Skin Care News

StriVectin-SD - Product Review

Posted on August 19, 2009 with No Comments

Botox injections are all the rage nowadays when it comes to temporarily removing wrinkles and leaving your face a lot less wrinkly and more “youthful-looking” than before, all the jokes about how downright creepy a deadened, frozen face looks aside. However, aside from this Botox injection trend, there’s also another way of achieving a more youthful, less wrinkly you—and it’s a lot less of an unnatural process to boot. We’re talking about the top-recommended Strivectin-SD, of course.

StriVectin-SD Stretch Mark Cream

Now, the concept of the stretch mark cream is hardly as innovative or new as Botox, but there’s a good reason why Strivectin-SD is so popular anyway. In fact, it’s not that much of a “stretch” to say that this product is among the best-selling and most famous topical stretch marks products next to skin resurfacing. Hundreds of vendors have published lists that have the Strivectin-SD as a consistent, high-level performer.

Then again, lists are one thing, and trying out the cream for yourself is another thing entirely. Is it worth the hype it’s receiving? The ever-growing stretchmarks cream market is inundated with all sorts of creams, ointments, liniments, cleansers, and whatnot, so you have to take even the top ten lists of merchants with a grain of salt. The proof, after all, is in the pudding, and the actual conclusion lies within the Strivectin-SD’s stretch mark solution, scar reducing ability itself.

Moreover, the constant comparisons to this cream and resurfacing are partly induced by the company itself. The product’s slogan is actually, “Strivectin-SD: Better Than Botox”. It takes a lot of moxie to claim such a thing, but it inevitably leaves consumers suspicious and more than a little skeptical. For people who’ve tried out the Botox procedure and staunchly support it, they’d probably take personal offense at the gall of alleging that a comparatively cheap anti-aging cream applied daily is more effective and impressive than a $500 or so cosmetic treatment.

As a note, this particular product from StriVectin was orginally designed as a treatment for reducing and diminishing stretch marks.  Interestingly, women noticed that it tightened the skin where it was applied and wrinkles disappeared.  So, as chance would have it, women began using it as a “wrinkle cream”.  As a follow-on, StriVectin introduced a new product (Eye Cream) with a few less-harsh ingredients specifically for wrinkles.  Thus our review may seem a bit confusing.  Effectively we’re evaluating its (their) success at both - wrinkles and stretch marks.

Checking out Strivectin-SD reveals first and foremost that, no, it’s not superior to Botox or isn’t even the next best thing to Botox. To be true, it’s just about as effective as any other anti-wrinkle cream currently available in the market.

On the other hand, it’s quite potent and it’s undoubtedly among the better anti-aging topical agents available right now. It’s particularly effective against fine lines and early onset wrinkles. Using this as daily maintenance on your face will at the very least help you age gracefully, if not look ten years younger in the long run.

The verdict? The product is worth recommending, but it is definitely overrated and very expensive compared to other products that contain essentially the same ingredients and provide similar results - both as a stretch mark cream or wrinkle cream. It gets 7.88 out of 10 stars, with points mostly taken from its expense and the fact there are very worthy competitors - on both fronts.

Skinceuticals Serum 15 - Product Review

Posted on July 20, 2009 with No Comments

A favorite anti-aging product of skincare enthusiasts everywhere, Skinceuticals Serum 15 not only claims to create a visible difference, but also makes tissue healthier and livelier as well.

What’s more, it doesn’t just conceal imperfections or slowly erase dark spots; it also replenishes your skin so that it could gain a healthier, more natural sheen to it. That’s because this product not only treats skin conditions, it also reverses the skin aging process as well through it rejuvenating ingredients.

Skinceuticals Serum 15

Other products may claim to remove blemishes in only a few weeks, but Skinceuticals Serum 15 goes a step further by making your skin look younger as well as flawless (REVIEWER NOTE: similar products - Anti Wrinkle 55 and the Obagi C serum have similar if not better results at very good pricing.)

Besides which, it also stimulates collagen creation, defends against environmental damage, and neutralizes free radical formation. Indeed, it serves as many a beautician’s beauty secret when it comes to reversing the effects of any damage or malady.

This article has repeatedly emphasized Skinceuticals Serum 15’s revitalizing properties. In any case, its ability to make facial tissue healthier is the primary factor to its effectiveness.

The true secret to the elusive fountain of youth lies inside the cells of your skin, and this product’s Duke-patented Vitamin C technology enables the delivery of 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to the skin, which improves the condition, texture, tone and smoothness “from within”.

More to the point, the product cannot be rubbed or washed off once it’s absorbed by your body and remains active for up to four days, which further underlines Skinceuticals Serum 15’s mode of operation when it comes to stimulating and fortifying your skin’s defenses against the elements. It even acts as an excellent addition to sunscreens to boot.

