What They Say:
"A silky, fragrance-free formula with 15% stabilized Vitamin C and E provides extraordinary antioxidant protection, helping to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture".
RRP: $134 (28.3g) - Available from select Beauty Salons
What I Say:
I always excited
when I come across a new brand, and get to try some of their products. And I
have to be honest and admit that I’d never heard of SkinMedica before!
SkinMedica was
founded by renowned American dermatologist Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick, has been a
pioneer and an innovator in the use of lasers in skin rejuvenation and a leader
in dermatology for over 30 years. About a decade ago, he decided to develop his
own skincare line of clinically proven products based on the results he
achieved in his clinical practice.
The SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex claims to work synergistically to
fight free radicals, prevent oxidation and delivers vitamins C and E to skin
throughout the day, while promoting cell renewal.
I have combination skin, prone to breakouts, and consequently I am always nervous when trying new skincare products, and even more so when it is concentrated anti-ageing products as they are often too concentrated and heavy for my skin. But I’m happy to say that after using the Vitamin C+E Complex for about 6 weeks, I have not noticed an increase in breakouts or felt that my skin has gotten more congested.
Since moving to
Australia over a decade ago, sadly my Scandinavian skin has seen an increase in
pigmentation – which I have to say that apart from beginning lines, is my main
skincare concern. As well as ‘blotches’ on my skin, it simply looks tired and
dull. And to add to that, being 35 weeks pregnant hasn’t helped one bit either.
The Vitamin C+E
Complex comes in a luxe looking grey pump bottle with a shiny silver base and
lid. And as always, I love the fact that it comes with a pump, as it makes it
not only easy to dispense just the amount of complex needed without
wastage, but it also makes it so much
more hygienic than having to constantly dip your fingers into a jar.
On the other hand,
products in pump bottles can be difficult to completely empty, but only time
will tell how this one will fare. Another issue is that the bottle is solid
grey/silver so you cannot see exactly how much product you have left in the
bottle, so you do run the risk of suddenly running out. But then again, I do
also understand also understand that clear product bottles may cause
ingredients in the products to deteriorate faster.
On first use I had
to pump the bottle countless of times – actually so many times that I was
starting to think that it was a faulty pump – until eventually the complex started
coming out.
The Vitamin C+E
Complex has the consistency of a light gel, similar to most other serums – and
it which quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving it silky soft with a powdery
feel, and without leaving behind a greasy residue. And my skin is instantly
ready for my daily moisturiser, and here after makeup.
The complex is very
concentrated, and just one pump is more than sufficient to cover my full face,
neck and décolleté. Although it is fragrance free, the complex a faint powdery
scent, which quickly fades once absorbed into the skin.
The Vitamin C+E Complex has a very small ingredient list, in fact there are only 9
ingredients on the list!! Yep, just nine. I don’t recall ever seeing an
ingredients list for an anti-ageing product with so few ingredients. And many
of the ingredients are derivatives of Vitamin C and E.
At $135 for a small bottle, it is in the expensive end of
serums, but considering it is so concentrated, and I still have well over half
a bottle left after six week of use, does mean that it will last you quite a
while.
So how did the Vitamin C+E Complex perform after using it
for approx. 6 weeks every morning as recommended?
The serum works
perfectly under makeup, and in fact, works as a primer too, as it not only
makes my makeup slide on easier, it also makes it stay put for longer, and
stops it from falling into lines and creases.
In terms of the
effects on my skin, it feels soft and moisturised, and I really like how it
makes my skin feel so velvety soft and smooth straight after I’ve applied it. I
obviously cannot comment on effective it is on fighting the free radicals, but
on the whole my skin does look more glowing, and feels very hydrated and plump,
although I still need to follow with my usual moisturiser (with SPF, as the
complex doesn’t contain any).
As for evening
out the skintone, I am not convinced that I have seen any major improvements –
but being pregnant, and clearly experiencing an increasing amount of
pigmentation, it complex is also fighting an up-hill battle that I’m not sure
it would be able to win. On the positive, I have not noticed any increase in
the pigmentation in the period I’ve been using the complex, so clearly it does
have some significant effect after all. And as I believe that the effects are cumulative
and will continue to improve with long-term use, so I will continue to use it,
and hopefully avoid any major flare-up of pigmentation in my last weeks of my
pregnancy.
*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it
has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
I've never heard of this range before, but this sounds great. I love serums and are always buying new ones. They make such a difference to your skin.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I love serums too - just a few years ago a moisturiser was sufficient, but now I cant live without a serum either!
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