ANUA had the brilliant idea to take two of their most effective serums and create a the Ultimate Spot Duo. This beautifully curated set brings together two of ANUA’s best-selling serums, each made for specific skin concerns while working synergistically to help care for sensitive, blemish-prone skin for a healthier appearance. They will help to create a comprehensive routine for clearer, calmer, more even-toned skin.
Containing ingredients tested to help soothe the skin,ANUA’s Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum is a non-comedogenic soothing serum featuring 10% Azelaic Acid, 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid and ANUA’s Gentle Calming Complex™. The star ingredient, Azelaic Acid, is known to help with many skin concerns includingacne, redness (rosacea) and hyperpigmentation. Ideal for troubled and oily skin types, it helps improve a skin environment prone to breakouts and prevent pores from clogging, creating an environment where pimples are less likely to form.
The serum’s benefits are further enhanced by ANUA’s Gentle Calming Complex™. This special complex consists of Blue Tansy Oil, Ubiquinone, Green Tea Leaf Water, Aloe Leaf Juice and 7 types of Cica to soothe irritation. It also gives the serum its natural green color. ANUA’s Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum also contains other calming and hydrating ingredients like Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Panthenol, Ceramides, Squalane, Glycerin, Beta-Glucan and Allantoin.
Often called the pink serum, it is formulated with ingredients like 10% niacinamide and 4% tranexamic that help even skin tone. It also contains 2% arbutin to help brighten and even skin tone by helping to visibly reduce the appearance ofdark spots. The formula is completed by hyaluronic acid and botanical oils to moisturize and soothe skin. With a watery, lightweight texture, this will be your new go-to serum to help fade and address enlarged pores, stubborn dark spots, hyperpigmentation, post-acne scars and marks, sun spots and other forms of discoloration effectively, while also helping to support healthy-looking skin and maintain an even tone.
This is a simple and effective two-step routine that helps fade dark spots, calm breakouts, soothe redness, and support skin barrier health– all while delivering that coveted glass skin glow.
Directions for Sensitive Skin:
When layering, apply the Azelaic Serum first in the morning, and use the TXA Niacinamide Serum at night.
Morning or Before Makeup
Apply Toner → Use the Azelaic Serum → Moisturizer to finish.
Night or After Cleansing
Apply Toner → Use the TXA Niacinamide Serum → Moisturizer to finish.
Directions for Non-Sensitive Skin:
Step 1. Toner after cleansing
Step 2. Azelaic Serum
→ Help calm irritation and reduce breakouts.
→ Acts as a soothing base.
→ Wait 5–10 minutes for full absorption.
Step 3. Niacinamide + TXA Serum (in small amounts)
→ Apply after the skin is fully settled.
→ Great for spot treating areas with pigmentation.
Step 4. Moisturizer to finish
→ Use a night cream or hydrating moisturizer.
Overall Assessment: This wonderful, and affordable, serum duo helps reduce acne, redness (rosacea) and hyperpigmentation. Make sure to use, and reapply, a high SPF sunscreen to keep skin protected. When treating hyperpigmentation skin is vulnerable to the effects of the sun, and therefore it is very important to be diligent about the use of sunscreen.
I started using Vitabrid C¹² skin and haircare products quite a few years ago, and I have been consistently impressed by the efficacy of their products. Two of my favorite products are the Vitabrid C¹² Dual Drop Serum and the Vitabrid C¹² Wrinkle Serum, and what I discovered was that while they were fantastic on their own that they were nothing short of extraordinary when used together.
I have found that applying the Vitabrid C¹² Dual Drop Serum first, followed by the Vitabrid C¹² Wrinkle Serum delivers remarkable results. The former, which is lightweight and fast absorbing offers deep hydration, light plumping and an ethereal glow. Ingredients, such as Hyaluonic Acid, offer effective hydration with lasting effects, while the thicker antioxidant-rich Wrinkle Serum smooths the skin and evens skin tone while fading hyperpigmentation over time.
Vitabrid C¹² Dual Drop Serum ($62.00 for 1.02 oz. from Vitabrid and Amazon): This powerhouse of a serum has been conceived to help reduce the signs of aging by increasing collagen production, brightening the skin, refining the appearance of fine lines and providing profound hydration. Not only will it hydrate skin year round, but it leaves the complexion glowing and even in tone. Furthermore, this wondrous serum is lightweight, ultra fast absorbing and it leaves behind no greasy or sticky residue. I would not characterize this serum as fragrant, but there is the slightest clean aroma that vanishes once it sinks in– which is immediate.
According to Vitabrid C¹²,
A highly concentrated antioxidant serum that helps provide lasting hydration and reduce fine lines and wrinkles for a firmer-looking complexion.
This hydrating serum features a blend of proprietary peptide and vitamin C, and potent age-defying ingredients that helps diminish the appearance of sun spots and mouth lines for a more youthful-looking appearance.
It helps deliver a synergistic effect by combining skin-firming and face-brightening benefits with lasting hydration. Infused with Peptide Complex and six layers of moisture-binding Hyaluronic Acid Complex help lock in moisture promoting the look and feel of firmer, brighter, and deeply hydrated skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Directions: Apply an appropriate amount to your face and neck. Gently tap into the skin until it is well absorbed.
