Dawn Siler

Truth bomb: I’m not a big of Juice Beauty.

There, I said. I get a lot of requests to cover this brand and I totally get why. At first glance, they’re one of the few natural brands that walk their walk.

Every product is packed to the brim with natural oils and antioxidants that promise to banish dryness, fight off wrinkles, and get rid of dark spots. But they cost a pretty penny, too.

You want to be sure they’re the real deal before splurging, you know what I mean?

But, there’s a catch…

Juice Beauty is too fond of citrus extracts, a family of ingredients that can cause havoc on the skin. Case in point: their serums. Only one passes the non-irritation test. And even then, only narrowly.

Here’s the complete guide to all Juice Beauty serums. Find out what to buy and what to avoid like the plague:

Best Juice Beauty Serums

Best For Dry Skin: Juice Beauty Signal Peptides Firming Serum ($110.00)

Let’s be clear on something: there’s nothing in Juice Beauty Signal Peptides Firming Serum that justifies the outrageously high price tag. It doesn’t even contain peptides! Instead, it’s a moisturising cocktail of squalane, shea butter, and natural oils. They strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, making it more resistant towards harsh weather and germs, and keep skin soft and plump for hours. Plus, it has a sprinkle of antioxidants to help prevent premature wrinkles. Just what the doctor ordered for dry skin. What it could do without is the citrus extracts – but at least here, they’re present in tiny amounts. I’d avoid them only if your skin is very sensitive to them.

Available at: Neiman Marcus

Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin

Juice Beauty Serums To Avoid

Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum (£48.00)

At first glance, Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum is a godsend for mature skin. For starters, it’s loaded with every antioxidant you can think of. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and grape seed oil are just a few of the antioxidants proven to fight free radicals, the nasty molecules that destroy collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your skin firmer and wrinkle-free for longer. Plus, you get your fair share of moisturising oils that can soften dry skin and keep it plump for hours. So, what’s the problem with this serum, then? It has a huge dollop of orange juice (it’s 2nd place on the list!). Citrus extracts may have antioxidant properties, but their fragrant components makes them terribly irritating for skin. If they’re high on the ingredient list, I avoid them.

Related: How Do Antioxidants Work?

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum ($80.00)

First things first: stem cells don’t work. Not as brands claim anyway. Stem cells are mother cells. They have the potential to become any type of cell in that organism. For example, an apple stem cell can turn into an apple leaf or the branch of an apple tree, regenerating the plant. But there’s no way that an apple stem cell can turn into a human skin cell. And if it can’t do that, how can it rejuvenate human skin? It can’t. Truth is, plant stem cells are just glorified antioxidants. They fight free radicals. That’s it. But that’s not the only reason why I don’t recommend Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum. Like the other serums in the “to avoid” section, it has way too much lemon juice for your skin’s comfort (don’t use much of citrus anything on your skin, ladies!).

Related: The Truth About Stem Cells In Skincare: Do They Really Work?

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum ($30.00)

If you’re a regular here, you’ve heard me say this a thousand times: if you’ve got pimples/blackheads, you need an exfoliant with salicylic acid. Once it’s done removing dead cells on the surface of your skin, it gets inside the pores, removing all the crap that’s clogging them up and giving you blemishes. The optimal dose to get the job done? Between 1 and 2%. Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum only contains 0.75%. Bummer! If that weren’t reason alone to leave it on the shelf, hear this: Lemon juice is in 4th place on the ingredient list. That’s another irritation hazard!

Related: The Complete Guide To Salicylic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Serum ($58.00)

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Serum claims to “visibly reduce and correct the appearance of dark spots and discoloration with an age-defying cocktail of alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10 & Vitamin C.” Sound awesome, right? Problem is, that vitamin C comes from a blend of citrus extracts. Do I have to repeat again how damaging they are for skin? Sure, citrus extracts can fight free radicals and fight discolourations – but that comes at a cost. A high risk of irritation and more sun damage (yes, citrus extracts make your skin more prone to UV damage). For the love of your skin, stay away!

Related: 7 Irritating Natural Ingredients To Avoid In Skincare Products

What do you think of Juice Beauty serums? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Prevention is better than cure. It may be a cliché, but it’s true. Especially when it comes to your skin. If you invest in it now to prevent the damage, you won’t have to worry about wrinkles too much down the line.

That’s Sarah Sinden-Laflèche’s motto. After dappling in massages at the start of her career, Sarah decided to switch directions and pursue a degree in medical aesthetics.

Now a medical aesthetician at The Ottawa Skin Clinic, she consults and educates clients about how to best care for their own unique skin needs.

But how does she take care of her own skin? In this interview, Sarah shares her top tips for younger-looking skin, the skincare products she can’t live without, and more:

1. When did you become interested in skincare?

I became interested in skincare around the age of 18-19. This was also around the time I decided to take my masters of aesthetics course. 

2. What’s your skincare routine like?

My skin care routine consists on skinceuticals products. In the morning I cleanse my skin with LHA cleanser, I apply my Phloretin CF vitamin C serum, HA intensifier, Metacell B3, Physical fusion SPF 30. 

At night I cleanse again with my LHA cleanser, 1-2x week I’ll apply my retinol 1%, then followed up with Resveratrol. 

3. If you could only use three skincare products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

That would for sure be sunscreen- physical fusion spf 50 by skinceuticals, LHA cleanser as I can’t NOT wash my face haha! And of course my vitamin C serum Phloretin CF by skinceuticals.

4. What are your fave skincare brands and why?

• Skinceuticals 
• Vivier 
• SkinMedica 

Both lines are very encompassing. They have everything you need. They are quality brands with lots of research supporting them. I also enjoy the fact that most of the time these products are sold in establishments with trained professionals who are knowledgeable in recommending the appropriate skin care. 

5. What are your top 3 skincare tips to take care of your skin?

1. Sunscreen!! Especially mineral based SPF’s.
2. Botox and Fillers!! Don’t wait for wrinkles to happen before you decide to do something about them. 
3. Invest in your skin. You only have one! Make a point to regularly treat yourself with a Hydrafacial, Microneedling +PRP, Chemical peels. 

6. What skincare treatments do you regularly have done?

I have tried pretty much everything! IPL, LHR, Infini, Pixel skin resurfacing, Chemical peels etc… I also like to try any treatments offered in clinic so that I may guide my clients in choosing the appropriate treatment for their needs. I regularly get Microneedling + PRP to help with my pores and brighten my skin. I also try to treat myself with a Hydrafacial every 4 weeks or so as I find this treatments really helps to decongest my pores and hydrate my skin at the same time. Every 4 months I get my Botox done to prevent wrinkles!! 

7. What lifestyle habits do you have that keep your skin in top shape?

I am consistent with my skin care routine. I have struggled with acne in the past and find that when I am not consistent I start to see my skin breakout and not look it’s best.

I feel it is really important to drink lots of water, exercise regularly, and try to maintain a balanced lifestyle as I really believe these all impact the health of our skin. 

8. What’s in your makeup bag?

Truthfully, I own quite a bit of make up that I NEVER wear! I really try to advocate for make up free skin. When I do wear make up it is usually very simple – mascara (They’re Real by Benefit), light pressed powder, blush and lipgloss (GLO minerals).

Thank you, Sarah!

You can find out more about Sarah and her work at The Ottawa Skin Clinic website.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.