Judging CertClean’s Clean Beauty Awards 2022 – Face Serum Category

Ad: Gifted products received for judging purposes.  As always I give honest and unbiased reviews of products I receive.

CertClean Clean Beauty Awards 2022

CertClean is North America´s leading certification for safer skincare. CertClean’s mission is to help health conscious customers identify beauty and personal care products formulated without ingredients that can be harmful to human health. There are more than 1,000 products certified – look for the CertClean seal of approval on products.

Now in its 7th year, the Clean Beauty Awards celebrates the best performing products — products made without harmful ingredients. Hosted by CertClean and supported by an eminent panel of judges, the Awards is a global movement to recognize the clean beauty products that deliver results.

Earlier this year I was selected to join the judging panel for the 7th annual CertClean Clean Beauty Awards!

This is my 3rd time being a judge and I was pleased to judge the ‘Face serum’ category. I received 7 gorgeous products that are all new to me.

The guidelines for judging each product were:

Ease of Use: How easy was the process? Were the instructions clear?
User Experience: Think about your senses. How was the look, touch, feel, smell, etc. How did the product interact with your body?
Would Recommend: Would you recommend this product to others?
Overall Performance: Did this product do what it said it would do? Did the product achieve the desired result?

First up…

Founder’s Formula Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum 30ml

Australian Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is the richest source of Vitamin C of any known plant. Being Wild Harvested, the plums we use have exceptionally high levels of phyto-nutrients.

It is also formulated with Waratah Extract (Telopea speciosissima), which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant with multiple benefits for skin, and Finger Lime Caviar Extract (Citrus australasica), itself a rich source of Vitamin C, but Finger Lime Caviar is also naturally high in Ferulic Acid which helps stabilise the Vitamin C in the serum.

WHAT IT DOES

Reduces uneven skin tone, rough texture and improves general dullness.
Protects against photo-aging.
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and acne scars.
Builds collagen and elastin which are naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm.
Inhibits dark spots and hyper-pigmentation. With continued use prevents dark spots from forming and fades brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation.
As a powerful anti-oxidant it reduces cell death and cell injury, the major cause of aging.

Ingredients:

Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Propanediol, Wild-Harvested Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract*#^, Citrus australasica (Finger Lime Caviar) Fruit Extract, Telopea speciosissima (Waratah) Extract, Organic Natural Glycerin*, Aqua, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Hyaluronate.

*Denotes Certified Organic #Denotes Wild-Harvested ^Denotes Indigenous Suppliers

(Sodium Levulinate is a 100% natural preservative obtained from starch and vegetal inulin and Sodium Anisate is a preservative naturally derived from fennel.)

This serum comes packaged in a glass bottle with a pipette. The serum has a lightweight silky gel consistency and is scent free. I apply 1-2 drops to cleansed skin. It glides onto my skin easily and my skin literally drinks it up.

It absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue which is great. I particularly like this serum as it addresses my main skincare concern hyperpigmentation. It helps even out my skin tone and brighten my complexion. It hydrates, plums and firms my skin as well.

AMEŌN Aurora Glow Serum 30ml

Aurora Glow Serum boosts your complexion by revitalizing tired, dull and uneven skin in favor of a youthful lit-from-within glow. This multifaceted serum is packed with vitamins, antioxidants and peptides that promote a dewy, radiant, and brighter complexion. Bask in an immediate glow after application, and repeat use to revitalize the skin’s firmness and elasticity, while softening any complexion unevenness, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and fine lines. The Glow Serum is also lovingly designed to protect your skin from the damaging effects of free radicals caused by exposure to environmental toxins such as UV rays and pollutants.

Ingredients:

Water/Aqua, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Arbutin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C15-19 Alkane, Lauryl Glucoside, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-7, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Diamond powder, Tourmaline Powder, Benzyl alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid.

This serum comes in a glass bottle with a pipette for easy dispensing. It has a light and silky creamy consistency and a mild scent.

I apply 1-2 drops to damp cleansed skin. It absorbs quickly leaving my skin hydrated, soft, dewy and brighter.

It has helped to reduce my uneven skin tone and dullness and smooth out my skin.

PB SKN PUMP Hydrating and Plumping Serum 30ml

PUMP is your ULTIMATE skin quencher that delivers deep hydration directly into cells to replenish thirsty, dehydrated, post-workout skin, while simultaneously stimulating collagen production to firm and plump your complexion.

This non-greasy serum heroes powerful, active ingredients that help to:

Deeply hydrate dry skin and replenish lost moisture from sweating
Reduce signs of dehydration such as skin flaking, itchiness, dullness, and fine lines and wrinkles
Instantly plump up skin for a bouncy, healthy glow
Repair, strengthen and firm your skin’s natural collagen and elastin

Ingredients:

Aqua, Glycerin, Collagen Amino Acids (Plant Based), Hyaluronic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit (Kakadu Plum) Extract, Sodium Levulinate (Vegetable Derived), Sodium Anisate (Fennel & Anise Derived)

This serum comes packaged in a pump bottle for easy dispensing. It has a watery consistency so you have to be careful when applying. It is scent free and absorbs quickly but feels sticky on application. Overall, I’m really pleased as it gives my skin an intense moisture boost.

