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.

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..

Winter Skincare Tips from Elemental Herbology

Elemental Herbology is one of the niche brands I showcase during my talks and workshops. Available online at SpaceNK, their skincare works with the seasons and specific needs of our skin at a particular time of the year. Great for lovers of natural skincare!

 

Autumn is the time to shed dead summer skin, improve the skin’s barrier function and increase hydration to prepare for winter.

Step 1 – Shed dead skin. Facial Glow radiance peel combines Apple Serum with Manuka Honey, Vitamin C, Kombuchka, Pearl Extract, Green Tea, Macadamia and Argan Oil to gently shed dry skin, stimulate new epidermal growth, resolve congestion and balance skin tone to leave the skin feeling silky smooth and refreshed. Apply once or twice per week. Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Step 2 – Protect against oxidative damage. Cell Food protection and repair facial serum helps to reverse the effects of exposure to wind and cold by infusing the skin with an intensive dose of proteins, vitamins and anti-oxidants. Containing Vitamin A, C and E, Green Tea, Co-Enzyme Q10, Kombuchka, Olive Squalane, Pomegranate, Soya Lecithin and Aloe Vera it will help reduce the prevalence of dark spots, boost moisture levels, protect against free-radicals, stimulate collagen synthesis and repair. While its ultra-light texture allows the skin to breathe and won’t congest the pores. Apply every morning before your hydrator and every evening after cleansing.

Step 3 – Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Facial Souffle intensive hydration and repair mask. To improve the skin’s barrier function and avoid dehydrated skin during autumn boost the skin’s moisture reserves with protein rich Marine Collagen, Allantoin, Black Oat, Soya Protein, Plant Peptides and Hematite aka the ‘anti-aging jewel’. This highly reparative, leave-on mask provides a 24-hour moisturising effect in all layers of the epidermis, reduces moisture loss from the skin and promotes pro-collagen synthesis to restore the skin’s elasticity and tone. Use nightly after cleansing until optimum hydration leves are restored. Leave on and do not remove.

www.spacenk.co.uk