
Quick skincare quiz: what is the quickest way to get glowing skin?
A. Hydration
B. Vitamin C
C. Exfoliation
D. Why do I have to choose?!
If you’re anything like me, you went for option D. You want all the goodies, preferably in one product so you can save time and money. Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence covers almost all bases. It doesn’t exfoliate skin, but it’s got plenty of Vitamin C and hydration to make up for it. Good enough?
What’s In Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence?
HUMECTANTS TO HYDRATE SKIN
Ever wondered what’s the secret behind Korean women’s glass-like glow? Hydration. When your skin has all the hydration it needs and more, it glows as if lit from within. That’s not the only thing hydration does, either. It also plumps up the skin so your fine lines and wrinkles look smaller and makes it silky soft to the touch.
So what kind of stuff gives you enough hydration to make your skin glow? Humectants. That’s a fancy way of calling those moisture-magnets that attract water from the air into the skin. My fave is hyaluronic acid: it can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water.
Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence contains TWO forms of hyaluronic acid. Can you wrap your head around how much hydration that is? Plus, it has a few other humectants like glycerin and urea. They’re less sexy, but still get the hydration job done.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
Struggling to create an anti-aging routine that really works? Download the “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” below to get started. It features product recommendations + right application order:
VITAMIN C TO BRIGHTEN SKIN
Vitamin C is an anti aging superstar:
- It fights free radicals
- It boosts collagen production
- It brightens skin
- It fades away dark spots
Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence gets its vitamin C from cloudberries (amber-coloured berries that also have moisturising omega-3 and -6 and Vitamin E) and ascorbyl glucoside, a synthetic vitamin C derivative. Here’s where it gets tricky. Pretty much all of the studies done on the collagen-boosting and dark spot-fading powers of Vitamin C were done on the pure form, L-ascorbic acid.
But that’s irritating as hell, so it makes sense for Lumene to gets its Vitamin C from gentler, natural sources sources. But these are NOT as powerful enough as L-ascorbic acid (the pure form of Vitamin C). If you’re serious about anti-aging, natural Vitamin C sources don’t cut it.
Related: Types Of Vitamin C Used In Skincare
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
- Aqua (Water): It’s literally just water, babe. The base of pretty much every skincare product ever. Keeps everything dissolved and spreadable.
- Propanediol: A humectant that helps pull moisture into your skin. Also makes the product feel nice and silky when you apply it.
- Butylene Glycol: Another moisture-grabber that also helps other ingredients penetrate your skin better. Basically a team player in the formula.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that keeps all the nasty bacteria and mold out of your product. Can occasionally irritate really sensitive skin.
- Betaine: A soothing ingredient that also hydrates. It’s derived from sugar beets and helps calm your skin down.
- Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: An emulsifier that helps mix oil and water ingredients together. Also helps other ingredients absorb better.
- Saccharide Isomerate: A plant-derived sugar that hydrates your skin and literally binds to it for long-lasting moisture. Pretty cool actually.
- Xylitylglucoside: Part of a hydration trio, helps your skin hold onto water even in dry conditions.
- Sodium Polyglutamate: A moisture-binding ingredient that’s even better at hydration than hyaluronic acid. Keeps your skin plump and happy.
- Xanthan Gum: A thickener that gives the product a nice gel-like texture. Totally natural, made from fermented sugar.
- Anhydroxylitol: Works with the other xylitol ingredients to boost hydration and help your skin barrier.
- Trehalose: A sugar that protects your skin cells and helps them retain moisture. Also has antioxidant properties.
- Disodium Edta: A chelating agent that helps preserve the product and makes it work better. Basically keeps everything stable.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Used in teeny amounts to adjust the pH of the product. Makes sure it’s skin-friendly.
- Maltodextrin: A thickener and stabilizer derived from starch. Helps the product feel nicer on your skin.
- Xylitol: Another part of the hydration trio, helps your skin produce its own moisturizing factors.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: A skin conditioning agent and preservative booster. Helps the product feel smooth.
- Sodium Citrate: Helps balance the pH and acts as a preservative. Keeps everything working properly.
- Adenosine: An anti-aging superstar! Helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, boosts collagen production.
- Pentylene Glycol: A humectant and preservative helper. Keeps your skin hydrated and the product fresh.
- Serine: An amino acid that helps moisturize and maintain your skin barrier. Building block for healthy skin!
- Citric Acid: Adjusts pH and gives gentle exfoliation. Also brightens your skin a bit.
- Algin: Derived from seaweed, it’s a thickener and hydrator. Gives the product a nice texture.
- Caprylyl Glycol: A humectant and preservative helper. Keeps things moisturized and prevents bacterial growth.
- Disodium Phosphate: A pH adjuster that keeps the formula balanced for your skin.
- Glyceryl Polyacrylate: A film-forming humectant that helps lock moisture into your skin.
- Pullulan: A natural film-former from fermented tapioca that creates a tightening effect and helps with moisture.
- Potassium Phosphate: Another pH buffer to keep the product at the right acidity level.
