Review: Alpha-H Vitamin E Serum

The skincare market is a crowded place and despite all the information out there and the huge range of products available it seems that almost everyone has bought something at some point and had it not agree with their skin. Whether it’s an SPF that broke you out or a serum that has left you red and irritated, or even a specific ingredient that your skin is just not happy to entertain I think we have all had that moment with our skin. Or worse, you’ve eaten something, been put on a new medication or gone on holidays to a dramatically different climate only to have your skin repay you by freaking out. For all those instances and more is when a product like the Alpha-H Vitamin E Serum comes in handy. A simple and handy cure-all packed with Vitamin E to calm, soothe, restore and rehydrate.

What Makes It Special:
It aims to be reparative. It’s not promising to wipe years off your face or get rids of your pores (sidenote: you can’t get rid of your pores, don’t believe any product that says it will) but it is vowing to restore your skin barrier through nourishing Macadamia Seed Oil and to reduce water loss with Evening Primrose Oil. Basically, it’s a fixer, not a disrupter. And although that can sound a little boring in this age of beauty products with wizz-bang claims and ground-shattering promises, it’s an essential product in my bathroom.

And although the Alpha-H Vitamin E Serum works wonders for skin that is angry, irritated and just generally misbehaving, it’s also perfectly lovely to use when my skin is ‘normal’ (I mean my ‘normal’ not the technical definition of a ‘normal’ skin type), it’s hydrating and just generally makes my skin feel nourished.

Why I Like It:
It’s the first product I reach for when my skin is feeling angry or irritated, my skin can be a little temperamental so it’s more common than I’d like. The Alpha-H Vitamin E Serum is so calming and nourishing which makes it the perfect fix for me when my skin is inflamed or sensitised, but I also enjoy using it when my skin is feeling ‘normal’ because it’s so nourishing and moisturising. I also love that it’s made in Australia from locally sourced botanicals, always a plus.

What I Don’t Like About It:
Nothing. It’s a simple, hydrating, soothing formula that I have used and given to family members during flare-ups of seriously sensitised skin, only to have them come back to me singing it’s praises. Plus I use it when my skin is feeling ‘fine’ and it works well as a hydrating serum too, but its time to shine is definitely on angry and inflamed skin.

Application:
It’s a thin, silky serum that you can apply after cleansing and toning and before moisturiser, I often use it layered with another serum too, then follow with a moisturiser to lock it all in. Can be used morning and/or evening.

Product Claims:
Rescue stressed, dehydrated skin with this restorative lightweight serum – agree
Nourishing formula nurtures, calms and fortifies dry, damaged and sensitive skin- agree

Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Methyl Gluceth-20, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Phenoxyethanol, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol.

Available From:
Adore Beauty
Cult Beauty
Alpha-H

Details:
Only the one size.
25ml – $49.95 / £29

Repurchase:
This is my second bottle of Alpha-H Vitamin E Serum over the last year, so yes, I’d repurchase. It’s a goodie to have on standby if you have sensitive skin or if you’re after a nourishing and hydrating serum that promises to do no further harm.