In a previous post, I explained how essential a good cleansing regime is in order for any moisturising and anti ageing products to work effectively but had never really considered the effectiveness of the potency in such products and how it was maintained once packaged and on shelves, in particular those with antioxidant properties, until I was introduced to Radical Skincare.
This paraben free brand was created by Liz and Rachel Edlich, who from a young age had grown up with the science of skin rejuvenation and wound repair whilst working in their father’s lab at the University of Virginia Burn Unit. Dr. Richard F Edlich MD.PHD, a world renowned Professor of Plastic Surgery whose own career is nothing short of extremely admirable given his own contributions to the medical world, despite having Multiple Sclerosis he has still continued to carry out his life changing work. Inspired by his sense of purpose, passion and integrity, the sisters forged ahead calling upon the best chemists and scientists they knew to help produce the most powerful skincare possible,yet still sensitive enough to deal with their own skin issues. Liz was suffering from adult acne after turning 46 and Rachel having just given birth to her second child and was having to deal with Rosacea. Within a year they both developed a technology that could protect and repair skin. The potent formula was then combined with soothing agents to reduce inflammation.
So what is the radical breakthrough?
It’s the only skincare that uses Trylacel, a suspension technology that keeps the potency of anti oxidants in creams at their maximum in order to deliver the best results. It was found that when antioxidants are combined with reparative ingredients in creams they break down and become less effective at protecting your skin from free radicals (caused by excess sun,pollution, smoking, stress and obesity), they are the best defence against free radical damage and ageing, so they need to function at their optimum level in order for our skin to obtain the most benefit from them.
The ingredients listed are a powerhouse of antioxidants that include resveratrol (phytonutrient found in dark berries and some plants), coffee berry, acai, grapeseed, red wine extract, pomegranate and cranberry. It’s the combination of powerful antioxidants and the reparative and soothing agents that are held in a bi-lipid membrane that make Radical Skincare 300% more potent than leading brands.
The Facts
The ingredients within Radical Skincare have been clinically proven to:
- 300% more potent in antioxidant protection when compared to leading brands* to protect from free radical damage
- Increase skin hydration by 66%
- Reduce Wrinkles by 50%
- 128% increase in collagen an elasticity for smoother skin
- Reduce under eye dark eye circles and puffiness
- Even skin tone and reduce age and sun spots
- Reduce pore size
Impressive claims to make but does it work?
Before I go into the review it helps to understand the ingredients you need to be looking out for and what their function is when it comes to buying anti ageing skin products.
Promote maximum hydration
- Hyaluronic Acid – Key water maintaining substance in the skin that plumps out and hydrates the skin.
- Sodium Hyaluronate – Same purpose as above but it has a smaller molecule size that makes it more penetrative and 5x the water binding capacity than hyaluronic acid. Found in anti ageing moisturising products.
Encourage skin cell renewal
- AHA’s – Naturally occurring molecules found in sugarcane, milk and fruits you will often find them listed as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Citric Acid. They help to reduce the appearance of skin wrinkling by removing dead skin cells so that the skin is more even and softer in tone. These are the ingredients you need to look for in cleansing and exfoliating products.
- Salicylic Acid – A Beta-hydroxy acid that is similar in function to that of AHA’s but less irritating and better for those with very sensitive skins
- Retinols – A derivative of Vitamin A with a molecular structure small enough to penetrate skins lower dermis. Their function is to heal and repair DNA damage caused by sun damage, smoking, pollution by strengthening the skins elastin and boosting collagen production. Please note these are not to be confused with Retinoids these are topically stronger and are generally used to treat acne proned skins.. Found in anti ageing moisutrisers and treatments.
- L – Ascorbic Acid – Otherwise known as Vit C. A high strength antioxidant that helps to stimulate the synthesis of collagen production as well helping to minimize wrinkles, scars, and fine lines. Also listed as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl palmitate.
- Peptides – A beauty buzzword I’m sure most of you will be familiar with, slightly controversial as to whether or not they actually penetrate the skin. Peptides are broken down strands of amino acids and when applied to the skin they send a signal to encourage collagen production. Many studies have shown that they are effective but they need to be in high quality products where they can be stabilized and easily absorbed so as to prevent them breaking down further thus rendering them ineffective.
Does Radical Skincare contain all the above?
With the exception of retinols RS contains the other listed anti aging ingredients and extensive list of other high quality ingredients too but those listed above are pretty much the essentials you really need to be looking for especially where cost is concerned, we’re all to familiar with supposed miracle claims and I only endeavor to write posts about products and brands I believe in.
So do they work?
I have fine lines, my pores are more noticeable and my eyes are certainly puffy in the morning and where these little matters are concerned I’ll answer in short, a very impressive yes. For a month I trialed the Hydrating Cleanser, the age defying exfoliating pads, the Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serum, Restorative Moisture Creme and the Eye Revive Creme. It’s a bit of a regime and I don’t usually use all one brand when cleansing and moisturising so I was a little concerned about product overload on my skin but throughout each step the products work in harmony and any acidic properties are calmed by the soothing ingredients so as not cause any irritation. The only product that may cause any if it all is the exfoliating pads, as they contain AHA’s but a little tingling is normal and it’s this product that really mops up skin debris, firms skin, tightens pores and allows other active ingredients to penetrate the skin more effectively. The serum and moisturiser feel amazing on the skin as they’re incredibly light in texture but kept my skin hydrated all day thanks to the Sodium Hyaluronate that’s in the serum. The only downside as with many high end products is that it is a little expensive but If I had to make a couple of choices it would be the exfoliating pads and the Peptide Infused antioxidant serum.
I really love the products in the Radical Skincare line otherwise I wouldn’t have wrote such an extensive post but when it comes to anti ageing there are many products that are best kept on the shop shelf in my opinion and if this brand is a little too expensive then at least you’re armed with better knowledge of what you need to be looking for if you want find a cheaper option.
Just keep in mind, that although good quality anti ageing products can do a lot of good to sun damaged and wrinkled skin, you will benefit far more from their use if you start to use them once fine lines or any noticeable UV damage starts to show.
Prevention is always better than a cure 😉
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