RéVive Defensif Renewal Serum

Here's a secret I'm going to spill. I promise I'll share my skin-care treasures as soon as I've determined they work (not like the favorite eye makeup remover I kept a secret for almost a year). RéVive's Defensif Renewal Serum ($195) works, and I love it!

It became available in April of this year, and I purchased one at Neiman Marcus at the recommendation of Kathy Shoreman and Anna Befanis, the RéVive Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. Both were impressed almost immediately after they started using it. When two skin-care mavens tell me something's great, it usually is.

Defensif Renewal Serum is a lightweight, protective serum that shields the skin against environmental aggressors and free-radical damage, while helping improve skin tone and texture. A scientifically advanced Bio-Renewal Protein promotes skin cell renewal to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and unveil the even-toned, healthy complexion hiding underneath the surface of our skin. This small bioengineered protein has been shown to effectively increase cell renewal.

Two potent antioxidants deliver powerful protection against the visible signs of premature aging. Resveratrol is harnessed from the skins of grapes. A new generation of this potent antioxidant is more capable of fighting dangerous and harmful free radicals than earlier incarnations. This resveratrol was processed through a natural fermentation process to make the already-small molecule even smaller, allowing it to penetrate the skin to fight free radicals.

Superoxide dismutase is one of the most powerful antioxidants for protecting the skin against free-radical damage. It's now encapsulated in an advanced liposomal delivery system to enhance absorption. Defensif Renewal Serum also has a high concentration of glycolic acid, which keeps the dead surface skin cells sloughing off for a smooth, fresh complexion.

The directions say to use it in the morning and follow with your moisturizer. Contrarain that I am, I use it in the evening, when my skin is resting and refreshing. Most of the time, but not always, I follow it with a treatment moisturizer. I can see how it's perfect, though, for protecting the skin during the day, particularly in "unfavorable" conditions (heat, sun, humidity, and smog in the summer in my area).

Dr. Gregory Brown, RéVive founder and noted former surgeon stated, "Living on our planet begets aging...pollutants, diminishing protective ozone layer, UV rays...all of these factors contribute to the formation of free radicals. These free radicals wreak havoc on the skin's collagen and elastin, drastically promoting aging. The new Defensif Renewal Serum arrests those free radicals in their tracks." When Dr. Brown speaks, I listen!

I has stopped using this serum for a few days to test another serum last week. Suddenly, out of nowhere (but probably related to stress), I saw one of those "underground" inflammatory processes starting - the kind the develops into a blemish. I was appalled. I realized that my Zeno Hot Spot was packed away in a box and decided to go back to Defensif Renewal Serum to free my chin of any dead skin cells that might have trapped something irritating that needed to "depart" for the inflammation to clear. It took only two days, and the inevitable blemish was gone - stopped in its tracks by Defensif Renewal System! That just doesn't happen. I was impressed.

Even before this "event," I was impressed with the way my skin was looking. I use many great products, and it's hard to move the bar. I think RéVive's Defensif Renewal Serum did that. It was worth every penny of its price, and I need so little to cover my face and neck, I think I'll be using this serum for a long time. I like that legendary soft, supple, and dewy RéVive glow. If I could wish for anything - anything different - I'd love to have a little window to show me how much I've used. I don't want to run out of this fabulous serum.

You can purchase RéVive Defensif Renewal Serum and other RéVive products at RéVive's Web site, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys.

Photo courtesy of RéVive

More about → RéVive Defensif Renewal Serum

Chantecaille Biodynamic Lifting Serum

Chantecaille's Biodynamic Lifting Serum ($210) has arrived! I have been waiting for this new addition to the Biodynamic Lifting line since Alex Chantecaille described this new serum to me early last December. She gave me an advance "snapshot" of the Biodynamic Lifting Neck Cream, which I now love, and the Biodynamic Lifting Serum. Alex told me about the ingredients of the neck cream and how the serum would share its technology, but with greater concentrations. I bought the neck cream, which I use regularly, and now I have the new serum.

It's too early for me to tell you about the serum's effectiveness. I don't look 10 years younger since Tuesday. I can tell you about the ingredients I'm sure the neck cream and serum share.

• Raspberry stem cells for anti-inflammatory properties and DNA repair, using special technology to make sure all the extract is absorbed into the skin.
• Marsh samphire, a succulent salt-tolerant herbaceous plant that grows in salt marshes and on beaches - the plant grows in a harsh environment and provides its unique self-protective capabilities to the skin
• A hexapeptide for anti-aging properties, one that encourages deep muscle relaxation for a lineless look

Here is what Chantecaille says about the new serum and how it works. The ingredient list reads like a who's who of the plant world. The serum is 88% botanical! It's also paraben-free.

Aging is about the degeneration of collagen. Chantecaille’s Biodynamic Lifting Serum is the newest, most potent collagen builder and collagen protector. Collagen is essential. It lifts, builds density, and smoothes wrinkles. Raspberry stem cells are a fierce collagen protector. They are extremely rich in potent antioxidants and GADD 45, the gene of longevity that repairs DNA damage.

There is a long list of additional active ingredients. Using Chantecaille's information, I'll summarize them for you.

A new BioNymph Tripeptide is the first peptide from a living plant to stimulate collagen renewal. This tripeptide is said to activate DNA repair and reduce DNA fragmentation by 57%. Clinical tests have shown a 25% reduction in crow's feet after 30 days of use (on humans).

A new "Age-Controlling Compex," liposomes of carnosine and lemon balm prevent glycation (remember, sugar is bad for skin cells) and enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of the BioNymph Peptide. Clinical tests showed a significant improvement in firmness and smoothness after four weeks of use.

Intense hydration - immediate and long term - come from hyaluronic acid, marsh samphire extract, and imperata cylindrica extract. Hyaluronic acid helps create a moisture reserve in the skin (nature's sponge) and tighten cellular cohesion, reducing moisture loss from the skin's barrier. Clinical tests showed that 91% of test subjects exhibited more hydrated skin, and 66% experienced a reduction/smoothing of fine lines.

Imperata cylindrica extract leads to intense and long-lasting skin hydration - by 60% immediately, 50% after six hours, and 20% after 24 hours. Marsh samphire extract reduces epidermal water loss by 25%. In vivo tests have shown that moisture levels increased by a factor of six.

As if that weren't enough, the serum restores brightness and skin clarity with panax ginseng extract, which removes toxins and puffiness through better oxygenation. White tea extract is also in the mix. The antioxidant clarifies skin. The EGCG compounds found in high concentrations in white tea stimulate the skin to retain moisture and protect against inflammation.

Chantecaille believes this innovative lifting serum is a major wrinkle fighter - and they are normally right in their conservative claims. The company says the rare, powerful, and patented active ingredients in the serum - which harnesses nature and technology - deliver visible results, minimizing the appearance of lines and maximizing skin tightness and density. The serum will boost the effectiveness of the other products in the Biodynamic Lifting line, which is excellent for all skin types, but particularly great for us dry types.

I have applied Biodynamic Lifting Serum morning and night since it arrived. It has a fabulous, light rosewater scent and lightweight feel on the skin. It absorbs quickly and evenly. The container is small at an ounce (give or take a fraction), and I fear I will use too much of this lovely serum too fast. My skin slurps the first product I apply after cleansing. I always have that problem with expensive serums. Not sure how I'm going to feed all my recent habits.

The serum is dispensed through a medicine bottle-like dropper. Just squeeze the bulb at the top to draw the serum into the "syringe." I squirt it into my palm and apply it to my face from there. Chantecaille advises to use it morning and night, which I have been doing.

I will definitely come back to the serum in a month and let you know how it performed. For now, I'm excited to be one of Chantecaille's early adapters. I love the combination of botanical and technology-driven ingredients, and I believe I'll adore this serum as much as I adore the rest of the Biodynamic Lifting products.

I bought mine online at Chantecaille's Web site. As of early yesterday, it had not yet arrived at Neiman Marcus, but was expected soon.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

More about → Chantecaille Biodynamic Lifting Serum

Astre Skin Care Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum

I get frequent inquiries from companies I don't know. If their products look intriguing, I follow up and agree to test a product. Now and then, I get a product that knocks my socks off. Astre Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum ($99) got my attention with the first application, and it continues to dazzle me - and it's not simply because it has 24K gold in it. This serum is seriously effective.

