Ironic, isn’t it, how as kids we are always excited about birthdays. We proudly say “Oh, I’m 10/15/18 years old now.” Slowly, as we approach the 30s, most of us lose that excitement simply because we are apprehensive about the signs of aging appearing on our face as we grow older. And of course, we try out a plethora of anti-aging products. Some are ho-hum and some are really effective and deserve to be put under the spotlight.
When the lovely Eugenie from Skin18.com had sent me the assortment of sheet masks to try out (read this post), she had also sent me samples of three serums from Ben and Sera which were packaged in cute injections. While I haven’t been able to use the sheet masks regularly because of the shifting and other stuff, I have used most of those serum samples and I loved one so much that I had to write a post on them. Which of the three was my favourite and which one I haven’t used? Read on to know….
Ben and Sera Serums
The three samples that I was sent were:
* Ben and Sera 7 Day Whitening Miracle
* Ben and Sera 15 Days Anti-Wrinkle Taeng Taeng
* Ben and Sera 30 Days Anti-Aging Project
Information on these products is limited and the complete ingredient list isn’t available on the Skin18 website either. These three serums have plant stem cells and peptides that help with cell turnover and anti-aging. While I am not very convinced about how PLANT stem cells help HUMAN cells and skin, I am willing to give them the benefit of doubt because these products work! I have used another Korean cream with plant stem cells earlier (reviewed here) and it was a wonderful, wonderful product so I guess there is something to the stem cell claim.
What these serums DON’T have are parabens, artificial colour, fragrance and preservatives.
The main active ingredient in the 7 Days Whitening Miracle is Arbutin which is extracted from the Cowberry tree and which apparently helps in controlling freckle-forming melanin. While this serum is nice as a normal serum, I didn’t notice any lightening of my sun spots or acne marks nor was there any “lightening” of my skin tone.
The 30 Days Anti-Aging Project is supposed to have a “Whitening” as well as an anti-aging effect on the skin. While going through the product page on the Skin18 site, I came across one word in the ingredient list that totally put me off; PLACENTA. I don’t know who’s placenta (animal or human???) but since that is listed in the key ingredients, I decided not to use it. Personal choice.
The 15 Days Anti-Wrinkle Taeng Taeng is the one I liked the most. It has Hyaluronic Acid and Adenosine as well as stem cells from pea buds and amino acids making it a fabulous anti-aging serum. Though it is recommended for those above the age of 40, I am certainly buying it if I can get the complete ingredient list. I can’t describe it but it has almost immediately visible effects. As though it has air-brushed and photoshopped my face! I do have some fine lines and age spots but thankfully, my face hasn’t lost volume and firmness. And yet, this serum had an instant “5 years younger” effect! Super impressive.
The textures of all three serums are the same; thick, colourless and odourless. They feel a bit gloopy while applying and the from the texture, there seems to be quite a bit of silicone and/or glycerine in it. Just guessing from the texture since I don’t have the ingredients. However, it spreads easily and though it feels slightly sticky for a couple of minutes, one it’s absorbed into the skin, all you have is radiant, hydrated skin.
Ben and Sera claim that you need to use just ONE DROP of these serums because any more would be just a wastage of product and they are right. One drop is enough for the face and I take another drop for the neck. They also claim that this is an all in one product and when I used these, I didn’t use any other toner / essence / moisturiser along with it. Just a sunscreen over it.
Currently on sale at Skin18.com, these serums are priced between $35 – 43. Free samples are available as well where you just need to pay for shipping. If you’re looking out for a good, effective anti-aging serum, then the Ben and Sera 15 Days Anti-Wrinkle Taeng Taeng is one I would recommend.
Have you tried any Korean skincare products? Which is your favourite serum? Let me know in the comments below.
After receiving a sample from Ben & Sera, I began feeling sick, I had a sense of dread, my hands and feet were becoming numb, and my heart raced fast, I called an ambulance and I went to the hospital. I’m fine now.
But you should be very careful about using these products if you don’t know what are the ingredients. I’m guessing that the gel is quickly absorbed through the skin, and I probably had an allergic reaction to some of the ingredients. Be very careful.
OMG! That sounds terrible. I hope you are better now. You’re right, because there are no ingredients listed on these products in English, it is very difficult to know what we are applying on our skin. Thanks for the warning.
The anti-wrinkle serum sounds good!!
i am going to look into the ingredients before using…. not trying the placenta one for sure 🙂
I too have ordered some sheet masks and serums from Skin18.com. But I am kinda apprehensive about using them as I couldn’t find any reviews or info about them online. I hope there is no negative side effects of these serums.
I really don’t know y there is no information on these products on website. And the ingredients you have told ate probably from their site or you did some research on it dollie??