FROM THE FRONT | Newly launched face serums

 

HERE'S A list of the top 5 talked-about serums at the beauty counter this fall. Have you tried any of them? What do you think? 

Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum ($92/68GBP for 1.1oz./30ml) 
Just launched, this serum already seems to have a cart of celebs raving about it. It claims to have the highest amount of Probiotic Technology of all the Nude products and has an impressive ingredient list with everything from Hyaluronic Acid (using the Nude Hyaluronic Acid System) to Japanese Sea Kelp and a bucket load of anti-aging ingredients inbetween (plus the full ingredient list is available here). Clinical studies show up the serum decreases skin irritation and damage. With a strapline like smooth, firmer, fresher skin, an all star ingredient list and a celeb clientel, this serum is going to be popular..

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector ($44.50 for 1oz.)
Sophyto Anti-Aging Oxidant Serum ($49 for 1oz.)
StriVectin® Overnight Facial Resurfacing SerumTM ($59 for .9oz.)
Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum ($150 for 1.7oz.) 

Continue reading for more info on these serums. >

Update on 09.27.2010 by Jessica Teas (née Gearhart)

More serums have hit the beauty counters this fall. The two newest on our radar? Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Serum, laboratoire remède 360° cellular concentré and Sisleÿa Global Firming Serum.

LUST-HAVE | CHANEL Sublimage Essential Revitalising Concentrate

SINCE WE'RE on the subject of serums this week. we need to tell you about the next big launch. Mark your calendars for Friday, October 8th because CHANEL is launching a new serum (or concentrate) in its Sublimage range (famed for its Planifolia PFA (vanilla planifolia + polyfractioning process)).

And it features yet another new ingredient to the beautyscape - the Golden Flower of the Himalayas aka Golden Champa aka the heal-all flower. You'll see it on CHANEL ingredient labels at Golden Champa PFA (polyfractioning is used again to extract the flower esters and maintain their integrity. I am unable to tell you what polyfractioning is... yet). Apparently the flower can help detoxify and revitalise skin. How? Well, what I've read is that Golden Champa PFA is anti-oxidizing and "induces active cellular revitalization by stimulating the expression of two essential enzymes... DT-Diaphorase and GST". There are all sorts of other scientific-sounding claims about the increase in ATP (energy/food) for cells, reduction in peroxized lipids in DNA, etc., however I would need a scientist to first explain such things to me and, second, verify whether this is true or not in order to tell you, one way or another, in this space today, if Golden Champa can do all those things.

That said, I, for one, will be trying it. And why not (tho I won't be spending this much on all my beauty products)? CHANEL does not disclose the amount of money it spends on research per year (which we take as a sign that it's A LOT), nor do they depend on suppliers for their active ingredients, instead choosing to grow their own. Their extraction processes are highly secretive and, well, if they're that intensive on the R&D side, I'd like to see if the fruit of their collective labor works. Wouldn't you? Plus, the Sublimage range has received rave reviews from consumers since its 2006 launch. 

It is pricey at £290.00 for 30ml, but, I've been using La Mer The Concentrate (not cheap) for ages -- and I LOVE it (love it), so I understand prioritizing my purchases (Dove soap or jojoba oil at cleanser for a snip but an expensive serum if it works, I use it daily and am judicious with applying it).

Needless to say, Xavier Ormancey (Chanel's Director of Active Ingredients) seems to spare no expense, nor leave any rock unturned, in his search for un-paralleled active ingredients for CHANEL skincare. 

Sources:

• Beauty in full Bloom, The Times, September 2006
•  CHANEL press office 

BEAUTY 101 | What is a serum?

What is a serum?

A SKINCARE serum is a thick liquid-like, (generally) oil-free product with a high concentration of active ingredients and is often moisutrizing, although is not necessarily a moisturizer. They are often used after cleansing and before applying moisturizer or night cream as a sort of supplemental product. They’re commonly used in targeted skincare for anti-aging, anti-oxidation, hydration and plumping, brightening, evening skin tone and to help with acne. Some claims say that the molecules in serum are smaller than in lotion therefore they penetrate the epidermis (top layer of skin) more readily and quickly, but I haven’t found scientific evidence to back-up that claim.

Generally speaking, cosmetics companies are free to use the term however they please (there’s no regulation) but this is the general lay person’s definition of a serum versus, say, a day cream or face balm.

Continue reading > 

Image credit: http://www.virospack.com/en/