by Julie J.

I must admit when I read the Dare to Try product review chance for the SimySkin Phase III Eye Serum 45+ ($85), I almost didn’t fill out the survey request and I am so very glad I did and that I was chosen!

I must come clean — I haven’t bought an eye cream in well over a year. It’s not that I haven’t needed one just that I have rather spent money on serums and face creams. I have always figured face serums and products should work just as well on my eyes. After testing the SimySkin Eye Serum I am reformed — I definitely need an eye serum and this one has exceeded all my expectations.

This is truly an amazing product! It is not heavy or greasy, immediately absorbs into the skin. I have very sensitive skin and nothing about this product irritated my skin. I used both morning and evening, all over my eyelid and underneath for the past five weeks. Just a little dab will do you, so this bottle will last you quite a while.

The SimySkin brand is very impressive in its approach and philosophy to skincare. It is a U.S. cosmetics and beauty care company who didn’t launch their first product until February 2014. Their mission statement emphasizes their “intent to provide product age specific anti-aging serums, creams and lotions that can reduce the effects of time, environment and stress on skin.” They employ advanced medical nanotechnology with high percentages of effective, proven core ingredients to help treat the aging process. By grouping in “phases of life” it varies ingredients predicated on the age group’s true needs to ensure the utmost results are achieved.

This product is so chock full of powerful anti-aging, good-for-you ingredients, it’s no wonder I saw results after just a few weeks!

The core ingredients for all three phases of their eye serums are vitamin B-12 and folic acid; hyaluronic acid; palmitoyl tetrapetide-7, ubiquinone and sorghum bicolor stalk juice. These ingredients alone are true heavy hitters. B-12 is SimySkin’s signature ingredient as it has been shown to have regenerative properties. Hyaluronic Acid provides some serious moisturizing. Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is a key ingredient in Matriyxl 3000 which has been touted for increasing the production of collagen and when paired with ogligopeptide as it is in the Phase III, boosts the growth of the connective tissue in the skin. When collagen production is increased, this enables the skin to heal and rejuvenate itself. Ubiquinone reduces free radical damage and also helps build collagen and elastin reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As you can see SimySkin is all about regenerating collagen and skin repair.

Adding to these hard working main ingredients are the other key “phase III” ingredients: acetyl dipeptide 1 cetyl ester; hesperidin methyl chalcone and sorbitan laurate. The combination of all of these ingredients provides added firmness, elasticity, as well as, minimizing inflammation and under eye puffiness and fluid retention.

The effects that Phase III purports to provide are tightening of the skin around the eyes and (I love this one) increase resistance to gravity; combat under eye puffiness; protect, repair and regenerate skin cells; reduce fine lines and wrinkles and restore skin smoothness and elasticity as well as hydration.

I can personally emphatically and happily confirm this product does what it says it will do. The improvement I was looking for the most was tightening on my eyelid, I was beginning to have some crepe lines and the result after using this for five weeks is truly incredible! Also this serum has worked wonders on under eye puffiness and fine lines and wrinkles. My skin is hydrated — no dryness at all.

I have tried many products from Truth in Aging, and have been chosen to review several of them. Without a doubt this is the very best product I have tried.

Today's stressful environment can definitely affect our hair in a negative way. I  am not fond of any hair treatments myself, because I do not color or curl/straighten my hair that often, but constant blow drying and exposure to everyday pollution and other elements leave my hair frizzy and dry. I need a product that is easy to use and incorporate in my rather simple hair care routine. So I am quite pleased to review the Pure Glam Hair Repair Mask ($24.99) because I felt that I need to address my hair concerns before they get worse.

This repair mask boasts of organic ingredients that help replenish moisture and repair hair from the inside. It also provides protection from constant styling and environmental exposure. It has acai berry oil, a good antioxidant and provides moisture. Ginger extract soothes and repairs the hair and organic neroli oil hydrates the scalp and gives a stimulating aroma. In addition to these ingredients, it also has shea butter, mango, jojoba and avocado seed oils that provide maximum hydration and shine. 

I used the Pure Glam Hair Repair Mask on a weekly basis as part of my hair care routine. I usually skipped conditioner and I applied this after shampoo, letting it sink in for 20 minutes, and then I rinsed it off. 

I find the scent calming, it is herbal and pampering to the senses. The texture is creamy and thick and I can definitely feel how it wraps my hair with moisture. When I rinse it off my hair feels silky and not greasy. After drying my hair I noticed how manageable and shiny it is. The best part is that it doesn't contain loads of silicones and the ingredients are mostly organic. I am quite particular with this because I want nourishment and repair for my hair, so I usually look for products with natural ingredients because I am not fond of the "quick-fix" that silicones provide. My scalp is usually oily but I did not experience any unwanted greasiness from this. My hair absorbed the moisture quite well and made it soft and smooth.

