Here's why WH beauty editor can't get enough of Shiseido's cult serum
Serums, aka, the heavy lifters of your routine, are the skincare product I'm asked about most. Generally pricier, some almost criminally so, remember you are playing the long game with a higher concentration of ingredients that are tirelessly toiling away to give you glowing skin.
So what's my stock answer after working in this industry for over a decade and testing the best part of 200 serums and counting? Shiseido Ultimune Power Concentrate, of course.
It sounds hyperbolic, but for me, this serum is great skin bottled. It's had several upgrades over the years and each time It Just Delivers. There is a reason it's won 238 Beauty Awards since it's launch, including here at Women's Health.
'What's so good about it', you ask? Well firstly, it doesn't contain any ingredients such as retinol or AHAs, that are known to peel off the top layers of the skin, and can weaken the skin barrier in the short term. This is great news if have skin that's more sensitive than inflight wi-fi. Equally, if you do like using vitamin A or acids, then this works perfectly alongide those ingredients as a brilliant bolt on.
Shiseido Ultimune Power Concentrate is powered by eight botanical ingredients that include Rosella extract, Heart Leaf, Iris, Reishi Mushroom, Lotus and Gingko Biloba. So far, so natural, right? But here's where Shiseido have teamed plant power with esteemed Japanese lab work.
If you're interested in the nitty gritty, then here's how it works; clinical testing of these ingredients showed that they encourage the formation of langerhans cells and enhance the function of existing ones. If you're thinking langer-what now? These are immune cells activated by the body in response to external cell damage and UV light. They're essentially your skin's first line of defence to prevent damage and repair existing damage. They protect skin in the same way a bouncer protects a nightclub from the local riff-raff.
Now, the real super power of langerhans cells is that they help defend skin cells against internal harm caused by stress before it has a chance to impact your complexion. Shiseido's research shows that it's key ingredient reishi mushroom gets them going.
Applying this serum does the same for your skin as going to a relaxing yoga class does for your mind and body in that your ready to get through your workload calmly and in a better place to bat off stress. Honestly though? You won’t care about how the science works; like me, you’ll be too busy admiring the results staring back at you. Think rested, healthy and bright; all the adjectives you'd want your skin to be associated with.
As for how it looks and feels? The thin white liquid has a faint floral scent that's highly addictive and shoulder-slumping. It dries in about 7 seconds and is easily layered with other products. It sits perfectly under my favourite SPF (Trinny London See The Light) as well as makeup, thanks to its silky finish that almost doubles up as makeshift primer.
Ultimately, 'superhero skin-saver' is a term that gets bandied about too often in this industry, but in the case of this serum it's absolutely warranted. Want my advice? Run, don't walk.
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