Astre Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum is a scientifically advanced skin-care product. It is formulated to firm the skin and offer immediate hydration, penetrating to the basal layer of the skin to significantly reduce wrinkles and put collagen production into overdrive. It's Astre's premier product.

Astre Skin Care makes natural products and uses no hydroquinone (a skin lightener that can be irritating), parabens, or sulfates. They do no animal testing. They do use fabulous state-of-the-art ingredients, known to be effective. The organic aloe vera base of the serum is combined with hyaluronic acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, and L-Arginine to create the perfect platform for skin regeneration, which occurs in a three- to four-week cycle. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of 24K gold top off the mix.

Gold is considered a miracle element for skin these days. Not only does it improve collagen growth, it has superior anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce the breakdown of elastin and prevent the skin from sagging. Topical gold has been shown to slow melanin secretions, which can cause skin discoloration. Gold also has the unique ability to pull toxins from the skin. Gold creates luminous, radiant, healthy looking skin.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in our skin. Unfortunately,it decreases as we age. This decrease ultimately causes loss of hydration, resulting in wrinkling and loss of elasticity. Hyaluronic acid offers a superb environment for new cell growth and increases collagen. Hyaluronic acid is such a powerful humectant that it can absorb over 1,000 times its weight in water, unmatched in nature. I've mentioned this ingredient many times in my features. In fact, I wrote a whole post on it, which you can see at this link. In my opinion, hyaluronic acid has to be in a great moisturizer today.

I feel the same way about peptides. Acetyl Hexapeptide-3- a powerful, revolutionary pain-free alternative to injections and surgical procedures. AH-3 is a non-toxic amino acid peptide that was developed specifically to reduce existing wrinkles and the development of new wrinkles. Recent clinical studies have shown that AH-3 reduces the depth of wrinkles up to 30% after only 30 days of use. This is a fantastic copper peptide and a key ingredient in Astre Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum.

Another quality ingredient in this serum is L-Arginine, an anti-wrinkle hexapeptide. Known to decrease wrinkle depth, Arginine is present in my favorite treatment products. Want to know more about the scientific data to explain the effectiveness of this serum? Read the information at this link.

Why do I like this serum so much? The first time I used it, I saw and felt its firming properties. It tightened my skin, making me look very smooth - almost poreless - and visibly minimized the appearance of fine lines. The firming wasn't that awful, so-tight-you-can't-move-your-face firming, but I could feel it. I always apply a moisturizer over my serum, and once I did, I couldn't really feel the firming - I could only see it. I have been using this serum day and night for almost three weeks, and my skin looks incredibly good.

What blew me away was a compliment from a friend who is an aesthetician. I had readied my skin for night, applied Astre Skin Matrix Serum on my face and neck, and followed it with a moisturizer I'll tell you about this week. She took one look at me (and she knows me well) and said, "Your skin looks fabulous." No one ever really mentions my skin - other than nicely telling me I don't look my age - so I was impressed. She saw what I have seen since I started using this wonder-product.

When I am introduced to a product this great, I keep it in my rotation. Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum is definitely going to stay. I really love it - everything about it, including the very reasonable price for a serum that's packed with effective and expensive ingredients. If you want to try it, the company offers a money-back guarantee. If you purchase it and aren't satisfied for any reason, just return the bottle for a full refund. The company says, "If you do not see a newfound healthy glow, more radiant fuller skin, fewer wrinkles, [and] less discoloration by the time you finish your 1-oz bottle, we will refund your purchase." How can you beat that?

You can; it gets better. As a promotion for Best Things in Beauty readers, the company has generously offered you a $10 discount, making your purchase total $89 with free shipping. If you order and click on "Add to Cart" on this page, enter code Bestthings. You will receive that discount. I think it's being programmed this evening and should work in a few hours. Please let me know what you think. I'm thrilled.

Photo courtesy of Astre Skin Care

More about → Astre Skin Care Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum