Establishing a skincare routine that works for you can be a tricky business.
From choosing formulas that wreck havoc on your skin to spending thousands on others that just don’t work, it can be pretty easy to fall into a vicious cycle of bad skincare choices. If you’re on the brink of giving up (and settling for bar soap, water, and a prayer), you might want to hold off just yet.
Nope, you’re not reading that wrong. Daily Vanity might just have the perfect solution for you, and it is actually known as bespoke skincare.
What is bespoke skincare?
Bespoke skincare refers to products that are customised to suit your needs perfectly. This, hence, reduces the chance of wastage all whilst being super effective for your complexion. Sounds like a win-win, right?
Sure, except for the part where most bespoke formulas come at a hefty price tag of SGD200 and up, apparently. Eek!
It is why we were a little apprehensive when we first heard of Alche{me}, a skincare brand that specialises in providing personalised conscious skincare formulations made from vitamin-enriched, botanical actives… with prices starting from as low as SGD50. Whoa, say what?!
That’s right. Personalised serums in 30ml formulations come at a very affordable SGD105 each, whereas emulsions start at SGD50 each, and eye serums are at SGD65 each. Hmm, interesting!
With our curiousities sufficiently piqued, we decided to try out the Alche{me} customisation process for ourselves. Keep reading to see how it all went down!
> Find out more about local start-up Alcheme
Alche{me} Bespoke Serum Review: consultation
Reviewer: Emily
Now, I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve always dreaded face-to-face consultations. Whether it is for my skin or for some other reason altogether, I actually tend to go out of my way to avoid them entirely.
It is why I was so relieved when I heard about Alche{me}’s consultation process, which can be done from the safety (and privacy!) of one’s home. Phew! Utilising a series of questions based on your skin’s needs, goals, lifestyle and environment, Alche{me} is then able to craft up a customised skincare solution that works perfectly for you.
After some deliberation, I decided on the Alche{me} Bespoke Serum from their wide range of products. Mostly because I’m clueless when it comes to picking out a ideal serum for my complexion, and also because I’ve never had the guts to integrate one into my skincare routine before. Plus, at SGD105, the Alche{me} Bespoke Serum is definitely within my budget.
With my doubts and apprehension from before having slightly eased, I hit the start button to get started on my consultation.
The first step involved uploading a selfie of myself. I’m told that it isn’t considered to be mandatory, though it is highly recommended as it allows for your consultant to more accurately gauge what Alche{me} products can do for your skin.
Then came the questions. To ensure maximum effectiveness, I answered them as honestly as possible, ranking the severity of common skincare issues that applied to my complexion. And by this, I mean common skincare concerns such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, and enlarged pores.
Once that was done, I was brought to a page where I was asked to rank my skincare priorities. As getting luminous, dewy K-idol worthy skin has been a long-time dream of mine, I decided to set my top priority to be radiance.
The whole process was fast, and the results were revealed once I had narrowed down (and decided upon the order) of my skincare priorities.
I also really liked that there’s a chat function that you can use anytime during the process for any question or additional information you may want to add to your consultation.
A detailed skin analysis was presented to me upon completion, with it indicating my key skin qualities all while addressing target areas to improve on.
In my case, I’d have to work on early signs of fine lines and wrinkles that have begun showing up on my face as well as hyperpigmentation. As someone with obvious freckles, I remained unsurprised by the latter, but felt a little shaken by the thought of premature ageing.
I’ll be honest: unlike most of my peers, I have been pretty lax about starting my anti-ageing regime. If this wasn’t a (timely) wake up call, I don’t know what is.
With everything filled up, I then hit the checkout counter, and waited patiently for my product to arrive.
> Click here to start your 5-min Bespoke Serum consultation, or stay tuned to the end for a special promo!
Alche{me} Bespoke Serum Review: trying out the product
My bespoke serum came just a week after my consultation, which I have to say, is pretty efficient!
I especially appreciated the packaging, which made me feel like I was receiving a very special gift. And yes, I got to unwrap it too, which just sweetened the deal.
Don’t let the minimalist packaging fool you— the Alche{me} Bespoke Serum actually packs one hell of a punch, with it containing 25 different botanical concentrates and vitamins alone. Whoa! I’m also told that it works to penetrate your skin at the deepest level to reveal your true complexion through its carefully curated formula based on your needs.
It is available in two textures: Ultra Light and Light. Ultra Light is great for those with oily and combination skin types, whereas Light works more effectively for those with dry skin.
As someone with combination skin, I opted for the Ultra Light formula. I requested mine to be lightly scented as well, because I’m a sucker for a good fragrance. But that doesn’t mean that those with more sensitive skin types have to worry, either— fragrance-free formulations are an option.
My first impression upon breaking the seal of my Alche{me} Bespoke Serum? That it has an amazing texture. As promised, it is ultra light and fine, absorbing into skin instantaneously without leaving behind any greasy, sticky residue.
I didn’t notice much changes in the first week, but I did begin to see differences by the second. My skin appeared visibly brighter and smoother, and I felt that my pigmentation spots had reduced slightly.
Image on left: skin prior to using the Alche{me} Bespoke Serum. Image on right: skin after using the Alche{me} Bespoke Serum.
This can be attributed to Alche{me}’s winning formulations, all of which comes with combined active ingredients to help maximise their effects. I’m told that mine contains Vitamin C to reduce melanin production, Wu Zhu Extract to enhance skin luminosity, and Vitamin B3 to reduce the yellow undertone of my skin. Neat!
Alche{me} Bespoke Serum Review: how do we feel about it?
By the end of the month, I can safely say that the Alche{me} Bespoke Serum has become the central focus of my skincare routine.
The inclusion of it in my skincare routine has simplified it immensely, with my usual 10-step routine dropping down to three: cleanser, serum, moisturiser. Yup, it is that good.
With capabilities like these, I can see why Alche{me} is considered to be a form of conscious skincare. Precise skincare solutions and manufacturing on demand makes for less wastage, with their sustained efforts in reducing their carbon footprint sweetening the deal.
Skincare that makes you feel good and look good with less? Yup, we didn’t think it was possible either, but we’re glad to be proven wrong.
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This article is brought to you by Alche{me}.
