A new serum to get really excited about

I’ve seen a surge in new products lately and my bathroom countertop seems to be getting more and more crowded by the day. Surprisingly, everything I’ve been trying has been pretty awesome—to the point that I’m having a hard time squeezing everything into my already jam-packed skincare routine, which is why I’m planning on taking inventory this weekend and creating mini treatment-product regimens that I can pick and choose from.

One of the newest additions to my collection is AZN Labs’ Afterglow Ampoule, which launched this last Monday (although I’ve been using it for about a month now). At first I thought this was going to be yet another oil-based serum that would deliver a slew of beneficial ingredients (which isn’t a bad thing—but isn’t exactly anything new) but once I tried it I realized I was completely wrong.

Combining traditional botanical K (Korean) beauty ingredients and formulation technology plus the antioxidant astaxanthin that’s all the rage in J (Japanese) beauty, I’ve never experienced a texture quite like Afterglow Ampoule’s. Somewhat of a hybrid between and oil and a gel, it glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue. It also instantly leaves skin feeling tighter and looking significantly healthier and more refined—and the improvement in fine lines and wrinkles is pretty major.

But back to the astaxanthin, because this ingredient is no joke. Sourced from rainwater microalgae (but don’t go splashing puddle water on your face, please), it has been found to be 6,000 (yes, 6,000!) times more potent than vitamin C. The formula includes other super-antioxidants like ubiquinone and ferulic acid, plus arbutin, camellia extract and so much more—which means uneven skin tone, loss of firmness and other visible signs of aging don’t stand a chance. (And it has a nice, slightly peachy scent.)

Afterglow Ampoule also plays nicely with other products, and I haven’t experienced any pilling, even if I’m in a rush and apply additional products in rapid succession. All in all, this serum turned out to be a real gem that has made an impact on my skin and my overall skincare regimen. It’s a winner!