Overview

The very popular Dermalogica line of formulas was initially created as a counterpoint to the many cosmetic products on the market that contain harsh irritants like alcohol or synthetic chemicals that can damage the skin. Dermalogica is meant to be distributed primarily by aestheticians and other skincare professionals at their private offices, where the professional can assess the customer’s facial characteristics and personally recommend the right combination of products. While this personal approach does have merit, AntiAging-Reviews.com researchers are concerned that the home or Internet shopper will not be able to take advantage of this primary intention.

Featured Ingredients

One of Dermalogica’s most popular anti-aging products is the Skin Smoothing Cream, which is meant to exfoliate the skin in a gentle manner and prevent wrinkles. However, it is unclear what ingredients in the formula would accomplish this, since Skin Smoothing Cream does not contain well-known and established collagen boosters such as Regenex or Glucosamine Complex. This formula also does not make use of the Lifting Spheres delivery technology, or the moisture-retention properties of an ingredient like Hyaluronic Acid. It was easy to determine what Dermalogica products do not have - no harsh chemicals or additives that can irritate the skin - but nearly impossible to find out the basis for its anti-aging claims. 

Web Site Description

Although the Dermalogica web site is quite attractive to visit and easy to navigate, it does not seem to be properly set up for Internet shoppers. The site does not offer a free trial of the products, which is a wonderful way for customers to try a product first and see if it’s right for you. While the initial intention of selling Dermalogica through skincare professionals does seem to make sound health sense, it doesn’t help the independent customer, who may not be able to spend hundreds of dollars for a spa visit before obtaining a wrinkle treatment.

Positives

- Use of natural, non-irritating compounds that can work with all skin types

- Controlled distribution through skincare professionals and beauty spas

Negatives

- Web site contains very little information about ingredients

- Products do not contain key ingredients like Regenex or Glucosamine Complex for wrinkle prevention

- No free trial offer is given

Conclusion

Dermalogica offers an impressive array of skin lotions, cleansers and other types of skincare products. Unfortunately, its foray into the wrinkle reducer arena seems to fall short, at least in terms of offering a formula that consumers can try for free or purchase through the Internet. For these reasons, Dermalogica may not be the best choice for readers of AntiAging-Reviews.com, who tend to want proven formulas that feature web sites with plenty of detail information about the anti-wrinkle ingredients.

Overview

This company has been operating since 1997 and has been involved in clinical studies with Duke University and the National Institutes for Health. This alone is impressive, since any company associated with such research would have an inside track on the latest discoveries in wrinkle reduction technology. Unfortunately, research by AntiAging-Reviews.com into its leading anti-aging product - Serum 20 - was less than impressive.

Featured Ingredients

SkinCeuticals Serum 20 is so named because it contains a 20% concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid, which is a particular form of vitamin C. One of the most widely used antioxidants, Vitamin C has shown an ability to help protect the skin from free radical damage that results from sun exposure and environmental pollutants. But most studies also stipulate that it can take up to 8 weeks or more to see any reduction in wrinkles or fine lines. Considering that most customers want to see results sooner than that, L-Ascorbic Acid may not be the best choice, especially as a feature ingredient. It seems to work best as a supportive compound, not an active ingredient. Ferulic Acid is included in the formula because this ingredient helps facilitate the rapid absorption of Vitamin C. This effort is commendable, because that will perhaps ensure a quicker anti-aging effect than is normally produced by Vitamin C alone. But the company does not provide additional information to substantiate this theory.  SkinCeuticals offers many other skincare products, some of which may have more merit than Serum 20. But the mixed results with this formula make the AntiAging0Reviews.com team suspicious of their other efforts. To their credit, they do offer a Hyaluronic Acid formula. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most powerful moisturizing nutrients available, since it seems to hold water in the skin and provide a smoother and softer look and feel to the skin. 

Web Site Description

Although the web site does a fairly good job at describing SkinCeuticals products, there are no prices listed, and it is not clear whether consumers can order directly from the site. This is troublesome, since it suggests that those wanting to try SkinCeuticals products may have to go to retail stores or through some other middleman situation, which could mean higher out-of-pocket expense. In addition, the AntiAging-Reviews.com team found evidence that L-Ascorbic Acid may irritate skin, which makes it questionable for sensitive skin types.

Positives

- More than 10 years of experience in the cosmetic field, including professional collaboration with Duke University and the National Institutes of Health

- Admits that use of this product with a formula containing Hyaluronic Acid will lead to a better effect

 Negatives

- Consumers may have to wait 8 weeks to see fewer wrinkles

- Ascorbic acid may irritate the skin

- Formula does not include Glucosamine Complex, Regenex or other established wrinkle reduction nutrients

Conclusion

While SkinCeuticals seems to be on the right track by linking up with prestigious academic institutions, its efforts to create a high-power anti-wrinkle formulas need to go further. While Serum 20 could enhance the use of other leading wrinkle reducers, such as Dermitage or Instant Lifting Crème, the AntiAging-Reviews.com team would not recommend using this product as the only strategy for looking younger.

