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My mom and I both love this viral Keys Soulcare serum — and it's on sale at Sephora

We put the Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum to see how it performs on young and mature skin.

Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum review: Mom and writer Samantha Vecchiarelli testing serum under makeup
Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum review: My mom and I tried the $32 serum. Photos via Sephora, Samantha Vecchiarelli.

The Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum is going viral on TikTok as a must-try glowy skincare essential. This is because it promises a hydrating, illuminating base formulated to complement all skin tones. However, when it comes to skin types, does it work on both young and mature skin?

To find out, I'm putting the Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum to the test by comparing how it performs on my 27-year-old skin versus my mom's 61-year-old skin.

How to shop the Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum on sale

If you've been considering giving this serum a try, Sephora Rouge members can score it on sale for 20 per cent off thanks to the retailer's annual Savings Event.

VIBs and Beauty insiders will have to wait until Oct. 31 to take advantage of the sale, which offers seasonal promos and discounts on just about everything. Just use the discount code TIMETOSAVE at checkout to save up to 20 per cent (plus 30 per cent off all Sephora Collection products!) depending on your membership level.

Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum

Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide (Image via Sephora)
Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide (Image via Sephora)

From $32 $40 at Sephora

What is it

Sephora describes the Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum as a hydrating, priming, and illuminating serum infused with key ingredients such as niacinamide and rose water.

Formulated to visibly plump and revitalize skin, this serum is available in a universal shade designed to complement all skin tones. It also helps to brighten complexion over time.

First impressions

As someone who considers herself to have dry, dull skin, I was excited to put this illuminating serum to the test.

When pumping out the product, I immediately noticed how silky and smooth the formula felt. The product features a gold-tinted, gel-like consistency with pearly, iridescent reflective properties that seamlessly blends out upon application.

Like how I apply any serum, I used two pumps of the product and applied it directly onto freshly cleansed skin. I didn't notice a drastic difference right away, but upon closer inspection, I loved how the product melted right into my skin and left me with an overall subtle, lit-from-within glow. My skin also felt hydrated and nourished thanks to the combination of niacinamide and rose water.

Testing Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide On Young Skin Before (L), After (R)
Testing Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide On Young Skin Before (L), After (R)

I wanted to see how the serum performed under makeup and I personally love it as a primer. I'm happy with its longevity, in that I feel like it leaves my skin with a hydrated base that not only grips my makeup but offers a gorgeous dewy finish — even underneath other products.

Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide Under Makeup (Young Skin)
Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide Under Makeup (Young Skin)

When my mom first opened the Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum, she was pleasantly surprised with the product's scent. This is because it features a light aroma of rose, courtesy of the rose water and rose oil.

She also used two pumps of the serum, applying it all over clean skin in circular motions. On her mature skin, she immediately took notice of how the product left her looking instantly refreshed, combatting any dry or dull areas and leaving her with an overall healthy glow.

Testing Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide On Mature Skin Before (L), After (R)
Testing Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide On Mature Skin Before (L), After (R)

Upon first glance, I feel as if the product performed better on her mature skin, as it seemed to visibly brighten, balance and plump on application.

The hydrating and illuminating properties of the serum still peek through underneath her makeup, offering a dewy skin-like finish without compromising on performance.

Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide Under Makeup (Mature Skin)
Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide Under Makeup (Mature Skin)

What shoppers are saying

Sephora shoppers are just as obsessed with this must-have skincare addition, with many of them in agreement that it leaves your skin with a gorgeous glow.

"Great [pre-makeup] skincare component. The illuminating factor is great, not streaky, and not heavy unlike some other serums I’ve used," said one Sephora user.

"[I] bought this product because [I] wanted my skin to have a dewy look [without] feeling overly oily. [It] did exactly that!!! [Love] the glow it gives! has a little shimmer in it as well which [I] also love!" raved another.

"The first time I used this someone asked if I had just gotten a facial….need I say more?" said one 5-star review.

However, some reviewers found that this serum has "a pretty strong rose fragrance," which may be a drawback if you're sensitive to scents.

Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide. Photo via Sephora.
Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with Niacinamide. (Image via Sephora)

From $32 at Sephora

Final verdict

When it comes to performance, the Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum undoubtedly works on both young and mature skin.

Both myself and my mom love how hydrating the product felt upon application. It also doesn't feel slick or oily — it melts right into the skin offering a healthy, dewy glow. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that the product looked more illuminating on mature skin. Mature skin tends to be on the drier side, so the product's illuminating properties could be enhanced upon application as it settles into fine lines or wrinkles.

In terms of how it wears, we are both in agreement that this serum is an incredible base underneath makeup, as it offers a radiant finish that ensures skin stays glowing, bright, and balanced.

Starting at $32 CAD with the latest Sephora sale, this is a skincare splurge you can feel good about investing in as it does what it promises to do. Just beware the rose scent if you're not a fan of fragrance in your skincare products.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.