*Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. The products were provided by Youth Lab, though the review thereof is based on the author’s experience and opinion. The published reviews are intended to be for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a replacement for sound medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or skincare therapist if you have any concerns*

If you follow us on Instagram, you’ll see that we review so many products. But when doing an in-depth review (and not a mini-review), I always try to ensure that I’m using them long enough to truly experience the products and the results they yield. I’ll often test them for a minimum of one month, sometimes three months, and if I’m seeing awesome results, I’ll use them until they’re finished. A long testing period for trying out active serums also helps me avoid the dreaded “beauty editor” skin that can happen when it’s part of your job to test out numerous skincare brands.

My latest review is of Youth Lab, which was launched in South Africa a few years ago by Evolution Cosmetic, the same distributors who bring in Dermaquest, Dr Schrammek, and Gold Collagen. So I knew that this range was going to be good because of the due diligence they do when choosing which products to import.

A quick recap on Youth Lab

Youth Lab is an award-winning brand of advanced skincare that enhances your skin’s metabolism for healthy, youthful, and glowing skin. All their products have been dermatologically tested and are free of parabens, gluten, petrochemicals, and harsh detergents. They are also never tested on animals.

Their colourful packaging can often be mistaken as being targeted only towards “youthful” skin. However, it’s important to know this range is so much more than that – Youth Lab scientifically creates products suitable for all ages, from your 20s to 50s and beyond (I’m 39 years old for reference).

Now let’s get to the best part – how I used them

Morning routine:

I go to the gym first thing in the morning and wear a tinted sunscreen, so when I get back and hop into the shower, I first cleanse using the Youth Lab Hydro Cleanser (R450.00), followed by spritzing a thermal water spray on my face, neck, and décolletage to ensure my skin is damp enough to absorb the serums. I always apply my face products first before body creams to avoid getting any residue on my face. With damp skin, I applied four drops of the Youth Lab Hydro Cloud Serum (R930.00), which contains hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the skin. Once dried, I then applied four drops of the Youth Lab Brightening Vitamin C Serum (R1 050.00), which helps brighten and even skin tone. This was moisturising enough that I didn’t need an additional moisturiser and went straight in with sunscreen, then BB cream and make-up.

Night routine:

Double cleanse – first with a wet gentle make-up removal cloth, followed by the Hydro Cleanser. After cleansing, I applied the Hydro Cloud Serum, then four drops of the Youth Lab Retinol Reboot Serum (R1 095.00) to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen. I locked everything in with a gentle night moisturiser.

About once or twice a week, I used the Youth Lab Blemish Control Serum (R895.00) instead of the Retinol serum. As I don’t have acne-prone skin other than the odd hormonal spot here and there (thank you, skincare g-ds *pray hands*). While it is gentle, I limited the use of this exfoliating serum to avoid irritation (this is personal to my skin and how I know it reacts). When I woke up the next morning after using the Blemish Control Serum, my skin felt soft and smooth.

What’s inside the serums:

Hydro Cloud Serum: includes a complex of hyaluronic acid (three different molecular weights and one bioactive formula), offering multilevel hydration and “filling” out fine lines. A notable inclusion is a prebiotic akin to vitamin D, enhancing the skin’s barrier, while niacinamide and rose of Jericho extract work synergistically to brighten and revitalise the skin, addressing concerns such as dryness, dullness, and rough texture.

Brightening Vit-C Serum: 15% stabilised L- ascorbic acid, a pure form of vitamin C, targets dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Its antioxidant properties protect against environmental aggressors, brightening and evening out the skin tone for a radiant glow. Turmeric root extract, brown seaweed extract, and pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol).

Retinol Reboot Serum: Retinal O5 complex, in retinaldehyde form, which is the most drastic form of vitamin A after retinoic acid, without causing skin irritations or dryness. Patented HPR retinoic acid ester, bio-mimetic tripeptides of matricine, kelp algae extract, and hyaluronic acid.
Blemish Control Serum: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, as well as the anti-inflammatory capryloyl salicylic acid and niacinamide.

Click on the images to zoom in…

My results

In terms of results, I loved these products! My skin looked radiant daily and improved over time. As I get botulinum toxin injections twice a year, having a great skincare routine really boosts my treatment results. My skin felt smoother, looked more radiant with reduced signs of pigmentation, and felt plumper and healthier overall.

Texture

In terms of texture, the Hydro Cloud Hyaluronic Acid Serum absorbed beautifully without any stickiness. The Vitamin C Brightening Serum was also non-sticky and moisturising, without making my skin oily. Both the Retinol Reboot and Blemish Control serums have a nice light, non-sticky texture. All the serums layered beautifully under moisturisers and sunscreen without any pilling or interference with make-up application.

Packaging

The packaging of these serums is divine and so colourful – an added bonus is that they look aesthetically pleasing on your bathroom counter. The glass bottles with opaque coating help maintain the stability of the light-sensitive ingredients, while the easy-to-use droppers don’t get messy or waste any product.

Final words

Considering the research, innovative formulations, and high-quality ingredients used, I think the prices of these serums are fair.

Overall, I would recommend this range and would happily purchase these products myself.

For more information, visit www.evolutioncosmetic.co.za

Rochelle Friedman

Aesthetic Appointment | Website

Rochelle is the founder and driving force behind Aesthetic Appointment. With a passion for the aesthetics and pro-ageing industry in South Africa, she has been in the aesthetic publishing industry since 2012, dedicated to creating a valuable platform for insights and knowledge, bridging the gap between patients and doctors - delivering reliable, medical-based information. Rochelle firmly believes in the power of a good skincare regimen, especially when started at home, and is committed to educating consumers about the myriad of treatments, procedures, and products available to them.