- Limonene: A fragrance component from citrus oils. Smells fresh but can irritate sensitive skin or cause reactions in some people.
- Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil: Bitter orange oil for fragrance. Smells amazing but can be irritating or photosensitizing for some skin types.
- Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes: A synthetic fragrance compound. Basically makes it smell good.
- Linalool: A naturally occurring fragrance component found in lavender and other plants. Can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Citral: A fragrance component from citrus and lemongrass. Can potentially irritate sensitive skin.
- Parfum (Fragrance): The mystery ingredient! Could be a mix of various scent compounds. Can trigger allergies or irritation in sensitive skin types.
Texture
This stuff is like, super lightweight. Almost watery but not quite? Hard to describe but it just feels really thin and fresh on your skin. The best part is it sinks in instantly – like I’m not even kidding, you put it on and BOOM it’s gone. No sitting around waiting for it to dry down or anything. No weird sticky feeling either. Your skin just gulps it up and that’s it, you’re done. So easy.
Fragrance
Kinda citrusy but in that fake synthetic way, you know? But honestly I barely notice it because it’s SO subtle. Like you get a tiny whiff when you’re pumping it out but then it disappears immediately. Doesn’t hang around on your skin at all. And my skin doesn’t freak out about it either which is the main thing I care about. If fragrances really bug you maybe test it first, but for me it’s whatever – not strong enough to annoy me.
How To Use It
I just slap this on in the morning right after washing my face. That’s it. It’s literally the first thing I use before throwing on all my other stuff. That’s kind of the whole point of essences anyway – they go on first to prep your skin so everything else works better. Just pump it out a couple times, pat it on your face, and you’re done.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Already after a few days of using Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence, I noticed my skin had a natural glow. It was dewy – without highlighter. Softer to the touch and more hydrated. When I go out in this freezing February weather, my skin isn’t screaming for more moisture.
I don’t have any dark spots or sagging, so I can’t comment on that. But then this essence isn’t designed for that. Its job is to give your skin a bright glow. That, it delivers. That’s why I’d recommend it to younger (under 30) women who are just looking for a glow boost. Once you’re ready to up your antiaging game, switch to a more powerful form of Vitamin C.
Packaging
The bottle is this super bright orange color that you can’t miss – like it practically screams at you from the shelf. It’s got a pump on top which is honestly the best because you don’t have to mess around with it. Just press, get your product, done. No spilling, no wasting product, no annoying droppers. Plus it looks kinda cute sitting there. Win-win.
What I Like About Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence
- The glow is REAL – like you actually look dewy and radiant without needing highlighter or anything
- Absorbs so fast you don’t have to wait around before moving on with your routine
- Actually keeps my skin hydrated even when it’s freezing outside and the air is trying to suck all the moisture out of my face
- Makes my skin feel noticeably softer, like genuinely nicer to touch
- The pump packaging is so convenient and hygienic – no mess, no fuss
- Lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy or greasy at all
What I DON’T Like About Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence
- It’s got fragrance in it – even though it’s subtle, some people might not be into that
- If you’re looking for serious anti-aging or want to fade dark spots, this isn’t gonna cut it
- The vitamin C form is gentler but also less powerful, so don’t expect dramatic transformation
Who Should Use It?
Honestly? This is perfect for younger skin – like if you’re under 30 and just want that natural glow and hydration boost, this is your jam. Great for anyone who wants their skin to look fresh and dewy without having to pile on makeup. If you’ve got normal to dry skin that needs a hydration kick, especially in harsh weather, you’ll love this. But if you’re dealing with serious aging concerns, dark spots, or sagging and want something more heavy-duty, skip this and go for a stronger vitamin C serum instead. This is more about prevention and that healthy glow than correction.
Does Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence Live Up To Its Claims?
CLAIM | TRUE? |
---|---|
A super concentrated, miracle boosting serum for brighter-looking, intensely hydrated skin. | It brightens and hydrates skin, but it’s not particularly concentrated or miraculous. |
Containing our unique new Nordic-C radiance enhancing and energizing technology with berry extract from antioxidant-rich Wild Arctic Cloudberry and Vitamin C, along with Pure Arctic Spring Water and two types of Hyaluronic Acid, the hydrating formula works to promote the appearance of more youthful-looking skin that feels plumper, smoother and looks more radiant. | Note how they say it contains all this stuff, not that this stuff is what makes the serum work. These Nordic berries don’t work as well as L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C). |
Price & Availability
£36.50 at John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Sephora
Do You Need It?
Probably not? Like nobody really NEEDS any of this stuff. But if your skin’s looking kinda blah and dull lately, or you’re tired of relying on highlighter to look alive, then yeah it’s worth trying. It’s not gonna change your life or anything but it does what it says – gives you that glow. If your routine is already fine and your skin looks good, don’t bother. Bottom line – nice to have, not a must-have.
Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Trehalose, Urea, Disodium Edta, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Adenosine, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Citric Acid, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Potassium Phosphate, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Citral, Parfum (Fragrance).