Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate

We are testing the Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate this week.
More info about the product benefits to follow.

Ladies, the initial response I got is that the sample only lasted you three days rather than a week.

This is my error, please don’t include it in your reviews.
Again, these are small samples so if you can focus on the short-term feel of the formulation rather than the final effect which after few days cannot be that much. Thank you.
*****

The concentrate claims include:
Retinol results without irritation.
Increases collagen production by 24 % (in vitro tests).
Dramatically reduces the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and imperfections.
Skin looks firmer, plumper and more radiant.

Save or Spend? YSL Forever Youth Liberator vs. Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10

Vichy Lift Activ Serum 10 (30 ml), £29.50 vs. YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum (30 ml), £60

L’Oreal is the parent company of both YSL and Vichy and has launched the new YSL skincare line to repeat the commercial success of  their make-up and fragrance products, eg. Touche Eclat.

Claims Comparison:

YSL – anti-wrinkle lift/plump/radiance vs.

Vichy – velvety texture/advance anti-wrinkle efficacy/long-lasting lifting effect.

FaceWorkshops Recommendation: SAVE £30!

• Similar products in terms of the main ingredients, rhamnose and glycerol that benefit the skin by increased hydration.  Both products contain a small amount of hyaluronic acid (long-term hydration).
• The Vichy serum contains a ceramide derivative, salicyloyl phytosphingosine, with a potential anti-wrinkle benefit.
• The Vichy serum also contains less alcohol that can be detrimental to the healthy barrier function of facial skin.

I would expect the efficacy of the Vichy serum to be slightly superior – given the higher content of rhamnose, the additional ceramide derivative and less alcohol in the formulation. We are awaiting the clinical studies.

FaceWorkshops Club Forum: YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum Review (February 2012)

The FWC Members have tested the YSL serum on 13th February 2012 to have luminous and plump skin for Valentine’s Day. Please read their comments below.

FaceWorkshops Trial Review:
Silky, fine textured serum leaves skin feeling more soft, smooth, tight.  Next day – luminous, bright and “more alive”. Perfume and alcohol in the formulation not great for sensitive and dry skin! Best for normal and combination skin types.

FaceWorkshops Expert Rating **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Claims – Luminosity > Wrinkle Reduction > Plumping.

- A great pre-party serum with an instant illuminating WOW effect and a potentially promising anti-ageing ingredient – but we are still waiting for the scientific evidence.  L’Oreal have launched a rhamnose-based serum previously (Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 Youth Enhancing (£29.50/30 ml), but this is the first skincare launch of the prestige YSL brand (known previously for make-up only) – and hence can the serum can command a higher price tag (£60/30 ml).

• AESTHETICS: As always with prestige skincare, the texture of the YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum is luxurious and refined. However, I would prefer less fragrance – that is to say that this is the least fragranced product from the skincare line.
• INGREDIENTS/EFFICACY:  The serum contains Rhamnose (hydrating and potentially anti-ageing through cell signaling – to be proven in a clinical study) and Glycerin (short and medium-term hydration) and Hyaluronic Acid (long-term hydration). I am not happy with the high content of alcohol and would not recommend the product for dehydrated/stressed or sensitive skin types.

Different Schools of Facial Exercise: The Expert View

My Facial Yoga Parties are introductory, light and fun. But if the participants want to progress, I usually recommend specific books or DVDs to exercise a distinct part of their face.

To give you more of an insight into the best schools of Facial Yoga, I have invited my first guest blogger whose expertise I regard highly, Lynn Rae, a facial posture & jaw realignment specialist. Lynn is based in London and here are her comments on the distinct ways of approaching Facial Yoga..

Lynn says:

Marja Putkisto Training – http://www.methodputkisto.com/uk

Marja Putkisto

• I have trained with Marja Putkisto and worked alongside her for many years so I know and understand the Method Putkisto Face first hand.
• It is a whole body experience – the posture of the body and the position of the head upon the body are crucial to the work.
• It involves being aware of the face as a 3-dimensional structure and thinking from the inside- out – breathing, massage, stretching/releasing tight muscles in facial exercises, as well as a small amount of posture awareness and upper body releasing exercises.
• No mirrors are used for the exercises so changes are felt rather than seen, although a mirror is available to assess changes.
• The overall experience leaves you feeling energized, relaxed and the feeling that you have a new relationship with your face and a better understanding of its structure.
• The results are instant, you can see and feel that the face is more open and uplifted than before, with a great sense of mobility. Of course for the results to become permanent a course of classes is necessary. The programme is carried out one to one or in a group/ workshop format.

