Biotherm Aquasource - Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel, Nuit High Density Hydrating Jelly and Deep Serum

A few months back I was able to attend a presentation from Biotherm about their Aquasource line - which was actually one of my first experiences with the brand, with the exception of a BB cream I had sampled previously. (If you follow my Instagram, I posted some pictured from the event.) Since I had not previously used anything from Biotherm, I wanted to give myself several weeks of testing time with the new products to get a better gauge of how they performed for my combination, leaning-to-dry-because-of-this-damn-winter-that-will-not-end skin.

If you're a skin-care geek, you'll note that the formulations contain some unique ingredients and sophisticated formulations.

The Aquasource - Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel for Normal or Combination Skin (47$ CAD - 39$ USD) features:

Mannose - a natural sugar derived from tree pulp, it increases skin thickness by 25% and helps it further retain moisture over a 48 hour period. Tested on reconstructed skin, it has the ability to encourage skin regeneration.

Life Plankton™ Cellular Water - a blend of minerals, including potassium, phosphor, calcium, iron, Zinc, copper and manganese, as well as b2 (riboflavin), b6 (pyridoxine), b8 (biotin) and b3 (pp). It is also rich in 23 amino acids ranging from aspartic acid to lysine. This fluid aids in preventing moisture loss and stimulates skin regeneration.

Jelly!

The texture of this is really neat, something in between a cream and a gel. It goes on light and cool-feeling, like a gel would, but once smoothed in it feels the same as a an oil-based moisturizer would, only without that heavy, greasy feeling. It does contain shea butter and silicone oils in addition to the unique ingredients, as well as alcohol to keep that lightweight, airy feel in the formulation. (I was told that the potential drying effects of the alcohol are negated by the hydrating factors, but if your skin is  particularly dry or sensitive, you might want to take that into consideration.)

On my skin type, I found it was perfect for when my skin was optimal (slightly oily in the t-zone, dehydrated everywhere), but wasn't quite enough for when the central air was turning me into an extra from The Mummy. (Not unexpectedly, as it is geared to normal/combination skin.)

The Aquasource Nuit - High Density Hydrating Jelly for All Types of Skin (50$ CAD - 42$ USD) contains:

P. Antarctica - sourced from a newly discovered micro-organism that produces a glycoprotein enabling it to maintain its internal water levels even in the frozen climate of Antarctica. The extract derived from this extreme weather survivor increases the production of new keratinocytes (new, fresh cells in the skin)by up to 25% after just 48 hours, boosting the skin’s overall capacity to hold water.

This has an even cooler texture than the moisturizer. Basically an oil-in-gel formula, it contains micro-droplets of oil that are 10 to 20 times smaller than those found in the usual moisturizers or oil-in-water emulsions. Despite the jelly-like texture, I could feel it transforming into a light balm as I massaged it into my skin. That super-light film took about a minute or two to absorb completely, and my skin afterward felt incredibly soft and supple, with a velvety smoothness. The Aquasource Nuit is my favourite out of the three products, and one I continue to use on a nightly basis. If you have dry skin, you may need to layer something richer over it, but so far I haven't needed to, even on my drier days. It doesn't have anti-aging ingredients as such, though, so if that is a concern you will definitely need to add an appropriate product to address those needs.

The Aquasource Deep Serum - Deep Moisture and Light Concentrate (60$ CAD) contains the same Mannose and Life Plankton™ Cellular Water as the moisturizer, but in a 3x greater concentration. It also has a micro-pearl formulation (essentially fine mica), for an extra light-boosting effect that lends a beautifully unified finish to the complexion.

Again, the feeling on the skin is fresh, lightweight, and it sinks in immediately. The combination of the hydrating ingredients with the luminous finish makes for a flattering complexion boost. If you're not inclined to wear much makeup, this by itself does a lot to create the look of smooth, glowing skin.

Overall, I think this is an elegantly designed line with ingredients and textures that are unusual enough to stand out from the usual counter offerings, and effective enough to merit some serious attention. Though it's not ideal for those with drier skin or anti-aging concerns, the lightweight formulations should be especially appealing to those with normal-to-slightly-oily skin who need that boost of hydration but who cannot tolerate a greasy feeling.

These swatches suggest the kind of jelly/gel texture these products have:

Left to right: Aquasource Moisturizer, Aquasource Nuit, Aquasource Deep Serum

Availability: At Biotherm counters at Hudson's Bay and Pharmaprix/Shoppers Drug Mart locations, as well as online at www.biotherm.ca and www.lancome-usa.com.

Have you guys tried anything from the Biotherm line? I have a couple of products from their dry/mature skin line to test next, and I'm really curious to see how they stack up. :)

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. All opinions are my own, this post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Skincare Heroes - #1 Bioderma Sensibio H2O Solution Micellaire and Sensibio AR Creme Anti-Rougeurs

As I've mentioned before, I'm investing a lot of time this year in expanding my skincare horizons. As I've been testing left and right, I've found myself returning back to several key products, and, on occasion, integrating some of the new items into my closet of all-star, hero products. I thought I would start a series devoted to these - the tried and true, as well as the new heavy hitters.

The first one is a duo I've been using for years: Bioderma Sensibio AR Creme Anti-Rougeurs and Bioderma Sensibio H2O Solution Micellaire.

(Not this particular set, obviously, since I've gone through bottles of these. This Bioderma Solution Micellaire was actually sent to me so I could try the fancy flip-top version. Verdict? Fancy flip-top is awesome. Especially for my crack-of-dawn morning routine.)

The Bioderma Sensibio H2OSolution Micellaire is, of course, YouTube Famous. It has been touted by every beauty guru on the planet, and for good reason. It is a gentle and effective. I generally go in for a good oil cleanse in the evenings, but when it comes to quickly removing makeup, cleaning my skin in the morning, or touching up makeup mistakes - absolutely nothing beats this. (For heavier eye makeup I've found that soaking a cotton pad and letting it rest over my eyes is key to dissolving everything and incurring a minimum of tugging.)

I've used it for years, and it's the first staple to go into my skin prep kit if I'm working on someone else. Nothing is 100% hypoallergenic, but this comes pretty close. I can feel secure using it on almost anyone.

The Bioderma Sensibio Creme Anti-Rougeurs is my stand-by from when I was dealing with a lot of redness in my skin. Undiagnosed rosacea, chemical irritation, acne irritation - who knows? I was red, I was miserable, and this cream was the only thing that appeased it and made my skin calmer and less florid, especially over time. I don't need to use it daily now, but it's my standard for when my skin is acting up.

It's not heavily moisturizing and, in fact, has a really nice texture for oilier skin - very nice to use on clients with acne-prone skin that have obvious redness and irritation, since it will soothe and hydrate just enough. On myself,  I'll sometimes use it in place of moisturizer in the heavier summer months.

What about you guys? Have you fallen on the Bioderma bandwagon? What are your must-have skin saviours?

(One of the items was provided by the brand/PR for review, the other I purchased. This post is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask and HydraQuench Cream

As part of my current quest to bump up my skincare regime, I'm testing creams and serums and masks (oh my), both from the drugstore and the higher-end counters. My awesome contact at Clarins contributed greatly to this endeavour by sending me two items from their newly revamped HydraQuench line - which has apparently been going like gangbusters since 2008. (While I have been complacently rubbing the same ole thing on my face.)

I have to admit I was a little wary of trying something that seemed to be geared towards dry skin. I have dry patches and my skin can look parched, but I have a much longer history of dealing with oil and acne. It honestly makes me a little fearful of trying new creams, due to the risk of breaking out and looking like a greaseball. However, I've had really good luck with the things I've been trying out, the HydraQuench products included.

I first tried the Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask. Like all the items in this line, it hydrates the skin while helping  to rebuild and protect the natural moisture barrier of the skin.

This is not the type of mask that dries to a cracked-mud finish. It's a luxurious-feeling cream that can be applied anywhere you need a boost of hydration, and left on for 5 to 10 minutes. After that, it's supposed to be taken off with a toning lotion and cotton pads, but I preferred to rinse off the excess (what wasn't absorbed) with water.

I was really surprised to see that there was no residue left on my skin  - no oil, no stickiness. My skin looked refreshed and smooth, and the flakiness on my cheeks was attenuated. I have to wonder if very dry skin would actually find this moisturizing enough, because it felt so appropriate for my combination skin. Then again, maybe rinsing with water removed too much of the product that was supposed to be left behind?

