SKIN CARE REVIEWS
11.21.18
Feeling overwhelmed by all the skin care choices out there? You’re not alone. Every year there are hundreds of new skin care products on the market, and it can feel stressful to have to pick and choose. After all, you want what’s best for your skin and you don’t want to spend too much money trying to find the right fit. We feel your pain and we want to help you narrow it down to figure out exactly what your skin needs, depending on your particular skin type and your concerns.
Skin care is probably more important than most people realize, and the harsh truth is that a lot of us neglect to do what’s best for our skin. Which sounds a little crazy as skin is our largest organ. We all owe it to ourselves to take proper care of it. It’s not always about the aesthetics either — healthy skin protects your entire body.
With that said, we’ve curated a well-rounded list of products that address a multitude of skin concerns with an emphasis on anti-aging. A few common and popular ingredients you’ll find on this list include hyaluronic acid (that ultimate of hydrators), peptides (which can help boost collagen production), squalane (a lipid that is highly moisturizing) and a variety of botanical extracts like licorice root and turmeric, both skin brighteners.
Best Skin Care Products of 2020
The best skin care line for 2020 is Formulyst.
Also topping our list are Advanced Dermatology and Estee Lauder.
Take a look at our carefully cultivated list below, and you’ll be sure to find something that’s perfect for you.
THE BEST PRODUCT
2Advanced Dermatology Anti Aging Regimen
The Advanced Dermatology skin care regimen addresses the most pressing aging concerns. It can be used by men and women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. This award-winning system can help diminish wrinkle appearance, reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, fade away redness, even out skin tone and improve the appearance of eye bags and dark circles. Some of the standout products in this line include the Super Youth Serum, Complete Age Defense and Anti-Wrinkle Firming Night Treatment. The Super Youth Serum specifically targets fine lines and deep wrinkles with super moisturizing ingredients including shea butter and squalane as well as antioxidants like vitamin E. The Complete Age Defense helps combat skin laxity and wrinkling with argan oil, hyaluronic acid and squalane (all highly moisturizing ingredients that help keep skin hydrated and plump). Another ingredient, resveratrol, works as an antioxidant to protect against free radicals that cause wrinkling and sagging in the first place. The Anti-Wrinkle Firming Night Treatment goes to work while you sleep to aid skin in the natural repairing process. It includes hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and palmitoyl dipeptide-5. Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 is believed to play a role in skin firmness while palmitoyl dipeptide-5 helps stimulate collagen production.
3Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro
The Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro line of products was specifically created to wage war against all signs of aging. From wrinkles and fine lines to sagging, these products target aging concerns with gusto thanks to potent ingredients and breakthrough technology. The Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 was designed to lift and tighten sagging skin and treat or prevent wrinkles. Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is a peptide that helps reduce lines and wrinkles brought on by typical facial expressions like laughing, smiling or frowning. It works by temporarily relaxing the muscles that create these expressions in the first place. According to Estee Lauder, this peptide also restores collagen and elastin, two proteins that make up skin’s basic structure and keep it firm and stretchy. This product also contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which exfoliate to refine fine lines and help them gradually fade. The Instant Wrinkle Filler with Tri-Polymer Blend is another product in this line that targets wrinkles to help smooth them out and make them less noticeable. When applied directly to wrinkles, this product plumps them up with a combination of a tri-polymer blend of “advanced filling spheres and blurring optics” and sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate works by helping the skin retain more water, which in turn causes wrinkles to plump up. This ingredient is the salt of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that can retain 1,000 times its weight in water. You can see immediate results as this combination fills in lines to create a smoother overall surface prepped and ready for makeup application. Perfectionist [CP + R] rounds out this skin care line. It is both a firming/lifting serum as well as a wrinkle reducer, clinically proven to boost collagen in the skin with CPR-75 Technology, according to the company. This serum is especially great for deep, more stubborn wrinkles that won’t respond to typical moisturizers and anti-aging creams. This serum contains hydrolyzed fish (pisces) collagen and acetyl hexapeptide-8 as well as a variety of botanical extracts, including chlorella vulgaris. Hydrolyzed fish collagen is believed to increase hydration in the skin, prevent wrinkle formation and smooth out roughness. Chlorella vulgaris extract is a type of algae extract that is both skin protecting (from UV radiation) and skin softening.