It leaves my skin soft, smooth, plump and dewy.

Pure Heart Essentials Face Serum 15ml

Golden anti-aging oils make our *vegan serum shine! Rich, wrinkle fighting, intensely moisturizing. Serums helps balance your face’s natural sebum production. Thus, resulting in an instantly happier, reset complexion. Formulated using:

Pomegranate Oil is rich in Vitamin C & Omega 6 which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles & stimulates collagen
Sea Buckthorn Oil will revive your skin & contains high levels of vitamin C & E
Rosehip Oil contains high levels of Vitamin A leaving you skin with a healthy natural glow
Evening Primrose Oil helps to lock in moisture and minimize water loss
Enriched w/Frankincense Essential Oil know to help lift & tighten skin naturally

Ingredients:

Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Evening Primrose, Rosehip Oil, Pomegranate Oil, Sea Buckthorn, Vitamin E, Essential Oils of Geranium, Frankincense, Neroli.

This is more of a face oil than a serum. It is packed full of nourishing oils that help to restore and balance the skin. It has a lightweight oil consistency and lovely light floral fragrance that I love.

The pipette makes it easy to dispense. I apply 2-3 drops to damp cleansed skin and gently massage it in. It absorbs quickly into my skin without leaving a greasy residue.

It is intensely moisturising and balances my skin leaving it soft and dewy. The only negative I have on this product is the ingredient list is hard to read on the bottle.

Carolina Cosmetics Silk Complexion Primer/Moisturizer 30ml

This Primer/Moisturizer will hydrate, smooth and prepare your skin for perfect makeup application! Your makeup (liquid, cream or powder) will stay flawlessly fresh all day and remain true to color. A lightweight, non-greasy lotion that works with all skin types and tones, to create the perfect canvas for your foundation as well as help reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Squalane, *Glycerin, Silica, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea), Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Oil, *Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, *Cinnamomum Zeylancum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract.

(*Certified Organic).

This primer/moisturizer comes in a pump bottle for easy dispensing. The consistency is silky and non-greasy and it has a mild scent.

It primes the skin creating a smooth surface before applying makeup. It absorbs quickly leaving a matte glow finish.

The formula is nourishing and hydrating, leaving my skin super soft, smooth and hydrated. My makeup stays flawless throughout the day.

Jazmine Beauty Glow Getter Primer Serum 25ml

Our Glow Getter Hydrating Primer Serum is a lightweight gel formula used to prime skin and hydrate complexion. Made with a unique blend of antioxidants to improve microcirculation, which stimulates the oxygenating process and skin’s regeneration. Its violet sheen removes dullness and imperfections for a radiant look. Use as a serum in your skincare routine and as a primer before makeup application. With regular use, skin appears soothed, hydrated, firm, and flawless.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylgycerin, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract/Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Jasminum Officinale Flower Oil/Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract

I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous packaging of this serum. The frosty glass bottle showcases the gorgeous pearlescent violet colour of the serum.

I love the lightweight velvety gel formula, pearlescent violet colour and sweet floral scent. The pipette is handy for easy application. I apply 2-3 drops to damp cleansed skin before moisturising.

It absorbs well into my skin without any residue. My skin feels super soft, hydrated, smooth and luminous. It works well as a primer leaving my makeup flawless.

Parisian’s Pure Indulgence Luxe Perfect-Aging Serum Concentrate 1.5 oz

Is it time to reset your skin and return it to its healthiest, most balanced state? Our game-changing perfect aging serum concentrate does just that and more.

Addresses Fine Lines
Lightweight and Hydrating
Non-Irritating
Improved Skin Tone
Targets dry, red patches
Well tolerated by those with Rosacea and Eczema
Vegan

Ingredients:

Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe Leaf) Juice, Lentinus edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract + Organic Alcohol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate (and) Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Moringa oleifera Oil, Orbignya oleifera (Babassu) Seed Oil, Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Brassica oleracea (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Oil, Lactobacillus/Dipteryx Odorata (Tonka) Seed Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc (Radish) Root Ferment Filtrate, Tripeptide-29, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vit C), Resveratrol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Boswellia carterii Birdwood (Frankincense) essential oil, Rosa damascene (Rose) absolute, Jasminum officinale var. grandiflorum (Jasmine) Absolute.

This serum comes packaged in a pump bottle for easy dispensing. It has a gorgeous creamy and silky smooth consistency and smells lovely.

The formula is highly concentrated so a little goes a long way. I apply 1-2 pumps to cleansed skin and gently massage in. It feels so luxurious and literally glides onto my skin.

It absorbs well into my skin leaving it satiny soft, smooth and hydrated.

All of these products are amazing and I’ve enjoyed using them all. It was very hard to choose but my top 3 favourites are: