Serum Archives * Style Chicks

I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum

February 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment

A serum that targets fine lines & wrinkles around the eyes, lips & forehead using a Peptide that is clinically proven as effective as Renova.

GOT WRINKLES?

Discovering emerging fine lines and wrinkles can be very disconcerting. Often the sign of eleven lines (the lines between the eyebrows) or smile lines send some women (and men) straight for the Botox injections. But don’t rush off just yet: a safe and effective route to wrinkle reduction is a quality serum packed with anti-aging ingredients. Wrinkles are often a result of a loss of collagen and they look even worse with dehydration or dryness. One serum we like that can tackle both of these wrinkle-causing problems is I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum.

I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum

ABOUT I.LUBLIN ANTI-WRINKLE SERUM

This serum contains natural botanical ingredients including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to nourish and improve your skin. The moisturizing formula fills in fine lines or wrinkles to reduce signs of aging, leaving skin with a beautiful glow.

Many products can temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles, but what about long-term improvement? We read about the ingredients before use to see if a product is worth using on the face. I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum contains several quality ingredients that together are a great team in your wrinkle reduction line-up.

I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum

INGREDIENTS

This I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum contains many ingredients found in proven, high-end anti-aging products. Amongst them are select peptides that are the over-achievers of the anti-aging ingredient arena.

PEPTIDES: The I.Lublin serum contains two Peptides that stimulate collagen production. One of them (Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14) is found to be very similar to the effects of Renova. The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Feb 2009) says that this peptide can “stimulate cell migration, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast proliferation and scaffolding.” In regular people speak, these are all the skin functions that when underperforming due to age, cause wrinkles. According to studies comparing Renova to this peptide, the peptide was found to be “equal to or more effective than Renova® cream in regard to therapy for fine lines and wrinkles of the periorbital region.”

Renova retails for $100-$150+, which in my book, makes this serum a steal just for the inclusion of this one particular power-Peptide. Hexapeptide-14 also creates a brighter and more refined skin texture.

Other anti-aging, skin friendly ingredients in this serum include:

Rosehips are a highly concentrated source of Vitamin C, the primary building block in collagen production. Collagen builds the scaffolding and structure of the skin and keeps it from sagging.
Dead Sea Salt stimulates blood circulation and calms skin irritation and skin redness. It also contains several minerals that nourish skin.
Grapeseed Oil is highly nourishing to the skin, providing the necessary building blocks for collagen production.
Argan Oil is a trending ingredient in hair and skin care as it both softens and nourishes the skin
A Retinol Ester (Vitamin A) helps lighten age spots and discoloration, improves skin texture and helps reduce the darkness inside a wrinkle, so it appears less deep. Also helpful for adult acne.
Goji berry (Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract) is an antioxidant that softens the skin
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is a non-greasy oil high in linoleic fatty acid, and Phytosterols which are protective, aid in skin recovery and retain moisture.

I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum

APPLICATION & USE

Apply to skin after washing, while it is still slightly damp. Apply a thin layer to the skin using small circular motions to help it absorb. Focus on the eye area, the area around the lips and the forehead.

It is intended for night time use, so apply your nighttime moisturizer over the serum for best results.

RESULTS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: My skin feels SO silky that I want to keep touching my face! Skin quickly drinks in the serum, and it fully absorbs within a few minutes and does not leave a greasy residue. My skin texture and tone looks even like I have an optical blurring filter on my skin, but it still looks like my skin, not fake. Wrinkles appear blurred. I applied a light moisturizer afterward as instructed, and my skin looked dewy. There is no stinging or irritation.

NOTE: Only a thin layer is needed, I used two pumps total for my eyes, face, and throat, and had a little left over for my collarbone

AFTER CONTINUED USE: Due to the 21-day skin cell turnover cycle, for the Peptides to do their job, they must be used daily for at least 30 days to see results. So use the serum every evening for a month to assess improvement. I did see results faster than a month, with a softening of expression lines before the actual cell turnover occurs. I have used pricey Renova in the past, but I was particular impressed with the I.Lublin Anti-Aging Serums’ ability to tackle fine lines around the eyes and mouth area, and the softening of fine lines on the forehead. The skin around my eyes looks softer and younger now, and the wrinkles and fine lines are not so noticeable. I also find my undereye concealer is not settling into these fine lines as much, which to me, makes me think they have improved in texture and depth.

