Powerful tea-based serum helps hydrate oily skin

Cold dry weather can wreak havoc on our skin and if you think that doesn’t affect oily or combination skin, think again. Science-led skincare brand Zelens launched a powerful Tea Shot serum for daily urban defence. 

The Zelens Tea Shot Serum has a blend of five different types of tea – green tea, matcha, white tea, black tea, kombucha and fermented black tea – working together along with potent polyphenols and flavonoids, to protect skin from daily environmental pollution and stressors and combat visible signs of premature skin ageing caused by free radicals.

Clinical trial results show that near 80% of testers feel an increase in skin hydration 30 minutes after using the serum and 65.8% noticed a glow in skin radiance.

LookFantastic has launched a Black Friday sale and shoppers can buy a 10ml travel size (now £34.85, was £41) and a full-size 30ml (now £76.50, was £90) online. 

Founder Dr Marko Lens said: “Protecting our skin from urban pollution and blue light is very important. Tea Shot serum harnesses powerful antioxidant properties of five types of tea, which are rich in potent antioxidants and it leaves skin feeling protected and looks healthy and youthful with this brightening serum.”

Shoppers also shared their self-assessment in reviews and some of them said it works on their oily and combination skin. “The serum is very good. It has a tiny smell of green tea which is refreshing, and it glides nicely without leaving any residue. This serum works well for my skin – combo type,” one said.

Another shared: “It has a tiny smell of green tea which is refreshing, and is absorbed by the skin without leaving any residue. I’ve struggled to find a decent serum for my oily, hormonal acne prone skin and this serum is the answer. Added this serum to my everyday skincare routine.”

Many praised for the skin-glow and anti-wrinkle effects but some were put off by the bottle design and took a star off their reviews. A customer explained: “A really great serum and feels great on my skin. However the dispenser as others have said literally shoots the product across the room.

“You try to put it onto your fingers and it just flies out everywhere. You end up having to put the product into the palm of your hands instead to help avoid the spray out.”

Another also added: “Except the lousy dispenser (this has been mentioned in other reviews, dispensing the serum into the palm of your hands sorts out the issue), the serum is great.”

But there are customers reflecting the high price point and said it’s “pricey for how much you get in a bottle” but with Black Friday discounts, shoppers can save 15% on either travel size or the full size.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Peptides Serum is a great alternative if you have concerns on skin elasticity and fine lines. You can shop at Sephora as they have a discount, which you can buy it at £51 instead of £68. 

An affordable option will be Korean brand Beauty of Joseon, their Line Calming Serum Green tea+Panthenol is available on Amazon with 19% off discount so shoppers can get it at £11.