The fact that it’s ideal for both oily and normal skin-types serves as the icing to a very refreshing and skin renewing cake. However, its anti-aging properties aren’t quite as instantaneous as one would expect. Results may vary, of course, and Skinceuticals Serum 15 won’t make a 50-year-old look like a twenty-something young adult at the drop of a hat.

What it can do is improve you pliability, elasticity and damage resistance through AOX and advanced antioxidant technology (that is, combine L-ascorbic acid with ferulic acid to boost your skin’s antioxidant production as well as hydrate tissue in the best way possible). After everything is considered, it’s still an overall satisfying product. Without a doubt, it has earned its 8.75 out of 10 stars rating.

Oily Skin Cleanser

Posted on June 14, 2009 with 1 Comment

Oily deposits often accumulate on the forehead, nose, and around the chin where the greatest concentration of sebaceous glands exist on the face.  An oily skin cleanser can help regulate oil production and give your complexion a softer, healthier look.

Forming the signature “T” across the brow, down the nose and nostrils, and extending to the chin and neck, sebaceous glands secrete sebum.  Heredity plays a pretty significant role as does heat, humidity and products you may or may not use on the facial area - even aging is thought to be a cause.

Oil can combine with dirt and left-over product residue to clog pores that can then lead to acne and sometimes rosacea.  You can effectively clear oil skin with a mask, cream, toner or wash.  The key ingredients to look for are Zinc or alpha hydroxy.

Zinc naturally, also known as Zinc PCA or Zincidone in its complex form, is well known for controlling oily skin.  It helps regulate sebum on applied areas and is effective for use in cleansing and “purify” pores.  Alpha Hydroxy behaves in a similar fashion.  It is often an active ingredient in exfoliating products such as microdermabrasion creams and for acne care.

A little bit of research can help you find the best oily skin wash - there are several available that are effective.  The key is to understand that getting and keeping an oil-free complexion may also require watching what you eat and considering the effects of the environment on your facial tissue.

Foods high in saturated fats are known to invigorate the sebaceous glands.  For some, dairy products may not be your friend either.  As  I mentioned, high humidity and heat play a role as well.

An oily skin cleanser should be considered part or a well-rounded regimen that focuses on tissue health.  Keeping your complexion free of dirt and unhealthy makeup is a great start.  Using a purifying moisturizer at night works well also. 

Anti wrinkle creams can help, though we recommend serums vs. creams.  The best are based in Aloe rather than water and often contain ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid that improves hydration without the use of a cream base to address dryness, aging or wrinkles.

Instant Under Eye Firming Serum

Posted on May 12, 2009 with No Comments

Dark circles, sagging skin and wrinkles are the bane of most women and almost every woman will attest to the fact that the area under the eyes are often the most difficult to treat.  The skin under the eye is delicate and wrinkles can start at an early age. The harsh rays of the sun (UVA and UVB damage), free radical damage form oxidization, and thinness of tissue are primary causes of under eye wrinkles.

Huge strides have been made in recent years and there are now several treatments (and viable ingredients) available that will help reduce the bags and sagging.  You can now find instant eye firming creams are extremely effective and can help you look years younger.

How Do Instant Eye Firming Creams Work?

Instant eye firming creams contain a combination of special anti-aging and moisturizing agents that work together to tighten the skin under the eyes.   Hyaluronic acid is one such ingredient that works to improve skin elasticity and hydration.  Low levels of hydration very often the cause excessive wrinkling and dryness.

Other important ingredients include Argireline and Pullalan, both of which help to tighten and firm tissue, including crows feet.  Essential oils and herbal extracts are also needs to help provide faster cell rejuvenation and a smoothing affect. Combined, these ingredients (in varying strength formulations) can provide instant firming and wrinkle control lasting up to 6 hours, while providing longer-term benefits of moisture retention, antioxidant protection, and improved collagen and elasticity.

Glycerin from vegetables is also important as it helps to repair the cell membranes.  This will help to improve the overall appearance of the skin under the eyes and reduce the wrinkles and fine lines.  

Efficacy of Argireline® in Wrinkle Creams

Posted on April 20, 2009 with No Comments

In the past several years Argireline® has become a key ingredient in wrinkle creams - providing non-surgical & treatment alternatives to products such as Botulinum Toxin A (BOTOX) or similar agents and peptides.

Manufactured by CenterChem, Inc, Argireline® has been shown effective at reducing wrinkle depth up to 17%  within 15 days using a maximum 10% dosage.  It attenuates muscle contraction, relaxing the muscle and smoothing expression lines, while helping prevent formation of lines and wrinkles.

The Argireline® information PDF further explains its use in 3-10% dosages for skin products targeting removal of wrinkles around the eyes and forehead caused by natural aging and repeated facial movements and expression.  It offers superior efficacy as an anti-wrinkle compound.

The inhibition of glutamate release at mM concentrations is a clear indicator of the potent anti-expression wrinkle activity of this hexapeptide.  CenterChem

Argireline can be found in anti-wrinkle creams and serums in product lines such as Principal Secret, Anti Wrinkle 55, and in Freeze 24/7.