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Review: Dermalogica Prisma Protect

17. April 2019

//AD / PR SAMPLE / SKINCARE //

With summer approaching here in Europe, it is time to think about sun protection for many people. I’m a sunscreen believer, so I’m wearing sunscreen no matter what season it is. This is even more crucial if you have chemical exfoliants (AHA, BHA, PHA, Vitamin C…) in your skincare regimen. Here is one of my currently used sun protection products, the Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF30.

Dermalogica is an American Personal Care company and their products are sold in more than 80 countries all over the world. This means that it is quite likely, that you have heard of this brand before. I have some of their products in my skincare rotation at the moment, and not so long ago I wrote a review for their Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum. So if you are looking for new Vitamin C serums by any chance, also take some time to stop by my review >>here<<.

The Dermalogica Prisma Protect is a light-activated multitasking product, combing moisturizer and sunscreen. It contains a broad spectrum high sun protection with SPF30. The product is designed for all skin types and helps to prevent damage and aging by protecting the skin from pollution and UV.

The sun protection ingredients used in this cream are Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. Apart from these UV-Filters, the Dermalogica Prisma Protect also contains Vitamin E (Tocopherol and Tocopheryl acetate) for anti-aging properties. Other noteworthy ingredients are Ginger Root Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Chlorella Vulgaris Extract.

Water/Aqua/Eau, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Coconut Alkanes, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethyl Capramide, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Saccharide lsomerate, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Sclareolide, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol.

The Dermalogica Prisma Protect is free from parabens, sulfates, and alcohol. Moreover, the product is cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and PETA. It is vegan, no synthetic dyes or fragrances, and, if this isn’t enough, it is gluten-free, too.

The product itself comes in a plastic tube which was packed in a prism-shaped cardboard box. The signature design of the brand is typically white with the brand printed predominantly on the packaging. The Prima Protect Cream has a holographic cap and several holographic elements in addition to the simple design. This fits nicely to the idea of a light-activated product.

The tube contains 50 ml of product, which is a good size to start with. The tube squeezes easily and reveals a white cream. It is advised to apply the cream after your other skincare steps, and 30 minutes before sun exposure.

The cream has a herbal kind-of scent with a hint of ginger, which is not very dominant. The cream spreads well and leaves a subtle glow. It feels dry and not greasy, but still, it provides some moisture. I still need a moisturizer below this sunscreen though for my dry skin type, and I could not use this as moisturizer and sunscreen in one product. Moreover, SPF30 might not be high enough for summer, but for low sun exposure, it might be enough. I enjoy however the lightweight feeling on the skin and the way it absorbs quickly. Have you tried any products by Dermalogica? What do you think about the Dermalogica Prisma Protect? In my opinion, it’s a good product texturewise, but too expensive for the protection given and regarding daily use. For a multipurpose product, it does not give me enough hydration.

You can get the serum for 67€ from Dermalogica.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.brandsyoulove.de which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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Review: Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum

9. November 2018

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Long time, no Vitamin C Serum Review! But today it is time for a new Vitamin C Serum I have in use these days, the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum.

Dermalogica is an American Personal Care company and their products are sold in more than 80 countries all over the world. that means that it is quite likely, that you have heard of this brand before.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is always good to have in your skincare routine. I have tried a couple of serums in the past (check >>here<<). Vitamin C is an antioxidant and thus can prevent our skin from aging too early and from sun-damage. A high concentration of Vitamin C doesn’t mean automatically that it is more effective concerning anti-aging. Normally, a high concentration of Vitamin C aims at a visible effect, because it tends to operate as a chemical peeling by loosening dead and old cells. This is not a bad effect and stimulates the skin to regenerate itself, but keep in mind that it won’t affect the inner cell layers of your skin which have to be aimed if you really want an anti-aging effect. The thing about Vitamin C is, that it oxidizes with time, and you have to use it up very quickly. You will see as the color of some serums will get more yellowish with time. A possibility to prevent the vitamin C from oxidizing is to stabilize it with ferulic acid or vitamin E or use derivates. The Dermalogica Biolumin C Serum uses the approach of an ultra-stable Vitamin C Complex.

According to the description that you find on the cardboard box of the product it says that the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum is a high-performance serum that enhances the skin’s natural defense system. It acts brightening, firming and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Additionally, it is combined with AHA and peptide in enhancing its positive effects on the skin.

The cardboard box also lists the ingredients of the serum on one side.

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Lactic Acid, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Trehalose, Polyacrylate-13, Propanediol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Methylpropanediol, Carrageenan, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol

The AHA used in the serum is Lactic Acid. You can also see how Vitamin C derivates have been combined with Vitamin E (Tocopherol). The product is free from paraben, sulfate, alcohol, and silicone. Also, it contains Hyaluronic Acid for hydration. Since it contains active ingredients that chemically peel your skin you should keep in mind to use sunscreen during day. This is also noted on the packaging information. I used the serum during my night routine, and yet I use sunscreen during the day.

The serum comes in a bottle with a dropper as a cap. The bottle is opaque, which is great in case of Vitamin C. The bottle is made of glass by the way and seems to be sturdy.

