Colgate Optic White Purple Serum review
As someone who’s a huge coffee and milk tea drinker, I’ve always been wary about teeth stains. I used to think my daily brushing routine was enough to keep things in check, but recently, I started noticing that my teeth were looking a little… dull. The yellow tinge wasn’t exactly glaring, but it was enough to make me doubt smiling in pictures.
I’ve tried whitening strips before, but they usually left me with an uncomfortable, almost burning sensation on my gums. It wasn’t exactly ideal when all I wanted was a simple fix. My best friend also told me about professional whitening treatments at the dentist. But with prices ranging from $500 to $1,500 per session, it was way out of my budget.
That’s why I was intrigued when I found out about Colgate Optic White Purple Serum, the brand’s latest innovation. Designed to be used after brushing, this serum doesn’t replace your usual toothpaste but works as a finishing step, allowing me to stick to my regular oral care routine while getting the whitening boost I need with its superior colour correction capabilities.
How colour correction works in teeth whitening
The Colgate Optic White Purple Serum is inspired by colour science and is said to correct yellow stains on your teeth. But you may be wondering: What exactly is colour correction theory, and how does it work?
Think of it like this: colours can be grouped into primary (red, yellow, blue) and secondary (green, orange, purple) hues. On a colour wheel, colours that sit directly opposite each other are called complementary colours. When placed together, they neutralise each other.
It’s the same logic as using green concealer to cancel out redness in your makeup routine or purple shampoo to keep blonde hair from turning brassy. Different colours counteract each other, and in the case of teeth whitening, purple pigments help neutralise yellow tones for a visibly brighter smile.
Colgate applies the same principle to teeth whitening with its Optic White Purple Serum. “Purple and yellow sit opposite each other. Their unique interaction creates a neutral white shade,” shared a Colgate representative. ”Our Colgate Optic White Purple Serum embodies this concept—its purple-hued formula works its magic, neutralising yellow stains for a teeth whitening boost whenever you need it.”
TL;DR? Purple tones neutralise yellow tones, giving you a brighter, more radiant smile.
What to expect when using Colgate Optic White Purple Serum
When I first pumped out the serum, I was surprised by its deep purple colour. TBH, I half-expected it to taste like straight-up food colouring. But spoiler alert: it actually tastes really good. It’s like a refreshing blend of mint and yuzu, rather than the usual chemical-heavy aftertaste some whitening products have.
The application was surprisingly easy. 1 pump was enough to fully coat my toothbrush, and I used it morning and night after brushing as the final step in my routine. Unlike typical whitening pastes that can feel chalky, the serum has a slick and smooth texture. It’s just the right consistency: thin enough to glide onto teeth effortlessly, yet thick enough to stay put without dripping. No weird pasty feeling.
My results after using the whitening serum
I’ve been using the Colgate Optic White Purple Serum twice a day, once in the morning, and again at night. A good thing about the serum is that it’s enamel-safe, which makes it suitable for daily use. I even used it before an important client meeting to boost my confidence – safe to say, it worked.
Right after use, I did notice a faint purple tint on my teeth for a split second, but it rinsed off easily. It does take a few good swishes of water to fully clear it, though. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was a placebo, but my teeth did look a little whiter.
With consistent use, my teeth started feeling fresher after every brush, and I could see a noticeable difference in brightness. Another unexpected bonus? I no longer feel guilty every time I sip on my usual coffee or milk tea. Knowing that the purple pigments will help neutralise those stains makes my daily caffeine fix feel a little less like a crime against my teeth.
Should you add the Colgate Optic White Purple Serum to your routine?
The Colgate Optic White Purple Serum is a quick and easy extra step in my oral care routine, taking just 2 minutes to apply. While it can be tempting to skip when I’m in a rush, I’ve found that the small effort is worth it—especially as it helps me tackle a longstanding insecurity.
What makes this serum even better is how it pairs perfectly with the Colgate Optic White Purple Toothpaste (from $8.95), which launched last year. Just like the serum, the toothpaste uses colour-correction theory to neutralise yellow tones with purple brighteners, while tackling surface stains with micro-polishing crystals. Using both together has become a bit of a secret weapon in my beauty arsenal.
Nobody said self-care comes easy, but when it’s this simple, it’s worth considering. At just $21.90, this serum is also a pretty solid deal compared to at-home whitening strips that can go up to $50 a pop. Colgate Optic White Purple Serum also retails at stores like FairPrice, Guardian and Watsons, making it super convenient to purchase.
Plus, you’re not locked into using it every single day. As a Colgate representative puts it, “[The product] is not a replacement toothpaste. You can use this on top of your oral care routine whenever you need an extra whitening boost.”
I feel more confident now when taking selfies, so, I’d 10/10 recommend.
Find out more about Colgate Optic White Purple Serum here!
Photos taken by Andrea Wong and Alvinna Phang.
This post was brought to you by Colgate.
