I don’t usually use a makeup primer (hey, I’m 23, I usually figure, why bother?). At the same time, however, I was lured when I recently discovered Bioelements Recovery Serum for Dry to Normal Skin ($62.00, Amazon.com), and addicted after. The product made my sensitive/normal skin appear very smooth and dewy, even under make-up.
The secret to Bioelements Recovery Serum is similar to yesterday’s Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum: that is, heavy on the silicones. Bioelements Recovery Serum features cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone in very high concentration. And similar to Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum, the effects of the serum are primarily for hydration and cosmetic purposes. While Bioelements Recovery Serum does contain ceramide 3, soothing chamomile, and calming lavender extract, the Journal of European Dermatology and Venearology has questioned whether ceramide 3 has long-term barrier repair effects, and chamomile and lavender are both found in very low concentration.
When applying Bioelements Recovery Serum, the smell is identical to Vicks VapoRub, at least to me. The consistency of Bioelements Recovery Serum is thick due to the silicones, and takes about 1-2 minutes to drink in fully (I personally brush my teeth as it sinks in). Finally, it is hard to use a sunscreen under or over this primer, so I recommend Bioelements Recovery Serum as a make-up primer at night - not during the day.
Overall, however, Bioelements Recovery Serum is truly an excellent product and I will use it every night I leave the house! :-) Overall rating: 8/10
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July 1st, 2008
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futurederm |
Product Reviews |
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According to some sources, like the July 2008 issue of Oprah magazine, for instance, women can’t get enough of Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum ($21.99, Amazon.com). Previously only available in Great Britain, Americans are loving the hydrating and smoothing texture of this serum.
Unfortunately, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum is incredibly hydrating - the very high concentration of silicones (cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, and cyclohexasiloxane) will hydrate the skin, fill in fine lines and wrinkles, and give the skin a smoother appearance overall. That’s the good part.
The bad part is that Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum is not really an effective anti-aging product in the long run. While it is true that almost any hydrating moisturizer will provide some benefit in the long run, there aren’t really any restoring or renewing ingredients in proven concentrations in Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum, or any new or exciting technology, for that matter. There is a small unknown concentration of vitamin C as sodium ascorbyl palmitate, which will brighten the skin and act as an antioxidant, as well as retinyl palmitate, which will increase cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and smooth the skin.
Overall, I love h of Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum as a cosmetic primer, but the key word here is cosmetic. For your best skin in the long run, use it in conjunction with a good retinol/retinyl palmitate, antioxidant(s), niacinamide, and, of course, sunscreen. Product rating: 6/10 (High concentration of well-established ingredients: 1.5/3. New technology: 1.5/3. Value for the money: 3/3. Sunscreen: 0/1).
Ingredients in Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum
Cyclopentasiloxane; Aqua (Water, Eau); Butylene Glycol; Dimethicone Crosspolymer; Cyclohexasiloxane; Glycerin; Dimethicone Copolyol; Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate; Polysorbate 20; Magnesium sulfate; Phenoxyethanol; Sodium PCA; Retinyl Palmitate; Methylparaben; Propylene Glycol; Lupinus Albus Seed Extract; Carbomer; Butylparaben; Ethylparaben; Propylparaben; Isobutylparaben; Panax Ginseng Root Extract; Morus Alba Leaf Extract; Tocopherol; Palmitoyl oligopeptide; Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3
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July 1st, 2008
Posted by
futurederm |
Product Reviews |
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