We all know that Vitamin C is an amazing skincare ingredient. Having recently started Tretinoin/Retin A, and more recently more or less adapting to it, it’s time to add Vitamin C to my morning routine. But, Vitamin C is a very delicate ingredient, so I’m looking for an essence or a serum, preferably with Vitamin E and ferulic acid in the formula. Any suggestions from my fellow Picky skincare friends? I understand that SkinCeuticals had a fantastic product, but they, too, are owned by L’Oréal and I can’t stomach using yet another L’Oréal product. Not to mention, the price is silly, no matter how good the formula. 

All suggestions and/or input is so appreciated!

Looking for Vitamin C suggestions!

I watched a channel this morning and the host changes serums with weather changes. For example, in summer he used LAA but in winter uses a vitamin c derivative. I’m not totally sold on the concept - we all hear that consistency is key. I do use a thicker moisturizer over the winter, but that’s about the extent of my changes. Have I been doing this wrong? Do you change your skincare with the season? What are the benefits? If you don’t change products or ingredients, would your skin benefit from a shake up?

Changing ingredients with the season

There’s been a great deal of chatter about Niacinamide and it either being aggravating or rendering no action, whatsoever. So, I did some web-sleuthing and created the following cheat sheet. If it helps even one person, it was time well-invested. You can come across a product that seems too good to be true, chances are it is.

Niacinamide - a holy grail - if you know what to look for

Hey all! I’m looking at getting a new cleanser, but am really looking for something that is gentle and non-foaming. I would like it to have some nourishment, but cleaners are only on our faces for so long, so the nourishment content is not a deal breaker. Does anybody have any suggestions. Specifically looking for those periods when that pea-sized amount of Tretinoin becomes a bit larger than normal. (Side note - pea-sized amount is rather unspecific. Are they referring to snap peas, sugar peas, split peas, etc? It really can turn your bathroom into a science lab! 

Any suggestions appreciated!

Non-Foaming Milk Cleanser

While many of us remained quarantined due to the pandemic, skincare companies, scientists, dermatologists, and many more launched several products featuring different actives. Thanks to Picky, we were among the first to learn of these products! While most ingredients weren’t newly discovered, the benefits hadn’t previously been marketed or even made readily available. Some of my 2021 favourites or intrigues include:
Peptides
Snail Mucin
Bakuchiol
Cica/Centella Asiatica
Collagen Supplements

I know I’ve barely scratched the surface, so I’m dying to know what others discovered that they wonder how they lived without! All comments will be appreciated as I’m making my “Check it out ASAP” list!

Happy holidays, warmth, love and light to all.

Fave ingredient of 2021?

Instagram

Coreelle 

Stylevana 20% off for first time buyers!

I have nothing bad to say about this product; it’s fantastic and has a great price point!

Reading the ingredients, all I can say is WOW! This moisturizing serum’s formula is both potent and simple. Out of six ingredients, three are highly beneficial to the skin. The other three ingredients are necessary for the serum formula. Two ingredients have slight active capacities and the third is water. Suffice it to say I’m impressed!

Active ingredients:

Butylene Glycol - a humectant, slipping agent, and penetration enhancer. This is a multipurpose solvent that I’m always happy to see in my skincare products. Not only does that slippage feel fantastic, the water attracting properties help to keep skin soft and supple. 

Beta-Glucan - an intensive skin repairing active that heals wounds, soothes skin, moisturizes, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles in concentrations as low as 0.1%! Interestingly, as a food, it also has benefits: it works to assist diabetes, lowers cholesterol levels, and even helps to fight cancer. I don’t know if I want a plate to eat or a bowl to immerse my face! 

Sodium PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid) is a skin-identical ingredient found naturally in the skin. It’s an amino acid (proline) that comprises up to 12% of the skin’s natural moisturizing factors. When used in concentrations of 2% or more in skincare, it’s a great moisturizer that helps the skin to hold onto water and stay nicely hydrated, with both immediate and therapeutic benefits.

What I love about this serum is its simplicity. It can be used/layered with virtually any other skincare products, and its benefits sun still be realized. 

Because the concentration of Vitamin C is 20% and there is Retinol in the product, it’s likely going to be harsh for some with sensitive skin. 

This exceeded my criteria of having a pH of 3.0-3.5 and containing Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. I was surprised by the bonus of Retinol, Argan Oil, Betaine, Glycerine, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Snow Mushroom Extract, and being in an aloe, not water, base. Talk about multi-purpose!

The consistency of this product is almost watery and it has a faint citrus scent. It absorbs really quickly. While there are some with sensitive skin who have reviewed the product negatively (understandable at a 20% concentration!) I noted that the reviews generally exceed 4.2/5. Even better, I’ve got resilient skin. So far, so good… The bottle is 4 oz, so I can use it on my body and the back of my hands without concern! If I encounter an issue, I’ll definitely update this review. At this point, I recommend this product - if you don’t have sensitive skin!

This product is good for anti-aging, Antioxidant purposes, exfoliation, brightening/evening out skin tone, and moisture.

My only issue is the same as all product under the L’Oréal umbrella - because it’s sold in PRC, the product is subjected to animal testing. 

Product claims: “multi-purpose soothing cream for cracked, chapped, chafed skin and dry skin irritations helps to hydrate and soothe”

Facts:

Cicaplast contains 5% Panthenol (also known as Vitamin B5) a fantastic humectant which is able to hold and attract water to the skin, plus Madecassoside, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and collagen synthesiser. Copper, zinc and manganese encourages optimal skin recovery, while antibacterial agents ensure long-lasting protection.

Key Ingredients:
💦 Panthenol-(vitamin B5) acts as a moisturizer, humectant and emollient. It helps moisturize skin and lock in moisture.
❤️‍🩹 Zinc Gluconate-has anti-inflammatory properties and is useful for inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and ulcers
❤️‍🩹💫🧴Madecassoside-this triterpenine with anti-inflammatory properties is effective in anti-aging and skin healing, stimulating collagen growth (types I and III), and reducing the activity of enzymes that contribute to the weakening and aging of skin
💦🧴Glycerin-naturally present in skin, glycerin attracts water to skin’s upper layer, working as a humectant
❤️‍🩹💫 Copper Gluconate-the copper salt of gluconic acid, an ingredient that delivers copper to the skin, helping boost collagen synthesis, wound healing, and skin regeneration.

Overall, this is a really nice repairing moisturizer. Whether your barrier needs a bit of TLC or you have a topical burn or abrasion, this product will definitely assist in healing, leaving soft and supple skin behind!

I can’t say anything bad about this product. 

This eye serum contains 2% Retinal, 10% Panax Ginseng Extract, Cholesterol, Ceramide, and a bounty of nutrition for your skin! It’s no wonder this serum is selling out everywhere. 

Retinal has only one metabolic conversion before becoming Retinoic Acid, whereas Retinol requires two. Retinal is also better tolerated than Retinol by many. The benefits of this ingredient can’t be overstated - by speeding up cellular turnover, skin loses hyperpigmentation, there’s a decrease in acne/congested pores, the complexion becomes brighter, and fine lines are minimized. It’s no wonder Retinoids are a dermatological golden child. 

Panax Ginseng Extract is a natural skin balancer. If fine lines and wrinkles are your focus, ginseng can help boost the circulation of your skin’s smallest blood vessels, in turn ramping up the synthesis of collagen. Through this, you’ll likely have firmer skin. 

This serum is a must try! I’m thrilled with it and beyond grateful that I got to try it. It’s definitely a 5/5 and has HG status for me! If you’ve tried it or want to, drop a comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this amazing serum!

(Pro tip - this serum works wonderfully on the whole face and neck and most Retinal products are in the $50-$150 range! Thank me later…)

❌ quite cost prohibitive ($136 USD/1/2 oz, $170 CDN 15 mL

I have used this line since before Elizabeth Arden owned it. I often credit any age prevention I’ve achieved to Prèvage. This line uses a patented version of Idebenone (synthetic CO-Q 10), a potent antioxidant. The texture of the product is very smooth. It applies easily and seems to brighten the orbital region. 

The intensive eye serum was purchased accidentally; I normally use the regular version. But, this version contains fantastic key ingredients. Specifically:

Glycerin
Niacinamide
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide 
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Ergothioneine
Glycolic Acid
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19
Salicylic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Urea

I have to get in touch with Arden to better understand what comprises the patented version of Idebenone. Once I have a clearer understanding, I will update this review. In the meantime, I can confidently say that this line’s face and eye serums are fantastic. If I’ve taken a break from the line, as soon as I start using it again, I get positive comments related to my skin. It’s a fantastic duo to use!

Certainly, there’s some potency in this formula. 


therealchelsea