Beauty reviews, Nov/Dec - YouLookFab Forum

Happy holidays, y'all - here are some of my recent try-outs, mostly skincare. As always, add your own comments and hits and misses.

So in my recent nerding out on skincare products, I’ve learned that there are some active ingredients that are known for actual results, and other stuff that’s just marketing (although that doesn’t mean that any product will work or not work for everyone). Sunscreens, AHAs, BHA (salicylic acid), Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A/retinol are the biggies. Everything else is ‘just’ hydration and moisture. I’ve been trying to concentrate on those actives when I add new products.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum (Whole Foods)
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and as such is rather unstable in its direct form. A lot of VitC serums don’t last very long because they break down when exposed to light and/or air. This one comes in a serum format but is actually made from a more stable derivative of vitamin C, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Supposedly MAP converts to ascorbic acid, the active form, in the skin once it’s on, but there have been mixed results in lab testing as to whether that’s true or not. I liked this in general; it didn’t sting or leave stickiness and it felt moisturizing because of the other ingredients, but I didn’t notice any particular lightening or skin texture improvements. So I decided to try:

OST C20 (BBcosmetics.com)
This is one of the recommended VitC serums if you want the strongest, most effective form, L-Ascorbic acid. It’s from a Korean company and comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. It’s supposed to last 3 months before it oxidizes too much, longer if you keep it in the fridge. So far I’ve had mixed results with this. It obviously does have a kick to it, and my sunspots have lightened up. I felt a little irritation the first couple times I used it, but it’s settled down, and if I only use it every three days or so I don’t get redness or breakouts. I probably won’t repurchase this once it’s oxidized, though; I’m just not that impressed with it to bother to get it from halfway across the world.

Sefpil cream (Amazon)
Glycolic acid is the best known AHA, but there are others, including mandelic and lactic acids. Mandelic acid is a larger molecule than glycolic acid, so it’s supposed to be gentler and not cause redness, while still providing some chemical exfoliation and cleaning out dead skin layers. That sounded perfect for my sensitive skin, so I ordered this cream which is from a brand in India (there are very few products with mandelic acid available in the US). I really like it and it seems to agree with my skin. It has a unique smell that I happen to like, but it’s not a natural scent at all, if that makes any sense. I’ve been alternating this, a retinol cream, and a plain moisturizer at night and been pretty pleased with the results so far.

CosRX BHA Blackhead clearing power liquid (BB cosmetic, but also available on Amazon)
Apparently East Asian countries are really restrictive about what level of salicylic acid is OK for OTC skincare. So Asian brands have turned to gentler formulations, like betaine salicylate, which is what’s in this watery serum. It comes in a pump bottle and should be used after cleansing. Most Western salicylic acid products make my face burn and get red, so it’s nice that this doesn’t do that. Unfortunately, I’m not noticing a lot of positive results from it either, but that might just be that I’m not having a ton of breakouts recently.

Sephora Collection universal lip pencil
I’ve been noticing my lip color bleed off my lips recently (ah, the joys of getting older) and I thought I’d try this clear pencil to see if it would help. When I remember to use it, it’s good at first, but then halfway through the day it makes the fading of lipstick along the edges of my lips much more obvious.

Vicco turmeric WSO cream (eBay, Amazon has it too)
This is a product from India, where turmeric is used in a lot of cosmetic products - it’s a natural antioxidant and is supposed to soothe redness and all kinds of skin conditions. Even though I ordered the version without sandalwood oil, it has a very very strong scent to it, and not one I particularly enjoy. It does not reduce acne or redness for me, although it’s nice used on scabs and scrapes. I’m not convinced that the turmeric is doing anything in particular, and I suspect any decent cream or balm would have similar results.

Alpha skincare enhanced wrinkle repair cream (Ulta)
This has only 0.15% retinol, so despite the intimidating name is fairly gentle. I haven’t used retinols for a few years - when I tried them before I started with a too-strong concentration and caused damage that scared me away from using them for a while. I’ve been using this a couple times a week at night, and so far so good. This is one of the least expensive retinol options out there, so it’s nice to know that it’s decent.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Great reviews. I am looking for a good vitamin C and retinol.

When you say you alternate, do you mean:

Vitamin C one night
Retinol the next night
Moisturizer the third night
Repeat?

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, your post is so informative!

I have problems with lipstick bleeding too. What has been helping me is putting a little creamy concealer over my lips, including beyond the lipline, and then applying pencil and lippie over that. I've done it only a couple of times, but my lipstick didn't bleed badly those times.

