It isn’t often that I venture into mass retail skincare. Not because I’m a brand snob, but I am particular about quality of ingredients. I have been amazed by the Finnish line Lumene for a while and I can find it at a drug store. Lumene’s products are effective due to ingredients like Arctic cloudberry and high amounts of Vitamin C. The product range recently rebranded itself with a line called Bright Now and I tried Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C BB Serum ($18, 1 oz.).

This lightweight cream is less serum, but more lotion. The serum works as a primer before applying BB cream or other makeup. The cream is extremely hydrating, so those with oily skin should use sparingly. I noticed my pores minimized and my skin felt silky smooth. However, I didn’t experience any of the brightening or exfoliating attributes it claims.

Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C BB Serum was not my favorite Lumene product. I use a few products from the line consistently and I didn’t see the benefit, or need, for another product in my skincare regime with this serum.