A fun fact I've learned about myself recently is that if you promise me a really good skin care tip, then I will follow you into the abyss without question. This epiphany came to me on a recent overnight trip to Hamburg, Germany, as I tried to glean the secrets of a certain, much-hyped watermelon face mist. While everyone around me was busy scanning the ingredients list to figure out what made it smell so good, Glow Recipe cofounder Sarah Lee discreetly tapped me on the shoulder. In hushed tones that hinted at paradigm-shifting information, she whispered that she had a new invention to show me, something that I had to see in person. "No one else has seen this yet," she added, as if I needed another reason to abandon ship.
Naturally, I didn't have to think twice about that one. In a matter of seconds, I had vacated the premises and was covertly following her to another room, where she unveiled a multifaceted glass bottle that glimmered invitingly.
"It's a pineapple!" I cried. (I become stunningly eloquent in the presence of serum greatness.)
Let me rephrase: The latest launch from Glow Recipe is not a pineapple, but it does resemble one. Pineapple-C Bright Serum, which goes on presale tomorrow (April 1), is the brand's take on vitamin C, an ingredient that's known for being difficult to stabilize. When exposed to sunlight or air (or not properly formulated), it can break down quickly, transforming from hero ingredient to basically useless.
Of course, Lee and fellow cofounder Christine Chang, are well aware of this fact—which was the first thing I clarified while cradling my tiny, pineapple-esque prize. Chang explains that the formula contains three different forms of vitamin C, in order to "maximize both the potency and stability." The duo worked with their lab to create a blend of pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a more stable vitamin C derivative (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid), and natural vitamin C derived from pure pineapple juice. That said, you'll still want to store this with the cap screwed on tight, far away from direct sunlight.
Keeping those caveats in mind, I spirited my precious bottle back to Berlin, with thoughts of glowing results speeding me on my way. Lee promised me that I would attain "glass skin" using only one or two drops at a time, citing a term that I've been whispering in my sleep ever since trying the 11-step regimen that turned my face into a translucent, poreless masterpiece.
While you can apply the serum twice a day, every day, people with sensitive skin types (like me) might want to start off slow. In that case, Lee and Chang recommend starting off three to four times per week (postcleanser, premoisturizer, and always under SPF during the day), then slowly increasing the frequency. Aside from the vitamin C cocktail, it also contains two other categories of ingredients that balance each other out. The included 22 percent pineapple juice is rich in natural AHAs and bromelain enzymes that gently exfoliate dead skin cells to give your complexion a polishing, brightening effect. The catch is that all this resurfacing can dry out and irritate your skin, so the other half of the formula is designed to simultaneously soothe and hydrate.
"We saw this with the double serum trend in Korea, where our friends would pair a vitamin C serum with a hydrating serum," explains Lee. Their idea was to streamline those two things in a single bottle by adding hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe gel, and chamomile extracts.
In the days following that fateful meeting, I've been diligently treating my face to two drops of the serum, three times a week. It easily claims the prize of best-smelling product in my entire arsenal; as soon as I unscrew the cap, the scent of fresh, sweet pineapple juice floods the air. I'm enamored of the texture too, which goes on slightly sticky at first but then vanishes in a weightless layer.
My face is still plenty dewy, thanks to my previous experiments with the glass-skin routine, so I can't say that I've noticed any drastic improvement. What I can report is that I've seen this serum successfully maintain my hard-won results (a brighter complexion, reduced hyperpigmentation, and pores that appear smaller), which is good enough for me. I swap it in for the Peach & Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask, since it's an easier step. Instead of doing a 15-minute peel a couple of times a week, I increase the frequency of application but don't have to sit around waiting for this to do its job. I just slap it on and go. It's gentle enough that it hasn't triggered my rosacea or caused any dry patches to crop up. Plus, the sunny golden hue and irresistible scent are half the reason I willingly get out of bed on weekdays. My daily routine already involves way too many steps, but I'll happily make room for any product that can accomplish that.
