SCRUTINY

I have very sensitive skin, is this product safe for me?

Most likely yes, but everyone’s skin is different. Any skincare product may contain an ingredient that your particular skin doesn’t like, but we design all our products to be gentle on the skin. If you’re looking for a product that has been formulated specifically for people with sensitive skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea, try our Anti-Aging Complex.

 

I’ve had undereye dark circles since I was very young, will this product correct those?
Some people are genetically more predisposed to dark circles under the eyes than others, independent of aging factors. This formula diminishes dark circles by supplying ingredients that have been shown to help repair broken capillaries, which can be prevalent under the eyes, and stimulate collagen synthesis to thicken the skin. If your dark circles are not related to these aging concerns then most likely the effects will not be as dramatic as they will be for others.

 

Is it normal for this product to feel sticky on the skin after application?
The effects of this serum are not dose dependent, so using more than the recommended amount will not bring on faster/greater results. You only need a very thin layer over the skin to get benefits from this product (a little really does go a long way). Using more than is needed might lead to a sticky feel on the skin, but even in this case it will absorb and dry after a few minutes. A lingering feeling of hydration is normal and beneficial since it both moisturizes and enhances the formula’s ability to penetrate. If a product disappears immediately after application then it either has a high percentage of alcohol that evaporates quickly (and it won't absorb deeply into the skin in this case), or it has been designed to go on the skin relatively dry (in which case it also won't absorb well). All active ingredients need a liquid base (water in serums and/or oil in creams) in order to efficiently absorb into the deeper layers of the skin where they can be most effective. So if the skin remains moist, or in the case of over-application it’s temporarily sticky, this helps provide the hydration needed to continue delivering the active ingredients.

 

I have very oily skin; can I use this product?
Yes. This product is oil-free and will not clog pores. The hydration boost this product offers is from oil-free, water-soluble moisturizers.

 

I have very dry skin; can I use this product?
Yes. Even though this product is oil-free it contains water-soluble moisturizers that provide a boost of hydration to the skin.

 

How long will it be before I begin seeing results from this product?
The neuropeptides and oil-free hydrators in this product will produce some effects, most notably a lessening of fine lines, within a few minutes after the first application. With continued use (preferably twice daily application), these results will compound and become increasingly more noticeable Significant improvement is typically seen in the first month of use, with full results being achieved in the first three months, and then daily use thereafter to maintain these results. Keep in mind that the purpose of skincare products isn’t just to reverse the look of aging but to also prevent the signs of aging by slowing down the rate by which skin matures, so faithful use of a product will yield the best long-term results.

 

Isn’t Vitamin C unstable in water?
It is well known now that regular L-Ascorbic Acid, the most ubiquitous form of Vitamin C, is very unstable in water, becoming essentially useless within about 24 hours of being added to a formula. So over the years Vitamin C research has progressed to discover stabilized forms of Vitamin C, most notably salts of Vitamin C, in which the compound is bound to another molecule to stabilize it in water (the same principle is used with copper, in which it is chelated to an amino acid to stabilize it in formulas). Regular L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C is very acidic, but the majority of stabilized versions of Vitamin C have a pH well above 4 and are so sensitive to highly acidic conditions that many of them will begin to break down at a pH lower than 4.

 

Doesn’t Vitamin C require a low pH formula to absorb into the skin?
Vitamin C absorption has more to do with its chemical structure than its pH. For instance, Ascorbyl Palmitate (the lipid-soluble Vitamin C Ester form) is a larger molecule that performs well in sunscreen products because it tends to stay within the epidermal layer to offer antioxidant protection to the skin during UV exposure (especially in combination with Vitamin E and other nutrients). However, it’s not as effective in actually stimulating collagen synthesis deeper in the skin. Other stabilized forms of Vitamin C, on the other hand, have clinical studies demonstrating that they are much more effective at lightening hyperpigmentation and stimulating collagen synthesis because their chemical structure is either smaller or otherwise more suited for skin penetration, independent of their pH.

 

I’ve heard that copper peptides and vitamin c in the same formula interact, is this true?
Decades ago, the original work done on copper peptides, often called Generation 1 Copper Peptides or GHK-Cu, showed that they were effective on the skin but broke down easily in the presence of L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). However, copper peptides in general aren’t just sensitive to these ingredients but rather the lower pH conditions by which these ingredients typically operate. Years later, what is commonly called Generation 2 Copper Peptides or GHK-Cu(II) were discovered, which are much more stable with Vitamin C and in a broader pH range. Also, with the discovery of stabilized forms of Vitamin C there is an even lower chance of interaction with copper peptides due to the less acidic nature of stabilized Vitamin C formulas.

 

I’m pregnant and want to use this product; is it safe for me and my child?
While you should always consult your primary healthcare professional before using any product, this formula is comprised of ingredients that are recognized as generally safe for topical use while pregnant. Because we place a strong emphasis on designing natural products that utilize organic oils/extracts, our products are much safer than mainstream lines that use potentially harmful chemicals in their formulas. Even though the chemicals in such lines may be present in relatively small amounts, they can often build up in the body over time. The effects of these chemicals on an unborn fetus are largely unknown, but why take the risk when you have more natural, organic options to choose from?