December 27, 2015

EO Ageless Skin Care Day & Night Serum Set



This Ageless Skin Care Set was brought to my attention by one of the readers (thank you!). You can find this set here. So here are some of my thoughts about ingredients.

How to read ingredients:
Excellent (very beneficial ingredients, proven research)
Good (mostly beneficial ingredients, not extensive research available or just not quite outstanding properties)
OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary formulation wise, but not a skincare per se) 
Bad (anything that shouldn't be in skincare, irritants and fragrance)

 

Organic Argan Face Oil


Ingredients:
Ethyl Palmate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Tocopherol (Vit E), EO Essential Oil Blend [Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil], Coconut Flavor.

Discussion:
I talk a bit more about oils in cosmetics in this post.
This product features three non-fragrant plant oils, vitamin E and five irritating essential oils. In my opinion, there are not enough benefits that this product can provide to risk irritation from fragrant components. Not recommended.

Transformative Night Serum


Ingredients:
Argan (Argania Spinosa) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica (Green Tea) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiable, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Tocopherol (Vit E), EO Essential Oil Blend [Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveleons (Geranium) Flower Oil, Boswellia Carteri Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Oil], Caprilic/Capric Triglyceride, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract.

Discussion:
This serum is technically a face oil. It includes 16 non-fragrant plant oils and a little bit of vitamin E, which will restore skin barrier function and keep skin well nourished. However this formulation also has an essential oil blend. Even though it seems that there are less irritants here than in the EO argan oil treatment above, I suspect that it's actually at the same level (companies usually use similar concentration of fragrance in products).
Additionally, I have a problem with this product's claims. EO promises that this serum will reduce visible signs of aging and fine lines. Unfortunately, even though plant oils do have some antioxidant content, it is not the same as to use serum with high amount of added vitamins, cell-communicating and other anti-aging ingredients. The key ingredient in wrinkle reduction is retinol, which is absent here as well. Meaning, this serum can't actually minimize wrinkles or lighten hyper-pigmentation spots. Also take note that irritation destroys collagen that keeps skin firm and youthful looking (that's why fragrance should never be present in an anti-aging skincare). This treatment is just an ok option, not the state of the art product. Also considering it retails for over 30$ per bottle, it wouldn't be my first choice for anti-aging treatment.

Verdict:

Even though this set seems like a great bargain for 27$ (two 30ml products for the price of one),  I would not spend my money on it. It is not the worst face oil on the market of course, but still. Overall, if you by a bottle of pure unscented argan oil or green tea oil (like I do), they will have the same benefits as these serums can offer, but without any irritation.

2 comments:

  1. Thanks! Whew, so glad I didn't jump the gun on this one. Are there any serums you recommend for dry skin and/or anti aging? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Well, that's tough question. Turmeric+C serum from Andalou Naturals is pretty good. Also SkincareCosmetics makes some good ones, especially retinol anti-wrinkle serum (check out TJMaxx or Ulta). They have more of a lotion texture, so will work better for dry skin.
      Also Medyskin brand has two amazing serums: retinol face lift and vitamin C. They are very light, but can be paired with any face oil. They occasionally can be found at really good price at TJMaxx. All of them have been reviewed on this blog before, so you can check out more detailed reviews before deciding =))) Good luck!

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