I am particularly impressed with the results around the lips/mouth area. My mouth area appears more aged than the rest of my face, showing fine lines and dryness, as well as enlarged pores and uneven texture. This area has been resistant to most anti-aging serums. Injections and fillers around the mouth can have such varied results; it is a treatment option I would prefer to avoid as long as possible. So I am very pleased to find a product that can address aging and fine lines around the lips and give a natural, younger look.

PACKAGING

The I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum has bright, colorful gift wrap with a bow. Anyone who expresses concern over wrinkles likely is searching high and low for a solution. The gift wrap makes for a great gift for a special friend who wants to safely improve the appearance of aging and wrinkles on their skin.

I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum

CONCLUSION

Before considering injections or procedures to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and lines, invest in a quality serum that can best enhance collagen production, treating existing wrinkles and preventing new ones, as well as make skin more refined and soft. I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum moisturizes skin while providing nourishment to the skin to help it become soft and supple again. It is especially effective around the eyes, lips, and forehead; it helps tackle some of the most aged skin areas of the face for a much more youthful look.

Find I.Lublin Anti-Wrinkle Serum at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MAWMQOG

Style Chicks received this product in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Skincare: Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Professional Strength

September 23, 2016 · Leave a Comment

SUMMARY of Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum: It only takes a few drops to make my skin look like I have a secret Instagram filter for real life. It quickly plumps skin so that all the fine wrinkles and not-so-fine-lines fill in, as if you used a filler, but it looks natural. It deflects the appearance of imperfections so that your skin looks like you, but smoother, softer, dewy, and firm. Very little Aurora Cure serum does the entire face without being sticky.

Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Professional Strength

HYALURONIC ACID
If you are a regular reader here at StyleChicks, you have heard us tout the wonder of Hyaluronic Acid. It is hands-down my favorite supporting ingredient in many skincare products. So we were pretty excited when we found such a high quality, 100% professional grade Hyaluronic Acid from Aurora Cure. More about that in a bit, because if you are not familiar with Hyaluronic Acid, it is time to become acquainted with this beauty powerhouse and what it can do for your skin.

WHAT MAKE HYALURONIC ACID SO SPECIAL
First, Hyaluronic is a moisture magnet. It holds one-thousand times its’ weight in water, which is so much moisture that when applied to the skin, wrinkles and fine lines just plump up like a temporary filler and skin imperfections seem to disappear within minutes. Unlike a filler, skin retains its’ natural expression; it is just soft, supple, dewy and so plump with moisture that the face (or neck or decolletage) appears lifted. If you have chronically lined, wrinkled lips like me, a dab of Hyaluronic smooths them right out, plumping lips more naturally or evenly than a plumping lip gloss.

Second, this same moisture drawing capability helps other active ingredients get deeper into the skin than they could absorb on their own. Vitamin C for example, cannot reach too far beyond the surface skin layers alone. But Hyaluronic Acid is like having VIP access. It can get into deep crevices and layers of skin and takes treating ingredients such as Vitamin C, B, MSM, Horsetail, Gotu Kola, Stem Cells, and more to the layers that can affect real skin transformation: deep dermal layers where skin scaffolding structure exists, where deep wrinkles or scars are formed, and where much more collagen is needed to uphold skin and supporting tissue. Whatever skin treatment product you use, whether serums or Retinol, Hyaluronic can deliver those treating ingredients deeper into the skin.

Hyaluronic also has many skin benefits on its’ own. Our body makes less natural Hyaluronic Acid as we age, but the topical replacement of this acid is very effective. But there is some variety in cost and quality amongst Hyaluronic Acids, so finding the best cost-effective Hyaluronic Acid means you can afford to use it daily and derive the most benefit.

ABOUT AURORA CURE ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH 100% PURE HYALURONIC ACID SERUM

As the title says, it is 100% Hyaluronic Acid, which is unusual for a Hyaluronic Acid serum. Many Hyaluronic Acid serums and creams are not pure Hyaluronic, rather, they contain some Hyaluronic Acid and are primarily various fillers ranging from helpful (Aloe Vera) to not so helpful (potentially irritating chemicals). Pure Hyaluronic Acid avoids unnecessary chemicals or fillers, meaning less irritation and more powerful product. A small amount goes a long way; this is a longer-term investment bottle.

