by Beth H.

I used Bottega Organica Eye Contour Serum ($195 in the shop) twice a day, morning and night. I’ve had pretty normal skin most of my life, although it’s drier now with occasional breakouts. I’m in my forties so I guess that’s to be expected. I have some fine lines around my eyes. I didn’t see any difference in them but I didn’t expect to either.

One of the first things I noticed about it is that it’s very watery for a serum. I’m used to serums being much thicker. It’s also a dark brown color with a faint ammonia-like smell. The smell doesn’t bother me when it’s on my face but I don’t like it on my hands; I always wash them afterward.

The packaging is very nice. It comes in a heavy frosted glass bottle with a smaller vial of the serum inside and a pump on top. Since it has such a thin consistency it’s easy to over pump and waste a lot. I found what works best is to pump it into my palm and then apply it with my finger. I still have a lot left after four weeks; I expect it to last a good two to three months.

Editor's Note: Bottega Organica has updated their packaging and this serum is now housed in a glass bottle with a dropper. The dropper bottle is the version sold in the Truth in Aging shop.

All of the ingredients, except for water, are listed as organic. There are no preservatives, which is just what we’re looking for!

Ingredients include horse chestnut, cucumber, mallow and prawn sage. Horse chestnut has been found to be helpful with blood vessels and circulation as well as swelling and inflammation. I don’t have broken capillaries on my face so there isn’t anything to report in that regard. It may have helped with the bags under my eyes but that could have been the cucumber too. Mallow is a soothing anti-inflammatory.

When I saw prawn sage I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to use it; I have a severe shellfish allergy and I definitely can’t eat prawns.  Lucky for me prawn sage is a plant named for it’s shrimp-like shape and that’s as close as it gets to the real thing. You can read Marta’s review of Bottega Organica’s face serum and learn more about the inclusion of prawn sage in their products here.

The directions say to follow it with a facial oil or balm. I use argan oil as a makeup remover so I followed up with my usual eye moisturizer. I really didn’t find the serum hydrating enough, on it’s own, so using something moisturizing, like they suggest, really works best.

Viscosity, color and smell aside, it did affect both the bags and dark circles under my eyes. They were bothering me quite a bit when I started using it. The improvements aren’t exactly dramatic; I still use under eye concealer but less than I used to, however, me bags have especially gone down..

Hello, dear readers! I was asked to try one of the newest of skin oil blends from Your Best Face's Private Reserve oils, intriguingly named Slumber Blend. Very interesting, said this insomniac. YBF Private Reserve Antioxidant Oil is an old friend of mine, and has remained a necessity in my skincare repertoire to this day. No one product is as versatile. I tested Your Best Face Private Reserve Slumber Blend($80 in the shop) for 30 days.

All YBF Private Reserve Oils contain their impressively small list of proprietary ingredients in each blend of oil without resorting to using any nasty ingredients. The following are listed as main ingredients:

1. Meadowfoam seed oil, which contains the following skin-useful components: the antioxidant tocopherol (Vitamin E), and eicosenoic acid which is said to be non-comedogenic, is readily absorbed by the skin, plus has a balancing effect on the oil of the skin, making it less oily. Jojoba oil also contains eicosenoic acid, and works in much the same way as it does in the meadowfoam oil in this product.

2. Spin Trap helps to neutralize free radicals that would otherwise cause more skin damage.

3. Lypochroman-6 is a potent oxygen-radical scavenger, thus preventing additional skincare damage from several kinds of radicals.

4. Vitamin E succinate, AKA d-alpha tocopherol succinate, which is the natural form of Vitamin E produced from natural sources. We all know of its legendary antioxidant abilities and it may also help improve skin elasticity.

The remainder of the ingredients are essential oils. This new Slumber Blend contains luxurious zdravetz true geranium essential oil, ylang ylang superior extra essential oil, clary sage essential oil, lavender seville absolute, and marjoram essential oil. All very high-quality and rare oils in this blend. I was pretty impressed, dear readers.

Bulgarian zdravertz is a type of geranium oil said to protect the skin and help brighten and address hyperpigmentation over time. Due to said special phytochemical properties, it may be an ingredient to look for in the future of skincare products.It has a clean fresh scent, though not overpowering. It also has anti-viral properties. The ylang ylang is from Madagascar, and has been used for ages to calm the nerves and quiet the mind, and imparts a delicate floral note. The clary sage from Bulgaria has qualities which help calm irritated skin, and have been used to calm the mind in aromatherapy. It seems to blend well with the other essential oils. The Spanish lavendar is the base note of the fragrances, and is like no other lavender I used before. Instead of floral, it reminds me of a rich woodsy to a spicy scent which changes subtlety over time. I like to close my eyes, and pretend I am deep in some peaceful prieval forest glade ... with unicorns, of course. And last but not least is Egytian marjoram which to my senses imparts a clean, calming scent that blends well with the spicy base note. Aromatherapists use this Egytian marjoram to help ease anxiety.

My experience with YBF Slumber Blend Private Reserve oil is a love affair from the moment I tried it. You can certainly use too much and end up with an oil slick, which I did. However, the perfect way to use it is on moist skin, using only approximately 1-3 pumps. I have a combination skin type with an oily forehead, nose and chin. What works best for me is to warm it between my palms, then dap it around my face and neck, then gently massage. You have to wait about 15 minutes, but after that, my face really looks more toned, moisturized and even. The effect may or may not be cumulative over a time period, but about 15 minutes after its use, I do feel that my 56-year-old crepey skin areas look a lot smoother. Pores also seem diminished after regular use.

YBF recommends using this product first on your clean facial palate, then applying your other facial serums over it. I have used nearly every type of serum over this oil, and so far, I haven't experienced any piling. If anything, you will need less serum as it spreads so easily over the YBF Slumber Blend. I can honestly say that I use much less moisturizer if this is the first thing I apply after cleansing my face.

But did it send me to slumber land? Well my friends, the smell really is so pleasant that even my husband piped up to ask, "What's that smell, baby?" It mellows over time, and I absolutely love the long-lingering clean, spicy fragrance as I drift off to sleep. It is definitely not your "hippy dippy" spicy scent. A subtle vanilla note is also there, which always soothes my senses.

Indeed, facial oils may not be for you, but I would recommend this for any woman or man with dry skin, mature skin, or persons who live in a high air pollution area. If used sparingly it seems to me it can only do good things for your skin. Any leftover oil on my palms, I use on the backs of my hands.  I hate to brag, but they haven't looked so young in years. Many devotees of this oil use sparing amounts on their hair or as a deep scalp condition, as well as on cuticles, lips, or as an eyelash treatment at night. I also apply it to elbows and other dry areas. The list goes on and on. You will surely find many more uses for this versatile oil. I personally think it functions well to exfoliate my lips which keeps them much more supple looking.

I certainly like this blend enough to purchase it again, as I have the other blends. The size is 1.7 ounces/50 ml which is a very generous size considering the small amount needed. For its versatility and preventative qualities, plus the amazing smell, I give YBF Slumber Blend a thumb's up for being a safe, effective, cost efficient product. I want to try them all now!

In celebration of the Truth in Aging shop’s fifth birthday, we asked TIA community members to share what they’ve gained by being a part of Truth in Aging. Whether it was discovering a new product, learning about ingredients or connecting with other women of a certain age, the responses made me tear up a little. I’m so happy many of you have benefitted from what started out as a little skin care blog. With your support it has blossomed into so much more.

***

Name: Lisa S.
Age: 60s

Truth in Aging has helped me find healthy, quality alternatives in skin care. And I love my Ultra Renew!

Name:  Tina G.
Age: 40s

I originally stumbled on to TIA when scanning the internet for product reviews on the latest anti-aging miracle potion I was yearning to buy. So many product reviews or blogs out there are sponsored by the product manufacturer, so I found it frustrating to get to the truth of what works and what doesn’t. When I found TIA, I found a site with honest reviews from real people with real skin concerns. The anti-aging industry is booming, but unfortunately, many product claims and ads are deceptive. Who doesn’t want to look like that flawless 18 year-old model peddling wrinkle cream?   

I've had the opportunity through the Dare to Try program to try some great products and give my honest opinion about how they performed. If I could pick my dream job, it would be to test beauty products and give my review; Marta and her team provided me that opportunity!  I discovered a few new products through this program including a Trophy Skin MiniMD Microdermabrasion System — which you'll have to pry from my cold dead hands. What a phenomenal find for my skin.

Now, when I thumb through the magazine ads and see the latest and greatest product or ingredient, I turn to the TIA website to get more information before getting sucked into the marketing hype and wasting money. I have a better understanding of what the ingredients in products really do, and I have more reasonable expectations about what anti-aging products cannot do.  I love the updates from Marta on new discoveries, old favorites and I admire the research and work she has put into her site. Congrats on 5 great years TIA Shop, you don’t look a day over 1! 

Name: Mark
Age: 50s

How fortunate I am to have stumbled on TIA. When I emailed Marta and asked her to let me be a part of the TIA community I didn't think it would happen. But it did, and what wonderful doors it opened for me. True knowledge of ingredients, opportunites to test products and becoming a part of a community with a meaingful purpose, not to mention better skin are all mine thanks to TIA.

Name: Gloria G.
Age: 56

I can sum it up real quick on what TIA has done for me. I look younger and healthier than I did 6 years ago. I stumbled on their site by accident looking up something online to possibly try from the spa I went to. Great information is what I found when I learned that I was possibly putting poison on my skin as well as learning about what ingredients to look for and which ones to avoid. I also have found many treasures to my skincare, like Medik8 Firewall, and Osmotics Inner Light Complexion Enhancer. These are products that I can stand behind because of the improvement in the firmness of my skin, and the simplistic approach I take in my morning routine. I am glowing and ready for the day in less than 30 minutes. There have been many others but most recently the Dr. Dennis Gross Original Alpha Beta Peel. This product has made a huge change in my skin as far as pore reduction and clarity. I could go on and on but I am all about pure and simple.

Two products in particular I have to say is the diamond for me and that is Truth Vitality True Volume Shampoo with Copper Peptides and the Truth Vitality True Volume Conditioner. I had thin lifeless hair and I have never had long hair that was silky but full. Now I can say it is long and so healthy. While it isn't thick it is voluminous and I have been using it for a few months now. I have hair about 5 inches long that is growing in my hairline. It is truly amazing. I love my hair so much now that I stopped putting color in it and let it go natural. Red with lots of highlights. LOVE IT!   

Truth in Aging is a community of women and men who care about what we use on our skin, even down to the exercise and toning of our our bodies. I am forever grateful for finding this community to hear what others have to say about certain products and the sharing is so important. Beauty is so much more than what we see on the outside. Everyone who has contributed to reviews and the community are very important. You are what drives TIA and the wonderful products that come into our lives. Thank you all!

Name: Hazel C.
Age: 30s

I signed up for this website mainly because I wanted to find out about cutting edge breakthroughs in skin care and anti-aging. The biggest thing that I learned in this community is to research and scrutinize the products I use for my skin and not just rely on advertising and big brands in order to decide what to buy. It's the wealth of information that's available to anyone who is concerned about aging that has kept me coming back to Truth in Aging.

Name: Naheed K.
Age: 60s

I found TIA when it was “just” a blog and I was so happy to find someone who actually said what she liked and didn’t like — and why! Frankly, I was more than a bit sceptical when TIA began the online shop, since I was afraid that we would lose the truthfulness, but I needn’t have feared, the truth is still paramount at TIA!

I’ve learned a lot from TIA’s articles and have fallen in love with brands and products over and over again, but one brand that really stands out for me is Your Best Face. I would never, ever have found this fantastic brand if it weren’t for TIA!! So thank you very much for these five years and this 60+ gal is really looking forward to the next five years with TIA!

Name: Hester V.
Age: 50s

Truth in Aging is the best website I have ever come across to help with my aging skin! I have bought so many expensive products over the years and most of them just ended up in the garbage. When I wanted to try a new product, it was difficult because I would look at all the options and get confused. I tried so many products that did not excite me or deliver what I hoped for.

It is wonderful to have the TIA website where I can get honest reviews from Marta and the community. I am always looking at newsletters, videos and updates from Marta. It has helped me so much in many ways and my skin has improved at 57! I have learned to look at the ingredients of products and have a better understanding of what they can do for my skin. I was lucky to try a few wonderful products and the SimySkin Hydrating and Nourishing Moisturizer is an absolute winner! My skin loves it.

Tell us, how has Truth in Aging helped you? How can we continue to make TIA a welcoming place? Leave a comment and let us know!

by Bev. B.

When I received the email from Truth in Aging that I had been chosen to test and review TruActivs TriToxin ($220) I was so excited you might have mistaken me for a lottery winner! Not only do I love new products, I love innovative new products and TriToxin's ingredients are nothing if not innovative.