4 Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
When we sleep, blood flow increases as our skin and body prepares to repair itself. Any products we use during this time also tend to absorb better, hence why it’s important to use moisturizers and serums at night as well as in the daytime. The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum takes advantage of skin’s repairing activity at night to pump it full of the goodies it needs. This product harnesses the company’s trademarked ChronoluxCB Technology to deliver ingredients like hyaluronic acid deep into the skin where it can have the greatest effect. Hyaluronic acid has the remarkable ability to retain up to six liters of water. When translated to skin care, this means it can keep skin adequately hydrated by locking in moisture. It also has the benefit of plumping up wrinkles to make them smoother and less defined. Other active ingredients include bifida ferment lysate and tripeptide-32. Bifida ferment lysate is a type of yeast that is believed to counter oxidative stress. Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, which can contribute to common aging signs like wrinkles. Tripeptide-32 is a peptide that can restore moisture to the skin and, according to its patent, “turn on” and “turn off” the genes in our skin credited for its repair. This skin care line also includes products designed for the eye area that work in much the same way.
5 Chanel Blue Serum
Chanel’s Blue Serum skin care line is quite interesting. The active ingredients in the face serum and eye cream come from what the company calls “blue zones,” areas in the world where people tend to live longer. Costa Rica, Sardinia and Greece are the particular locations Chanel has chosen to harness ingredients from. These ingredients are green coffee (from Costa Rica), Bosana olives (from Sardinia) and lentisk (from Greece). Green coffee is high in antioxidants, which fight the free radicals that damage cells and degrade collagen to lead to wrinkles and sagging. The company uses a patented Polyfractioning extraction process that results in green coffee with 70 times more antioxidants than regular coffee. Bosana olives contain essential fatty acids and polyphenols to help keep skin protected from environmental pollutants and UV damage. Polyphenols also contain a lot of antioxidants. Lentisk is a tree native to Greece that contains oleanolic acid that protects and helps skin restore itself. With all these ingredients working together, Blue Serum will increase hydration, soften wrinkles and firm up skin.
6 Chanel Le Lift
&Le Lift is another popular Chanel skin care line, this one promising to specifically target sagging and lax skin as well as wrinkles. The line features serums, moisturizers, oil-creams and eye care. Main ingredients include a “potent extract” from the Edulis morning glory plant. Chanel scientists have used this ingredient to patent a compound they claim is “50 times more concentrated than the original molecule.” The compound, called 3.5-DA, improves tone, firms and hydrates. Another ingredient, resveratrol-12, works as an antioxidant to reduce and prevent free radical damage.
7 Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil is a very popular and affordable drug store brand that may seem too good to be true, but it’s not. This is a very gentle, non-irritating formula that can be used on all skin types. Containing only eight ingredients, this cleanser thoroughly cleanses while also soothing and ensuring skin isn’t stripped of its natural oils. The two main ingredients in this product are propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate. Propylene glycol is a popular skin-conditioning agent you’ll find in the ingredients list of a ton of beauty and skin care products. Sodium lauryl sulfate is what causes the foaming and cleansing action in this soap-free formula. This is the ideal cleanser for someone who wants something simple yet effective.
8 Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Charlotte Tilbury has worked with dozens of celebrities in her storied career, and she knows a little something about what works. Her Magic Cream is a very hydrating moisturizer beloved by models and actresses and full of proven ingredients that work, including vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, peptides and botanical extracts and oils. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps undo free radical damage. It’s really important to pump the skin with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. If left unchecked, free radical damage will run rampant and make skin age much faster than it usually would. Hyaluronic acid seals in moisture to give skin that lovely plumpness and to smooth out wrinkles. Palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 both help reduce wrinkling. Palmitoyl oligopeptide works much like retinol (vitamin A), but without the skin irritating side effects like redness and flakiness. Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 help prevent glycation damage, a natural process that ultimately has a negative effect on collagen and elastin. The botanical extracts in this formula include wild pansy extract and rosehip oil, both moisturizing and conditioning age
9 Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon
This is another anti-aging cream that goes to work while you sleep and your skin sets to repairing itself. Skin is less fatigued and more radiant by morning, as a result. Lavender essential oil helps create a calming and soothing atmosphere to promote sleep. The main active ingredients however, are tamarind seed extract, Persian silk tree extract and wu-zhu-yu extract. Tamarind seed extract promotes hydration for softer skin and a smoother complexion. Persian silk tree extract helps to offset the process of glycation, helping to reduce skin damage. Wu-zhu-yu extract helps calm thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This formula also contains vitamin E to help promote antioxidant activity and combat free radicals.