Eva Fraser Method – http://www.evafraser.com/

I have a colleague who has participated in the Eva Fraser method.

• From what I can gather, it is very precise and prescriptive with very specific exercises and repetitions. I think the main difference between the two methods is that this is carried out in front of a mirror and you watch rather than feel what is happening, the work is from the outside.
• Also the work is very much focused on the face and neck, rather than connecting it to the whole body.
• This is a beautifully organized and tried and tested programme with highly specific diagrams and an absolute knowledge of what is expected.
• The focus seems to be more on strengthening the lifting muscles of the face; although it plumps up the face, it doesn’t encourage mobility. The results happen over time as the muscles gain tone.

Yoga Face Method

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Face-Eliminate-Wrinkles-Anti-aging/dp/1583332774

• The exercises again are generally done in groups, which adds a lovely dynamic and energy. With breathing and meditation it can sometimes also be a full body experience.
• It is more about creating shapes with the face than precise exercises, which helps to release and strengthen the structure as well as encouraging mobility and fun.

In Summary:
You should choose a programme depending on what are the most important aspects to you.

• Knowledge of the face and its structure
• Release of muscular tension
• Relaxation
• Improved postural awareness
• Exercises and massage to do at home
• A feeling of the face being opened, uplifted and mobilized
• Fun approach so you will want to do it regularly

For more information about Lynn’s work and classes in London, please go to her LinkedIn profile

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lynn-rae/28/636/60b

Save or Spend? Lancome Genifique vs. L’Oreal Youth Code

Being an insider allows me to comment on the technology used in skincare: not many people understand that Lancome is a L’Oreal brand and sharing technologies across the board within one company is to be expected.

Genifique £55/30ml vs. L’Oréal Youth Code £17.19/30 ml

FaceWorkshops Recommendation: SAVE £37 (but only if you like more fragranced skincare).

- Both products contain Biolysat, an anti-ageing ingredient, beneficial for facial skin. There is some scientific evidence for  Biolysat, Adenosine, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine – albeit coming from L’Oreal and Degussa but published in peer reviewed journals. The main ingredients improve inflammation and skin sensitivity, however, the high level of alcohol is not ideal for sensitive skin types.

AESTHETICS:

• As always with prestige skincare, the aesthetics of Genifique is more refined and there is less perfume than in the Youth Code.

EFFICACY: 

• Genifique contains more of Hyaluronic acid (temporary plumping effect through hydration) and Adenosine, less Salicyloyl phytosphingosine and no Peptides. 

The products have similar efficacy – save your money and buy the Youth Code if happy with the stronger perfume! Personally, I like the Genifique texture more with more hyaluronic acid and no peptides. 

Read more about both products..

Facial Skincare @ CEW Beauty Awards 2011

CEW Beauty Awards 2011 was the 6th awards show judging both mass and prestige products in 24 categories . The CEW  stands for “Cosmetic Executive Women” , a group of 4,000 professionals and executives in the beauty world who live, love, and breathe beauty.

Which facial skincare brands had won the Lalique ‘Beauty Oscar’ in 2011?

British Brands

These are the great British brands that got awards for facial skincare; Oxford-based facialist Emma Hardie won Best New Brand for her Amazing Face line and Liz Earle’s Naturally Active Skincare won the Best British Brand – both are available from the Leeds Victoria Quarter.

Lip Care

Lanolips capsule range restored consumer confidence in lanolin harvested from the wool of sheep reared in Australia. Medical grade lanolin is an ingredient with excellent moisturising properties. For extremely dry and chapped lip skin, this is a great and effective solution that relieves quickly the symptoms of scaling, discomfort and redness.