The key active ingredients are apitoxin (bee venom) and XEP-018, an extract of snail mucous and Syn-Ake, aka snake venom.  This triple threat of unconventional creature-derived (except Syn-Ake, which is a synthetic form of snake venom) ingredients are all ethically extracted, a process I don't even want to think about. In my attempt to do some objective research outside of the TruActiv website, I didn't find much information as to the efficacy of these ingredients when mixed together, however there is evidence that individually these extracts hold promise against the ravages of time. There are creams out there with snail extract; Syn-Ake is touted as a less painful alternative to Botox, and you can even buy a jar of Apitoxin for $99.00.

TruActivs' entire anti-aging line of products is free of sulfates, triclosan, formaldelhyde, synthetic dyes, pthlates, parabens and petro-chemicals! Moreover, the TruActivs website claims that because they are a privately owned specialized lab, unbeholden to shareholders, they are able to "formulate their products with a greater concentration of active ingredients as well as more powerful delivery methods for better penetration."

I'm in my early sixties and while my face is not yet a wrinkled prune (with TIA I hope it never will be) it's also not exactly as smooth as a baby's butt, either. I suffered from pretty severe acne breakouts through my "wonder years" and though I have remained breakout free for years, I do have a combo skin with a slightly oily T-zone and some redisual scarring, so I'm always looking at products that might have a smoothing effect on these ancient reminders of my painful pubescence.

My typical day/night routine is to wash my face with either avocado oil or Dr. Bronner's Castile/Hemp Rose soap. After washing I tone with witch hazel toner followed by a dab of my own homemade mixture: rose hip, argan, marula and aloe vera oil. I finish with moisturizer and a BB cream. I ceased my homemade oil routine for the four weeks spent testing TriToxin in order to gauge any difference in my skin.

There is no scent that I detected with the TriToxin and I loved the way it went onto my skin. It's neither drying nor oily, but like a Goldilocks cream, the texture is just right. It absorbed quickly and completely with no down time for moving onto the next step. 

I am always cognizant of the power of the placebo effect, so I'm cautious about waxing eloquent about the “wonders” of any cream, however, I have to say I feel my scarring and the pulling effect of the wrinkling that occurs around the scars has diminished with the usage of Tritoxin. 

I question the wisdom of the use of the word toxin and the price point is $220 for one ounce, which is not exactly chump change. If TriToxin was priced more affordably I'd definitely buy it for another month or so to see if I had further results, but I simply can't justify that amount on a cream unless I wake up the next morning looking like Zooey Deschanel!

by Karen P.

When asked if I was willing to try Dr. Dennis Gross' Root Resilience Strengthening Shampoo ($42) and Nourishing Scalp Conditioner ($38), I was thrilled! I have a thick head of long, coarse, curly hair and want to keep it that way.

I am 58 years young, my skin type ranges from dry/normal in the winter to normal/combination throughout the rest of the year. Fortunately, neither my skin nor scalp are not sensitive, so I’m able to switch up and use new products as the Truth in Aging team finds new skin and hair care products with more potent or impactful key ingredients that keeps my skin and hair looking great.

My hope and expectation for this strengthening shampoo and nourishing scalp conditioner was to strengthen the hair follicle and root, fortifying hair against breakage while maintaining and adding volume to my hair. I incorporated Dr. Gross’ shampoo and conditioner into my regular hair care routine, using his products instead of the products that I usually use for washing and conditioning my hair. I was concerned that since my hair is chemically treated that this may be not be the best product for me; I couldn’t be more wrong! The packaging clearly states that this shampoo and conditioner are safe for color and chemically-treated hair.

Per Dr. Gross’ website, he indicates that topical supplements applied directly to the skin are the most effective way of preventing aging and treating existing conditions. My analysis of the ingredients is that both the shampoo and conditioner contain great anti-agers like peptides, salicylic acid, and collagen which work together to strengthen the hair follicles and create an optimum environment for healthy hair growth.

I would highly recommend these products for anyone who wants to be proactive about hair loss, shedding and shinier strands of hair. I have gotten many compliments about how full and shiny my hair is. The truest test to me was going shopping in the rain right after washing, drying and styling my hair. I will often use a flat iron on it because it is so coarse and the iron smoothes and straightens my hair. Typically I can expect my hair to become bush like, unmanageable and just plain “not the look I was going for.” Much to my amazement, as well as my daughter’s, who had joined me to shop, my hair remained perfectly straight, no frizzing due to rain or humidity, to the point that I would look in the mirror in each shop expecting that “the bush" (which I lovingly call my very thick head of hair) to have taken on a life of its own, as is typical in these situations. Happily, I arrived home with hair style intact. My hair was smooth, straight, ready to go out to that evening.

I absolutely recommend this product!!

As we age, the turnover rate of our cells slows down. In our teens they turnover at an average rate of 28 days and by our mid-50s we’re down to 60 days. This is the rate at which cells reproduce in the epidermal junction and where they are held together by lipids, ceramides and long chain fatty acids. The young cells gradually migrate to the skin surface where they die.  But they don’t hang around benignly. Unsloughed dead cells can do as much damage as an angry poltergeist.

And that’s where alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) come in. AHAs (acids such as glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, mandelic and tartaric) exfoliate the surface of the skin, accelerate cell turnover and some, such as lactic acid, act as humectants. BHAs (willow bark) go deeper and actually exfoliate dead cells hanging around in the skin’s pores. If you are wondering how to incorporate them into your regimen, here’s my Five Best with AHAs and BHAs for 2016.

When a German company called SA3 asked me to test their eyelash growth product, SA3 Magic Lashes (approx. $48), I was eager to try as it was prostaglandin free and I rather fancied the idea that the Truth In Aging store had tracked down a safe and effective lash grower all the way from Germany. Alas, it was not to be.

It all started well. My eyelashes grew. In fact Magic Lashes lived up to its name with mine growing like weeds within a few weeks. I happily assumed that my prostaglandin-free product was safely effective as a result of biotin (widely believed to grow hair, although there’s not much science to back it up) and myristoyl pentapeptide-17, which appears in many other prostaglandin-free eyelash growth products.

But then I did a deeper dive into the ingredients, in particular Black Sea rod oil. I discovered that this is touted as a ‘natural’ prostaglandin and it has started turning up in quite a few eyelash growth products. So what is it and is it any safer?