Overview

Olay Regenerist supposedly offers an alternative to other ways of exfoliating the skin from dead skin, which is a leading cause of wrinkles. The company claims that Regenerist may be comparable to chemical peels and less harsh on the skin. In addition, this line of formulas is intended to encourage the production of collagen in the skin, which is preferable to attempting to deliver collagen from animal or sea plants.

Featured Ingredients

To accomplish its effects, Regenerist employs the use of peptides, which are precursors to proteins that make up many constituents in the skin, such as collagen and elastin. While some research suggests that peptides may in fact encourage the skin to produce collagen, the effect does not seem to be as dramatic as other compounds, such as Glucosamine Complex, which boosts collagen my 168% or more.  The Regenerist line of formulas also offers some of the more common antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, Vitamin B3 and ProVitamin B5. These nutrients have been shown to help protect the skin from sun exposure and environmental pollutants, which can degrade the skin and cause wrinkles. But the AntiAging-Reviews.com researchers are concerned that these synthetic forms of the vitamins may cause side effects for some people. The team is encouraged, however, that Regenerist formulas contain Green Tea, which is a natural botanical antioxidant and may be less harsh yet more powerful than the aforementioned vitamins. Hopefully, the makers of Regenerist add more of these compounds and replace synthetic vitamins with more natural sources. 

Web Site Description

The Olay web site is very attractive and well constructed, which is what you would expect from a successful retail company with years of financial success. They obviously have spent a lot of money to make their web site appealing. The descriptions of the products seem succinct and easy to understand. The web site does not include testimonials from customers who have used the products, and there is a disturbing lack of scientific research on the ingredients in the product line. Plus, the only way to order Olay Regenerist is by visiting a retail store, which may be inconvenient and more expensive for the Internet consumer.

Positives

- Tries to encourage skin to produce collagen, rather than trying to deliver non-human collagen to the skin

- Use of at least one botanical antioxidant, which is preferable to synthetic vitamins

 Negatives- Online ordering is not available

- Regenerist does not contain Glucosamine Complex, which could enhance collagen production by 168%

- No costumer testimonials nor proof of its effects

Conclusion

Olay Regenerist seems to be popular because of Olay’s history of success in the retail industry, but this formula lacks essential components that could make it perform as claimed. While the use of peptides and antioxidants will cause some reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, the effect would be better if they had decided to use more powerful ingredients.

Overview

Avalon Organics offers many products intended to reduce the appearance of aging skin. Its CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum is one of its most popular formulas, and thus will be the focus of this report. The company reports that it ensures that all of its products are free of parabens, which are ingredients said to be associated with the formation of breast cancer cells. This is an admirable effort, as is the company’s focus on providing donations to various breast cancer organizations.

Featured Ingredients

Avalon CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum employs the enzyme CoQ10 as its active ingredient. CoQ10 occurs in all living beings. It is used by the body to help generate and process energy within the cells. Skin tests suggest that CoQ10, by efficiently revitalizing worn out skin cells, helps give skin a younger look. The company claims that CoQ10 is especially useful around the eyes and skin near the mouth. While it does seem to have a surface effect, it is unclear whether CoQ10 does anything for the inner layers of skin, which need just as much rejuvenation, if not more, than the surface area. That’s why deeply penetrating ingredients, like Regenex and Lifting Spheres, may make a better choice for an overall anti-wrinkle effect.

 Avalon CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum also uses various botanical antioxidants, like Green Tea and White Tea Extracts. Science has proven that use of Green Tea and White Tea in skincare formulas is in fact a wise choice - since these natural nutrients help protect the skin from damage that causes wrinkles. White Tea is even more powerful than Green tea, which suggests that any formula that combines both compounds will truly help protect the skin from future wrinkles. The [Journal of Skin Aging] team is only aware of one other product - Dermitàge - that uses this same wise combination. 

Web Site Description

Avalon sells many different types of products on its web site, many of which seem to have the same effects. So when a consumer is looking to reduce their wrinkles, they may be initially drawn to CoQ10 but then become confused by other products that claim the same effects. In addition, the company encourages visitors to buy multiple formulas for a more complete effect, but each visit could likely result in a consumer spending $100 or more, when purchasing a single product with all of these effects would make more sense.

Positives

- Company is an active participant in breast cancer research

- Products are organic and free from potentially harmful parabens

 Negatives

- Web site is confusing - multiple products offered with the same effect

- CoQ10 may only help surface wrinkles

- Overall wrinkle reduction effect may be weak

Conclusion

Although we applaud the socially conscious focus of a company like Avalon Organics - as well as its efforts to eliminate non-organic ingredients - the products themselves seem to be rather weak. Perhaps if this formula is seen as a first step towards future products that produce more powerful anti-wrinkle benefits, AntiAging-Reviews.com may consider re-evaluating its formulas.