Of note, the other two listed ingredients are a preservative (Phenoxyethanol) and Ethylhexylglycerin – a glycerin (preservative/skin conditioner) to give the serum base to the acid form.

Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Professional Strength

USE & APPLICATION

It just takes a few drops of Aurora Cure Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum to smooth the face and a few more drops for the neck. I apply a drop at a time, starting on my forehead, then my jaw line, then I pat it on my cheekbones, browbone, the nose, and all around the undereye area. I use a few more drops on my throat. I follow up with my moisturizer afterward. Most days, I put my Vitamin C Serum on before my Hyaluronic Acid in the morning.

Alternatively, a few drops of Hyaluronic Acid can be added directly into your moisturizer before application; this helps distribute it evenly. I like that this Hyaluronic is not sticky so that I can leave the house without looking greasy.

Since Hyaluronic Acid immediately starts attracting moisture to the skin upon application, it is important to add a moisturizer over the Hyaluronic Acid. This is especially important if you are in a very arid climate or a high-pollution area because Hyaluronic will draw moisture from the ambient air if needed. I don’t need as much moisturizer since my skin is already plump and smooth, but I do use enough to coat the face, and the Hyaluronic quickly absorbs it into the skin.

TIP: If you use Hyaluronic Acid and your skin seems dryer for it, you aren’t giving your skin enough moisturizer for the Hyaluronic to pull into the skin. If you over moisturize, which is hard to do, allow a few extra minutes and blot down the excess.

RESULTS

While I love Hyaluronic Acid, the additives in several brands leaves me either sticky, too greasy to wear makeup over it, or a bit irritated from the excess chemicals. The Aurora Cure Hyaluronic Acid did not cause an irritation when I pair it with Vitamin C or retinol. The Aurora Cure left no residue and was not irritating, even around the delicate eye area. Being able to use it around the eye would be reason enough for me to buy this brand in the future.

My horizontal forehead crinkles disappear and my eleven lines appear much softer, they are still there, but not noticeable. Pores fill in and appear non-existent, very similar to an airbrushed look without seeming fake like a filler or cakey like a thick foundation.

I love the Aurora Care Hyaluronic on the undereye bags and crows feet as it gives such as soft, dewy look to the skin without irritating the eyes. The eye area looks so much younger, and the top of the cheekbone gains a nice natural highlight and plumpness. There is a “lifting” around the eye area due to the plump result of the Hyaluronic in this area is very youthifying.

The overall surface of the skin on the neck, chest, lips has such a smooth surface. Aurora Cure Hyaluronic makes your skin look like it does after your done filtering it for Instagram.

As for the ability for Hyaluronic Acid to enhance other active ingredient products such as Vitamin C serum or Retinol, I use the Hyaluronic with my evening Retinol and my morning Vitamin C Serum. The ability to enhance the Vitamin C production at a deep layer makes the most of my skin care routine.

TIP: For a good Vitamin C Serum recommendation, read our review of Aurora Cure Professional Grade Vitamin C serum. It is a serum chock full of anti-aging ingredients that make the most of the collagen production. I like to use these two Aurora Cure products together since they work great in tandem, and neither of them are sticky or leave a residue, so I can apply my makeup over them without getting greasy or flaky.

Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Professional Strength

CONCLUSION: High-quality, concentrated, pure Hyaluronic Acid with no excess fillers or chemicals to irritate the skin, Aurora Pure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum provides a dewy, smooth alternative to naturally filling wrinkles and pores to provide an airbrush yet natural finish. It also enhances your existing skin care program to aid Vitamin C and Retinol to sink deep into the skin without dryness or redness. An excellent product!

Find this amazing serum at Aurora Cure.

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Skincare: Serum Ceuticals Glycolic AHA 50% Acid Serum Peel

August 25, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Serum Ceuticals Glycolic AHA 50% Acid Serum Peel

Serum Ceuticals AHA 50% is a medical grade Alpha Hydroxy Acid peel that improves the rate of cell renewal and whisks away old dead skin cells that both clog pores and causes the look of dull, older, uneven skin. Very useful for stubborn acne scars, enlarge pores, deeper wrinkles and brown age spots that have proven resistant to lower strength peels.