Before I answer that, a quick reminder of what prostaglandins are. Prostaglandin analogues are a mainstay in the treatment of glaucoma, a disease of the eye. Somewhere along the line it was discovered that patients experienced a side effect: long eyelashes. Unfortunately, there are other side effects. They can darken the color of the iris (blue eyes can literally turn brown), cause swollen retina and blurry vision, red/brown rings around the eyes, redness in the eyes, itchy lids and general irritation.

So you can see why I was keen to avoid prostaglandins. Now what of Black Sea rod oil? It’s a kind of coral that grows in the Caribbean (not the Black Sea) and it contains a bioactive lipid prostaglandin. And lot’s of it — about a million times more than any other organism. But on mammals it acts as a muscle relaxant, induces labor and causes nausea and vomiting. At this point I was feeling a little uneasy.

Then I had another thought. Coral. Isn’t coral endangered due to global warming, pollution and fishing? Should a coral species really be harvested for a cosmetic under these circumstances? My unease was gathering. Then I came across a press release saying that the Cayman Islands (that well-known tax haven) has given a special dispensation to a cosmetic company called Maxeylash Island Girl to harvest this Black Sea Rod Oil. A good reminder that coral is protected and taking it is forbidden.

At that point, I threw my tube of Magic Lashes in the trash.

by Kai W.

I am in my 40s with combination skin. What I  expected from SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum 25-45 ($85 in the shop) to that it will help make the area around my eye look younger. I do have dark circles and bags under my eyes and visible lines that starting to show.

SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum comes in a 1.0 oz pump which is a surprise. Usually eye creams, gels, and serum comes in a .5 oz jar/bottle/pump. I did have some difficulty using the pump but after 3-5 minutes, I figured where the pressure should be apply to the pump.

The serum is light and very absorbent. The product did work very well when the weather is normal (temperature being under 80 degree) or hot/humid. The good news is that the product doesn't leave the greasy feeling around the eye. However when the weather is humid, the effect doesn't last very long. That is probably due to perspiring. There are moments when I'm home, I have to apply the product again instead of applying the product twice a day. I was worried that if I use the product more than twice a day, my eyes might be irritated, but my eyes are fine.

The sertum contains many beneficial anti-agers including moisturizing sodium hyaluronate, antioxidant ubiquinone (aka CoQ10), folic acid to support healthy DNA, several peptides and vitamin B12, which is featured in several SimySkin products.

Overall, SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum did make the areas around my eyes a bit youthful and did help in decreasing the appearance of bags under my eyes. It didn't irritated my eyes, which I was surprised by. From time to time I do have those in-the-eye accidents when apply moisturizers and/or make-up to my face. I am amazed that the ingredients of the product are quite gentle to the areas around the eyes should those mishaps occur.

As for the price of SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum, it is very reasonable and competitive to other products in this category.

I’ve followed Truth in Aging from the beginning, and while the list of great brands that TIA has introduced me to is extensive, none has a longer or better track record than Your Best Face. It was one of TIA’s earliest and best-loved finds, and I’ve used most of the line at one time or another. Certain YBF products — notably Prep (my all-time favorite), Control, and Correct — are almost always to be found in my bathroom. 

So when TIA asked me to review something new from YBF, I didn’t even bother to ask the what or wherefore before saying yes. Turns out the product is a completely reformulated Your Best Face Restore ($130 in the shop), now a night serum for neck, face, and hands. And I’m happy to say that YBF has another winner that I think will be appealing to a broad range of people.

I sometimes find YBF’s product-naming protocol confusing — picking a verb that’s meant to be descriptive of the product benefit but is often too generic to communicate product type or use — but in this case Restore is aptly named. Restore is a lovely, lightweight serum that comes in a dark glass pump (like the ones YBF uses for its facial oils). It flows easily and absorbs wonderfully and immediately into the skin. It feels hydrating but very light, with no residue on the skin. 

I’ve used Restore for just about a month now, every evening, on face and neck. (I’ll try it on my hands, though, too.) I followed it with a nighttime moisturizer (generally Dr. Dennis Gross Intense Moisture Cream, these days) and one of a couple of eye creams, per usual. I find it lives up to YBF’s claims — it’s both brightening and smoothing. I feel that my skin is handling the winter better than usual, and I’ll give Restore credit — it stays better hydrated, it feels more even and firm, and my lines don’t seem as prominent.

Restore is full of YBF’s proprietary formulations, including what seem to me to be every peptide cocktail imaginable, some vitamins — including vitamin E succinate, and hydrators such as meadowfoam seed oil and cupuacu butter. I can’t really compare the product ingredients to YBF’s Control, which is a heavy-hitting anti-aging serum that also features peptides and is a proven skin-firmer and wrinkle fighter. Control is packaged in an airless pump and has a thicker, creamier texture; I enjoyed Restore’s fluid, more lightweight feel. I think that while Control is a great product for older or more damaged skins, Restore could be used by all ages just looking for a treatment lift or a bit of prevention. I found that it worked well for me, even at 60, and could imagine effectively alternating it with Control when I felt I needed a bit more help. At $130 for 1.7 ounce (50 ml), it is a much less expensive product. But in this case less expensive isn’t inferior: I think the new Restore is a terrific and effective night serum that could benefit many age groups and skin types.

There were three keepers from my last round of testing, all of them from our new favorite Canadian brand, Deciem. So I am excited to have more testers from this company (so unusual that it even proudly describes itself as abnormal) in the pipeline. Especially as one of them features copper, which most of you know is one of my favorite ingredients.

Deciem’s Niod Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1% ($60) uses a copper tripeptide GHK-Cu. Copper peptides have a long science pedigree for healing wounds, boosting collagen and growing hair. Here, there is a 1% concentration that comes in a separate bottle that you combine at home with a “stabilization complex” that also contains hyaluronic acid and an interesting peptide, myristoyl nonapeptide-3 that increases cell exfoliation. It is often likened to vitamin A (retinol), although supposedly without any of the side effects. It is also in Deciem’s Hylamide SubQ Eyes ($35 in the shop). 

I have also made a start on Deciem’s Hair Is Fabric Anti-Aging Support ($55), a co-wash shampoo/conditioner that is packaged in a tube like a giant toothpaste. I have found that a very little goes a long way (after over-doing it the first time I used it and spending an age rinsing it out). Now that I’ve worked this out, I am rather liking it. Unlike many co-washes that don’t do either job particularly well, this seems to be decent in both departments. Time will tell if there are anti-aging effects. There are no sulfates and the surfactant is mild, but this is not a natural product. On the plus side, there are some promising ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate, plant extracts and keratin.

