Can An At-Home Serum Compare to Laser Treatments? A Dermatologist Put It to The Test

Every beauty product has something to claim, but not every brand is ready to have those claims put to the test. For the conscious consumer, this only makes it harder to know what’s worth investing in, especially at a time when there are so many solutions to the same problem.

Recently, Garnier launched its new Clinical Serum, positioning it as an at-home option for achieving brighter, smoother-looking skin and comparing its results with those of clinical laser treatments.

To put the serum’s claims to the test, Garnier worked with The Skin B Clinic, where board-certified dermatologist Bea Chan-Benavidez, MD, DPDS, oversaw the process. For the next 30 days, they conducted an experiment that compared the serum’s tranexamic acid-based formulation with Nd:YAG laser treatments, an in-clinic procedure that emits a wavelength of high-energy light to target deep pigmentation in the skin.

The method

According to Dr. Chan, this experiment was meant to explore Garnier’s Clinical Serum as an accessible and non-invasive option alongside such laser treatments rather than as a direct replacement. To compare the two, the experiment involved two identical twins of the same complexion, with one undergoing the clinic’s Nd:YAG laser treatment, and the other only using the serum for 30 days.

The results

Dr. Chan notes that despite the limitations and duration of the experiment, she observed improvements in pigmentation and pore texture in the serum user. According to her assessment, these results appeared comparable to those observed in the twin who underwent the laser treatment, with noticeable improvements seen as early as the first seven days.

She adds that its blend of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and symwhite provides a multi-pathway dynamic to address concerns of dark spots and pigment production at every stage, allowing users to gradually achieve brighter, smoother skin.

“Unlike other brightening actives, topical tranexamic acid not only fades PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) by preventing excess melanin formation, but it also minimizes superficial redness by suppressing vascular activity. This unique quality of addressing both pigment and vascular components makes it a powerhouse active,” she adds. 

The conclusion

By the end of the experiment, the Garnier Clinical Serum showcased visible improvements in brightness and smoothness for the serum user, with its lightweight and non-sticky texture allowing it to work comfortably in more humid climates like ours. It was also noted that, beyond seeing noticeable results in the first week, both twins were able to reach similar improvements to their pores and visible marks along the way.

Aside from the serum’s absorbent tranexamic acid base being what stands at the frontline of preventing excess pigmentation, the experiment also showed how its other three ingredients follow quickly behind in keeping the skin bright and protected. “Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant to shield our skin from harmful free radicals, tranexamic acid blocks inflammatory signals to prevent melanocytes from producing melanin, and symwhite directly inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme,” Dr. Chan adds.

Ultimately, the 30-day experiment offers a promising look at what Garnier’s Clinical Serum can bring to an everyday skin care routine. With consistent use, it offers an accessible, non-invasive, and economical option for addressing brightness and skin texture at home—and for those undergoing professional treatments, Dr. Chan sees it as a supportive daily companion that can help maintain results between appointments.

Visit the Garnier website to explore the Clinical Serum. Visit Garnier Philippines on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

This article is in collaboration with The Skin B Clinic, and not in sole collaboration with Dr. Bea Chan herself.