ABOUT AHA
AHA (also known as Glycolic Acid) is probably my favorite type of peel because it works in an unusual way: it loosens the “glue” that holds together dry, dead skin and healthy skin, and just dissolves the dead skin. I prefer this to other types of exfoliants because there is no rough scrubbing involved. Scrubbing with or without harsh grains can tear and damage healthy skin. AHA gets the job done with no pulling, tugging, or tearing of the skin, which makes AHA especially useful for older skin or skin with conditions such as acne or eczema.

Another thing I like about AHA is almost never the uneven peeling that comes with many chemical peels or scrubs, so there is less downtime after an AHA peel. Skin is just soft and dewy looking, not red and irritated. This is not to say that skin can’t get red and irritated from AHA, but as long as it is done properly, it is an excellent anti-aging product.

ABOUT SERUM CEUTICALS AHA
Serum Ceuticals products do not contain water, so it an especially concentrated serum. As a 50% grade AHA, this is too potent to apply directly, it must be diluted. Serum Ceuticals recommends using it in tandem with their Beta Glucan cream. If you don’t have the Beta Glucan cream, the AHA can be diluted for use by mixing it with an oil such as Jojoba Oil or Safflower Oil. Although I highly recommend the Beta Glucan for use post-peel or whenever skin could use an intensive moisturizing treat, and I found it particularly useful with this AHA peel. I applied some AHA to my hands, and in one spot, I accidentally had the peel product on with no cream, and I could feel the AHA sting. This is strong stuff! But when mixed with the cream, I don’t feel it sting at all, even on sensitive skin areas such as my throat, cheeks, or decolletage. The one issue with mixing it with the cream, though, is I can’t figure out what the ratio of cream to AHA serum is, I added about 6-7 drops to two black scoopers full of cream.

If diluting the AHA with oil, a 1 to 4 drop ratio may be best to start, and a 1 to 3 or 1 to 2 ratio for future treatments is a good balance. With the Beta Glucan cream, I was able to leave the AHA for the full 30 minutes, when I tried it with the oils, I could do about 20 without my skin becoming red.

USE & RESULTS
I have a patch of acne scarring from when I was a teen; it left now-faded brown marks that other AHA products have been unable to lighten. So I was pretty excited to try this AHA on that darkened patch, as well as some brown age spots that are very stubborn. The AHA did not remove them in one use, but the area looks much better. I like the results on my hands and throat as well. While I always wear sunscreen on my face, over time I neglected my throat and hands, so aging shows more in these areas, so I am glad to have a more potent AHA in my beauty arsenal.

I really liked how my throat looked – the horizontal wrinkles in the middle of my throat became much softer, and my skin tone is more even. The small wrinkles on my forehead and hands diminished from one use, although it requires regular use of the AHA to keep them that way.

The AHA does not sting when mixed well, and while it says it can be used daily, I am inclined to do it twice a week to start and reduce to once a week over time.

ABOUT SERUM CEUTICAL
If you are not familiar with the Serum Ceutical line, it is a good one. They do not use artificial chemicals or preservatives, so there are no additives that can contribute towards irritating the skin. Rather, Serum Ceuticals uses an innovative Vitamin charge to keep it fresh. When opening the bottle, you will notice a frizz the first time, similar to opening a carbonated drink. A similar process is used to Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight and keep the cap on tight when not in use.

CONCLUSION:
A powerful AHA to use on brown spots, scars, wrinkles, and dry skin. Must be combined with a cream or oil, but once it is, it does not burn or sting the skin, and skin is not raw or red after use. Since just a few drops are used at a time, this is a very cost effective way to do AHA peels at home.

Find this great peel at Amazon.

I received this product for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Hair: Curlfriends Tame Smoothing Serum

August 15, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Curlfriends Tame Smoothing Serum

Back in the 1990s, it was easy to get defined curls. But it took a LOT of product.

These days my hair has mellowed from the corkscrew curls of my youth to a loose curl with some waves. So it takes some products to restore my hair to its previous bouncy, tight curls. My hair has also changed consistency as well. It used to be as silky as could be, but now it needs a little smoothing.

I had previously tried the Curlfriends line, and was quite impressed, but I hadn’t tried Curlfriends Tame Smoothing Serum until now.

I first tested the serum on a day that it was boiling and humid, and as the day progressed, there were torrential downpours. I had set my hair in curlers just to try to tame them a bit, but my hair started to get frizzy as soon as I took out the last roller. I applied the serum and was pleasantly surprised to see that my hair not only smoothed down but was incredibly shiny and bouncy. It stayed that way all through the downpours that afternoon, all without hairspray.

