The days are getting lighter and warmer and I’m already thinking about my summer glow up. On the horizon, I see radiant and blemish-free skin that makes my complexion shine on minimal makeup days and sunny holidays. My personal ethos is that this all starts with skin prep. As a skincare lover I’m always on the lookout for multi-tasking products that deliver actual results, without any application hassle. Lots of other people feel the same, which, I imagine, is why search volumes for azelaic acid have surged dramatically in recent months.
This molecule has long been making waves in the beauty industry and has become a non-negotiable in millions of skincare arsenals across the globe. It is a workhorse that helps skin issues through five distinct biological pathways: antibacterial, anti-keratinising, antimelanogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The most coveted azelaic acid product among beauty editors is Dr Sam's Flawless Brightly Serum. Trust me, I work with enough of them to know which products they reach for time and again.
Created by the brand's namesake, Dr Sam Bunting, who is a UK-trained medical doctor with over 15 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology, the serum is a "daytime warrior for complexion brilliance", says Dr Sam. She started the eponymous, science-backed brand in 2018 as a counter to the hundreds of other brands that she views as overcomplicated, poorly formulated or too harsh for sensitive, breakout-prone skin - music to my ears.
Her science-informed ethos is that you need just four simple steps to achieve visible skin results; cleanse, activate, hydrate and protect. This serum is the all important step two of this regime. The unique blend of 10% azelaic acid with niacinamide, bakuchiol and vitamin C aims to tackle multiple concerns (such as acne, rosacea and pigmentation) in just one application a day.
Unlike many actives that can irritate sensitive skin, azelaic acid actually improves tolerance over time, so it pairs well with almost every other ingredient out there. Dr Sam shares: "I'd be hard-pressed to meet someone who wouldn't benefit from azelaic acid in some way." With this in mind, I put it to the test.
My review of Dr Sam's Flawless Brightly Serum
My first impression of the serum was how effortlessly it absorbed into my skin, sitting beautifully beneath the rest of my skincare and layering seamlessly with the rest of my routine. It felt weightless yet nourishing, creating the perfect base without any heaviness or residue. I can imagine this will be much welcomed as the weather gets warmer in summer.
After just a couple of days of consistent use, my skin had a noticeable glow and felt generally clearer and more even. Plus, I found I was experiencing much fewer active breakouts. An added bonus was how flawless my makeup started to look, a benefit I can only attribute to introducing this powerhouse into my daily beauty regime.
What do other beauty fans say about Dr Sam's Flawless Brightly Serum?
I'm not the only one raving about this powerhouse serum. One review on Dr Sam's website reads: "This is definitely calming my flare up of hormonal acne. I will continue to use and look forward to continued results." Another user raved: "I have been applying this product every day since it was released and my face has never been brighter or clearer. It's my best skincare discovery to date."
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