3 Serums That Transformed My Mum’s Dull, Ageing Skin
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned on the Beauty IQ Expert podcast a few serums that I’m convinced were genuinely responsible for the incredible change I’ve seen in my mum’s skin, and, well, let’s just say it went kind of viral.
More than nine thousand of you liked the video, and over ten thousand shared it.
Note to self: people love a skin transformation, and my mum should probably consider Skinfluencing.
As the mother of a beauty editor, she gets one of the best job perks: free beauty products.
Honestly, her face is my constant visual proof that skincare works, and not only that, it can have a very visible effect on signs of ageing.
With the right formulas, visible results, even in the age-defying department, are absolutely possible.
I’ve seen the change in real life, and so have other family members. Her complexion looks brighter and more even, she appears plumper, her lines look softer, and some stubborn pigmentation has faded.
While I haven’t tracked every product I’ve given her, I do know three serums from the past year that I genuinely believe changed her skin.
Now, I know it’s really hard to tell in pictures, but I've witnessed the change IRL and can truly see the difference every time I look at her face. Even other family members have noticed and complimented her on how great her skin is looking too.
The three main changes I’ve noticed are, first, her complexion looks noticeably brighter and more even (which in turn has made her look healthier and glowier).
Secondly, a bit more plumpness, lines softened, and the most striking one—some of her stubborn pigmentation has faded.
Over the years, I’ve handed her everything from potent vitamin Cs to retinols and my biggest mistake? Not keeping track of every single product I’ve given her.
But I do know of three serums she’s used in the last year (as well as an eye product I’ll have to share in another BIQ) that I genuinely think have changed her skin.
Read on to find out more about the three serums I’m crediting for doing the heavy-lifting in transforming my mum’s complexion.
1. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex.
How it changed her skin: Made fine lines appear softer and made her skin look more plump.
Fast facts:
- A day and night repair serum that promotes hydration and radiance while targeting the signs of ageing.
- Helps boost collagen production for firmer-looking skin.
- Boosts the skin’s natural nightly repair process.
- Has over 150 five-star reviews.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
After trying the iconic Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum myself for this article, I noticed my skin felt noticeably softer and more velvety after two weeks of use.
However, I decided to then pass it on to my mum (my favourite real-life skincare case study) as I didn’t have the chance to truly put it to the test because I had to move on to another product and I felt like I didn't see a huge change in my skin.
About a month later, I found myself staring at her mid-conversation, completely distracted. “Your skin looks smoother… plumper… kind of like you’ve aged backwards? And, your fine lines look a little softer, what's the last serum I gave you?" and she showed me an almost empty bottle of ANR.
Here's a picture of what my mum's skin looked like before (on the left) and on the right, around the time she was using the ANR serum:
It just goes to show that it’s a cult fave “anti ageing serum” for good reason, especially as it's been remastered over the years with an even more elevated age-management formula.
Some more Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex reviews:
"Purchased this a month ago and it's quickly become my holy grail product. I use it almost every night and my skin has totally transformed - fine lines on my forehead have improved so much, my skin looks radiant and hydrated and feels so soft and nourished. Even my partner has noticed, and that's saying something! It's an investment but totally worth it." - AB customer MB.
"I recently received this as a sample and now I will be investing in this product permanently. It lives up to the hype. It feels great on my skin and absorbs beautifully. My skin feels brighter and firmer and I can see why people have been raving about this for years. There is a fragrance and it can take a little getting use to but not too overpowering. There is a reason this is a cult product!" - AB customer CA.
2. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum.
How it changed her skin: Dialled up the radiance A LOT and left her with a more even-toned, glowier complexion.
- A best-selling vitamin C serum known for its unparalleled efficacy.
- Helps to reduce visible fine lines, brighten dull skin, and stimulate collagen production.
- Has advanced antioxidant protection.
- Has over 400 five-star reviews.
- Best vitamin C serum for dry skin but also ideal for those with normal, combination or mature skin types.