A tip on how to use it: you don’t need much of the serum. My hair is nearly waist length, and I used less than a dime-sized amount. Run the serum between your hands to warm it slightly, and then slowly start picking your curls up from the ends and working your way up. I used the remainder to smooth off the crown and add some shiny volume. Going slowly is the key: if you go too fast, you will just end up tugging at your curls and end up with needless frizz.

I’m a big fan of the ingredients in this serum as well: Wheat Protein and Aloe Vera to add volume and plump the shaft of your hair, and Rosemary, which has some backing for its ability to fight hair loss. I’m also a fan of what it doesn’t have – no alcohol to dry out your hair!

I love the smell – somewhere between a light bubble gum and candy flavor, but not adolescent scented. It’s just a nice, fun scent that fades in about an hour. I am typically pretty hard lined about hair products being scent-free, but I really like the scent of this product.

Find it at Amazon.

I received this product in exchange for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Skincare: Azure Naturals Vitamin C Serum

August 4, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Azure Naturals Vitamin C Serum

Azure Naturals Vitamin C is a potent Vitamin C Serum. I have found it particularly useful in the treatment of deep hyperpigmentation that is beyond the surface layer of the skin such as older acne scars, age spots/brown spots, and sun damage. It has also been helpful in treating fine lines on my forehead.

CONSISTENCY
It is physically different from many Vitamin C serums in that it is more liquidy than gel-like in texture, there is a distinct citrus scent, and it is not a clear transparent like many serums. While generally speaking, a Vitamin C serum has expired if it is not almost transparent and clear, in this case, the color is due to the other active ingredients and it being a “milk serum.” But these differences are a good thing because these active ingredients pack a punch in the anti-aging department.

CHOOSING A VITAMIN C
There are many Vitamin C serums on the market. They are so popular because topical Vitamin C is so beneficial for the production of collagen in the skin. As we age, we produce less collagen, which leads to brown spots, sagging, wrinkling, and duller skin. Vitamin C can also help acne and fade acne scars, as well as repair sun damage. When I buy a Vitamin C serum, I tend to look at the supporting ingredients in that product to decide if that particular serum can help with my unique skin issues. Some Vitamin C serums are best suited for sun damage repair, others for acne, scarring, and brown spots, and some for anti-aging. Some address multiple types of problems at once.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

The Azure Naturals Vitamin C Serum contains 22% Vitamin C, slightly higher than many of its’ competitor serums. It is also a milk serum, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin than gel-like serums. I have noticed this seems to help deeper hyperpigmentation issues such as some acne scarring as well as brown spots. This is great but also it has a bit of a sting to it if your skin is sensitive. Not too bad, just make sure to follow use with a moisturizer.

In addition to the Vitamin C, there is 11% Hyaluronic Acid, which can hold a tremendous amount of moisture which plumps the skin and makes the skin appear dewy and youthful on contact. It also can help active ingredients reach deeper layers of the skin. When a product pairs Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid, it is often a very effective.

Somewhat unusual for a Vitamin C serum is the inclusion of 1% Ferulic Acid, an antioxidant found in fruit that brightens skin.

Sea Buckthorn has become a popular anti-aging ingredient as it nourishes the skin, soothes sensitive skin conditions, and heals skin damage such as burns and abrasions. It encourages the skin to produce more collagen by treating aged skin as if it was wounded skin that needs to heal. It is the Sea Buckthorn in part that gives this Vitamin C its opaque color.

Arnica Flower helps to heal and soothe, especially bruising and inflammation. If your skin is sensitive, this helps one tolerate the use of the Vitamin C serum.

Tamanu Oil is unique in that it promotes the growth of new tissue. This is very useful when treating skin with acne scarring or pitting.

Evening Primrose Oil is an Omega-6 rich moisturizer suitable for those simultaneously suffering from adult acne and wrinkles.

Advanced Amino Complex spurs on the skin to use the Vitamin C to make more collagen.

CONCLUSION:
While many Vitamin C serums help a handful of skin problems, this serum covers many bases from acne to scarring to wrinkles and collagen formation, anti-aging and new skin formation. Some ingredients make it harder for the most sensitive of skins to tolerate, but it delivers fast results. A recommended product for people with multiple skin issues who can tolerate stronger serums.

Find it at Amazon.com.

I received this product in exchange for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!