I'm trying a few new products, but I'm not sure how they're doing yet, since it's been just a couple of weeks. I'm using things from the Juice Beauty line that I bought at Ulta: the Blemish Clearing Serum, Antioxidant Serum, and Green Apple Peel (sensitive version).

The Blemish Clearing Serum is a salicylic acid product, and like you, I often have problems with BHA. But this doesn't cause any irritation at all, although it might be making my skin shed a bit (not sure if it's this product or a different one that's doing that). The amazing thing is that it is not drying. However, I'm not sure it's doing anything...so the jury is still out.

I've been using the Antioxidant Serum only for a few days, so I have no idea if that's doing anything yet. I plan to try the Green Apple peel tonight.

deb

Thanks, Laura! I have been venturing into the Asian skin care products, also. I have picked up some really good info from the vlogger Gothamista, https://www.youtube.com/channe.....yug/videos. She gives really good reviews and has a series on the various types, serums, oils, etc. I have also tried various vitamin c products and always go back to the Timeless brand. It is a very good price point and I get the best results. I am also trying out a couple of products from the Ordinary line made in Canada. I order it from the UK but it arrives quickly.

gradfashionista

(website)

Two discoveries at this end:
Chantecaille felt tip black eyeliner: it's super thin, soft and sturdy, and great for day time looks.
Chantecaille lipstick: I've been wanting a "natural" looking lipstick with a bit of gloss and really like their Lip Chic Nocturne.

texstyle

I've used vit-c serum for years and also really like using pure essential orange oil, esp. on any minor skin blemishes or raised patches. The serum makes a big difference to me but it is a little sticky so I only use it at night and only on specific areas.

Just FYI:
D-limonene is a super-nutrient that occurs in Orange Essential Oil. It
has been studied extensively for its ability to prevent cellular
mutations and combat cancer tumor growth.

Orange essential oil
is shown to promote the production of collagen as well as increase the
blood flow to the skin. It is helpful at soothing dry, irritated skin as
well as acne-prone skin. It is excellent for rubbing on calluses on the
feet.

above from here: http://www.naturalnews.com/029....._oils.html

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Sterling, I've been rotating retinol, azaleic acid, and a plain moisturizer at night, and AHA / BHA / vitamin C in the morning. A bit complicated; I'll probably simplify at some point, but I wanted to try some new things and see what made the most difference.

Deb, I definitely want to try the Timeless VitC, and The Ordinary products.

elpgal

Interesting re. the Vicco cream. It was the brand my grandmothers's generation trusted and used daily. It's smelly for sure.

Are you worried about ordering things from Asian countries? I never quite understand how they are regulated.

Style Fan

Great reviews. If you are interested in Timeless products Angie from Hot and Flashy (meaning menopause) does a YouTube series. She has discount code if you order using her instructions. I don't use Vit C so I can't say what the results are. Angie is very positive about Timeless.

I tried Benefit - They're Real Mascara in Brown. I was using Lancome Hypnose in Black. I got some idea that Brown mascara might be a softer look. Well Brown mascara is like no mascara. Not sure why because my eyelashes are transparent (very blonde). I remembered I experimented with this years ago with the same result. Also I found the Benefit mascara flaked in my eyes. So I went back to Black and Lancome Hypnose.

Thanks Laura. I've been experimenting with vitamin C. I like it a lot and can use it daily.

I tired retinol and found that I could only use it once a week or I suffered terrible, terrible peeling. I may have used the retinol incorrectly. I used it straight up with no moisturizer. I will try it again. This time I'll add a moisturizer in the mix.

Happy Holidays.

Jaime

I find vitamin C to do as much or more for my skin than retinol. I tend to bounce around with vitamin C but will check out the recommendations above.

Texstyle, do you add the orange oil to your serum? Orange oil seems like it would be pretty strong to use directly on skin without diluting first. What vitamin C serum do you use?

Gigi - I use orange oil directly on specific spots of skin, not on large areas - so I use it undiluted. Like if I have a small raised patch (keratosis) I use orange oil directly on it every day until it goes away - which sometimes takes additional measures such as iodine applications. On a blemish, I apply directly and typically it works within a day or two.

I use Juice Organics vit-c serum.

Texstyle, are you referring to the Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum? From what I can see, Juice Organics makes only hair products.

I am going to have to return my Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum to Ulta...it appears to be breaking me out. I'm getting really huge zits.

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