Regardless, it boosted the overall texture of my skin, but not in a way that felt like I had a applied a heavy cream. It also didn't, and has yet to, break me out. I feel like this is the kind of mask I could do on my cheeks once or twice a week, maybe more often during the winter months, to keep those areas in better balance with the rest of my face.

This does contain katafray bark extract, glycerin and my beloved sodium hyaluronate, which will do the immediate job of attracting and retaining water molecules, and would probably be maximized by the subsequent application of a moisturizer.

It also contains sorbier bud extract, which is supposed to aid in micro-circulation and presumably is partly what gives that "refreshed" look to the skin. The mask does tingle ever so slightly.

I also got to try the Clarins HydraQuench Cream.

This is a glossy cream that also has an almost gel-like feel when rubbed in. I was very pleased (and surprised!) by how lightweight this felt on the skin, while still being quite hydrating. With heavier creams I usually mix them with a little floral water on the back of my hand before applying, in order to render them more texturally-appropriate for my skin. No need for that here - applied straight, the cream absorbed into my skin without leaving a trace behind. It also contains katafray and sorbier extracts, and hyaluronic acid, as well as pomegranate extract.

I really, really liked the feel and performance of this. I was sure it would be too much for my skin, but it absorbed so well and kept my skin feeling smooth, plump and flake-free all day.

Both of these are scented, which is part of the redesign on the line. Like the scent of most Clarins skincare, it's more complex than the usual masking fragrance. The top note is a green apple accord, with a middle note of rose and a woodsy base. It's really subtle and pretty and I love it, but if you have sensitive skin you may want to do a patch test first.

These are some swatches to give you an idea of the textures.

HydraQuench Cream and HydraQuench Mask

Availability: Available at The Bay, various Pharmarix/SDM and Murale locations, as well as Nordstrom. The mask is 36$ CAD/35$ USD, and the cream is 49.50$ CAD/USD.

(These items were sent to me by the brand/PR, to consider for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

L'Oréal Paris Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate and Day/Night Cream

When I was putting together my Current Skincare video a few months back, I realized that while my routine serves me well enough, it's not exactly mind-blowing. Due to my past skin issues, I've erred on the side of the safety by not straying far from my known and trusted products. While this has resulted in relatively good skin, I can't help feeling like I'm missing out on fabulous skin due to my less than experimental approach to skincare.

I've recently invested in a few different items in order to beef up my routine and, in an awesome bit of synchronicity, a couple of my favourite brands have treated me to some items from their recent/upcoming collections. The universe, clearly, agrees that I need to step up my skincare game. :P

One of the first things I had a chance to try out is this duo from L'Oréal: the Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate and the Youth Code Texture Perfector Day/Night Cream.

These products are part of the Youth Code range, which aims to address textural issues: pores, fine lines, unevenness. 

The Serum Concentrate contains LR2412, which is supposed to aid the skin in its self-renewal process, and Perline-P, which is supposed to help the pores remain clear of accumulated cells and tighten the skin's elasticity.

It contains: Aqua/Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Tetrahydrojasmonate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Dimethicone, BIS-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Dipropylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyl Tauramide/Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Adenosine, Poloxamer 338, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract/Lentil Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Citronellol, Parfum/Fragrance. F.I.L #B55667/1. 

The Day/Night Cream is similarly supposed to boost skin's natural regeneration, refine the look the fine lines and pores, and generally improve overall skin quality.

It contains: Aqua/Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isopropyl Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica, Behenyl Alcohol, Talc, PTFE, Polyethylene, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Adenosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide/Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract/Lentil Seed Extract, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035/Red, CI 17200/Red 33, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Citral, Citronellol, Parfum/Fragrance. F.I.L #B159063/1.

I have to say that on a superficial level, I just love the packaging! I am a pink girl through and through, so the fuchsia containers delighted me. It's fun, youthful and feminine, which makes sense considering the demographic this line is aimed at - ladies in their 20s and early thirties who are taking skincare more seriously and looking to address those first signs of aging.

As cute as the packaging is, it's what's inside these jars that really counts.

Top: Youth Code Texture Perfector Cream
Bottom: Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum

The serum has some wonderful and beneficial ingredients. Eperua Falcata Bark Extract and Adenosine are anti-inflammatory, so can potentially help with redness and irritation. Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerine are excellent humectants, and will plump up the skin (and fine lines!) with their moisture-retention. The Lentil Seed Extract is what helps refine the texture of pores, reducing their dilated appearance. The silicones present will also smooth the appearance of texture in the skin. All kinds of good stuff! The downside, ingredient-wise, is the prominent listing of alcohol, which can be drying and irritating. It always baffles me when I see it in serums and moisturizers, especially when they are otherwise full of awesomeness. 

