We Rate These Budget-Friendly Active Serums For Dark Spots, Dullness, Lines & Pores
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.
IT Cosmetics are mostly known for their cult makeup products.
From the beloved IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream 60ml and IT Cosmetics CC creams, to their Bye Bye concealers and pore-minimising powder, you could say we're big fans of the brand in the AB office.
But did you know IT Cosmetics also does targeted active skincare?
Well, now you do!
In fact, the brand went and made a posse of serums tailored to your specific skin concerns.
You have a vitamin C! A niacinamide! A glycolic acid and a hyaluronic acid!
Just pick your player!
These serums are each targeted to help manage the appearance of skin concerns like dark spots, dullness, skin texture, fine lines and enlarged pores.
They're also dermatologist-approved and clinically tested for sensitive skin.
And just when you thought they couldn't get better, each one is under $55 for a 30ml bottle!
Keep scrolling to meet these new IT Cosmetics Bye Bye serums so you can figure out which one(s) can help with your skin concerns.
Oh, and I'll share my review of the IT Cosmetics serum that spoke to my skin.
1. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dullness Vitamin C Serum.
What:
- A brightening serum that revitalises skin tone and protects skin from free radicals.
- Is formulated with 15% pure vitamin C and antioxidant vitamin E.
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skins, with a vegan and artificial fragrance-free formula.
You'll love this serum if:
Dullness, uneven skin tone and the look of hyperpigmentation are concerns of yours.
This serum is perfect for those who want antioxidant protection, as well as a clearer and brighter complexion.
Layering a vitamin C serum like this one under your SPF in the morning is a great way to maximise your free radical protection.
Vitamin C and niacinamide play well together, so add a niacinamide serum to your evening skincare routine for even more help shifting stubborn dark spots.
2. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Niacinamide Serum.
What:
- What is the IT Cosmetics niacinamide? It’s a serum for all skin types that brightens and improves skin clarity.
- It also evens out skin tone, and works to reduce the look of dark spots.
- Contains 4% niacinamide and 1% ethyl vitamin C, a stable from of vitamin C, along with antioxidant vitamin E.
You'll love this serum if:
Your skin is prone to dark spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (aka the little marks left behind after a pimple).
Niacinamide is a workhorse ingredient with loads of great benefits for the skin, from evening out skin texture and reducing the appearance of pores, to controlling sebum production and fading the look of pigment.
Again, niacinamide is a great companion to most serums.
You can use a niacinamide serum like this one in a skincare routine alongside hyaluronic acid serums, vitamin C serums and exfoliating acids.
3. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
What:
- A daily hyaluronic acid serum that hydrates dehydrated skin, and plumps the look of fine lines.
- Contains 1.5% hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin B5 (panthanol).
- Is suited to all skin types, including sensitive.
- Leaves your skin feeling softer and more supple, and can be used both morning and night on cleansed skin.
You'll love this serum if:
Fine lines feel more prominent lately, or you have dehydrated skin in dire need of moisture.
When skin is dehydrated and lacking moisture, fine lines and wrinkles appear more pronounced.
Using a hyaluronic acid serum like this one will help retain water in the skin.
Think of it like how a good drink of water can plump up even the thirstiest of Peace Lily indoor plants.
This serum can slot into any skincare routine.
A good option for those looking to address the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and also want to improve hydration.
4. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum.
What:
- Contains 10% glycolic acid, plus hydrators glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
- Gently exfoliates the surface of the skin, reduces the look of pores, and smooths, refines and hydrates skin.
- The formula is suitable for all skin types (including sensitised skin, but always patch test first), plus it's vegan, non-comedogenic (so won’t clog your pores) and artificial fragrance-free.
- A consumer study found eight out of 10 users saw smoother, softer skin after eight weeks of use, with visible results after one week.
You'll love this serum if:
A more refined skin texture sounds appealing.
Confession: I work in beauty, and until very recently, had never tried a glycolic acid product.
But I now know glycolic acid is beneficial for anyone with dull or uneven skin texture, enlarged pores and blackheads.
You can read this very helpful Beauty IQ article ‘Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid: Which One’s Better for Your Skin?’ if you want to dig a little deeper, or watch our YouTube video below.
Being a combination skin-haver, this serum spoke to me the most.
Here's my IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum review:
The consistency looks a little sticky when you first drop it into your hand, but once you gently pat the serum into your skin after cleansing, there’s no stickiness or tacky residue.
I felt a very slight tingle the first night I used this serum.
(And yes, you should only use exfoliating products at night, and always wear your sunscreen in the morning!).
I'm assured this is normal for exfoliating serums, however, if your skin is irritated or compromised, hold off using any exfoliating products until your skin feels a bit better.
Here's what my skin looked like by day five. Not bad, eh?
I can't speak to long term results just yet, but after a week of using the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum 30ml I could see my skin looked slightly smoother and more refined, which is really exciting.
As for my pore size, I haven't said 'bye bye' yet, but considering the accessible price of this serum, I'll keep using it to see what happens!
So, Which Serum Should I Use?
Whichever one contains ingredients that are best suited for your skin concerns.
Here's a quick recap:
- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dullness Vitamin C Serum 30ml covers you against free radical damage, and can help with skin radiance.
- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Niacinamide Serum 30ml is great for managing dark spots, skin texture and clarity.
- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml will be for you if it's hydration and plumping you're after.
- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum 30ml has you sorted with exfoliation to refine skin texture and minimise the look of pores.
And finally, are the IT Cosmetics serums good?
The Bye Bye serums range is designed to target different skin concerns, without breaking the bank, so we’d say a confident yes.
For more on IT Cosmetics products and glycolic acid, check out these articles:
