Kate Middleton's Favorite Line-Reducing Serum Is $65 on Amazon, So I Tried It

Photo:

Getty Images

Blame it on the coronation fanfare, but lately, I've felt a new appreciation for Kate Middleton. Sure, her fashion picks are perfectly befitting for a princess. But I'm a beauty editor, so I can't help but focus on her perfectly blown-out hair, elegant yet understated makeup looks, and smooth complexion. 

While I love makeup and hair products, it's skincare that I'm especially interested in. I wanted to know, how does this member of the British monarchy care for hers? Has she undergone any skin treatments? What products does she use? After doing some research, I found a lead. Here it goes. It's been reported that Princess Kate is a fan of a $65 line-reducing serum sold on Amazon (yes, really). After learning this, I obviously had to try it for myself. After all, if it's good enough for a real-life princess, it's good enough for me. Keep scrolling to see what serum it is, and read my honest review.

Photo:

@kaitlyn_mclintock

Let's discuss the ingredients before I share my experience. Spilanthol, blady grass, and hyaluronic acid are the hero ingredients in this serum. If you've never heard of the first two, you're not alone. I had to do some digging to learn what they're all about.

Spilanthol is a fatty acid ingredient extracted from the Acmella Oleracea plant, which has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, particularly for alleviating toothache pain. Biotulin claims it's a natural anesthetic that can minimize muscle contractions, hence the 'natural alternative to Botox' claim. Blady grass is famous for growing in arid climates and retaining moisture. The idea here is that it helps lock moisture into the skin. 

You're probably familiar with the third ingredient, hyaluronic acid. It's known for attracting and holding water. When applied topically, it can effectively hydrate and plump the skin. 

Before

Photo:

@kaitlyn_mclintock

I'm 28 years old and diligent about daily sunscreen use, so I don't have too many fine lines or wrinkles to contend with (at least, not yet). That doesn't mean I don't have any, though. I have some fine lines around my eyes and mouth, but there's one line in particular that drives me crazy. It's right between my eyebrows, running vertically toward my hairline. I get it from squinting and furrowing my brow, and with each passing year, it gets deeper and more pronounced. 

I was also hoping it would work on my neck wrinkles. Since I spend so much of my day staring at my computer and my phone, I've developed deep horizontal wrinkles that span across it. 

After

Photo:

@kaitlyn_mclintock

I applied the serum to my skin after cleansing. The transparent serum felt lightweight and silky between my hands, and once I applied it to my face and neck, it felt smooth and hydrated (albeit a tad tacky). However, I wasn't overly impressed. I knew I had to give it a little time to work its magic, so I set a timer for 60 minutes. 

When the 60 minutes were up, I inspected my skin in the mirror. While I didn't see any major differences, I noticed the lines across my neck and the line between my brows were slightly less apparent. I don't know if that was because of the fancy ingredients in the serum or from hydration alone, but it was something. I saw the biggest difference in the fine lines around my eyes and mouth. After my timer went off, I noticed my skin looked smoother and plumper. 

It's worth noting that these before-and-after pictures only showed the result of using the serum once. One time. That's it. Since then, I've used it nightly for about two weeks, and while I do think my neck and forehead lines look better, I wouldn't claim it's anything like a Botox alternative. Still, I'll continue to use it to see if there's a major difference over time, as the brand says the results are cumulative.