Using this consistently made my hair thick and shiny. I do not have that frizzy dry feeling I get after I use my hair dryer. My hair is smooth, sleek and healthy. 

I would definitely recommend Pure Glam Hair Repair Mask to anyone who has dry hair. For those with color treated or permed hair, I would recommend using this thrice a week to maximize its benefits. 

by Karen Prince

When asked if I would test and review a product, iS Clinical Active Serum ($130), that Marta is testing, I eagerly awaited for the product to arrive. I have been fortunate to have reviewed several products that Truth in Aging offers and each one has been a “home run, out of the park” experience. The fact that my 29 year old daughter told me that she had been using this exact product with much success after four months really generated more excitement for iS Clinical Active Serum.

Well into my fifth decade, I have dry to normal skin, drier in the winter months, but definitely with the humidity in the spring and summer, I need to change up my skin care regimen and routine.

I expected this product to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize my pores, diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and as stated on their website, to provide rapid and long term results, leaving my skin prepped for the next steps of my routine: SPF and moisturizer, having already cleansed and toned my skin.

The ingredients, found on the product’s website sound terrific,this product seems ready to deliver: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Saccharum Ofcinarum (Sugarcane) Extract (Extrait de Canne à Sucre), Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit/Leaf Extract, Triethanolamine, Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract, Arbutin, Polyporus Umbellatus (Mushroom) Extract, Menthol, Phenoxyethanol.

Sugar cane is a source of glycolic acid, great for gently exfoliating for renewed complexion. Bilberry extract is a source of lactic acid, which is a natural exfoliant with moisturizing properties. White willow bark is a source of salicylic acid, for deep cleaning the pores, while Arbutin and and mushroom extract are used to diminish hyperpigmentation.

Quite honestly, my expectations were met with disapproval. I do not have sensitive skin and am easily able to change up my skin care routine when I want to try new or different product that Truth in Aging has discovered, tested, and favorably reviewed. I REALLY wanted this product to work. I even called my daughter to see if she had any initial irritation, redness, or flaky patches. She indicated that she did, but continued using the product and was ultimately satisfied with it. I wanted to give this product a good trial period and an honest review, so I continued to use it.

The sensation, upon putting the serum on my face daily was cool, but irritating and harsh. I believe this is as a result of the amount of alcohol and menthol used in the ingredients. I then changed my routine to using iS Clinical Active Serum every other day, seeing if my skin inflammation would be reduced. After several weeks, the redness remained and small bumps began to appear and my skin became over dry.

I am able to use retinoids, which are stronger, with no problem. They typically contain ingredients chemically related to vitamin A for the treatment of acne, but more popularly designed for wrinkles and anti-aging.

 I am a long time Truth in Aging community member, so when asked to try a new product and write a review I am happy to contribute, as the information found on the TIA website has significantly contributed toward my skin, neck and décolleté looking years younger as a result of consistent use of a variety of products. Every other product that I’ve reviewed has been a WINNER…and I had high hopes for iS Clinical Active Serum. I could not write a review that was not truthful about my experience. I looked at many reviews of this particular product in several places and some were very favorable. Perhaps this was not a good match for me.

Does it do what it says it will do? No, my skin couldn’t tolerate it. I would not recommend this product from my six week experience.

by Tina Gray

Being selected to try this skin renewing device could not have happened at a more perfect time for me, and I am super grateful to Marta and her team for allowing me the opportunity to share my experience with the Truth in Aging community.  I am in my early 40’s and just recently started using prescription Retin-A to up my skincare game. Anyone who is familiar with Retin-A knows there is an initial peeling and flaking process that you have get through before you begin to see improvement. Having a good manual exfoliation process like microdermabrasion to help the peeling and flaking along is key. Plus, it helps with the renewal process as long as the exfoliation method it isn’t too harsh.        

My battle with acne started at age 11, so I’ve spent the majority of my life looking for ways to improve my skin. I have scarring from severe cystic acne, and the aging process hasn’t done me any favors in the way of skin confidence. When microdermabrasion first made headlines for helping improve acne scars, I was first in-line for in-office treatments.  Professional treatments were wonderful, but my income could not support the recommended series of treatments so I experimented with at-home alternatives. Let’s just say the first few gadgets I tried had messy crystals, required extensive cleaning of parts and pieces, and provided minimal results for the effort.

