Product name: S5 illuminating serum
For: pigmented skins
Certified: yes (Ecocert)
Texture: cream/gel
Price: £44 for 30ml
My opinion
While I always try to keep my beauty regime simple and easy, the serum is one of my best skin companions. The S5 illuminating serum comes housed in a very clean-cut glass bottle and this is not suprising as I have already reviewed another (wonderful!) serum from S5 skincare (see review here) with a similar sleek look.
This one really feels luxurious to use. Why? Probably because of its texture: really soft, velvety, and in a way that I have never came across before. I would not even call it a serum actually, as it looks more like a white and delicate cream/dew. This texture is achieved by using an aloe vera base enriched with glycerin which gives already very hydrating properties to the serum. Included in the serum are skin lifting ingredients such as Kombuchka proven to enhance skin glow and radiance. In addition, a plethora of herb and floral extracts such as Cowslip, Lady's mantle, Yarrow, Mallow, Peppermint have been added and act as a powerful brigthening complex helping to reduce sun-induced hyperpigmentation. This active illuminating complex is meant to target and downregulate a specify enzyme located in the skin responsable for the production of ageing spots/excessive pigmentation.
So enough of the theory, how does the S5 illuminating serum perfom in practice? After applying it every evening into cleansed face for a good 6 weeks, I can say that the serum is perfect to even out complexion. It gives a little kick to skin regeneration processes and help to unify skin while being really moisturising at the same time.
So I like the performance but I still want to mention a couple of things I like less. Considering the volume, I do find the serum slightly on the pricey side. The tag-line" little goes a long way" could not be applied here. The brightening effect is a tad disappointing as I have not seen dramatic improvement in terms of dark spot reduction. Perhaps I need to wait a little more time. All in all, I am still enjoying this serum very much: the weaker points do not outweight its strong benefits- super gentle, non irritant at all, and really helpful on dull and lack luster skin!
++ unifying and soothing serum
- pricey
Overal rating: 7.5/10
Composition: Aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, aqua (water), caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, Saccharomyces/xylinum black tea ferment, isostearyl isostearate, C14-22 alcohol, hydrolyzed Roe, glyceryl stearate citrate, glyceryl stearate, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Veronica officinalis (speadwell) leaf extract*, primula veris (cowslip) extract*, Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf extract*, Malva sylvestris (mallow) extract*, Alchemilla vulgaris (lady's mantle) extract*, Achillea millefolium (yarrow) extract*, Sclerotium gum, Laminaria ochroleuca extract, lysolecithin, dehydroacetic acid, alcohol**, tocopherol, xanthan gum, pullulan, sodium levulinate, sodium anisate, parfum (natural, low allergen fragance), gluconolactone, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate. *ingredients from organic farming. ** made using organic ingredients.
Get it here.
What do you think? Have you tried this serum?