10 Dior Dreamskin
Dior’s Dreamskin is a “perfect skin creator” that promises to target several skin woes, including wrinkles, redness, large pores and overall roughness. The main ingredients Dior claims make all the difference are longoza from the Ranomafana garden in Madagascar and Opilia from the Koro garden in Burkina Faso. The longoza, according to the company, is a rare flower with strong regenerative properties that supposedly translate to skin. The longoza’s properties are given further power by an anti-gravity complex that penetrates deep to offer its protective and anti-aging qualities to human skin. The opilia, on the other hand, targets redness and hyperpigmentation to help even skin tone for a more radiant look.
11 Dior Capture Youth
Dior’s Capture Youth skin care line features the Age-Delay Advanced Creme moisturizer and five serums specifically designed for a variety of skin woes, including wrinkles and redness. Natural ingredients in the form of plant botanicals give this product range its impressive antioxidant powers. The Age-Delay moisturizer features iris concentrate, a very potent antioxidant that protects against free radicals and fortifies skin against other environmental pollutants that often lead to a dull complexion, collagen degradation, skin laxity and wrinkles. A “natural plant mesh” also helps to soothe and strengthen while refining texture to make it smoother. The serums, meanwhile, target more specific concerns and can be used in conjunction with the moisturizer for a truly radiant effect. The Glow Booster Age-Delay Illuminating Serum features murunga plum and vitamin C to brighten skin, removing and fading away acne scars, melasma and other sources of hyperpigmentation. The Plump-Filler Age Delay Plumping Serum homes in on deeper wrinkles to plump them up with hyaluronic acid derived from fermented wheat. Hyaluronic acid is excellent at retaining water and sealing in moisture to give skin that youthful plumpness. The Lift-Sculptor Age Delay Lifting Serum was created to address skin laxity. Polyphenols derived from a combination of white, green and rooibos teas help to promote elastin production. Elastin fibers keep skin taut, and it’s what allows skin to retain its shape after it has been pulled or stretched. The Redness Soother Age-Delay Anti-Redness Soothing Serum combats redness with thanks to iris extract that calms irritation and a green tint that immediately neutralizes redness. Lastly, the Matte Maximizer Age-Delay Mattifying Serum helps minimize the appearance of large pores and promotes an overall smoother, more refined texture. Lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, gently exfoliates, while pink clay and zinc gluconate reduce excess oil.
12 SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
SK-II products are highly coveted with overwhelmingly positive reviews for a reason — they simply work. An oft-rewarded product, the Facial Treatment Essence promises to tackle several aging concerns, including firmness, tone and wrinkling for a rejuvenated, revived complexion. This product boasts 90% Pitera, a yeast derivative and trademarked ingredient exclusive to SK-II that contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins and organic acids (though the exact breakdown of ingredients is not known). Together they help refine texture and reduce pore size, boost elasticity to keep skin tight, hydrate and plump up wrinkles and make skin radiant overall by evening out tone. This treatment also contains galactomyces ferment filtrate, a type of fungus used to heighten moisturization to keep skin fully hydrated and conditioned. In studies, it has proven to help protect skin from environmental damage.
13 Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery skin care line features a facial oil, eye cream and cleanser that work overnight to give you beautiful, luminous skin. The key natural and synthetic ingredients in all three products include lavender oil, squalane and evening primrose oil. Lavender oil has calming properties that can help soothe irritation and redness. Lavender also promotes relaxation, potentially helping you to fall asleep faster as you breathe in the aroma. Squalane, derived from olives, is a naturally occurring lipid that hydrates deeply while also strengthening the skin barrier. The skin barrier offers protection against outside irritants and pollutants, and if damaged can cause roughness, flakiness, itching and redness that is bothersome and uncomfortable. Keeping the skin barrier healthy and strong keeps skin looking and feeling its absolute best. Evening primrose oil also helps keep the skin barrier strong while also promoting elasticity to keep skin firm and flexible.
14 Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Combine the Midnight Recovery products with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream for a truly powerful sucker punch against aging. This cream is beyond potent, with ingredients that can withstand even the most inclement weather. It’s especially great for those living in harsh climates where winters can be brutal.The Ultra Facial Cream contains antarcticine, imperata cylindrica and squalane. Antarcticine is, as the name suggests, sourced from Antarctica. It is a glycoprotein with impressive moisturization powers that protects and hydrates, especially in very cold weather when skin is more likely to dry out. Imperata cylindrica is a desert plant containing high concentrations of potassium. It is also extremely hydrating with the ability to nourish and rejuvenate. Regular use of this cream renders skin supple, soft, smooth and healthy.
