The Newest Thing in Skincare: Alguronic Acid (Algenist Skincare: Complete Eye Renewal Balm review)

It is so exciting for me to try out new skincare products. I always have high hopes that each new product that I try will be the "one" that I have been searching for. Many skincare lines have big claims for anti-aging. In the vast sea of skincare products on the market, it can be hard to decide upon what works for you! One of the main reasons that I started blogging was to chronicle my skincare testing online. It takes me awhile to test out skincare products. So, I am always excited when it is time to actually sit down and write my review. 

When I first heard about Algenist Skincare, I got very excited! This brand has something new. Yes, an exciting new product ingredient: Alguronic Acid. 

So, what is Alguronic Acid and what does it do?

The story of the discovery of Alguronic Acid is a good one! Sometimes the best discoveries are the accidental ones!

A team of biotechnology scientists in San Francisco, California, focused on developing microalgae-based renewable energy solutions, unexpectedly discovered Alguronic Acid, a powerful compound responsible for regenerating and protecting the microalgae cell. When scientifically tested, Alguronic Acid demonstrated significant anti-aging properties, increasing elastin synthesis by up to 32%* and cellular regeneration by up to 55%*.

Algenist Skincare is the first line to introduce Alguronic Acid in the skincare market! I have a feeling that they have started a big thing here with this ingredient! The results are scientifically tested and promise good results. Exciting!!!

I am embarking upon reviews for two items from this line: The Complete Eye Renewal Balm (today's review) and the Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF 20 (review coming soon!). Want to hear more, please keep reading after the page break!

Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare: Nourish Eye Cream Review

Your Best Face (YBF) Brand Introduction and Nourish Eye Cream review

Hello there my lovely readers! I am embarking on a series of reviews over the next few weeks for a variety products from the Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare line. I was introduced to this great brand through my blogger friend Christine over at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic, who has blogged about this brand often. She has done some great reviews on this skincare line! So, be sure to check out her most recent review here.

Your Best Face (YBF): Brand Intro

YBF is a progressive, high quality, and research-based skincare line which specializes in a range of antioxidant-rich serums and moisturizers.

How does Your Best Face standout in the vast sea of skincare lines? In a word: ingredients! Your Best Face is one of the only companies on the market using cutting-edge Antioxidant "Spin Traps". Your Best Face provides both innovative and effective skincare! YBF offers a wide variety of antioxidant eye creams, serums, and moisturizers. You are bound to find a good fit for "your best face". 

So, what are "Spin Traps"?I said the same thing initially! "Spin Traps" are super-powerful antioxidants. They work differently from other antioxidants as they not only neutralize and scavenge the free-radicals, but during neutralization oxygen is released and can return to your skin in a use able form. This is a good thing!

That is my basic definition based on my limited, but growing, knowledge of "Skin Traps". But, I am excited to learn more!!! They are effective and they work. I totally trust the science behind this skincare line from what I have read on both the YBF website as well as Christine's reviews on 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic (I know, I can't stop raving about Christine-LOVE her!).

So, if you are looking to add a good antioxidant to your anti-aging regimen, add Your Best Face skincare to your list of products to try! Spin Traps are amongst the most powerful antioxidants known. Defiantly worth checking out!

Even more great ingredients: 

In addition to the powerhouse Skin Traps, YBF packs these products with many other effective ingredients. I will include ingredients lists in all upcoming reviews (as ingredients vary per product).

To name a few:  Peptides, other Antioxidants (besides skin traps): Vitamins C, B, E, Green Tea, and Hyaluronic Acid (or sodium hylauronate).

Hyaluronic acid is wonderful as it attracts moisture and really works wonders to plump the skin. I am always excited when a product contains this ingredient. My dry skin *loves* HA!

In a nutshell: YBF Skincare is choc-full of great ingredients!

So, What am I looking for in an eye cream? Read on for that info as well as a review on Your Best Face's Nourish Eye Cream! Keep reading after the jump!!!

Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream (review)

Hello my dear readers!

Anyone out there looking for an eye cream? I know that I am constantly searching for a good one! So, I am always trying out new eye creams and looking for "the one"! :)

My "Eye Background" and "What am I looking for in an eye cream?":

• I have no major wrinkles or lines (yet!), but when my skin gets very dry, fine lines can form around the eye area. So, I need an eye cream that is nicely hydrating. I also don't have any issues with under eye bags or anything like that.

• One of my main skincare and eye concerns is my issue with very dark under eye circles. I am plagued by these. Dark circles can be caused my many contributing factors. In my case, all factors are present: allergies, heredity, and general lack of sleep. I am a triple threat! A triumvirate of dark "circle-ness"! ;) Over the years, I have generally given up hope that an eye cream can actually treat or prevent dark circles. But part of me always hopes for a "miracle cure"!

• Because of my dark circles, I need my eye creams to provide a rich and moisturized base for application of opaque concealers.

• My eye area is VERY prone to milia. I need an eye cream that does NOT cause milia.

• Also, my skin is very sensitive.

All my eye area skin concerns really limits my eye cream options! So many products out there irritate my sensitive skin or cause milia. So, I usually look for something really "basic". I just want a gentle cream that is hydrating and that provides a nice base for concealer. If there are added benefits like "anti-aging" or great ingredients, then that is just a bonus!

Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream:

According to the packaging and the website, the Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream "promotes collagen production while brightening the skin, eliminating dark circles, and reducing under eye puffiness". This product contains a vitamin C derivative (Ascorbyl Glucoside) which "lightens circles", Aescin which "improves circulation and puffiness", and Alpha Bisabalol which "accelerates cell healing and controls redness".

For my review on Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream, please keep reading after the jump!

Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum: Review

Hi Beauties! I have a skincare review for you today!

I have been testing out Olay's Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum for a few weeks now. I bought this product on a "whim" as I have generally read good things about Olay products and was in the market for a new eye cream for use during the day. I am happy with my night time eye creams in my current skincare rotation, but I really needed to find a less greasy eye cream for suitable use during the day. I am so glad I picked this up! I am really happy with how this is working for me! I know this product is labeled as a "serum", but really, it functions more as an "eye cream".

Some background: I have very dark under eye circles, so I am always looking for a rich emollient eye cream that provides a good base for concealer, yet isn't too creamy (if its too creamy, the concealer will slide...and if it is not moisturizing enough, then the concealer won't apply well). So, I am quite picky about my eye creams! I am not expecting any miracles...but want a product that delivers some results: good moisturization without being greasy, a product that does not irriate my sensitive eyes, and a product that does not cause millia (I am *so prone* to this skin issue).

When I started testing this product I had some millia around my eye area (those little white hard bumps that arise from irritating products or eye products that are too rich). Now, sometimes millia go away on their own, but often I have them plucked off at the Dermatologist's office (I know, I know...ewwh!). Well, not sure if it is coincidence or not, but about 2 weeks after using this Olay Eye Lifting Serum, most of my millia went away on their own (and I had literally had them for months!!!). So,  I am thrilled about that! But, I do realize it may be coincidental.

I do not currently have any lines or wrinkles around my eyes (thank goodness for that), but I am "of the age" that I want to start prevention in this department. I know that taking good care of my skin now can really make a difference for the future! So, for this review, I really can't speak to the products "Lifting" or "Firming" claims nor can I speak to any reduction in fine lines nor wrinkles as I don't have any. But, does this eye serum moisturize well and leave skin smooth? Absolutely!

So, now on to the review:

• As mentioned above, this is more of an eye cream than a serum. So, if you are purchasing this specifically as a "serum" you might be disappointed. Its texture is primarily creamy. But, it does feel "different" than other eye creams...you can tell there is a serum-like quality as this product has much more "slip" than a run-of-the-mill eye cream. It feels nice and moisturizing, yet not greasy! For me, that means an ideal texture. It leaves the eye area really smooth and "well prepped" for concealer. Not to mention that it absorbs very nicely. I apply all around my eye area.

• The product contains very fine goldish micro shimmer (it makes the cream look somewhat "yellowish"). I assume this is to diffuse any darkness in the eye area. This is a nice idea for products, but I cover the area with opaque concealer anyway, so the shimmer-effect was not visible on me. If applied straight with no concealer on top, it does give the eye area a slight luminosity from the shimmer (so no major sparkle-I mean, who wants that in the eye area!).

• OMG-How stinkin cute is this little bottle? Love, love, love the pump container!!! I wish all eye creams came in a pump like this. It is just so sanitary and you can really control the amount that you want. Nothing bugs me more than dipping my fingers into pots of eye cream. I *always* wish for products to come in a pump or a tube. So, love this little pump container! One pump gives me the exact amount I need for both eyes. Perfect!

• This product does not irritate my very sensitive eyes nor the skin around my eyes. Seriously, my eyes are so sensitive. I would say that most eye creams that I try sting my eyes or my skin around the eyes. Not the case with this gentle product. I have experienced no irritation whatsoever. 

• The product is a good price at around $19.99 (what I paid at the grocery store, but you could probably find it for a better deal at Target). 

• My only wish is that this product contained SPF!!! Really, I need to ideally find a daytime eye cream with SPF that is also a good makeup base for under eye concealer (that is also non-irritating). I do have a few products in mind that I might try soon. But, in the meantime, I will be sticking with this Olay for daytime use. 

In summary, I am really pleased with this product! I use "treatment" type eye creams at night...but, for day, I look for an eye cream that is moisturizing, non-greasy, non-irritating, and one that provides a good base for concealer...this Olay Eye Serum is doing all those things for me! 

On another note, if any of ya'll are using a great daytime eye cream with SPF that you totally love...please let me know in the comments below! :) 

Thanks for reading!