I passed on Deciem’s Hydration Vaccine ($55) as its “Adaptive Flexo-Silicone Mesh Complex” seemed to have enough silicone to do a breast implant. On the other hand, I am happily trying out a cream Difinsa53, which calls out 1% dimethicone as its “active” ingredient. This is because Difinsa53 was originally made for cancer patients exposed to radiation and silicone acts as a protectant. What got my attention though was a “patent pending formulation allows us to include a standardized 95% pure silybin (pharmaceutical grade).” Silybin is a component of milk thistle. This is another of my favorite ingredients (its in my Truth Vitality Treatment Gel), a powerful antioxidant and UV protector.

Another good find seems to be a Matrixyl 3000 serum by ASDM Beverly Hills. Apart from the peptide combo M3000, there’s hyaluronic acid, water and two natural preservatives. And at a decent price of $35.

Our Dare To Try It Panel took part in a consumer study for Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic & Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum ($88 in the shop), a night serum that combines retinol, ferulic acid and niacinamide. Of the participants in the study 96.4% saw improvement in skin quality and 85.7% saw an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. With that endorsement, I just had to give it a go. I was also persuaded by the fact that around 90% experienced no irritation — so far, neither have I.

A blast from the past is Blue Lagoon Iceland’s Algae Mask, which I reviewed back in 2013. Since then, there has been a repackaging and reformulation with the happy result that it no longer has parabens. New additions are wheat and evening primrose oil. Of course, the stars of the show are still there — silica and algae from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon.

Talking of repackaging, Sciote products now come in cartons that have a personal message of empowerment upon opening. The perfect excuse for getting reacquainted with Sciote Peptide+Defense Firming Youth Serum ($105 in the shop). I must say that it really is a great serum and I will back with a longer review soon – which will also sing the praises of its well-behaved pump.

by Kai W.

I am in my 40s with combination skin. What I  expected from SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum 25-45 ($85 in the shop) to that it will help make the area around my eye look younger. I do have dark circles and bags under my eyes and visible lines that starting to show.

SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum comes in a 1.0 oz pump which is a surprise. Usually eye creams, gels, and serum comes in a .5 oz jar/bottle/pump. I did have some difficulty using the pump but after 3-5 minutes, I figured where the pressure should be apply to the pump.

The serum is light and very absorbent. The product did work very well when the weather is normal (temperature being under 80 degree) or hot/humid. The good news is that the product doesn't leave the greasy feeling around the eye. However when the weather is humid, the effect doesn't last very long. That is probably due to perspiring. There are moments when I'm home, I have to apply the product again instead of applying the product twice a day. I was worried that if I use the product more than twice a day, my eyes might be irritated, but my eyes are fine.

The sertum contains many beneficial anti-agers including moisturizing sodium hyaluronate, antioxidant ubiquinone (aka CoQ10), folic acid to support healthy DNA, several peptides and vitamin B12, which is featured in several SimySkin products.

Overall, SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum did make the areas around my eyes a bit youthful and did help in decreasing the appearance of bags under my eyes. It didn't irritated my eyes, which I was surprised by. From time to time I do have those in-the-eye accidents when apply moisturizers and/or make-up to my face. I am amazed that the ingredients of the product are quite gentle to the areas around the eyes should those mishaps occur.

As for the price of SimySkin Phase II Eye Serum, it is very reasonable and competitive to other products in this category.

by Kelly P.

At 54 I am in a state of transition. I am changing my diet to organic started juicing daily and have ditched all my expensive chemical skincare. I now read all labels on everything to see if it makes the cut in being put on or into my body. I tested Dawn Lorraine Fresh Citrus Cleansing Gel ($37), which is all natural and contains several organic ingredients, for 30 days

I can't tell you how happy I was to read the ingredients of this cleanser. Organic aloe vera juice as the first ingredient followed by various herbs, flowers and citrus oils. Ascorbyl phosphate a relatively new form of vitamin C. My first thought was, sounds delicious!

So now to see how it worked. I have combination skin some dry/normal parts but still an oily t-zone. My first use was in the morning and was pleased with the light foaming and uplifting, fresh citrus scent. My face felt clean but not tight. It also was effective in removing a full face a makeup and left my skin very soft but not dry. Honestly, I was not expecting much from a cleanser except to clean so I am happy to report that I have noticed my skin does appear somewhat brighter and healthy looking.

I would recommend this product to most skin types except if you were overly dry. I have to say this is truly a company I feel good about purchasing from. Handmade, non-GMO, organic products produced with wind power and they employ the disabled! I am very impressed and grateful to have gotten to try this product.

by Kelly P.

At 54 I am in a state of transition. I am changing my diet to organic started juicing daily and have ditched all my expensive chemical skincare. I now read all labels on everything to see if it makes the cut in being put on or into my body. I tested Dawn Lorraine Fresh Citrus Cleansing Gel ($37), which is all natural and contains several organic ingredients, for 30 days

I can't tell you how happy I was to read the ingredients of this cleanser. Organic aloe vera juice as the first ingredient followed by various herbs, flowers and citrus oils. Ascorbyl phosphate a relatively new form of vitamin C. My first thought was, sounds delicious!

So now to see how it worked. I have combination skin some dry/normal parts but still an oily t-zone. My first use was in the morning and was pleased with the light foaming and uplifting, fresh citrus scent. My face felt clean but not tight. It also was effective in removing a full face a makeup and left my skin very soft but not dry. Honestly, I was not expecting much from a cleanser except to clean so I am happy to report that I have noticed my skin does appear somewhat brighter and healthy looking.

I would recommend this product to most skin types except if you were overly dry. I have to say this is truly a company I feel good about purchasing from. Handmade, non-GMO, organic products produced with wind power and they employ the disabled! I am very impressed and grateful to have gotten to try this product.

By Hester V.

Before I started using Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion Oil-Free Moisturizer ($58 in the shop), my skin started to look dull and dry. At age 57, I knew it was time to jump into action. My skin needed to be rescued. Then I got to try this wonderful moisturizer. How exciting! I used it during the day with Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, Medik8 Growth Factors and sunscreen. At night I combined it with Medik8 Retinol 6TR.

It comes in a glass container which makes it easy to use and show the amount of product left in the jar. This moisturizer does exactly as it claims on the box: "A moisturiser that works to seal in time-released hydration as it helps firm and smooth skin's appearance for a more even, younger-looking complexion.”  

This product includes ingredients such glycolic acid, lactic acid and sugar cane, which help remove dead skin cells and retain brighter skin tone. Although it contains silicones and polymers, this product is lightweight and has the best moisturising effect on the skin. Some of the other ingredients include collagen, watermelon extract, hydrolysed soy protein and cinnamon bark. This product is so good. I love it and will definitely purchase it again!

This moisturiser is light blue and feels amazing. Light and dewy, cool and fresh, it penetrates the skin instantly. I was surprised that my skin looked and felt hydrated after just one application. It looked so much better. I felt like I had younger looking skin instantly! This wonderful dewy hydration lasts all day. I am so impressed!

by Cheryl P.

I had the pleasure of testing Your Best Face's newly reformulated Restore ($130 in the shop), a focused nighttime serum with the goal to transform the face, neck and hands and the companion product, Private Reserve Slumber Blend ($80 in the shop), an antioxidant treatment oil for the face, neck, hands, cuticles and hair. In addition, the Private Reserve Slumber Blend, has ingredients that are proven to be relaxing and help to promote a restful sleep. I have always believed that Your Best Face is a small, innovative and thoughtful company that offers high quality products that produce results. This thirty-day testing period reinforced my opinions that YBF delivers as stated.

As background, I am in my sixth decade and am told I look ten to twenty years younger. In addition to the luck of genes, I carefully tend to my skin. I have tried most of the highly ranked products on TIA and the portfolio of products that I use tends to be from the high end of the TIA Five Best accompanied with daily Truth Vitality Lux Renew ultrasound and red LED.  I also have frequent microcurrent sessions and for me, have to keep hydrated or my face sags. I have little sagging due to my regimen, almost no wrinkles but have a few pesky lip lines and occasional drooping eyelids. I am obsessive with using my high end eye creams and carry multiple options in my handbag, in addition to night time application. During my review I was not using eye cream at night while using this combination duo, a first for me. My work is very intense with long hours and frequent global travel that can stress any skin. In addition, my skin can be very reactive, turning instantly to lizard skin, if I use a poorly made product. Although I do not take sleep aids, my work can be extremely intense and I do find it hard to sleep at times. I think I am the perfect candidate for testing a product duo that is supposed to be transformative (lifting, brightening, smoothing, moisturizing) for the face, neck and hands while promoting a restful, relaxing sleep. 

I started the testing after a long weekend of holiday charity work, when I was exhausted and dehydrated with lizard face and sagging face in full bloom. I applied Restore and then applied the delightfully woody, floral scented Reserve Slumber Blend over the Restore, with no application of eye cream or moisturizer and went to bed. Restore is a scentless white cream-like serum that is applied easily and absorbs quickly. The next morning my face was transformed: plump, lifted and my eyelids lifted. Quite frankly, I have not experienced quite the overnight transformation as this. After thirty days, my face and neck continues to be transformed from the great skin I had to start with. My skin continues to be lifted; it is smoother; the pesky lip lines are reduced and my eyelids are consistently lifted with no application of eye cream at night. There has not been a single night for the past thirty days when I did not have a deep and restful sleep. In addition, I had two 14,000 mile airplane round trips over the past 30 days. I noticed my face remained plumped, lifted and my eyes looked rested with the use of the Reserve and Slumber Blend duo for each overnight, 14-hour airplane trip each way. Additional reinforcement that these products deliver results.

I tend to slather my products and hence use too much in a short time frame. Each of the product duo comes in a 1.7 ounce black glass bottle, with a covered pump. After 30 days, I still had half a bottle of each so with generous usage, this will last at least two months. For those that can manage product usage wisely, this duo will last three months. The multiple and proven serums in the Restore reformulation that deliver a brightening and toning night formulation for the face, neck and hands and the companion Private Reserve Slumber Blend that promotes relaxation and a restful sleep along with the enhanced skin benefits listed in the ingredient summary, to me, justifies the cost as no other products have to be used or purchased for nighttime treatment. I recommend this product companion duo whole heartedly. 

A thorough breakdown of the ingredients in each product is below for those who are interested, and I found the ingredients to be interesting and emphasizes the thoughtfulness of YBF as company. I hope that upon reading these unique ingredient combinations you will agree with my exuberance over these optimized companion formulations in YBF Reserve and Private Reserve Slumber Blend.

YBF Restore'ss recently revamped formula has skin transforming ingredients. Proprietary Leucidal is the first ingredient and uses the same fermentation as sauerkraut and kimchi, creating lactic acid known to promote antimicrobial, brightening, smoothing and softening of the skin. The second ingredient is proprietary SYN-TC, which according to the manufacturer Centerchem, significantly increases the amount of collagens to facilitate beautiful smooth skin. This tailor made peptide complex is known to deliver improvements in skin plumpness, elasticity, firmness and a reduction in lines and wrinkles. The third ingredient is the proprietary Uplevity peptide, an expensive but known ingredient that is designed to fight the lack of skin firmness and cohesion by inducing the synthesis of elastin and collagen. The company that developed Uplevity, Lipotec, is now owned by a Berkshire Hathaway company (source), so one can assume they must be doing something unique. Restore also has TEGO® Pep 4-Even known to diminish age spots, pigmentation, melasma on ethnic skin, acne lesions and brightens the skin. Deep hydration is accomplished with cupuacu butter, known to have skin-softening, hydrating properties.

YBF Reserve Slumber Blend is A powerful antioxidant treatment oil infused with nourishing oils. This formula includes spin trap, an antioxidant that has the ability to catch free radicals before they can do damage. Also included is, Lipochrome-6, a carotenoid that can possibly enhance immunity and vitamin E, a natural skin-conditioning agent and antioxidant are also included in the blend of oils. The intriguing ingredient is zdravetz, a rare and expensive, aromatic plant not to be confused with the scented geranium that is more common in aromatherapy. Zdravetz grows on the shady hillsides of Bulgaria Mountains.  The name zdravetz originates from the Bulgarian word "zdrave" meaning "health." Zvradetz enhances the protective properties of the skin, offers a unique natural UV filter, brightens the complexion and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. According to YBF, their zdravetz contains more than 76% germacrone, a phytochemical with a proven track record in protecting and benefiting skin and that has been studied for its anti-viral and anti-tumor effects. I find the zdravetz aroma to be uplifting, with a woodsy, floral aroma. Comoros Ylang Ylang, in a rare distillation form. is included and known to calm nerves and quiet the mind. It’s also very nourishing and soothing to skin. The Bulgarian clary sage with pleasant floral notes in the formula is also from Bulgaria promotes relaxation, sometimes used as a sedative and is used to calm irritated skin. The addition of Spanish lavender seville absolute, an uncommon version of lavender from Spain contributes to the formula’s uniqueness with its ability to relieve stress, improve mood, promote restful sleep, reduce inflammation, lower skin irritation, prevent infections, eliminate dandruff, and soothe stomach bloating. Egyptian marjoram rounds out the formula and is known to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

by Laura C.

I have been testing Sciote’s Antioxidant Scrub & Masque ($65 in the shop), and I have to say that I like the mask, although it’s not quite what I expected. To start, I’ll give a little background on my skin: I’m 40 and have some hyperpigmentation from living in Florida for 20 years; I get breakouts and occasional skin flare-ups (red, pimply, dry); and I also have some small wrinkles around the eyes and puffiness. My neck is also starting to look a little saggy. So, I was really excited to try out the sciote mask — with some hope that it might help fade some of my sun damage and clear up my complexion.  

I really love masks, but I think that masks are a hard item to review. When you aren’t using a product every day, it may take longer to see a difference. I have used some masks that I felt made an instant difference in the appearance of my skin, my favorite being the La Vie Celeste Restorative Exfoliating Gel Mask. It made my skin pink and fresh looking after every use. The Sciote mask gives a more subtle effect, but I do think that it does what it claims with consistent use. While I didn’t see a huge difference in my sun spots, I did like the way it reduced the number of breakouts (I usually get breakouts a couple of times a month). It also made my skin feel silky soft and improved the texture. I live in Denver and since moving here two years ago, the arid climate has really made my skin feel dry and rough. This is a fantastic product for improving overall skin texture and setting a nice palette for serums and creams. The Sciote mask did not irritate my skin at all, although it did feel warm and tingly while on my face. I don’t think buyers with sensitive skin should be concerned about using this mask.

I practice aromatherapy, and have experience with blending and applying base and essential oils for therapeutic use. So, scent is very important to me. Well, the Sciote mask smells divine! It reminds me of an incense I used to love, with hints of frankincense and honey. The texture is smooth with small granules (cranberry fibers) that exfoliate — you can massage into the skin after letting the mask rest for a while. The overall experience of this mask is wonderful! I would not be surprised to see it on spa shelves.

The mask includes a long list of therapeutic ingredients such as fruit extracts and botanic oils intended to soften and brighten the skin. Antioxidants from blueberry, cranberry, Oregon grape, bayberry, cayenne and sea buckthorn provide sun protection and shield against environmental damage. 5% glycolic and 2% lactic acid help with skin turnover and rejuvenation. I love the way that this mask uses natural ingredients to provide anti-aging benefits. 

I think that Sciote is doing a good thing with this mask, it’s a glycolic mask that doesn’t irritate, it helps smooth and soften the skin and it clears breakouts without drying. This is not one of those “wow” masks, but it has its place as a gentle exfoliator that can give good results with consistent use. I did not see a huge difference in my sun spots, but I rarely find a product that works on them. I have names for some of my spots, they have been around for so long. Thanks, TIA for this great product!

by Tina M.

I was very excited to be chosen to try and review Pure Glam Intensive Moisture ($28.99) conditioner. For the last few years I have been dealing with a couple of hair issues: dryness and hair loss. More on my second issue later.

First let me say I am in my mid 50s with hair just below my shoulders. I’ve always had thick hair with some wave to it. In the last few years my hair had begun to thin and become very dry. I had also lost my waves. I began a quest to find a conditioner that would moisturize without making my hair limp and also didn’t have a lot of questionable ingredients. This was what I was hoping to find with Pure Glam Intensive Moisture.

I’m happy to report I LOVE this product. What’s not to love? It has certified organic ingredients, is cruelty free and contains some of my favorite oils. Lavender, rosemary, sage and geranium oils soothe and condition, the uplifting oils of peppermint, spearmint and grapefruit are also part of the formula. All in a moisturizing coconut oil and shea butter base. There are no silicones and no parabens. The only ingredient I wasn’t familiar with was behentrimonium methosulfate, a low-impact additive made from rapeseed oil.

The conditioner is packaged in an aluminum, recyclable container with a pump. Personally I love using a pump because it's so much less messy.

The day before it arrived I had had my hair colored. Yes, I color my hair. I made note of how many products my stylist used after the usual shampoo and conditioning:

1. Leave-in conditioner

2. Detangler

3. Curl cream

4. Oil on the ends of my hair

At home, after washing my hair I used just a couple of pumps and combed it through my hair as directed. Then I left it on for a few minutes and rinsed. My hair was soft,bouncy and tangle free. My comb moved through my hair with ease. I also have my waves back again! I used only a little curl cream afterwards. No leave in conditioner, detangler or hair oil needed.

I have tried so many different products recently only to find my hair either limp from too heavy a product or still having that dry crispy look from not having enough moisture. I think I have finally found a keeper in Pure Glam Intensive Moisture. Give it a try yourself I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Lastly a word about my thinning hair. If this is a concern of yours I highly recommend trying Truth Vitality Advanced Complex. Since using it I have hair back in my temple area. Not only has my stylist noticed, but also my husband.

When TIA asked me to test January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion ($28 in the shop), I looked at the ingredients before deciding to move forward. Changing facial moisturizer in the dry NYC-area wintertime is a brave step! Since January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion is primarily plant-based, I was curious how well it would work.

At 58, I’ve been battling mild rosacea for a few years, so I wondered how the January Labs product would affect it. The lotion soothed my condition. Ingredients like aloe vera leaf juice, and chamomile and green tea leaf extract, have anti-inflammatory properties that can calm rosacea.

Packed with lots of organic oils, such as olive, avocado, linseed, starflower, argan, sesame seed, lime, jojoba and more, January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion is surprisingly lightweight and has a silky finish. It left my skin soft, supple, and hydrated. It left no heavy or oily residue on my skin after application and my pores, which tend to get clogged and appear large even at my age, remained nice and tight. In addition, those pesky little flakes of dead skin that tend to appear around my nose when climate is dry disappeared quickly during product testing.

One of the main ingredients in this January Labs product is squalane, which according to TIA can penetrate the skin at a rate of 2 mm/second. This helps explain why the product absorbs so quickly — less than a minute after application. I really love this because I don’t have to wait long to apply facial makeup after application.

One of the other ingredients I researched is starflower seed oil. I learned that it is pressed from the seeds of the borage plant. It contains GLA, an Omega-6 fatty acid, as well as vitamins. Starflower seed oil is purported to be particularly good for mature, sensitive, damaged or hormonally influenced skin. That would be me!

