This New Glow Serum Gave Me Baby-Soft Skin

Honestly, I don’t think I have it in me anymore to try one more serum that will require me to alter my whole beauty routine so that it may hopefully uproot that one blackhead only to give me three new blemishes three days later.

As someone with sensitive skin, exfoliation will remain to be the most delicate step in my routine. I can’t afford to skip it because I have congestion, large pores, and dullness.

I can’t just dive straight in either because, one wrong move and I have to take a huge break from using skincare and makeup because my rosacea is flaring up full force!

But when I heard that one of my go-to brands for sensitive skin had launched a new exfoliating serum that claims to be gentle, I knew I had to put it to the test.

Here’s my full review of the Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum and why achieving radiant, healthy skin doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum Review

My Verdict

The Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum delivers on all fronts. It’s a treatment disguised as a glow-boosting serum. It’s made my skin visibly plump and bright. I still can’t believe how soft and silky my skin feels. I’m glad that I don’t have to alter my whole routine to exfoliate my skin. I can comfortably use it day and night and even under makeup. While the formula is basically suitable for all skin types, I think you will appreciate it more if you have sensitive skin.

Quick Look at Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum

Ingredients

This is an exfoliating serum made with 5% lactic acid. It’s the alpha hydroxy acid I’ve been raving about for its gentle exfoliating as well as hydrating benefits, making it ideal for sensitive skin girlies like me.

The serum also has a gentle vitamin C derivative, namely magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. It’s the sensitive-skin-friendly form of pure vitamin C, which we usually have trouble benefiting from due to its irritation potential.

So the overall formula is incredibly easy on the skin. Plus, it packs hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe.

Texture

This is unlike typical treatment serums in that it has a very milky texture. It’s runny but the consistency is really lightweight. It absorbs instantly and dries down very fast, disappearing into the skin.

It does not leave a noticeable feel on the skin like stickiness or greasiness. The formula is fragrance-free but there’s a distant fresh scent to it. It’s pleasant and refreshing and not overpowering at all and it quickly fades.

My Experience

First Impressions

I used the serum on my clean skin and I didn’t use anything underneath. I could feel my parched skin getting hydrated the first time I applied it. 3 drops on my face and as it dried down, it left a very subtle dewiness on my skin.

I experienced no stinging and no redness. My skin looked immediately radiant and felt shockingly soft, which is a feature I hardly get even from my moisturizer! I let the serum sink in and followed up with my moisturizer.

I rubbed my fingers on my skin to see if there was any potential for pilling, but there was none. Both the serum and the moisturizer remained on my skin without pilling.

7 Days Later

Usually, I refrain from using exfoliating products days in a row because of my sensitive skin -no matter what the product description says. But I’m pleasantly surprised that I’ve been using this serum both in my morning and evening routines for several days and I love how it helped improve my skin without irritating it.

My skin is remarkably soft and plump and I don’t know if it’s the hydration or the anti-inflammatory nature of the serum but I’m yet to see any redness from my rosacea!

My complexion looks more even and radiant, which makes my face appear smoother and tighter. A big giveaway of the glow effect is seen on the high points of my cheeks when I’m bare-faced and not wearing any makeup.

I’m glad that I can continuously use my treatment serum without having to take a long break just because my skin got irritated mid-treatment. It’s been easy to use in my routine because it layers well over my toner and under my moisturizer. There’s still no pilling and I did try it with a few different moisturizers from different brands.

I have been using this serum exclusively in my routine. All I do is wash my face, apply the serum, and top it off with my moisturizer. I love the fact that there is still no discomfort or tingling sensation even though this is an exfoliating serum that I apply directly on my bare face after I wake up and before I go to bed.

I’m wearing only the serum in the image below. As you can see, my face looks radiant and calm. I still have pores, but they look clear. It feels like a slow and steady exfoliation without visible peeling, which I’d rather go for than damaging my skin barrier.

Using Under Makeup

Since Clinique says that the product can be used under makeup, I decided to put that to the test too. I work out almost every day. And I do wear light makeup to the gym.

To be honest, I was hesitant to use the serum under my foundation fearing that it might irritate or break me out or at least separate my foundation because I work up a good amount of sweat on the treadmill.

Contrary to what I was expecting, the Active Glow Serum did not interfere with my makeup at all! It was no different than wearing a hydrating or brightening serum underneath makeup.

Shop Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum