This Lightning-Fast Serum Improved My Acne After 2 Uses—This Celeb-Loved Brand Is Responsible
As a beauty editor with years of experience, I've tried a good majority of the skincare brands on the market. Although I've spent my time testing cult-loved favorites, drugstore picks, luxury items, and everything in between, I can count on one hand the brands I always keep in my rotation no matter what. My ultimate number one is Shani Darden Skin Care, the namesake brand of esteemed celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden. I never stop talking about how great the products are because they've truly saved my skin. I'm not the only one who loves them—Darden and her products have gained a following among celebs like Jessica Alba, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Chrissy Teigen, and Shay Mitchell.
My skin is extremely sensitive, easily inflamed, and acne prone, and while you would think that I would have it all figured out considering my line of work, you'd be completely wrong in that assumption. Like most people with problem skin, I've done a lot of trial and error to find what my skin does and doesn't like. When I discovered Darden's products, it was like a breath of fresh air for my skin. They're noncomedogenic and easy to incorporate into any routine and give your skin the most unreal glow. Not only that, but they immediately calm and clear my inflamed, acne-prone skin, and if you have a similar skin type, you know this is no small feat.
I recently got my hands on the brand's Rescue Serum ($68) after getting extra frustrated with my skin. Typical exfoliants were irritating it too much. A friend recommended I try the Rescue Serum and said it cleared her hormonal acne in record time. I used it twice and was immediately impressed. Luckily for us, it's Darden's birthday today, and she decided to gift us all with a sale on her most iconic products. This flash sale will take place on July 31 and August 1, and you can receive 25% off sitewide.
If your routine is in need of an upgrade, now is the time to act. Below, I'm sharing all my favorites that are on sale and everything you need to know about Rescue, which, IMO, is Darden's most underrated product.
This cleanser has gotten my skin through some rough times. It's super gentle and never dries out my skin, but it still offers enough of a lather to make it feel extra clean. My skin tends to get red and irritated easily, but this calms it right down with olive and chicory-leaf extract. Oat bran helps strengthen a damaged skin barrier and fights against moisture loss.
I've tried a lot of different essences throughout my career, and I can say without a doubt that this is the best one. I never skip it in both my morning and night routines because it instantly hydrates, brightens, and softens my skin. Seriously, the glow is immediate. Sake water in the formula—which is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals—is responsible. Bamboo-shoot water, glycerin, peony root, and green tea extract also boost and strengthen skin's defenses. This essence is totally noncomedogenic and oil-free, making it safe for sensitive, acne-prone skin. If Darden ever stopped making it, I'd probably go into hiding.
The Rescue Serum is my favorite product from the brand because it's exactly what my acne-prone skin needs. My skin has been congested, and my barrier's damaged, meaning it gets red, inflamed, and irritated a lot easier. That also means I can't use most other chemical exfoliants without them making the problem worse. Needless to say, it's been a frustrating journey to find what works for my skin. My friend recently recommended that I try this because, weirdly, it's one of the few products from the line I hadn't tried yet.
It contains 10% azelaic acid, which calms inflamed, acne-prone skin; lightly exfoliates; and isn't as irritating as other acids. I used it twice and couldn't believe the improvement in my skin already. I wish I would have taken a few photos, but trust me on this. If you're experiencing similar skin issues, you won't regret trying it.
Darden recently reformulated her cult-loved Retinol Reform, but don't worry—it's even better than the original formula. Retinol is such a tricky ingredient and can cause irritation for so many of us, but this new formulation is designed to be even gentler on sensitive skin while still getting the job done when it comes to acne scars, breakouts, and fine lines.
It's really hard to find a moisturizer that works for my irritated, barrier-damaged skin. Some options that are too oil-heavy work great in terms of hydration but cause me to break out, and super-lightweight moisturizers that are oil-free sometimes aren't enough. This moisturizer is the perfect happy medium. It's hydrating and rich enough to keep my skin extra moisturized but is also oil-free and doesn't cause any flare-ups. I go through bottles of this pretty quickly, so a sale is the perfect time to stock up.
This is the eye cream to end all eye creams. That might sound dramatic, but besides IS Clinical's eye cream, this is my all-time favorite. The ingredients really pack a punch. Silk tree extract helps with dark circles and under-eye sagging, pea peptides firm the skin around the area, and ceramides lock in moisture. My main issue is under-eye bags, and I feel like this eye cream takes care of them almost instantly when I use it.
The brand's Signature Mask is great for when you're feeling a little congested and irritated but also don't want to irritate your skin by overexfoliating. Soothing colloidal oatmeal calms redness and stress in the skin, and kaolin and bentonite clay clear out congestion gently.
I use this once or twice a week or when my skin is looking particularly agitated. It calms right down, and small congestion bumps disappear.
Glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids work together in this peel to instantly perk up skin. It is a bit strong for my super-sensitive skin, so I only use it every couple of weeks. When I do, it really gets the job done. Darden designed it to be an at-home version of her signature in-office peel. If you're sensitive, start slow and only leave the peel on for 30 seconds or a minute. The results, though, are totally worth it.
I realize that this device is a huge splurge and an investment item, but I absolutely love mine and try to use it three to four times a week. Darden uses it in her signature facials, and I love it for stimulating lymphatic flow and energizing my skin. After I use it, my skin always feels refreshed, and my jaw area is less tense. It also firms and contours the skin while helping with fine lines and wrinkles.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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