Organic Facial Oil

Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product was awarded to Dr Organic Organic Rose Otto Facial Serum. It containing extracts of rosa Damascena, known as the Queen of flowers for its skin rejuvenating properties. £12.29, hollandandbarrett.com.

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2011 CEW BEAUTY AWARD WINNERS - FACIAL SKINCARE

Mass Market Skincare: Best New Brand – Dr Organic/Lanolips

• Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product – Dr Organic Organic Rose Otto Facial Serum
• Best New Skincare Treatment Product – Lanolips 101 Ointment
• Best Classic Beauty Product – Bio-Oil

Premium Market Skincare:

• Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product – Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream
• Best New Skincare Treatment Product – Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex
• Best Classic Beauty Product – Eve Lom Cleanser

• Best New Self Tan or Sun Care Product – Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defense for Face SPF 50

Source: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG8527007/CEW-Beauty-Awards-2011-highlights-from-the-beauty-Oscars.html

Skincare Shopping Diaries: May 2011

Mass Market Skincare:

• Boots skincare counters look uneventful. I wanted to book a skin analysis session for a friend to compare the interpretation of  the measurements and look at how well it is explained to the customer. It was apparent that the skin analysis service is not performed on a regular basis. I struggled to find anyone trained to book with and was told it only takes 5 minutes! and cannot be booked between 12noon – 2pm. I will go ahead to book this next month and report back on my experience.

Niche Brands:

• New Kiehl’s shop opened in the Leeds Victoria Quarter, the first boutique outside London that makes this L’Oreal brand available to the customers.
• The French L’Occitane shop is due to open later in May.

Space NK are hosting their founder, Nicki Kinnaird, that will “uncover the perfect products for your skin and style” on 26th May. I believe she has expertise, afterall Space NK stock some very good skincare brands, but 15 minutes (cost £60,  redeamable against purchases on the day) is really short to establish much more than the apparent skin type and concerns. I need an hour long and detailed consultation as well as a preparation prior to the meeting to be able to recommend skincare that works!

Skincare Shopping Diaries: March 2011

8th March 2011
Mass-Market: Browsing the large Boots skincare counters near Leeds station, the skincare market is definitely changing. Promotion of the dry skin/eczema brands goes out – it is about the mass-market block busters (Boots, Olay, L’Oreal, Neutrogena) and the Boots 3-for-2 Mix & Match Offer (until 22nd March!). UV fact sheets are on display.

Selective Skincare: Harvey Nichols very quiet, promoting among other skincare brands (Dr Hauschka, Aveda, Elemis, ESPA, Creme de la Mer, Sisley, etc.) a niacin-based Strivectin-SD.

Niche: SpaceNK was not not well stocked on this occasion, the Elemental Herbology Biodynamic Facial Souffle I wanted to buy for a client – highlighted in the SpaceNK N.Vision Spring 2011 beauty magazine as one of the best hydrating overnight treatments – was not available. Their Motto for this spring is “hit the reset button on your complexion” and we would love to!

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Irvine, S. Skin Deep. Vogue Jan 2008

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Market-Trends/Consumers-can-add-Boosters-to-personalize-creams-claims-manufacturer

Next – After the Boots Serum?

As discussed in my previous blog, Boots had an unprecedented commercial success in Britain in the past few years.  The Boots Protect & Perfect serum case gave clear evidence to the skincare industry that a little science could do a lot more for sales than any amount of expensive glossy advertising!

The latest attempt to promote a skincare product through serious scientific scrutiny, this time by Procter & Gamble, hopes to emulate the success of Boots and provide us with a proof of superior efficacy!

This month the British Journal of Dermatology will publish a scientific study showing that an anti-ageing cream, Olay Pro-X, is as efficacious at reducing wrinkles as a prescription-only treatment. In the study, 99 women who applied the Olay product several times a day for six months were compared to other 97 women receiving prescription-only retinoid treatment with well-known efficacy. Wrinkle reduction was assessed by grading on high-resolution digital images at eight and 24 weeks into the trial and showed that an appropriately designed cosmetic regimen can improve facial wrinkle appearance comparably with the benchmark prescription treatment and without its side effects. 

P&G plans to launch Olay Pro-X in Britain next year! And the active ingredients look great – more about them in my next blog.

Source: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article7026342.ece