spots and uneven tone. After using it twice a day for five weeks, my skin has been, for the most part, clear and healthy-looking. As I have one little freckle on my face I have been keeping an eye on it, but so far no change. The herby, citrussy scent makes it a pleasure to include in my daily routine.”

MERCY BREHENY

Pure Lochside Regenerate Pure Face Serum

£45 for 15ml, www.purelochside.com “Without a dispensing bottle it’s easy, and annoying, to find more oil in your hands than you need. But this serum’s dropper allows the user to get the amount recommended (one to three drops). The orange potion features a mix of skin-loving ingredients - frankincense, argan and rosehip oils. Once warmed in the hands, it is applied easily, leaving skin with a healthy glow. Great for complexions in need of a boost.” CLAIRE HAY

Bare Minerals Active Cell Renewal Night Serum

£38 for 30ml, www.bareminerals.co.uk

“This contains stacks of natural ingredients, from “firming extracts” of jujube, maral root and oat, to the smoothing agent of kombucha black tea, as well as Bare Minerals’ own ActiveSoil Complex, plus vitamins E and C. Designed for night-time use, I enjoyed smoothing a pearl-sized drop of it on to my skin of an evening. My skin felt soft after use, and I didn’t need to layer it under a moisturiser.”

KAREN SMITH