I’ve tried $10,000 worth of serums, and this is the one that I’m sticking with for life

If your beauty routine were the Super Bowl, serums would be J.Lo’s halftime performance, which worked to make watching the nearly four-hour affair worth your time. They’re the workhorse with the active ingredients that truly transform your complexion for the better, more than any other product. Which is to say, I’m a big fan.

Because of the holy power of serums—and, well, because I’m a beauty editor—I’ve tested hundreds of different ones over the years. We’re talking more than $10,000 worth of products. Some are great. Some, not so much. But when I say that the Marie Veronique Barrier Lipid Complex ($95) is the only one that I’m sticking with until I die, I mean it.

This product is chock-full of the three fundamental lipids (or fats) that make up your skin’s barrier: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. Once slathered on, these go to work by replacing your skin’s natural fats, which are key for maintaining moisture. On top of these, the serum also contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which are all hydrating superstars.

Although it’s a product I’ve used before, it circulated back into my life again after a time when my skin barrier got damaged and needed serious TLC to repair. I turned to none other than chemist and skin-care guru Marie Veronique, who formulated a series of products made specifically for this common dilemma. I’m now a changed woman. Even in the middle of winter, with this baby on my skin, my complexion doesn’t dry out halfway through the day—something it would always do in the past. The serum stays put, protecting my face and adding a healthy glow.

Honestly, applying the lipid complex to my skin is probably my favorite part of my day. It smells funky (the best products smell bad, BTW), but it immediately soaks in and gives my face a healthy, plump radiance. After weeks of diligent use, my skin has never looked (or felt) more hydrated, dewy, and nourished. It’s a transformation that has gotten me a ton of compliments, to which I reply by spewing my monologue on why everyone should be using this product. You’re welcome.

If your skin’s in need of some help, here’s your 3-part solution to skin barrier repair, according to the pros. And these are the best hyperpigmentation serums you can buy for brightening up those dark spots.