Upon opening you see that the serum has a milky texture with a light yellowish color. It has an orange scent, which is not very intense or heavy. The serum has a smooth feeling upon application and feels hydrating, too. It sinks quickly into the skin and leaves a tiny bit of tackiness.

I used the serum every night for the last 3 weeks. I enjoyed using it and I had no negative experience regarding texture or irritated skin. The Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum works well with other products that are applied below or above the serum. I cannot say how it will work in combination with any makeup product though. What I definitely see is, that my skin is appearing more smooth and that my makeup gets less flakey these days. This is probably thanks to the combination of the AHA and VitaminC/E. I didn’t notice any big changes regarding wrinkles, but I don’t have very prominent ones either. I can confirm though, that the skin feels more glowy and plump.

The Dermalogica Biolumon-C Serum was a positive surprise for me. It works nicely and combines some great and effective ingredients. I’m not sure, whether it will replace my all-time-favorite, the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. Especially, since this serum is way pricier.

You can get the serum for 89€ from Dermalogica.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.brandsyoulove.de which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty brands you love PR Sample review

Review: Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules

17. December 2017

// PR SAMPLE / BEAUTY / SKINCARE //

Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum are the renewed and even more potent version of the famous capsules from Elizabeth Arden. I’ve heard a great deal about the brand and the capsules before, but this was the first time for me to actually try this product. I love serums as you know and these tiny capsules make it even more appealing to use them every day! The product was offered to me for reviewing purpose by “brand you love”.

“To be beautiful is the birthright of every women” is the saying and motto of Elizabeth Arden, who established the brand and beauty industry revolving around it a century ago. The products are well-established and many people love the brand for its scientific approach and quality. Moreover, the products have a time-less and elegant packaging design.

The Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is a lightweight, silky-smooth serum targeting aging skin and helping to replenish the skin barrier using the key ingredient and name-giver ceramides. It comes packed in small, golden-colored, daily portioned capsules and looks super luxurious and elegant.

Ceramides

Ceramides help to make aging skin look younger and more elastic. Ceramides are naturally occuring lipids that fortify the skin’s moisture barrier. During aging the ceramide level in our skin decreases, which leads to wrinkles and loss of firmness, but applying ceramides topically can help to reduce the effect of the loss of the ceramides. The Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum contains three different types of ceramides which help to condition the skin and make it appear and feel smoother again.

The full ingredients list of the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is noted on the cardboard box of the product:

Iisononyl isonanoate, isodecyl neopentainoate, isododecane, isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, camellia japonicamseed oil, divinyldimethicone/dimethicone crosspolymer, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cyclopentasiloxane, ceramide 1, ceramide 3, ceramide 6 II, cholesterol, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, crithmum maritimum extract, dimethiconol, lecithin, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, medicago sativa (alfalfa) extract, phytosphingosine, retinyl palmitate, squalene, tocopherol

As you can see, there are some ingredients to point out here. First of all the serum is dermatologically tested, free from preservatives, sulphates, and alcohol, and the capsules are made from bio-degradable material. Also, it contains other important anti-aging ingredients, like vitamin A and E, apart from the three types of ceramides. Moreover, ingredients like coconut oil and camellia japonica seed oil are great for providing hydration and moisture. Nevertheless, on the downside, the serum also contains silicon if you have a closer look at it (dimethicone). Silicons act as skin conditioner, and while they are able to make your skin feel silky smooth they also act as barrier and hinder ingredients to act in the deeper layers of the skin. So the effect you will achieve is only topically.

And indeed, when I open up a capsule, containing more than enough serum to cover the face and decolleté, I feel the silky feeling at once, and it gives you that effect that is typical for silicon containing products, the skin appears instantly smooth and feels super silky soft. Unfortunately, the oils need a long time to absorb properly, too, since the silicon doesn’t really help them to be absorbed either. In order to open the capsules you need to twist tab around and squeeze the content of it onto your fingers. You have to be careful, because the serum is released instantly, and the first time I spilled almost everything on the floor. I really like the fact that it is portioned out,and that the capsules are biodegradable, but if you are in a hurry the capsules are not really the best thing to use. A pump or pipette would be better then.

I was really happy to see Vitamin A and E on the ingredients list first, since this is a perfect combination of vitamins to battle your wrinkles. Unfortunately, I guess that the silicon will prevent these two top ingredients to sink into the deeper layers of the skin. Also, since it contains vitamin A I do not feel comfortable to use the capsules during the day, instead I prefer to use them as last step during the night (no use to add any creams on top). During the days, that I have used the capsules I noticed the instant smoothing effect from the silicon, but I didn’t see any effects it had on my wrinkles in general.

All in all, I’m a bit dissapointed about these capsules! The ingredients are really high-end, apart from the silicon! And the silicon also hinders that the other great ingredients do their job properly and penetrate into the skin. That’s really a bummer, after all the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is not cheap and has a good reputation. I would recommend these capsules at once if they removed the silicon in future, but as it is I can say that there are better and less expensive options to go for. The jar contains 60 capsules and retails for 78 US$ or 64.99 €.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.brandsyoulove.de which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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