Serious about skincare? The best lines to know
Lipgloss and nail polish are all well and good, but I feel about makeup the way I feel about fashion: it enhances and beautifies, sure, but at the end of the day it’s what’s underneath that counts. As a result, skincare is my true beauty passion–if your skin isn’t glowing, taut and in its best shape, all the makeup in the world isn’t going to do a damn thing. Luckily, there have been seemingly endless advances these past few years, as beauty companies are realizing the huge potential of the anti-aging market: now you can find a serum or night cream at every price. But which ones are best…and do they actually work?
As long as your expectations are realistic, yes. Age-spots, discoloration, dryness and fine lines are all easily combated by a good regimen full of the right ingredients and counterbalanced by protective broad-spectrum sunscreen. A cream to sweep away the years, wrinkles, jowling (oh, yes, we’ve got that to look forward to, and it’s a doozy!) dark circles and bags, however? Keep dreaming. (And then make an appointment with a doctor, because there are some things that only a knife, syringe, laser or healthy dose of age-acceptance will fix.)
These lines are true over-performers, making the most of various acids and antioxidants to visibly enhance your skin. They’re not cheap, but, within reason, they will work.
Obagi Nu Derm System:
The granddaddy of all dermatological lines, featuring a multiple-step routine that includes super-sloughing Retin-A, pigmentation-erasing hydroquinone (Obagi Clear), and an excellent UVA/UVB SPF 35 sunscreen. Neither for the lazy, nor for those with sensitive complexion. You’ll shed like a snake, but you’ll also see major age-defying results. Several of the products are prescription-strength and must be purchased through your doctor following a skin consultation.
Vivite:
Exfoliating glycolic acid is the star ingredient in the Vivite system, which is from Allergan (the makers of Botox and Juvederm). The glycolic levels in these products are exceptionally high: 15% in the Facial Cleanser and Daily Antioxidant Serum, and 20% in the Night Renewal Facial Cream. The latest Vivite product, very soon to be released, is Vibrance Therapy, a complexion brightener that uses no hydroquinone (which some love, others loathe) but instead features retinol, glycolic acid, licorice extract, green tea, and a new lightener (called Methyl Dihydroxybenzoate).
New Vivite Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
SkinCeuticals:
Ask your skincare-obsessed friends which products they swear by, and SkinCeuticals will come up time and again. Why? Because they work. Their items are chockablock with results-oriented ingredients: bestsellers include the superantioxidant C E Ferulic, C + AHA, Phyto Corrective Gel (a lightener that contains natural alternatives to hydroquinone) and Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30.
Tags: ANTI-AGING, hydroquinone, Obagi, SKINCARE, SkinCeuticals, Vivite
July 28th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Jolie! Thanks for these suggestions. I am 21 and FINALLY am getting over moderate acne (although I still get 3-4 major bumps every month at that special time! The joy of being a female!) However, despite the fact that I wear SPF everyday, I have some forehead wrinkles (that, i am sure, only I can see).
DO you have any recommendations, maybe in different price ranges, that focus on spot treatment of acne/wrinkles
or, any other fantastic recommendations on monthly blemishes would be so so wonderful!
July 28th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
You’ll get the most bang for your buck with Neutrogena and Olay, Keekee. Both have fantastic products that make a noticable difference on fine-lines and acne - Olay Regenerist is full of peptides and one of the most effective anti-aging products on the market, period. Neutrogena, meanwhile, is excellent for gentle acne treatment, and has some really fantastic broad-spectrum sunscreens that won’t break you out. For emergencies, always have a tube of Clean and Clear Persagel handy - it’s a zit buster extraordinaire!
July 28th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting about SkinCeuticals! I Swear by their Phyto+ and adore the CEFerulic. The Serum 10 and B5 Hydrator are great choices too.
Sometimes, I need that little plug from someone else to justify the $$$ I have to spend on them.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Regarding SkinCeuticals: I went to Bliss and got a facial and they recommended the SkinCeuticals B5 for me. So I was all drowsy and happy and of course bought it even though it was astronomically priced. The facialist told me it helps my moisturizers work better. That’s all fine and good, but how am I supposed to know it’s working? It seems like one of those beauty products you just have to put faith in because there’s no way to know if it does what it claims. I understand that’s just part of the game sometimes, but is there a way to observe if products like SkinCeuticals are helping your skin?
July 29th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Don’t forget Jolie, Allergan also makes Avage (my favourite thing in the whole wide world!).
January 30th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Jolie:
I can’t believe that people keep omitting James Fulton’s line (remember him? creator of Retin-a and benzoyl peroxide???) Vivant.
I use it and wouldn’t use anything else. Dr. Fulton is all about creating the best skincare with few fillers and no empire building like Dr. Brandt or Dr. Perricone. EVERYONE should check out: http://www.betterhealthyskin.com.