Looking For the Right Serum to Address Your Skincare Concerns? Michelle Wong "Lab Muffin" Offers Her Insights on Skincare & BOOST LAB’s Affordable, Targeted Serums.

Michelle Wong - How To Shop Serums Based on Your Skin Concerns

Skincare is all about picking the right tools to do the job, and that means using the actives that target your skin concerns. BOOST LAB’s affordable, targeted serums are a fantastic option if you're looking for something that gets the job done with effective concentrations of active ingredients and minimal extra fuss.

For premature ageing

Ageing is fine and normal, but overexposure to harsh elements of the environment can make your skin age faster than it should. The biggest culprits here are the sun and pollution. 

If you're seeing (or hoping not to see) fine lines and wrinkles on your skin, retinol should be on your radar (as well as a good sunscreen, of course!). Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that's an anti-ageing superstar - this powerful active can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone and texture, making your skin look plump and fresh. Since it can degrade when exposed to sunlight, it's best used as part of your evening routine. 

Your BOOST LAB serum: Retinol Night Renewal Serum has retinol as well as the related Granactive Retinoid, which can give similar effects with less irritation. 

BOOST LAB Night Renewal Serum - Michelle Wong

Peptides are also a key part of a good preventative routine. Peptides are short snippets of proteins made up of amino acids, and they can have a variety of effects on skin - most commonly, they can reduce the appearance of common signs of ageing like crow's feet and fine lines.

Your BOOST LAB serum: Multi-Peptide Anti-Ageing Serum has two powerful anti-ageing peptides: Syn-Ake (dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate) and Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) along with Pollustop, an active that forms a shield against pollution.

For congested skin

Does it feel like you can never get rid of clogged pores? Do little bumps appear under your skin at the drop of a hat? Congratulations, you probably have congested skin! 

You'll want to add an exfoliant like lactic acid to your routine. This alpha hydroxy acid gently encourages dead skin cells to slough off, leaving you with smoother, brighter skin and clearer pores.

Your BOOST LAB serum: AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum contains 15% lactic acid-arginine complex that's gentler than lactic acid on its own, but still has a similarly powerful effect (15% lactic acid-arginine complex is equivalent to 10% lactic acid). 

You can also add in some niacinamide. Niacinamide is vitamin B3, and it's a great evidence-backed ingredient for supporting congested, oily, sensitised skin (irritation can contribute to blemishes). 

Your BOOST LAB: Vitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum contains niacinamide along with Pollustop to shield against pollution, and zinc PCA for oil control.

For uneven skin tone

If your skin has uneven patches of pigment, you're looking for brightening actives like vitamin C. Yes, we're talking about the same vitamin you find in oranges! As well as being vital in your diet, it has many skincare benefits - vitamin C can reduce the appearance of dark spots, leaving you with a brighter complexion. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin against environmental damage. 

Your BOOST LAB serum: Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C that's associated with less irritation than traditional vitamin C (which is potentially more powerful, but can be too much for skin to tolerate). There's also niacinamide and humectants, a great combination for supporting sensitive skin.

For thirsty skin

Dry and dehydrated skin looks and feels rough and tight. Your skin might be naturally prone to drying out, or it can be triggered by the environment (excessive sun exposure, cold dry weather, heaters). 

If your skin needs a giant glass of water, a humectant like hyaluronic acid can deliver. Humectants hold onto water and slow it from evaporating off your skin, so it stays hydrated. There are different types of hyaluronic acid in products - lower molecular weights of hyaluronic acid has smaller molecules that can sink deeper into skin and hydrate there, while higher molecular weights can sit on top and form a film that locks in moisture.

Your BOOST LAB Serum: 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum has low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to infuse well-rounded hydration into your skin, as well as moisturising panthenol and red algae extract.

BOOST LAB Hydro Boost serum - Michelle Wong

I have my serum, what do I do now?

Incorporating BOOST LAB lightweight serums into your routine is easy! Massage a few drops of serum into your freshly cleansed skin, then follow up with any other serums you're using, a moisturiser (if necessary) and sunscreen (in the morning)

Want more? Check out Michelle on Instagram via @labmuffinbeautyscience or tune in to Skincare School, a brilliant new podcast by our friends over at Adore Beauty.