Beauty on a Budget: My Affordable BOOST LAB Routine for Hydrated, Radiant Skin
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
If there’s one philosophy I live by, it’s the art of the high-low balance.
From the clothes I wear to the products I use, I’ve long embraced mixing luxury with less because I believe that style and good skin needn’t always come with a hefty price.
Particularly in the current climate, where we're navigating increasing financial pressure, foregoing small indulgences that, beyond practicality, bring joy to our lives.
Fortunately, Adore Beauty’s ethos is much the same, offering results-driven beauty that caters to the needs of our community.
And while we’ve got quite a few brands at the heart of this balancing act, there’s one in particular that stands out: BOOST LAB.
The relatively new, local brand is best known for its simplified, affordable serums that tackle a host of skin concerns, from breakouts to pigmentation, hydration, age management and more.
Recently I had the opportunity to try a handful of BOOST LAB serums for my perpetually dry, often dehydrated skin.
Below, I’ve singled out my top four alongside my reviews so that hopefully you too can embrace the high-low rule (if you haven’t already) and live your best skin life without blowing out your budget.
1. BOOST LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum.
Fast facts:
- Hydrating and glow-getting formula.
- Provides antioxidant support against free radicals.
- Sulphate, paraben, fragrance, oil and cruelty-free formula.
- Helps to even out skin tone and brighten the appearance of dark spots.
My BOOST LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum review:
What immediately sets this serum apart is its thick, creamy texture.
I was initially a little taken aback by how juicy it was, expecting a thinner consistency as is common with vitamin C serums.
But a dig into its ingredients revealed its inclusion of vitamin E to hydrate and protect the skin from free radicals as well as niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) which is an excellent overall skin moisturiser and balancer.
It also includes bisabolol, which has anti-inflammatory properties to calm irritation and redness (take note, sensitive skins) which can happen on occasion from potent formulations.
In terms of its promise of bright, glowy skin, it delivers on both fronts, boosting my skin’s radiance while giving it a hit of hydration.
However, because its core ingredient is sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a more stable form of vitamin C) as opposed to spendier serums formulated with L-ascorbic acid, I don’t have high expectations for its pigment-shifting abilities.
It also has a slight tackiness once applied, but both factors aren't enough to turn me off it's under $30 price tag (more than half the cost of most vitamin C serums on the market!).
All in all, it’s a great affordable option for those seeking glow and a more even skin tone, which BOOST LAB says takes roughly 3-8 weeks to see the full results.
2. BOOST LAB 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum.
Fast facts:
- Hydrates dry, rough and dull skin.
- Helps reduce the symptoms of sensitive skin.
- Sulphate, paraben, fragrance, oil and cruelty-free.
- Supports improved skin density and the appearance of ageing.
My BOOST LAB 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum review:
TLDR: This serum delivers beyond it’s humble $29.95 price tag.
As someone with dry skin, hyaluronic acid is a non-negotiable in my skincare routine.
I've tried a range of serums, from the opulent to the economical, and I must admit that this one holds its own against some of the pricier contenders.
Its “2D” formula combines two forms of bio-hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturise the skin on multiple levels, plus d-panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to reinforce the skin barrier.
Despite its thick, juicy texture, the BOOST LAB Hydro Boost Serum dries down rather quickly and makes my skin look plumper.
I even tested it on my wrinkly hands (thanks mum <3) and noticed a subtle reduction in crepiness, a welcomed bonus for those seeking to regain skin density.
It doesn’t have the same dewy finish I usually look for in a hyaluronic acid serum, but it does hydrate my skin and forms a protective film over it that feels comforting and keeps my skin soft under makeup.
With that in mind, it may be the ideal formula for oilier skin types who find other hydrating serums too thick and tacky. But it's equally suitable for those battling dryness or dehydration.
3. BOOST LAB Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum.
Fast facts:
- Supports a more hydrated and illuminated undereye without feeling heavy.
- Sulphate, paraben, fragrance, oil and cruelty-free formula, suitable for all skin types.
- Contains a bio-blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5 and mineral tonic.
- Three key actives (Eyeliss, Syn-Eye and Sepitonic M3) target dark circles, signs of ageing and puffy eyes while protecting the skin against oxidative stress.
My BOOST LAB Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum review:
Is an eye serum necessary? Probably not.
But does it feel good? Definitely.
For context: the general consensus amongst beauty editors is that regular serums and moisturisers can handle the job just as well (and are often more affordable).
However, given this serum falls comfortably within the $30 range, I figured there was no harm in giving it a go.
And to my surprise, it was pretty good!
While I don't have super dark circles under my eyes, I do have a cool undertone that tends to show up as a blue/purple tinge. My undereye is generally quite dry, too.
The BOOST LAB Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum does a good job of hydrating my undereye to make it look plumper and slightly brighter.
Its thick, juicy texture feels cooling, a soothing touch on sleeping mornings.
So if you’re looking for similar results or have dark circles and/or puffy eyes, this could very well be the affordable answer you’re looking for.
4. BOOST LAB Peptide+ Lash & Brow Serum.
Fast facts:
- Supports longer, fuller-looking lashes and brows.
- Thin, creamy texture with a doe-foot applicator for easy application.
- Formulated with a combo of phyto-actives, peptides, prebiotics, caffeine and hemp seed oil, plus red ginseng and Japanese rose extracts to anchor hair follicles.
- Clinical results based on a 4-week trial:
- +8% increase in lash length
- +23% increase in brow length
- +27% dense-looking brows
My BOOST LAB Peptide+ Lash & Brow Serum review:
Lash and brow serums are another hotly contested topic in the realm of beauty.
With so many making big claims of sky-high lashes and Cara Delevingne brows, it’s easy to be let down when the only thing that grows is frustration over a lack of results.
Now I’m not here to say this BOOST LAB Serum is a cure-all for over-plucking and lacklustre lashes, but I genuinely do think it did something for my face hair/s.
For context, I’ve been road-testing this serum the longest, following the brand’s suggestion to use it twice a day for at least four weeks.
Here are my lashes and brows a month ago versus how they look now.
Albeit a tad unruly, but I only minimally plucked my brows to show you the full effects. And don't worry, I'm wearing the same mascara.
Not bad, huh?! I thought so, too.
Forever trying to undo the brow blunders of my youth (IYKYK), I was pleasantly surprised to witness my brows become fuller and fluffier over time.
It was especially noticeable in the sparse areas that usually refuse to cooperate.
It’s subtle, but it’s a promising start.
And considering this serum lands on the more affordable end of the scale (costing less than $40) when the majority of other similar products are at least twice if not triple the price, I’ll gladly keep swiping it on for the sake of bushy brows.
Final Verdict.
BOOST LAB is a testament to affordable skincare solutions that deliver results.
So whether you’re seeking radiance, hydration, a boost to your lashes or brows, or are simply looking to cut back your spending on skincare, BOOST LAB has a serum that suits at a price that won’t break the bank.
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