In October, beauty editors showcase products focusing on achieving fresh, plump skin. Featured items include Neutrogena’s ‘Retinol Boost+ Intensive Night Serum,’ Dr. Grandel’s Smart Nature Eye Cream, La Prairie’s luxurious ‘White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire,’ and Balea’s affordable Niacinamide Serum. Each product promises unique benefits, from reducing fine lines and brightening skin to improving moisture and managing skin barriers. Editors share personal insights on their effectiveness, emphasizing favorable results amid seasonal skin challenges.
Each month, our beauty editors explore the latest and greatest products that hit the market. This October, the focus is on achieving fresh, hydrated skin. Join Hannah, Lara, Nane, and Julika as they put four standout items to the test.
Better Aging
Product: ‘Retinol Boost+ Intensive Night Serum’ by Neutrogena
Price: €16 for 30ml
Claim: Designed to rejuvenate skin, reduce fine lines, and promote an even skin tone.
Performance: Retinol is a powerhouse ingredient known for its ability to combat signs of aging through enhanced cell turnover. This results in a more uniform skin tone and minimizes the appearance of initial wrinkles. While retinol products can be potent and potentially irritating, I’ve found this serum to be gentle on my combination skin, which can sometimes be prone to blemishes.
Why I love it this October: It significantly diminishes my mild sun damage from the summer months.
Smart Choice
Product: Dr. Grandel Smart Nature Eye Cream
Price: €35 for 20ml
Claim: Formulated with Oat Protect Extract to reduce wrinkles and visibly smooth the eye area, while meadow flower and buckwheat extract aim to decrease dark circles and puffiness.
Performance: Effective eye care for me must absorb quickly while providing all-day hydration. This eye cream checks all those boxes and offers a refreshing effect, especially after sleepless nights.
Why I love it this October: My eye area craves more hydration as temperatures drop, and I appreciate the sleek design of the Smart Nature line, highlighting its commitment to certified natural ingredients.
Luxury That Pays Off
Product: ‘White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire’ by La Prairie
Price: €785
Claim: Aims to diminish age spots and refresh dull skin, providing an elegant smoothness.
Performance: For my pale complexion that loses its glow in winter, this cream is a game changer. It leaves my skin feeling firmer and provides the radiant look I crave during colder months.
Why I love it this October: As the weather cools, my skin can become reactive. However, this luxurious cream was an instant favorite. My skin feels velvety-soft post-application and radiates a healthy glow by morning. Truly worth the investment!
Skin Microbiome Boost
Product: Niacinamide Serum from Balea
Price: Approximately €5
Claim: Promotes skin barrier support while refining the complexion. A blend of 10% niacinamide aims to diminish the appearance of pores and fortify the skin barrier, complemented by 1% zinc to balance sebum levels.
Performance: Typically, I need a week to notice effects from serums, but this one proved effective much quicker. The medium-thick texture dispenses effortlessly with a pipette and absorbs rapidly, avoiding that sticky residue often found with hyaluronic serums. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and significantly reduces redness within just a few days.
Why I love it this October: Autumn poses challenges for my skin, leading to barrier issues and redness. Thanks to a recommendation from my favorite beautician, this serum helps me regain control over my complexion, providing comfort and resilience at an unbeatable price!