Maelove skincare has been on my list of brands I want to try for some time as their cult classic vitamin C serum The Glow Maker has been on my radar for what feels like forever. I love a 15% ascorbic acid serum and the price point was hard to ignore. Maelove believes skincare can be simple and effective. I love that they want to give you effective skincare without spending luxury prices. Maelove delivers quality without compromise. I don't consider Maelove a true budget brand but they're affordable. Budget brands offer the idea of spending less and getting more but unlike the ones who do single ingredient/focus products for cheap, Maelove does a more well rounded formula for an affordable price.
I picked four items to try. Obviously the The Glow Maker plus NIA 10, Eye Enhancer & LOVE 31. The Glow Maker should be first item I talk about. It's the most hyped of the line. Ascorbic acid is my favorite form of vitamin C and when combined with ferulic acid it makes it more stable and effective. I find a 15% ascorbic acid with ferulic is the perfect combination for brightening, reduction in pigmentation, antioxidant protection and don't forget the collagen building effects of vitamin C. This also has aloe, grape seed extract, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and vitamin E. The texture is a light, fluid, hydrating serum that's not sticky. It'll take a minute to sink in but nothing big. No irritation or stinging at all for me which is a plus. I tested the pH and got around 3 which is perfect for a vitamin C serum. It’s a colorless liquid and after two months open & unrefrigerated it’s barely changed or oxidized at all on me. The Glow Maker is just as effective as my beloved C-Firma at reducing pigmentation and overall brightening. It's also cheaper and has a more light hydrating texture. For the price it's well worth checking out to see if it works for you. I can't think of a reason you shouldn't at least try it. And yes it lives up to the hype.
NIA 10 Calming Serum is a light hydrating serum with 10% niacinamide. Niacinamide aka B3 should be on your radar. It's a multi-tasker ingredient that helps reduce pore size, strengthen your skins barrier, reduce fine lines/wrinkles and evens skin your tone. It's combined with zinc, white tea, aloe, vitamin E and mushroom extracts to help soothe and calm. The serum has a light hydrating texture, it's easy to use and it layers well in a routine. Use it as a serum alone or as a booster. I'm not a person who suffers from extreme sensitivity or redness so I can't attest to it's ability to help in those areas but I do love what niacinamide does for me and this serum was a nice version of a B3 serum. Both serums I tested are fragrance free which is a huge bonus for me.
The Eye Enhancer is a gel eye treatment. I love layering a serum under an eye cream. Keep in mind I have really dry under eyes so this might be enough for anyone without dry eyes. If you have dry eyes like me put this under a cream. The Eye Enhancer is actually a really nice eye serum. It has glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides, naturally exist in skin tissue, replenishing and restoring), glucosyl hesperidin (antioxidant, flavenoid, stimulates blood circulation), three peptides (hydrating, firming and retinol like properties), aloe, coffee seed extract, Brazilian ginseng (antioxidant) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (activates the elimination of blood originated pigments responsible for dark color and inflammation that causes under eye circles). Coffee extract is high in fatty acids, vitamin E and sterols making an antioxidant. Some studies have shown that coffee essential oil helps with elastin and collagen production, it’s anti-inflammatory & helps with all the basic of anti-aging like firmness, texture and wrinkles. This has a nice texture, absorbs quickly plus it does hydrate, firm and brighten the eye area. It has a hint of alcohol and a few essential oils. I don't find either drying or irritating but it's worth mentioning for some as it's an eye product.
LOVE 31 Precious Face Oil is the brands newest product. The facial oil has 31 botanical extracts including grape, hemp, jojoba, rose, argan, hazelnut and baobab. It's got a medium weight texture, gives a nice glow and has an herbal scent from the essential oils. When I first tested this it reminded me of Vintner's Daughter. Similar texture, strong herbal scent and glow giving effect. I compared the oils and there are differences and similarities. Both have jasmine, hazelnut, rose, grape, avocado, lavender & evening primrose. However that's the only similarities. Once compared they have quite a few differences in the oils they use. LOVE 31 also has pomegranate, arctic cranberry, sunflower, sweet almond, olive, linseed, apricot, meadowfoam and pumpkin oils plus willow bark extract. So it's not a dupe at all but if you want something that has a similar feel and experience on the skin you might look at LOVE 31. If you're senstitive to essential oils they have several single oil blends you may like. The quality of LOVE 31 was good and I'm super picky about facial oils.
Overall I really enjoyed my introduction to the Maelove line. The Glow Maker is obviously my all time favorite, plus the eye gel and niacinamide serum are fabulous. I liked the facial oil as the quality was great and the overall effect on the skin was great (think glowing). It was just a bit heavily scented in the essential oil department for me right now. I flip flop back and forth on whether or not I use essential oils actively or not. I happen to be in a low essential oil phase right now. If you love a nice essential oil aroma and the relaxing experience it gives to a facial oil you'll love this one. I’d love to see their version of a retinol/retinal serum with HPR or retinol.
*Products gifted by brand and post sponsored by brand. All thoughts are my own.
