Jessica Simpson Skin Care Beauty Mint Review

Following the consultation, you are offered two sets of products:  one “standard set” with four products for $39.95, and a second “deluxe set” (“Jessica’s choice”) with five products for $49.95, as shown above.

When answering the questions, I feel it is in everyone’s best interest to say that firming, brightening, discoloration, and even skin tone are a “major” concern, as doing so will only grant you higher concentrations of peptides (for firming) and cucumber extract/mulberry/acai berry (for brightening/discoloration/even skin tone).  Even if your skin is already firm and even-toned, having additional peptides and antioxidants can only firm and preserve skin, not do any damage.

Further, claiming “pore size” is a major concern will grant you more marine collagen, as Ms. Joy reports she is “most impressed” with the ingredient’s ability to reduces pore size and helps women to look five to eight years younger.  However, collagens in skin care products are large, 15000-50000 Dalton molecules that are too large to fit through the stratum corneum [uppermost layer of the skin], as molecules only 5000 Daltons or less can penetrate the skin (Cosmetic Dermatology).  The only scientifically-proven effect of topically-applied collagen thus far is hydration (Cosmetic Dermatology).   Still, given the low allergic and irritant potential of collagens, there is little to no chance of negative reactions.  So you might as well say pore size is a “major” concern as well.

The products feature the following ingredients in varying concentrations, depending on your “Beauty Sign”:

• Marine collagen
• Elastin
• Aloe
• Chamomile
• Cucumber
• Acai berry
• Mulberry
• Green tea
• Shea butter
• Peptides

Green tea contains the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to have remarkable preventive effects. In a 2001 study in the journal Carcinogenesis, topical application of EGCG to human skin resulted in decreased oxidative stress and an increase in antioxidant enzymes after UV irradiation. Specifically, catalase and glutathione activity were increased due to the application of EGCG. A further 2003 study in Molecular Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention found that the polyphenols in green tea prevent UVB-induced oxidation of lipids and proteins and prevents against the depletion in antioxidant enzymes experienced after UVB exposure in mouse skin.

While EGCG comprises only 50% of “green tea extract” found in skin care and cosmeceuticals (Mukhtar), there is still enough EGCG to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties in most skin care and cosmeceuticals, and in Beauty Mint as well.

Ingredient to Love #2:  Peptides

Peptides are wonderful ingredients, with peptides like palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, Matrixyl 3000, and palmitoyl oligopeptide proven to stimulate collagen synthesis (International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005; Bioorganic and Medical Chemistry Studies, 2010;
Dermatologic Therapy, 2007), and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 proven to reduce inflammatory processes in the skin (Clinics in Dermatology, 1999).  Because peptides can only benefit the skin, there is absolutely no advantage to answering on Beauty Mint
that firming is anything but a concern of the highest order!

Ingredient to Love #3:  Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has been a popular folk remedy since the 1930’s, during which time the ingredient was used primarily as a soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredient. Indeed, aloe vera’s efficacy as an anti-inflammatory ingredient was verified in this study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and according to a 1999 review of ten aloe vera-related studies, “aloe vera might be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis”.  Here, aloe is likely added to your skin care regimen on Beauty Mint if you answer that you are often stressed and your skin tends to be dry, irritated, or affected by rosacea.

Bottom Line:  Best for Skin Preservation, Not Revolution

Overall, I like the idea behind Beauty Mint.  Even though there is no substitute for an in-house consultation with a dermatologist or aesthetician, I support the idea of customized online skin care line generators like Beauty Mint or SkinID for a quick inexpensive personalized fix.  However, for maximal results, I would say that firmness, brightening, discoloration, even skin tone, and pore size are “major” concerns whether it is true or not, no matter if you are 18 or 80!  The ingredients used to treat these conditions (antioxidants and peptides) are simply non-harmful and can only benefit the skin in higher concentrations.

So overall, yes, I like the line and its concept, though with its paucity of strong anti-agers like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids, I wouldn’t expect dramatic results.  Instead, I would look at this more as a preventative line for the 18-to-40 crowd, which is who I believe it is aimed at anyway.  Product Line Rating:  8.5/10 (High or optimized concentration of proven ingredients:  2.5/3.  Unique formulation or new technology: 3/3.  Value:  2/3.  Sunscreen: 1/1).  

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