When it comes to skincare brands that claim to transform your skin overnight, I’m usually skeptical, if not a full-blown pessimist. These smears and potions love to offer supposedly magical solutions to reducing redness, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles, but I can’t help but raise a suspicious eyebrow every time I see such an ad.

And I’m the target audience because I have a lot of skin issues: not only do I have extremely sensitive and pale skin, but I also have hormonal acne caused by PCOS, which leaves dark spots, sometimes weeks after a pimple has gone. I’m currently trying to clear up a patch of purple spots on my chin from a particularly bad scratching session months ago – it’s still there, despite constantly applying moisturizers and even retinol.

I was running out of options when a colleague raved about Dermelect. She claimed the brand’s Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum soothed her inflamed skin and reduced the appearance of acne. After months of frustration, I was willing to try anything. And I am So am glad i did it.

What is in Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum?

Dermelect’s best-selling serum is touted as a concentrated trio of amino acids that work in tandem to create “significantly smaller-looking pores, smoother skin and a brighter, more even complexion” overnight. It sounds too good to be true, but when you look at the ingredient list, you can immediately see why the product is so effective.

You’ve probably heard about these superhero ingredients in ads or on social media, but you may not know why they’re so effective. This serum contains salicylic acid, a pore-cleansing and anti-inflammatory exfoliant; glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates and supports collagen production; and L-ascorbic acid, a potent form of the antioxidant vitamin C that helps brighten and smooth skin. It basically uses all of trendy active ingredients that work together in one convenient step in your skincare routine.

My first impression of the Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum

Immediately after opening the little red bottle that houses the clear serum, I applied four drops from the dropper provided before applying the rest of my night products. I found the formula to be lightweight and easy to spread on my skin, and although it was a little sticky when it dried, the texture wasn’t an issue as I was using it under a moisturizer. I didn’t feel any burning or tingling the first time, but I did notice that it does burn slightly when applied to broken skin, such as a freshly popped pimple or chapped nose. Of course, the instructions specifically state: not to use on broken skin, so next time I will read more thoroughly before I start.

It has a light scent that I would describe as pleasant and slightly lemony. For those sensitive to synthetic fragrances, this serum does not contain any, so all the smell comes from the essential ingredients like vitamin C and aloe.

After applying my moisturizer, I went to sleep as usual. In the morning, my face wasn’t stuck to my pillow, my pillowcase wasn’t discolored or stained at all, and my skin felt quite soft.

A quick glance in the mirror before brushing my teeth confirmed that I wasn’t dreaming: My skin was smooth, soft, and somehow a little plumper than it had been the night before. The redness that normally appears around my nose and cheeks had faded, and a red spot from a blemish I’d been picking at had dried and almost disappeared. After one night, I was convinced.

My real review, six months later

I’ve been using the serum fairly regularly since January. But on nights when I don’t use it, my skin is noticeably drier and more irritated; the pores on my nose and cheeks appear larger and more clogged and feel textured; and the lines on my forehead from scowling at the screen all day feel and look more pronounced.

As with any skincare product, consistency is key. I’ve only been using it sporadically for six months (blame travel and my unreliable memory), so I can’t yet speak to the longer-term results in terms of wrinkle reduction or overall skin brightening. But so far, I’m extremely happy with the instant hydration and color correction it provides. I’m so happy with the results that I’ve actually started using a few other products from Dermelect, including a neck and chest cream that I also love.

If you are looking for a serum that is easy to use, delivers fast results, and does not irritate sensitive skin, this is the one for you.

Other Dermelect products worth tryinging