15 Clarins Double Serum
Botanical extracts make up the bulk of the ingredients list in Clarins Double Serum. Plants like turmeric root, avocado, milk thistle, oat kernel and quinoa seed come together to fight common signs of aging like wrinkles while also evening out skin tone for a truly radiant look. Turmeric root helps bring luminosity by fading out discoloration, avocado is supremely hydrating with the potential to smooth out wrinkles and keep skin soft, milk thistle is an antioxidant that tackles skin damaging free radicals to both treat and prevent wrinkles, oat kernel is an anti-inflammatory that soothes irritated skin and quinoa seed has high levels of magnesium that can potentially boost elasticity. This is quite an impressive list and it’s no wonder that Clarins touts this concentrate as their most powerful.
16 Sunday Riley Good Genes
Sunday Riley’s Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment claims to plump up wrinkles in as little as three minutes. Color us impressed! This product contains lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid like glycolic acid, that smooths and refines fine lines and wrinkles. It is also effective on large pores and comedones (blackheads). It works by removing dead skin cells to allow newer cells to rise up to the surface. Other ingredients include natural ones like licorice, lemongrass and aloe. Licorice is known for its ability to combat hyperpigmentation, effectively lightening dark spots from acne or any other reason. Lemongrass gives a boost of radiance to make skin sparkle. Aloe is there to soothe and calm as lactic acid can be potentially irritating. Use this treatment a few times a week for a bright, refined complexion. Though a bit pricey, this product has incredible reviews and a cult following.
17Clinique Moisture Surge
Clinique’s Moisture Surge skin care line features a moisturizer, mask, CC cream and face mist. This line is all about providing intense hydration to leave skin feeling silky smooth and looking illuminated. Active ingredients in the moisturizer include squalane, sodium hyaluronate, olive fruit extract, aloe and palmitoyl hexapeptide-12. Squalane moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for healthy skin that can withstand environmental stressors. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid. It can retain large amounts of water and is used in skin care products to plump and hydrate by sealing in moisture. Olive fruit extract is an antioxidant that targets free radical damage to help treat and prevent. Aloe soothes irritation, reduces redness and generally calms skin while also providing hydration. Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 helps smooth out wrinkles and promotes younger-looking skin.
18Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion
This is a multi-tasking lotion that won’t leave you disappointed. It’s essentially a moisturizer, but it also refines and helps unclog pores thanks to retinol (vitamin A) and queen of meadow extract. Retinol is one of the most potent exfoliating agents and helps to slough off dead skin cells to give skin back its radiance. Queen of meadow extract is an astringent that can help reduce excess oil. Hydration comes courtesy of panthenol (a provitamin of vitamin B5) and honey. Panthenol has shown significant hydrating qualities in studies. Honey is a humectant that attracts and locks in moisture. Finally, allantoin and arnica help soothe to prevent irritation that can occur from the retinol in this formula. All in all, this is a very well-rounded lotion that targets a variety of common skin concerns.
19 Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser harnesses the power of soy proteins to provide skin-plumping hydration while also giving skin a thorough, sparkling clean. Soy proteins help skin maintain elasticity to keep it strong, firm and flexible. Elasticity is what allows skin to snap back once it’s been stretched. Without it, skin becomes loose and begins to sag. The natural rosewater and cucumber extracts in this formula help soothe and calm potential irritation, while borage seed oil is there to nourish. Borage seed oil is rich in a fatty acid known as gamma-linolenic acid that acts as an anti-inflammatory and hydrating agent. This formula is also extra-gentle and suitable for all skin types.
20 Skinceuticals Light Moisture UV Defense
Sun protection is absolutely vital. In fact, some dermatologists believe it’s the most important part of any truly thorough skin care routine. UV damage can wreak havoc on skin, degrading collagen and elastin, the two proteins that keep skin firm and youthful. So, yes, you absolutely want a good sunscreen lotion to keep you protected. But sunscreen can often be a chore to apply, leaving skin greasy and less than pleasant to the touch. Enter Skinceuticals Light Moisture UV Defense — a virtually weightless formula that is oil-free and won’t clog pores, all the while it will actively moisturize and protect from the sun’s harmful rays. Key ingredients include avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene and glycerin. The first four ingredients are all sunscreens that provide broad UVA/UVB protection. Octisalate and octocrylene are both organic compounds that absorb UVB rays (the type that cause sunburn). Octocrylene is also an emollient that moisturizes to leave skin supple and hydrated. Glycerin is also a moisturizing agent (a humectant) that keeps skin soft and smooth. It is usually a top ingredient in a great variety of moisturizers. UV damage won’t stand a chance when your skin is covered in this product.
