LEIGH CAMPBELL: 'The $35 collagen booster that makes your serums work twice as hard.'

Ever wished you could give your favourite serum a power-up?

According to beauty expert Leigh Campbell, there's a $34.95 product that does exactly that — and it's way more fun to use than your average skincare product.

On a recent episode of Mamamia's You Beauty podcast, Leigh introduced co-host Kelly McCarren to what might be one of the most innovative skincare launches of the last 12 months: Boost Lab's Essential Collagen Boosters.

Listen to the full episode below.

What are they?

Think of them as little power-ups for your skincare routine. Each pack contains seven individual "pearls" (or as Kelly enthusiastically calls them, "balls") that you can mix with your regular serum to enhance its effects.

"You can use it as a booster once a week or do a course for a week," Leigh explained.

While they're designed to be used with Boost Lab serums, Leigh admits she's been mixing them with other brands she loves, too.

"They say Boost Lab, of course. I've been using it with various ones. This is my second packet, by the way."

Why collagen matters.

Collagen is a type of protein that acts like scaffolding for your skin — it's what keeps everything plump, bouncy and youthful-looking.

As we age, our natural collagen production starts to slow down, which is why skin can begin to look less firm and elastic.

While applying collagen topically can't replace what's naturally occurring in your skin, using products that help boost and support collagen production can make a noticeable difference to skin's appearance and texture.

That's where these innovative boosters come in. By combining them with your regular serums, you're essentially giving your skincare routine a collagen-supporting power-up.

How do they work?

The application process is where things get interesting.

According to Leigh, you:

1. Start with clean, damp skin.

2. Take one collagen pearl.

3. Mix it with a drop of your favourite serum in your palm.

4. Watch as it mysteriously dissolves.

5. Apply to your face.

"It feels like nothing," Leigh observed during her demonstration.

"It feels like a foam packaging, but also looks a bit pink."

The magic happens when you mix it with your serum: "See how it's disintegrating and it's just gone?" she said.

Watch: The You Beauty hosts talk foundation whisking. Post continues after video.

The results.

The immediate effect was noticeable enough to surprise both hosts, whose hands were even left glowy after a little application.

And they're particularly good for certain skin types.

"Because I'm combo, I probably can't get that much glow in the morning, but for a dry person, using that before makeup [is great], because it also makes it — depending on which serum you're mixing it in — sort of a bit thicker and tacky, but in a nice way."

When should you use them?

You can use these boosters morning or night, but the You Beauty experts recommend being strategic about which serums you pair them with.

"I would only use, like, a hydrating or a peptide."

They're also perfect for special occasions or travel.

"[They're good if] you're travelling and you don't want to take a whole bunch of different things… [Say] you're going away for a wedding, so you've got your regular skincare, but the day of the wedding or the night before you want to just amp it up."

The verdict.

At $34.95 for seven pearls, these boosters are an affordable way to enhance your existing skincare routine. And according to Leigh, they're worth the investment.

Just remember to keep them separate from your medicine cabinet — as Leigh noted, "I thought they looked like panadol or like individual lollies a little bit."

And if Leigh and Kelly's enthusiasm is anything to go by, we'll be seeing a lot more of these innovative booster-style products in 2025.

"We're going to be smooshing pearls all over ourselves this year!"

Feature Image: Instagram/@leighacampbell/@boostlabco