Choosing a serum is easier when you begin with your primary skin concern, rather than the ingredient currently attracting the most attention. REFORM Skincare's serum and gel range covers four distinct goals: high-strength antioxidant care, antioxidant support with added hydration, straightforward barrier-friendly hydration, and targeted care for pigmentation and visible redness.
Although some formulas overlap, they are not interchangeable. This comparison explains where each product fits and how to choose without making your routine unnecessarily complicated.
REFORM Skincare serums at a glance
| Product | Best suited to | Key ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C 20% Serum | Dullness, early signs of ageing and sun-damaged skin | 20% L-ascorbic acid |
| HYAL • Vitamin C + E Serum | Dry, ageing or menopausal skin needing antioxidants and hydration | Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 |
| Vitamin B5 Gel | Dehydration, sensitivity and barrier support | 1% vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid |
| Phyto Botanical Gel | Pigmentation, uneven tone and visible redness | Kojic acid, alpha arbutin, botanical extracts, hyaluronic acid and glycerine |
The best option depends not only on what you want to improve, but also on how much active skincare your skin comfortably tolerates.
Vitamin C 20% Serum: for concentrated antioxidant care
REFORM Skincare's Vitamin C 20% Serum is the most targeted choice for people prioritising brightness, uneven-looking tone, sun damage and early signs of ageing. Its headline ingredient is 20% L-ascorbic acid, the pure form of vitamin C.
Vitamin C provides antioxidant support and can help promote a brighter, more even-looking complexion. It also supports collagen production, making this serum particularly relevant when fine lines, loss of radiance or changes caused by environmental exposure are becoming noticeable.
The trade-off is potency. A 20% formula may feel more active than a simple hydrating serum, particularly on sensitive or compromised skin. New users should consider introducing it gradually and monitoring how their skin responds.
The brand directs users to apply two or three drops to clean, dry skin in the morning, followed by moisturiser and broad-spectrum SPF.
Choose this serum if: your main priorities are brightness, antioxidant protection and visible signs of sun damage, and your skin already tolerates active ingredients reasonably well.
HYAL • Vitamin C + E Serum: for hydration and antioxidant support
The HYAL • Vitamin C + E Serum takes a broader, more supportive approach. Rather than focusing solely on a high concentration of one active, it combines antioxidants with humectants and barrier-supporting ingredients.
Vitamin C is paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid, while hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 help attract and retain moisture. This makes the serum a useful option when dryness and reduced resilience sit alongside dullness, pigmentation or signs of ageing.
REFORM positions the formula for ageing and menopausal skin. That distinction matters because hormonal changes can leave skin feeling drier, less comfortable and more reactive. In this situation, a serum that combines antioxidant care with hydration may be more practical than choosing the strongest vitamin C formula available.
Like the Vitamin C 20% Serum, it is designed for morning use on clean, dry skin, followed by moisturiser and broad-spectrum SPF.
Choose this serum if: you want brightening and antioxidant benefits but also need meaningful hydration, particularly if your skin is dry, ageing or affected by menopausal changes.
Vitamin B5 Gel: for simple, dependable hydration
Not every routine needs a strong corrective active. If tightness, dehydration or a weakened-feeling barrier is the immediate problem, Vitamin B5 Gel may be the most sensible starting point.
The formula combines 1% vitamin B5, also known as panthenol, with hyaluronic acid. Panthenol helps soothe and support the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid attracts water to help the skin feel softer and more comfortable. The lightweight, oil-free gel format also makes it suitable for people who want hydration without a rich or heavy finish.
This is the most versatile option in the range for layering. It can be used on its own or beneath other serums, moisturiser, make-up or sunscreen. REFORM recommends applying a small amount to cleansed skin morning and evening.
Choose this gel if: your skin feels dehydrated, tight, sensitive or temporarily overwhelmed, or if you want a straightforward hydration step that can complement other treatments.
Phyto Botanical Gel: for pigmentation and visible redness
Phyto Botanical Gel is the most specialised formula in the comparison. It is designed for pigmentation, uneven tone and rosacea-related concerns, combining corrective ingredients with soothing and hydrating components.
Kojic acid and alpha arbutin are included to address excess pigment and the appearance of dark spots. Botanical and algae extracts help calm the skin, while hyaluronic acid and glycerine support hydration. This balance is important because aggressive approaches to pigmentation may be difficult to tolerate when the skin is also sensitive or prone to redness.
For someone dealing primarily with discolouration, this gel offers a more targeted approach than a general hydrating serum. For reactive skin, however, patch testing remains worthwhile: botanical ingredients and pigment-focused actives can still affect individuals differently.
Choose this gel if: dark spots or uneven tone are your main concern, particularly when they occur alongside visible redness or sensitivity.
Vitamin C 20% or HYAL • Vitamin C + E?
These two formulas are the most likely to cause confusion, but the distinction is fairly simple.
Choose Vitamin C 20% Serum when potency and targeted antioxidant care are the priority. It is the more direct option for experienced users focused on dullness, sun damage and early signs of ageing.
Choose HYAL • Vitamin C + E Serum when hydration is equally important. Its combination of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 makes it better aligned with dry, ageing or menopausal skin.
Using both vitamin C serums in the same application is unlikely to be necessary. Select the one that best suits your skin's condition and tolerance rather than duplicating similar actives.
Can the serums be layered?
Some combinations can work, but more products do not automatically produce better results.
Vitamin B5 Gel is the easiest product to layer because it has a primarily hydrating, supportive role. It can accompany either vitamin C serum when additional hydration is needed.
Phyto Botanical Gel may also be incorporated into a pigmentation-focused routine, but it is sensible to introduce one treatment at a time. This makes it easier to identify the cause if irritation develops.
Whichever serum you choose, daytime sunscreen is essential. Antioxidant and pigment-focused products can support a routine, but they do not replace broad-spectrum sun protection.
The verdict
There is no single best REFORM serum for everyone:
- Best for concentrated vitamin C: Vitamin C 20% Serum
- Best for dry, ageing or menopausal skin: HYAL • Vitamin C + E Serum
- Best for hydration and barrier support: Vitamin B5 Gel
- Best for pigmentation with visible redness: Phyto Botanical Gel
The most effective choice is usually the formula that addresses your leading concern while respecting your skin's tolerance. Start with one targeted serum, use it consistently, and give your skin time to respond before adding another active. If you have persistent irritation, severe pigmentation or a diagnosed skin condition, seek advice from a dermatologist or qualified medical professional.