21 EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46
A true multi-tasker, this facial sunscreen is ideal for men and women suffering from acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation. This sunscreen protects from UV damage with 9% transparent zinc oxide, helps treat hyperpigmentation with niacinamide, hydrates with hyaluronic acid and exfoliates with lactic acid. Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, has shown much promise in studies — it not only helped treat wrinkling and fine lines, but also improved discoloration, red blotchiness and yellowing, while further improving elasticity. It’s a wondrous ingredient that can seemingly do it all. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps the skin retain water to keep it plumped up. Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid used to exfoliate to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. You will truly gain many benefits from this one product with regular use. Don’t sleep on it.
22 Drunk Elephant Protini
Drunk Elephant has a cult following thanks to its commitment to using only supremely efficacious ingredients in its formulas, and there are glowing reviews to back up the line’s efficiency. The company’s products are always paraben, mineral oil and sulfate-free, ingredients the brand considers to be irritating and overall detrimental to skin. This particular moisturizer is full of skin-beautifying greatness to reduce signs of aging and reveal a glowing, dewy complexion. First up are the nine signal peptides that seal in moisture to firm and plump, allowing skin to retain its natural springiness. Next comes the pygmy waterlily stem cell extract, highly moisturizing and full of antioxidants to counter free radicals. Third in line is the soybean folic acid ferment extract. This is a B vitamin that helps maintain elasticity for firmness and suppleness. Finally there’s acetyl glutamine, an amino acid that reduces hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
23Drunk Elephant Babyfacial
Another great product from this line is the Drunk Elephant Babyfacial. Formulated with alpha-hydroxy (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), this is like a mini facial in a bottle. Both AHAs and BHAs are very effective exfoliation agents that dig deep to unclog pores and remove layers of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This particular formulation contains 25% AHA and 2% BHA including glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid. A veritable treasure trove of acids that join forces to give you the best skin of your life. This formula also contains niacinamide, a vitamin that can pretty much do it all, from countering hyperpigmentation and wrinkles to improving elasticity.
24Lancome Genifique
This is an anti-aging skin care line that helps strengthen skin and fight signs of aging with serums, eye creams and sheet masks. The Advanced Genifique Serum promises smoother and more luminous skin in as little as seven days, and features Bifidus extract, which helps strengthen the skin barrier to prevent loss of moisture. This in turn causes skin to look and feel healthier. A strong skin barrier can prevent irritants, bacteria and pollutants from entering your skin and wreaking havoc. Skin is smoother and softer as a result, without being bothered by irritation, blemishes and other common skin problems. The Advanced Genifique Sensitive Serum, on the other hand, is formulated for more sensitive skin types and features vitamin E and ferulic acid as its main ingredients. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant to help undo and prevent free radical damage that can ultimately lead to wrinkling and loose skin that doesn’t bounce back like it used to. Ferulic acid is also an antioxidant that has been shown to make vitamin E more potent when combined with it. This serum also contains Centella Asiatica to calm irritation and protect from environmental stressors, two things sensitive skin desperately needs.
25Lancome Visionnaire
The Lancome Visionnaire set features quite a few products targeted at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fading dark spots. The Advanced Skin Corrector, for example, features sodium hyaluronate and rye seed extract as main ingredients. Sodium hyaluronate serves as the reason this serum is so good at plumping up wrinkles and helping to smooth them out. Rye seed extract helps firm skin and reduce wrinkle depth and length, making them appear shorter and more shallow. The Crescendo Dual-Phase Night Peel (a leave-on nighttime formula) exfoliates to help diminish fine lines, large pores and discoloration in the form of dark spots as a result of acne scars or melasma. This product features glycolic acid, salicylic acid, fruit acids and quinoa husk to target wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, pore size and general texture.
26Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream
If you’re looking for an affordable moisturizer with incredible ingredients, this just might be the perfect cream for you. The Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream features hyaluronic acid, amino-peptides and vitamin B3 (niacinamide). Together, these ingredients help fight annoying signs of aging that can erode confidence. Fine lines, deep wrinkles, laxity and hyperpigmentation are all signs of aging that inevitably appear as we grow older, and sometimes before we’re even quite old yet. Regular use of this particular cream can help treat and prevent these signs. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating ingredient that draws moisture from the air and from deeper in your dermis to moisturize and plump up wrinkles, making them much less apparent. Amino-peptides help replenish collagen in the skin to promote a firmer, less lined countenance. Vitamin B3 has several benefits, including smoothing out wrinkles, improving elasticity, clearing dark spots and even reducing redness. These ingredients are tried and true and shouldn’t disappoint.
27Olay Regenerist Serum
The serum in this skin care line features similar but more concentrated ingredients as in the moisturizer. You’ll also find amino-peptides and niacinamide in this formula as well as allantoin, green tea leaf extract, panthenol (a provitamin of vitamin B5) and carbo fruit extract. Allantoin soothes skin to prevent irritation. Green tea leaf extract contains polyphenols that are powerful antioxidants. Panthenol is highly hydrating and skin softening. Carob fruit extract is also an antioxidant and skin brightener. This serum promises to reduce lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity and firm skin up. It is best applied first before you follow up with the moisturizer.
28Shiseido Ultimune
Shiseido’s Ultimune skin care line features a face concentrate and an eye concentrate. This line promises to improve radiance, nourish and protect thanks to a variety of antioxidants. Key ingredients in the face concentrate include ginkgo biloba, thyme, yeast extract and Bulgarian rose water. Ginkgo biloba (you may remember it as a supplement that promotes memory) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps protect and strengthen skin. Thyme has shown a propensity for calming and toning skin, even reducing excess oil and helping treat blemishes. Yeast extract also acts as an antioxidant and also has skin softening and conditioning properties. Bulgarian rose water is moisturizing and rejuvenating and helps balance pH levels. These concentrates are also purported to boost the powers and abilities of other skin care products that you may be using in conjunction.
29First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream is a fan favorite with truly great reviews. It has a lovely whipped cream texture and smells of eucalyptus, a calming scent. Key ingredients are colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, licorice root, feverfew and white tea extracts. Colloidal oatmeal soothes irritation and is especially great for dry, flaky, parched skin. Shea butter is a moisturizer used in many skin and hair care products because of its high hydrating ability. Licorice root is a skin lightening agent that can help even out tone for a brighter look. Feverfew and white tea are antioxidants, while feverfew is also an anti-inflammatory. This helps soothe irritated skin and problems like rashes, patchiness, flakiness and redness. This is probably the better cream to use if you are having certain issues with skin, like eczema, instead of as an anti-aging lotion.
30SkinMedica HA5
SkinMedica’s HA5 skin care line is centered around power ingredient hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is found naturally in the skin and in areas like joints. It begins to decrease as we age. In fact, when in your 40s and 50s, you have about 50% less hyaluronic acid then when you were in your 20s. When applied topically to the skin hyaluronic acid provides hydration, plumpness and a bounce-y, springy feel that looks healthy and luminous. There are five types of hyaluronic acid in this line — sodium hyaluronate (provides hydration instantly), cross-linked HA (provides 8 hours of hydration), nano HA (is soothing), uncross-linked HA (smooths and hydrates) and time released HA (provides sustained release of HA). The products in this line include the Rejuvenating Hydrator and the Smooth and Plump Lip System. The HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator works by helping skin to restore its natural reserves of hyaluronic acid. It diminishes the overall appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by plumping them up. The Smooth and Plump Lip System helps restore the lips’ natural contour and volume.
31Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
Another cult favorite, Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 is beloved by many the world over with rave reviews speaking to its excellence. This is a lactic acid exfoliator that helps improve skin texture and slough off dead skin cells to give a boost to your skin’s natural exfoliation process. Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that encourages cell turnover and can help treat blemishes in addition to fine lines and wrinkles. Other ingredients include sorrel (anti-inflammatory), myrrh extract (moisturizing), myrtle (astringent) and onion (rejuvenating). These ingredients, especially the onion, account for a rather unpleasant scent which may take some getting used to. There are several types of the Lotion P50. The original is the Lotion P50 1970, which is considered to be the original formula and also the version believed to work the best. P50V or P50V 1970 were formulated for those with dry skin. P50W or P50W 1970 were made with those with sensitive skin in mind. Finally, P50 PIGM 400 was made specifically to treat hyperpigmentation.