Overall, though, I like the feel of this serum and what it does for my skin. It's very light and fresh, and immediately makes my skin look smoother. I find that the skin around my nose and over my cheeks (always the most textured on me) appears finer. It functions like good primer, but stepped up a notch. Because of the alcohol I wouldn't use this regularly, but the visual effect it creates is lovely, and so this is something I would incorporate into my "special evening out" routine. (It's actually incredibly similar to the Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector, so if you've been eyeing that but preferred not to indulge, then this might be a more budget-friendly option.)

The cream has many of the same beneficial ingredients as the serum, with more emollients for hydration and salicylic acid for some exfoliation. It's hard to tell how much exfoliation without a percentage or PH level, but I suspect it's one of the ingredients that helps to reduce the look of dilated pores. What's interesting about this cream is that it also contains a fair bit of silica and talc, which creates a slightly mattifying effect while the other ingredients are doing their hydrating and refining. I didn't find the matte finish to be long-lasting, so if you have serious oiliness you will still need whatever product you use for that. It's a good finish for skin types that need a moisturizer but find most to look too greasy on them.

Both of these have a light fragrance. It's pretty and I enjoy it, but just be aware if you're sensitive to such things.

Availability: Currently out in most drugstores, including Pharmaprix/Shoppers Drug Mart. Price for each item is 29.99$ CAD, 24.99$ USD.

(These items were provided by the brand/pr company to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy Boosting Moisturizer

Like several thousand people out there, I bought this after seeing it featured several times in Tiffany D's youtube videos. It sounded pretty feakin' awesome, and I sure didn't want to miss out on its promised splendour.

While it didn't quite live up to the hype, Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy Boosting Moisturizer is nonetheless a pretty neat product.

The claims for this are that it will hydrate and protect, give skin "a refreshing zing" via anti-oxident rich mangosteen, and provide a healthy radiance, akin to the glow one has after a vacation.

Does it indeed to all that? Short answer is: depends on your skin type, yes, maybe, yes.

I actually didn't find this to be supremely hydrating. During the summer, it did the job well enough, but my combo skin is now on the drier side and this wasn't enough. A minute after application, I saw some dry patches crop back up and had to apply another moisturizer on top of that. If you have dry skin, you will need to layer this over a heavier moisturizer.

This does indeed have an spf of 15, which may be too low for some people, but is fine for me. I honestly rarely wear sun protection. (I know! So naughty!) What I do like about this is that it doesn't have that greasy feeling I associate with a lot of sunscreens, so I am actually more likely to wear it. 

I can't really vouch for anti-oxident or "zing"-like qualities, but I do like the way this gave me just a touch of coverage. I can't even really call it coverage, since I feel like it's less than what I get out of most tinted moisturizers.

It comes out of the tube as a white cream, but it seems to have these teeny little spheres inside that contain pigment. 

These burst (I assume) when you rub the product in, which is what gives it some tint.

This color is barely visible once your rub it fully into the skin. It just gives a hint of something. You do actually look like you may have spent a few minutes outside - somewhat more golden and healthy, with minor imperfections blurred. The finish is demi-matte, with no greasiness or shine, just a faint glow.

If you want to cover blemishes, dark circles, significant redness, this is not the product to use. However, it's fabulous for those no-makeup days. (Or if you're blessed with good skin and just want something minimal to give you some polish and sun protection.)

I like slapping this on when I plan on pure laziness, knowing I can top it off with some quick concealer and a dab of powder if I'm suddenly overtaken by the urge to leave the house.

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Availability: On the Origins site and in their stores, at Sephora.com, and at some The Bay locations, I believe. Price is 35$ USD.

Pros: Provides hydration, sun protection and mild coverage all in one tube, making it a convenient and portable product. Grants the skin the appearance of well-rested health.

Cons: While it does three things at once, the level of each of the things may not be up enough, which undermines the convenience factor if you need to layer in more product. The shade range is obviously limited, but with how lightly pigmented this is, it's still fairly wide.

(I purchased this from the Origins store in NYC.)