Vitabrid C¹² Wrinkle Serum ($72.00 for 1.01 oz. from Vitabrid C¹² and Amazon): This wonderful antioxidant-rich serum offers skin incredible hydration and protection from free-radical damage. It boasts a blend of novel peptides that help boost collagen production, and the result is the appearance of firmer skin and plumped fine lines. Their antioxidant formula, which is infused with Niacinamide, Bisabolol and Citric Acid, helps to brighten the skin and fade hyperpigmentation. The serum is mid-weight, fast absorbing, non-sticky and fragrance-free, and it leaves my skin soft, supple, smooth and incredibly luminous.
According to Vitabrid C¹²,
This exclusively developed weightless, highly effective serum is powered by our unique formulation Secret Code P-151™ designed to ensure ingredients are optimized for achieving optimum absorption with skin rejuvenating and advanced aging care.
This Wrinkle Serum is clinically proven to help target fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin discoloration and smooth skin texture while refining pores for firmer, resilient looking skin.
Directions: Dispense 2–3 pumps. Gently tap into your face and neck until absorbed.
As you have come to know, I am fanatical about using high quality, effective skincare. I love using serums and Retinol-based products to treat, brighten and pamper my skin, and I have a couple to share with you from Paula's Choice. I am relatively new to the brand, but at the urging of people who swear by this line I decided to try a few products (see my review of the Paula's Choice RESIST Anti-Aging Advanced Kit for Normal to Oily SkinHERE).
Paula’s Choice RESIST C15 Superb Booster ($49.00 for 0.67 oz. from Paula's Choice, Nordstrom, Dermstore, b-glowing Amazon Store and Birchbox): This concentrated serum, which is lightweight and fast-absorbing, features 15% pure Vitamin C, and it is formulated to brighten the skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and make skin more radiant. I definitely noted that my skin appeared significantly brightened and luminous, and it appeared more even in tone– though my skin is fairly uniform– save for a few small areas of hyperpigmentation from sun exposure. I really love using this on my décolleté since that is the area that has sustained a bit more sun damage. I am curious to see the extent of the improvement after I have used this considerably longer than the 5 weeks that I have been using it.
According to Paula's Choice,
RESIST C15 Super Booster contains a highly concentrated form of vitamin C and an assortment of skin-stabilizing antioxidants and skin-replenishing ingredients. Combined, they provide exceptional results including improving the appearance of uneven skin tone, brightening a dull complexion, and helping skin ward off the impact of environmental assaults. Diminishes visible signs of aging for smoother, brighter, and firmer-feeling skin with a blend of 15% stabilized vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) at a pH of 3.0, potent antioxidants including vitamin E and ferulic acid, and skin-smoothing peptides. You'll see dramatically younger-looking and more radiant skin day after day!
Features:
This concentrated booster with 15% pure vitamin C dramatically brightens uneven skin while improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Reveals a more radiant complexion
Vitamin C visibly brightens skin
Feather-light, liquid formula absorbs quickly
Use alone or add to your moisturizer or serum
Directions: Dispense 2-3 drops into the palm of your hand and then apply to your face. Add a couple more drops if you will also be applying to your neck and chest. During the day, finish with a moisturizer with SPF 30 or greater. Can be applied under the eye area, avoiding the eye itself.
Paula’s Choice RESIST 1% Retinol Booster ($52.00 for 0.5 oz. from Paula's Choice, Nordstrom, Dermstore and Paula's Choice Amazon Store): This is a really lovely Retinol cream! It is lightweight and fast absorbing, and the 1% Retinol is quite effective in its ability to remove dead skin cells, even skin tone, smooth skin, fade hyperpigmentation and soften the appearance of fine lines. I use this at night only, and make sure to use an SPF 30+ every single day to protect my skin since it accelerates skin cell turnover leaving it more vulnerable to the elements without adequate protection.
According to Paula's Choice,
RESIST 1% Retinol Booster is a concentrated, pure form of retinol in a slow-release delivery system with a light fluid lotion texture. It also includes a superior assortment of potent antioxidants to help produce the most beautiful appearance for your skin imaginable. Improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, bumps, pore size, and other visible signs of aging. RESIST 1% Retinol Booster can help to quickly bring about a more clarified, vibrant, younger-looking appearance, complete with visible refinement of the look of pores, uneven skin tone, and deep wrinkles.
Features:
This lightweight, concentrated booster with 1% retinol helps to even skin tone, renew radiance, brighten skin, improve the appearance of wrinkles and create a smooth complexion.
Pure form of retinol in a slow-release delivery system
Peptides restore skin’s youthful appearance
Fluid lotion texture visibly improves loss of firmness
Use alone or add to your moisturizer or serum
Paula's Choice's Recommended use: Carefully press the pump at the top of the container to dispense 2-3 drops for the face. During the day, finish with a moisturizer with SPF 30 or greater. Can be applied under the eye area, avoiding the eye itself.
