Just as I began wondering why the world would ever need another Vitamin C serum, Farmacy dropped their new Very Cherry Bright formula with not one, two or three but four forms of the active ingredient. If you’re curious if it smells as delicious as it sounds — it does. Standing tall in an on-brand cherry red pump bottle, the serum feels exquisite on the skin. It’s been just under a month since I’ve incorporated it into my daily regimen and I’m happy to report, it’s a winner.
But wait. To expand on what is bound to be the latest ingredient trending, Farmacy launched a limited edition of Very Cherry Clean, a Vitamin C laced version of their bestselling cleansing balm!
Cherry Bright
The new treatment serum aims to hydrate, brighten, and firm. As mentioned earlier, it is infused with four forms of Vitamin C, four varying in molecular weight forms of Hyaluronic Acid, and a skin firming peptide derived from the Sacha Inchi plant. The brand refers to the Vitamin C content as 15% clean, as the skin brightening compound comes from the Acerola Cherry fruit. Unlike the sweet cherry we enjoy snacking on during summer months, this particular variety looks a little more bumpy and is most commonly grown in Barbados.
Very Cherry Bright is a clear serum that resembles a juicy essence in its unique texture. It also absorbs fairly quickly and layers great under other formulas. If you’re unsure if it’s a better fit for your AM or PM routine, it is lightweight enough to work either time. Personally, I prefer to use it in the morning and let the brightening potion do its magic right under my sunscreen. As a minimalist, I cleanse, treat, protect. Another reason why I love VCB is that it never makes my SPF pill.
Why do I love it? Besides the yummy cherry almond aroma? Each pump evokes subtle notes of a gourmet cherry almond tart. It’s exquisite. The new Very Cherry Bright is a great user-friendly Vitamin C addition to my anti-aging arsenal. Unlike some other formulas you may be familiar with that have that odd hot dog water smell, this one is neither oily nor smelly. Just short of a month into using this latest, I am loving how hydrated and plump my skin looks. Is it brighter? Somewhat. Nothing dramatic but such results require a bit longer of a commitment. I find alternating it with my other Farmacy favorites (Honeymoon Glow and Honey Grail) contributes to visibly impressive results.
Very Cherry Clean
I have always enjoyed the original Green Clean. It’s a fantastic K-beauty, sherbert-like cleansing balm that dissolves makeup, sunscreen and daily grim. It also rinses off with water like a dream. Fully aware that I sound like a broken record while recommending my favorite cleansing balms (Emma Hardie and Elemis), I am seriously thrilled with the new Very Cherry Clean. It’s safe to say it may be joining the Top 3. Truth is, I like it so much that a full size jar made it with me to Italy. And speaking of travel — unlike my creamy British staples, this one did not liquify during a long haul flight.
What’s in it? The lightweight (yet solid) base is infused with the superstar Acerola Cherry Extract to add a little bit of skin brightening to your cleansing ritual. There is also a healthy dash of Papaya Extract which provides gentle yet effective enzymatic exfoliation. Other highlights include Sunflower and Moringa Seed oils, Turmeric, Neem Leaf Extract to keep your complexion feeling soft and nourished.
Side note: not a fan of comparisons of any kind (as in I break out in hives when I see ‘steal vs splurge’ pieces), I wanted to touch upon the texture of Very Cherry Clean. After trying countless formulas on the market, I split cleansing balms into creamy, almost waxy, spa-like treatments (Darphin, Eve Lom, etc.) and the solid yet weightless, whipped balms that melt on contact and are more often than not Korean imports (It Cosmetics, Banila Co., etc). Farmacy falls into the latter category.
The latest Farmacy launches confirm that cherry is having a moment as the next big ingredient in skincare. Fingers crossed the limited edition becomes a permanent addition and helps build yet another delicious range.
Cherry Bright ($62) is currently available on farmacybeauty.com and sephora.com while Cherry Clean is launches today on farmacybeauty.com and will be on sephora.com September 3rd.
