This Serum Replaced Most of the Products in My Skincare Routine
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My nighttime skincare routine makes me feel like I'm playing chemist.
It's taken a ton of trial and error, but I've finally figured out the right combination of ingredients for my skin type in order to treat my major concerns: cystic acne, post-breakout hyperpigmentation, and dry patches.
That being said, some nights I don't feel like going through the motions of my eight-step skincare routine. So, when a product like U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound comes along — and promises to drastically streamline my routine and deliver quick results — I'm immediately curious.
But I'm also pretty skeptical.
Created by skincare-obsessed Tina Craig (also known as Bag Snob, one of the OG fashion influencers), U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound is designed to replace all of the serums in your routine so that you're only left with four core products: cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and SPF in the morning. The multitasking formula treats a handful of common skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.
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While the serum contains a laundry list of familiar actives including retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A), stabilized vitamins C and E, glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid, somehow, the combination doesn't destroy your skin barrier.
Here's why: Resurfacing Compound is formulated with patent-pending molecules that act like magnets to draw damage away from the skin. This keeps the level of active ingredients in the formula low, minimizing the risk of irritation. In fact, the Siren Capsule Technology is so supposedly so effective, U Beauty promises some visible improvement in your skin in just three to six days.
Pretty bold claims, am I right? Unsurprisingly, Resurfacing Compound sold out within 48 hours of its launch in 2019.
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To buy: $228; theubeauty.com.
So, I put U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound to the test to find out if the serum lives up to the hype.
For the past three weeks I've scaled back my skincare routine to a cleanser, the compound, moisturizer, and SPF. Full disclosure: I didn't completely ditch all of my serums. I continued using The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in addition to Resurfacing Compound, since this product truly helps keep my adult acne under control and these ingredients aren't in U Beauty's formula.
U Beauty recommends using Resurfacing Compound morning and night for two weeks, then reducing to once a night. I followed these instructions and did not experience any redness or sensitivity, despite the potent mix of active ingredients in the formula.
The serum also has a gel-like texture that dries down quickly and doesn't pill under moisturizer or makeup, which typically deters me from using treatments in my AM routine.
Ok, so now for the results: I wasn't expecting any miracles, but my skin did seem overall brighter and clearer after the first week of using Resurfacing Compound. But despite my skin looking naturally glowier, my post-breakout dark spots were still very much there. That being said, it can sometimes take up to a year for hyperpigmentation to fully go away, so no product is going to make your dark spots go away in a week.
However, three weeks into using the serum twice a day, I've started to notice some of my older dark spots lightening up.
VIDEO: When You Apply Sunscreen in Your Skincare Routine Actually Matters A Lot
When You Apply Sunscreen in Your Skincare Routine Actually Matters A Lot
And make sure it's at least SPF 30
While I've enjoyed taking my skincare routine back to the basics, streamlining your products comes at a price. U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound will set you back $228. But once you get over the initial sticker shock like I did, you'll come to the realization that you probably spend just as much (if not more) on the handful of serums you usually include in your routine.
The takeaway? Few skincare products follow through on their promises, but this viral serum actually lives up to the hype.
The Splurge is our recurring column dedicated to expensive beauty products that are actually worth it. This week, why we're rebuying U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound, despite the $228 price tag.