Since I was quite happy with how January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion performed for me, I asked my 60-year-old husband to try it. He’s picky about facial moisturizers and will only use those that absorb quickly, hydrate and soothe upon application, and do not feel heavy or greasy. As I suspected, he loves January Labs Moisture Balancing lotion, and has declared it “a keeper.” I concur, and we both like the tube design which easily lets you control the amount of lotion dispensed.

Last but not least, I checked out the product price. I usually do this after testing is complete so I’m not influenced by the price point. At under $30 for a 2 oz. tube that lasts a month with twice daily applications, I think January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion offers a solid value.

In sum, I found January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion to be a great lightweight moisturizer for everyday use with a reasonable price point that works as advertised.

I’ve had a bee in my bonnet about menopause. Estrogens have a profound influence on skin. Their depletion as we go through menopause triggers a series of changes that can be confusing and frustrating. I am increasingly thinking that standard anti-aging approaches are not going to crack menopausal aging and I am researching ways we can be more targeted with our skincare choices. This is very much a work in progress, but in my search for the ultimate serums for menopausal skin, I am at least figuring out what some of the key actives should be.

Phytoestrogenic isoflavones

There is evidence that diets with high levels of phytoestrogenic isoflavones are associated with a low incidence of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. A good example is soy protein and this does crop up in skin care products every now and then. It is in Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion Oil-Free Moisturizer ($58 in the shop), and E’shee Cellular Repairing Night Cream ($289 in the shop).

Even more interesting is red clover, which contain high levels of isoflavones. I found a study on rats that were induced to have menopausal effects and given red clover extract with 11% isoflavones. The epidermis of these rats remained normal, with uniform thickness and collagen actually increased (source). The bad news is that I hard time finding serums with red clover that looked convincing.

One exception is by Velvet Skincare, a brand that formulates with an interesting mix of botanicals and peptides. There is a serum that has red clover and some algae extracts that I’ll mention later. I was also very intrigued by GlymedPlus and its Menopause Corrective Skin Serum+ with 1.7% synthetic progesterone and red clover. I also noted that Murad addresses hormonally aging skin with Intensive Age-Diffusing Serum, which has red clover and a few other interesting ingredients that put it above the usual department store mediocrity. Skin 2 Skin has a promising looking serum with soy, red clover and a peptide against sagging skin

Algae and seaweed

Marine extracts have the potential to be hugely important in anti-aging. One symptom of hormonally aging skin is dryness, so extreme that it leaves skin washed out, drawn and fragile. Some kinds of seaweeds (e.g. laminaria digitata) contain polysaccharide alginic acid, which locks moisture in the skin. I found a brightening serum by Repechage that has a laminaria digitata “complex.” Ulva lactuca is a green seaweed that is known and sea lettuce and it is source of aosine, an enzyme that neutralizes the elastase responsible for breaking down elastin in the skin.

Red algae is a good source of glycans, which increase the production of collagen by aiding intra-cellular communication and delivering vitamins and minerals for cellular health.

Although marine actives are supposedly a big beauty trend, it isn’t easy to find good formulas. A recent discovery is Moana Skincare from New Zealand, using high concentrations of red seaweed marine glycans throughout its range with 95% in the Moana Night Repair Serum ($110 in the shop). Another reason to be interested in the Velvet Skincare product that I stumbled across is that it has three types of seaweed extract as well as the red clover.

Pentapeptides and copper peptides

When all is said and done, it comes down to collagen production and pentapeptides and copper peptides excel. Although there isn’t much independent research, there’s a strong track record in the field for the pentapeptides marketed as Matrixyl and Matrixyl 3000

Benir Beauty BV-9 Platinum Provectus Super Serum ($195 in the shop) checks quite a few boxes with seaweed extract, pentapeptide-18 and Matrixyl 3000. Soleil Toujours Broad Spectrum Moisturizer SPF 20 ($55 in the shop) has myristoyl pentapeptide-11. Medik8 Firewall ($145 in the shop) has Matrixyl 3000 and copper peptides. And for the more budget conscious, I am currently testing a Matrixyl 3000 serum that is $35 by ASDM Beverly Hills.

by Dana V.

For as long as I can recall, I have used a mineral powder foundation given that I have always had oily skin and am prone to breakouts. I find a powder foundation (as opposed to liquid) makes a difference in helping to keep the shine at a minimum and there always seems to be fewer ingredients that could cause breakouts. Now in my early 40s, my skin continues to be on the oily side but I have added a serum and SPF moisturizer to my daily routine to get those extra anti-aging benefits. Having never used a mineral foundation in pressed form, I was intrigued to try the Hynt Beauty Fine Pressed Powder ($45).

Let us begin with the clever packaging. The black compact is sleek and comes tucked inside of a cute little velvety black bag complete with drawstring. The clever part is obvious when you open the compact. The sponge applicator is placed on top of a plastic lid that snaps in place over the pressed powder. I love that the sponge is not sitting directly on top of the powder. It just seems more sanitary, especially if you are like me and wash brushes and applicators often to keep acne causing bacteria to a minimum. Of course, there is also a great little mirror inside the compact for easy on-the-go touchups. This is a nice feature that I don’t typically get to take advantage of with a loose powder.

I expect a lot from a mineral foundation. It must non-comedogenic, have a short list of beneficial ingredients, provide light coverage while not looking cakey and settling into fine lines, and be a great color match for my skin tone. I prefer a light coverage that lets my skin’s natural glow shine through as opposed to a fuller matte coverage. Hynt Beauty’s Fine Pressed Powder delivers on most of these expectations.

This powder did not cause any breakouts or otherwise bad skin reactions for me. It has a short list of ingredients, many of which I have typically seen in other mineral foundations. Kaolin (a white clay) is great for oil control in my past experience and jojoba oil and vitamin E are also present, both beneficial ingredients for skin. The shade I received for testing (medium beige) was a tad dark for my lighter complexion, and I found the coverage to be a bit fuller and more matte than I expected. Perhaps this is just a consequence of using a pressed powder versus a loose powder. I used this powder as a foundation, but the packaging mentions that it can also be used as a setting powder. Given that I do not use liquid foundation, I feel that a setting powder may not be practical in my case. 

Although this foundation met a majority of my desires for a mineral powder foundation, the fuller matte coverage is unfortunately a deal breaker for me and so I must pass on it for daily use. Otherwise, it is a wonderful product so please don’t be dissuaded from giving it a try if it might meet your needs!