A Facialist Practically Begged Me to Use This High-Tech Serum—My Skin Transformed in 30 Days

It’s not often that, upon meeting an aesthetician for the very first time, they excitedly tell you all about a new serum they’re obsessed with and highly recommend you use. It’s less often that the serum in question is unsponsored and unaffiliated with the aesthetician. It’s even less often that you’re told “all the other aestheticians” at the clinic are obsessed with it too. I think the direct quote was, “Seriously, you need to try it.”

That’s what happened when I went to get a facial recently. My skin, which is prone to redness, irritation, and dehydration, was acting up, and I was hoping the facial would right some of the wrongs. It did, but the experience also introduced me to a high-tech serum that totally transformed my skin in 30 days flat. That’s not an exaggeration. It soothed redness, smoothed texture, calmed irritation, and even plumped my skin. Ahead, see the serum (or should I say serums?) in question. Plus, see some pretty epic before and after pictures to prove it really works.

The Serums

Plated Skin Science

Daily Serum

Here’s the serum the aesthetician told me to try. Plated Skin Science’s Daily Serum is formulated to provide a holistic renewing and anti-aging effect on the skin. It’s soothing, non-irritating, and redness-calming, yet it also reduces the appearance of signs of aging like lines, wrinkles, and brown spots. I call it my “unicorn” serum because it strikes that seemingly impossible balance of gentle yet effective.

The secret is its star ingredient—something called exosomes. If you’ve never heard of such a thing, you’re not alone. They’re fairly new to the skincare world (at least when it comes to at-home products). I reported on this trendy new ingredient earlier this year and sought a dermatologist’s insight into what exosomes are and how they work. According to Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist of Facet Dermatology, “exosomes are vesicles secreted by cells that contain growth factors, RNA, mRNA, and other goodies,” she says. “You can think of them almost like email—when cells ‘send’ exosomes, the material inside the exosomes delivers important messages to cells throughout the body, giving them information and telling them to do things.”

Funnily enough, the scientific community didn’t understand exosomes (or their worth) until recently. “Scientists believed exosomes were waste materials, but we now know that their contents are extremely valuable,” Yadav says. “We know that they can promote wound healing (including collagen production) and blood flow as well as reduce inflammation,” she says. “They’re especially beneficial for use post-procedure to help expedite and improve skin recovery.”

The exosomes in Plated Skin Science’s Daily Serum are fortified with antioxidants and a growth factor complex, as well as hydrating ingredients. It’s clinically proven to minimize wrinkles, redness, and brown spots. My skin is proof.

Plated Skin Science

Intense Serum

Before Using Plated Skin Science Serums

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

As you can see, my skin was red and irritated with lots of discoloration.

Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock before using Plated Skin Science serums

Here’s a front-facing view of my skin.

After Using Plated Skin Science Serums for 30 Days—No Filter, No Makeup

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

This picture was taken exactly 30 days later. I’m not wearing makeup, and I have no filter on my camera. I mean, these results are so dramatic I’m almost shocked.