This Is the Best Facial Serum I've Ever Used on My Super-Sensitive Skin

When I was preparing for my wedding, I knew I needed to get my skincare routine in check. I wanted to have the best skin of my life—because pictures last forever. I had a basic routine I'd been following for years, but I wanted the "wow" factor so I ventured into an unknown territory: facial serums. I experimented with many different brands and products, including vitamin C serums and oils, to get the radiant bridal glow I just had to have on the big day. I even tried some of the highest-rated serums on the market in the months leading up to the wedding, but found myself with blotchy, irritated, and inflamed skin. After months of testing sample sizes, I finally discovered the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum by Caudalíe.

I have uneven skin with red undertones that I wanted to neutralize with a serum, and the Caudalíe Vinoperfect Radiance Serum worked wonders for me. Not only did I notice a more even complexion, but my dark spots were visibly lighter after just a few weeks. I still use it as part of my nighttime regimen with a jade roller after washing off my makeup with micellar water. (I aslo do a deep cleanse with this face wash and tone with rose water.) I finish my skincare routine with a hydrating lotion for an added boost of moisture, especially now that it's getting colder and dryer outside. Although I use this miracle serum primarily at night, it works great in the morning underneath sunscreen or lotion, too. It doesn't leave a greasy residue or make my skin feel tight like some serums I've tried in the past, so sometimes I even wear it underneath foundation.

What's different about this serum is that it doesn't contain vitamin C; rather, it's made from viniferine—which, according to the brand, is 62 times more effective at boosting skin's radiance. The vitamin C serums I tried were too harsh on my skin and caused irritation. The Caudalíe Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is free of parabens, gluten-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for my sensitive skin. This French serum is also cruelty-free, with one percent of Caudalíe's sales going toward environmentally focused nonprofit organizations as an added feel-good benefit.

What I originally intended as a luxury item in preparation for my wedding day turned into a daily must-have I can't live without. This serum was the missing ingredient in my skincare routine I didn't know I needed until I was hooked. My skin has never looked brighter or healthier thanks to the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum by Caudalíe. I recommend it to all of my friends looking to bump up their skin's radiance and minimize the appearance of acne marks in just a few drops.

Buy It: Caudalíe Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($79; nordstrom.com)