Martha Stewart ELM Biosciences skin care review

I’m exactly half Martha Stewart’s age right now, and I can only hope to look as good as her in 20 years, never mind 40 years. Despite having used seemingly every anti-aging serum and cream for mature skin out there, very few things seem to work for me. So, when I heard an icon like Stewart was releasing her own skin serum under the brand ELM Biosciences, I jumped at the chance to review the product.

That Stewart would enter the beauty chat at 84 years of age delighted me, but it didn’t exactly surprise me. Here is a woman in her 80s who is not only attempting to turn back the clock, aesthetically speaking, but is willing to put her legendary brand and reputation behind a skin care line. It’s a brave move as a highly scrutinized public figure, but it’s also one that’s very on-brand for the multihyphenate.

The ELM BIosciences A30 Elemental Serum made my skin look dewy, golden and hydrated after a few weeks of consistent use. Among its offerings are chic packaging, a luxurious and creamy formula that absorbed quickly into my skin, and most importantly, visible results.

I went into testing ELM Biosciences’ serum with high hopes. After all, the website boasts that it’s “the first-of-its-kind antioxidant serum.” Stewart, who’s never one to do things halfway, worked with an advisory board of more than 350 dermatologists, scientists and medical researchers to invent the serum and accompanying daily skin supplement (which I didn’t try).

ELM promises to deliver “potent, simplified formulas” that rival in-office results, and in an Instagram post announcing the release, Stewart said she worked for five years and went through hundreds of prototypes before ELM was launched. There aren’t any details about which kind of “in-office” treatments the serum is supposed to mimic, but it claims to target visible signs of aging like pigmentation, UV damage, dehydration and more.

As someone with very dry skin and dark spots, I was hoping to see a difference in these problem areas with consistent use. And since this is Martha Stewart we are talking about — a self-professed perfectionist — the bar was high. So, for one month, I used the serum religiously night and day after cleansing and before moisturizing to see if it lived up to its claims.

Before I even get into the serum itself, I have to give kudos to Stewart for the packaging, which is chic and luxurious. I felt like I was unboxing something very special and expensive (at $135 a bottle, it certainly isn’t cheap). The matte glass bottle with gold accents and a leaf motif is very Martha Stewart Living and looked quite decorative on my bathroom shelf.

As for the serum itself, the formula is rich and creamy, and absorbed quickly into my very dry skin. It really feels like a luxury product. I noticed right away that it gave my skin a kind of golden glow, and it made my face dewy with that coveted glass skin look that seems to be all over my social media accounts. When I applied my makeup afterward, it seemed to glide on more smoothly, and my skin looked quite luminous. I was impressed.

My skin can be quite sensitive when I introduce new products, but I was pleasantly surprised that I had no adverse reaction to the serum at all. With ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene and vitamin E, I felt confident I wasn’t putting any harsh or harmful chemicals on my skin. Also, the fact that this product came from a figure like Stewart — whom I trust not because she looks much younger than her years (which she does) but because the image she has cultivated for herself is incredibly powerful — made me feel safer slathering this on every day.

After just three weeks of using the serum twice daily, I noticed my skin texture was a lot more even, and my skin overall seemed more hydrated and plump. I noticed the most improvement around my mouth and especially my upper lip lines. I’m most self-conscious about this area of my face, so I was pleased to see some of the fine lines had diminished and the skin didn’t seem as crepey.

The A30 Elemental Serum has a very distinct scent that lingers for a while afterward. It’s not necessarily a bad smell, but it’s a smell nonetheless. It was definitely more fragrant and floral than I would have liked, especially since the website refers to the scent as “barely there.” I thought maybe my nose was particularly sensitive to it, but after reading some reviews, it seems a number of reviewers also noted the scent. Not everyone had an issue with it, however, so it may just come down to personal preference. It certainly isn’t enough to put me off.

Then there’s the price. $135 is way more than I would pay for a serum, and it’s much more expensive than some other effective anti-aging products out there. But beauty is pain expensive, and if I want to look like Martha Stewart in 40 years and this is what it costs, then take my money.

Martha Stewart sets a high standard in everything she does, so I was expecting nothing less than perfection for her first foray into skin care, and I wasn’t disappointed. Between the luxe packaging, the rich formula and the noticeable improvement to my skin after a month of testing, I will be continuing to use this serum. Though the price point is quite steep, I feel like it’s an investment that will hopefully keep me away from injectables for a little longer.

CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. This story was written by CNN Underscored managing editor Rachel Quigley, who has been a writer and editor for almost 20 years and has covered beauty for more than five years. Since turning 40, she has been dedicated to finding beauty products and devices that actually work as she fights the signs of aging.