Youth to the People's New Energy Serum Is Basically a Shot of Espresso for Your Skin

We love a brand that keeps things clean and eco-friendly, especially in our skincare, so new releases from Youth To The People are always on our radar. In fact, Youth to the People's Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask ($48) snagged one of our 2020 Eco Awards, and the latest clean beauty innovation from the brand is basically a shot of espresso for your skin. The 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum ($68) says it all in the name. Promising to reduce the appearance of puffy, tired skin and contour (without the streaky makeup), I had to know more about the new launch.

Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum $68.00

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Over Zoom the founders Greg Gonzalez and Joe Cloyes explain that they draw ingredient inspiration from wellness, health, and superfoods and combine that with innovations in cosmetic science. "The star ingredient in our product is obviously vitamin C, but there are different preservative systems and things like that. We're always looking to improve every product we have and also working on new products asking, "What do we want? What do our fans want?"

The serum combines three different sources of synthetic derivatives of vitamin C for a formula that’s stable and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. This combination penetrates deeper into the skin, boosting collagen, reducing hyperpigmentation, and protecting the skin from free radicals. Some superfood ingredients also included, you might spot at Whole Foods like anti-oxidant rich passion fruit and dragon fruit for skin health and moisture. And to top it off, the serum's key hydrator, squalane, locks in moisture.

The other star ingredient, clean caffeine derived from yerba mate and guayasa, increases microcirculation to help the de-puffing process. Of course, a mini facial massage helps the process along. The YTTP team demonstrated a "facial" application method over Zoom for the best results:

1. Evenly distribute the product into your hands and sweep it across your face. "Firmly press your hands over your cheeks, using an upward motion, and do this as many times as you want," explains Gonzalez and Cloyes.
2. Then gently tap your fingers, as if you're kind of playing the piano in an upward motion from the top of your cheeks until your fingers are on your forehead.
3. You're going to repeat this at least three times. "Continue with gently tapping your fingers in an upward motion but this time from the bottom of your cheeks and move them towards your temple," say the founders.
4. You can repeat these motions a couple of times for the best results. 

You can grab the serum now on YouthToThePeople.com. It will available on Sephora.com on December 22, and in Sephora stores on January 1.