- Particularly suited to individuals concerned with discolouration, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness or elasticity.
Since adding this God-tier vitamin C serum to her routine, my mum’s skin has never looked more radiant or unified.
She's also always had a bit of pigmentation, melasama on her cheeks as well as some dark spots, and I truly believe this serum helped fade a lot of it (this is the even tone I speak of):
The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic isn’t just a cult favourite—it’s the gold standard, with a well-earned reputation for brightening dull skin, evening out tone, and visibly turning the clock back on skin.
It’s also a ride-or-die for seasoned beauty journalist and Beauty IQ regular Sarah Tarca, who swears no other vitamin C has lifted her glow game quite like this one.
A few years ago, my mum’s complexion was definitely looking more dull and lacklustre —but now, it looks healthier, more luminous, and (I swear) like she’s ageing in reverse.
And that doesn’t come as a surprise when you know that this serum powered by a formulation of the two most potent and stable forms of vitamin C: ferulic acid and L-ascorbic acid.
We have over 400 five-star reviews on our site alone for this vitamin C. I would say this is one of the best vitamin C serums for anti-ageing and brighter skin.
Here's just a couple more SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic reviews:
"This is definitely a splurge, but I really saw the payoff. My skin looks brighter, firmer, and more even when I use this consistently. The smell isn't amazing, but I've learned to ignore it because the results are hard to match." - Rima.
"This is the best thing that I have used for pigmentation. I have been seeing a dermatologist for years over pigmentation on my face and I have had many prescriptions from Kojic acid to hydroquinone and used many over the counter vitamin C, and a plastic surgery friend recommended this product and I will continue to use it forever more. It has made the most difference and it doesn't burn or irritate my skin. So so good." - Natnat78.
3. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum.
How it changed her skin: Made her skin look firmer and more youthful.
Fast facts:
- A unique first step serum that preps and hydrates stressed out skin to help unveil your natural radiance.
- Hydrates, nourishes, and firms.
- Powered by Sulwhasoo's MASTER COMPLEX™ - "takes the previous golden ratio of herbal ingredients and upgrades it with the power of Ginseng to create a formula that is now stronger than ever, that work to improve overall texture, tone and boost moisture."
- *Based on an independent consumer perception study of 539 women, ages 22-56, after 4 weeks", 98% Agreed skin felt moisturised and hydrated - 98% Agreed skin felt softer - 96% Agreed it helped boost effects of skincare products used in next steps - 96% Agreed skin appeared to have a healthy glow.
We've previously covered the power of ginseng in skincare for its age-management properties.
And if there’s one brand that’s turned ginseng into a glow-inducing art form, it’s Sulwhasoo.
Despite being one of Korea’s most luxurious (and pricey) brands, I’d argue it deserves far more hype.
I reviewed some of the range here and my skin had honestly never looked glowier or bouncier (see image below), so when I was kindly gifted a second bottle of the famous first care serum that sells every 10 seconds in Korea, I passed it on to mum and within weeks, her skin looked visibly firmer and smoother.
It's been said that this probably doesn’t pair the best with those with sensitive skins or perhaps acne skins but if you have super tough, resilient skin (like my mum) and you’re looking for a powerful K-Beauty anti-ageing serum, I definitely recommend this one.
Some more Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum reviews:
"This serum has been amazing for giving my skin that healthy, radiant glow. I use it both morning and night, and it has really improved the overall texture of my skin. My skin feels smoother and more plump. It's not heavy, so it layers well under moisturiser, and it's become a staple for keeping my skin youthful and bright." - Matilda.
"I received a large-ish sample of this in a recent adore beauty order and I've since purchased a bottle. It has a light and Luxe feeling, my skin is hydrated and doesn't go red by the end of the day. I use morning and at night, I switch between this serum and the Estee Lauder advanced night repair. Will always repurchase." - Codey2292.
Watch this space for more of mama Razi's skincare reccs!
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