Did anyone else watch the Wizard of Oz obsessively as a child? I did and I’ll admit to watching it at least annually as an adult. I could practically recite the entire film word for word, maybe I still could? I’ll try next time I watch it – probably tonight now that I’m talking about it and getting all nostalgic. You know that scene when Dorothy enters the Emerald City and there’s that horse that keeps changing colour? The Horse of a Different Colour? Well that’s kind of what these serums remind me of. Serums with a different delivery, horses of different colours.
Serum Oils – Oille, Antipodes, Ren
Anyway, I digress because I could talk about The Wizard of Oz all day. So… Serums in oils, oils as serums either way you want to think about it, there’s a new type of serum on the block and it seems that the natural/organic/plant based brands are cornering this market. These serums are meant to be worn underneath your moisturiser and are packed full of the good stuff to really supercharge your skincare. Now I will be frank and state that a few of these serums have been sent to me via PR but obviously my opinions on them are completely honest and if I am being honest, I don’t know that I would thought about purchasing serum oils before being gifted a few of these. But I am so grateful they did, because I am absolutely loving these serums.
Let’s start with the Oille. Clever little name there. Firstly they are completely organic and free of water, alcohol, preservatives, fragrances, refined or adulterated oil, synthetic chemicals and are chocked full of 100% plant based ingredients. I’ve been mainly using the Platinum* version of their Anti-Aging Intelligence Face Serum but it is also available in a 20-30’s* version as well as a 40-50’s* age versions. All three start with the highest concentrations of Grapeseed, Evening Primrose and Cranberry Seed oil and then change up the ingredients for each version giving you the necessary oils for what your chosen serum skin age will need with the 20-30’s serum including geranium, lavender, palmarosa, ylang ylang and lemon; the 40-50’s serum adding in myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood, rosewood, lavender, geranium, rosemary and lemon; and lastly the Platinum version including ingredients rose, geranium, neroli, rosemary, lavender, myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood, rosewood, patchouli, lemon and sweet orange
Personally I like the effects the Platinum version gives me the most, it soothes and nourishes my drier skin throughout the day without leaving any oily residue behind but each version certainly has its benefits. The 20-30’s version I think would suit anyone with combo-oily skin as it is exceptionally light and disappears into the skin immediately on application. The 40-50’s serum sits comfortably between the other two and would be my choice for anyone with skin just on either side of normal. All three serums claim to tone, tighten and help the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Oille is available direct from their website or in Australia at Tonic Skincare.
The New Zealand based Antipodes has been producing high quality skincare since 2006 and is the perfect beauty blend between science and organic ingredients. I had the pleasure of unboxing the Chia and Kiwi Seed Superfood Serum * in the New Zealand edition of the Maslow & Co beauty box (link to previous post here – also if you are wanting to subscribe please use the code BBLOSS and claim yourself a free Pixi Glow Tonic) and I have been blown away from the first application. Rich in fatty acids (the kinds of fat you want to give your skin!) this serum promotes skin health and protects against moisture loss as well as just giving you a plump and juicy complexion. Aimed at all skin types but especially good for dry and dehydrated skins.
I purchased the Joyous Protein Rich Night Replenish Serum in a mini pack which also included the Avocado Pear Night Nourishing Cream after liking the Chia Seed Serum so much. This serum is to be used overnight and is said to increase the skins collagen production and aid in repairing sun damaged and dry complexions. While I haven’t used this particular serum as much as the others, I have liked it the few times I have applied. It intensely hydrates my skin especially when used alongside the Avocado Pear Night Cream. It is suited to normal to ultra dry skin types.
Lastly I have the Ren Skincare Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil to share. While the name doesn’t suggest it is a serum, the directions of applying it underneath your moisturiser implies it – well at least to me it does. This oil has the least fragrance out of all the ones I mentioned, I’d actually go as far as to say that there is no discernible scent to it at all. So for those of you with sensitive noses or skins this one might just be for you. The Vita Mineral Oil has as the name suggests inclusions such as Omega 3 as well as 6 & 9 and Vitamins A & E. This serum is ideal for fighting the ageing process and also for skin renewal and moisture boosting. It is also said to boost the rest of skincare routine. I prefer the use of this one at night, but like all the serums mentioned in this posts (apart from Joyus) they can be used day and/or night depending on your skins needs.
As each one of these ‘oils’ is actually a ‘serum’ I treat them as such and always apply either a day or night cream over the top. But my skin is dry (especially dry at the moment) so if you fall on the combo-oily side you may find them enough hydration on their own .
Tell me, have you tried any of these? Or do you use any other Oil/Serum hybrids? I’d love to know what you think!
*gifted via PR