Before I give you my honest assessment of this device, there is one thing you need to know about me. I have no patience.  As in, zero. Zilch. Nada. If something doesn’t deliver noticeable improvement quickly, I’m on to the next thing, leaving a half-empty bag of corundum crystal in my wake. When I was young, my very southern grandma used to tell me that I didn’t have to approach everything like I was “killing snakes,” meaning: Ease up girl, and have some patience, you don’t have to do it all at once. If, for instance, product instructions called for a dime-size amount, my skewed logic would tell me to use triple that amount convinced I would get better results even faster. Knowing that little detail about me, just imagine the self-inflicted damage I could do with a microdermabrasion device? Yep, I’ve had a lot of down-time in my day for not following instructions—or, going at it like I was killing snakes.     

Well, I am happy to report TIA readers that I have developed a little more patience over the years and with acne scars and anti-aging, sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Now, on to my review of the MiniMD handheld Microdermabrasion System:

First and foremost, this device is foolproof and perfect for anyone who has never tried microdermabrasion, or those with sensitive skin---trust me, you can’t mess this up! The system has 2 power levels and the real diamond tip does the work without taking off layers of skin in the process. Now don’t get me wrong, this device is powerful and the suction pulls skin into the tip for perfect amount of polishing every time. Rather than rough abrasion, the diamond peeling tip removes the outer layer of skin without tearing or damaging the surface which encourages the growth of healthy new skin cells. According to the product literature, the suction is also important for increasing blood flow to the epidermis which rebuilds collagen and elastin for younger looking skin with a rejuvenated glow.

The results are stunning after the first use, but it is gentle enough that I’ve been using the device twice a week for increased treatment of acne scars, sun damage and overall tone and clarity of my skin. With regular use you will see improvement in dark spots, lines and wrinkles. I am extremely pleased with the reduction in lines around my lips using this device along with my regular skincare. As an added bonus, I’ve been achieving better results from my skincare routine because the device removes the dull skin cells that block products from reaching the fresh new skin I want to treat. Combined with Retin-A, the MiniMD is a skincare knockout that I highly recommend.

The device is small, easy to use, and doesn’t require hours of reading or endless YouTube tutorials to get the hang of it.  After the first use, you’ll be hooked! I had my mom try it and she was impressed that such a small device would be so effective. The tips can be replaced at a reasonable price, but they last for months with regular use. The size and shape of the MiniMD make it easy to use on your face, hands, neck and décolleté.  The only con I can come up with after putting the device to the test is that the on-off button is located in a place that makes it easy to accidentally power down during treatment. Aside from that issue, which could easily just be my personal awkwardness, I give this device an excellent review. You couldn’t get a single treatment in-office for $99, but with this device you can achieve very effective results at-home with consistent use.

by Sandy Borglum

I was asked to review SimySkin Exfoliating Scrub ($40 in the shop). I am in my early 50s, with fairly normal skin, not overly sensitive, a little oily in the T-zone. I’ve been following TIA since 2010 and have learned many things about skincare and skincare products that I continue to incorporate into my regimen to this day, with visible results. I get wonderful compliments on my skin, and people always think I look at least 10 years younger than I am. Thanks, TIA!

This particular scrub (SimySkin also has an Ultra Fine Scrub) is designed to address clogged pores and broken-out skin. I’ve used a number of scrubs over the years; I expected this one to be similar. For the most part it is, in that it’s a thick lotion with granules suspended in it. I really wasn’t expecting much more. But I’m very impressed with the entire product, both the scrub and the emollient lotion delivery system.

Unlike the majority of scrubs I’ve used, this one doesn’t feel rough and sandpaper-like. It’s actually a pleasant friction, and I feel like I can use it over my entire face and not have to avoid areas that are more sensitive.

I used it at night, 1-3 times a week. The scrub recommends 2 days in between uses. My face didn’t feel tight and irritated afterwards, and my skin wasn’t red and blotchy. I didn’t notice the scent.

The scrub is crushed amber. In my research, amber is used for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s facilitation of tissue regeneration and healing. I’ve not heard of crushed amber being used for this type of thing, so this is very new and interesting for me. The substrate for the crushed amber is rich and substantial. It’s thick and feels really good on my skin. The SimySkin site says there is a blend of “7 natural oils” in this product (jojoba, lemon, pink grapefruit, lime, litsea, mandarin, and sweet orange). It incorporates grapefruit oil, “a rich antioxidant that treats oily and blemished prone skin” and phytic acid, “an antioxidant that aids in healing inflamed skin and brightens the complexion.” Phytic acid is also new to me. It’s a natural plant antioxidant found in bran, cereal and fruit seeds, also known as phytate. It’s used in the skin care industry as a skin lightening agent and works by blocking iron and copper in the formation of melanin. Skin blemishes can cause skin discoloration, as I’ve personally experienced, so this scrub is doing more than one thing, to be sure.

The ingredients list also points out what is not in this product: “Parabens, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances, Soap, Sulfate”.

Even though I don’t have a significant problem with breakouts, I enjoyed this product and will continue to use it. My skin feels soft and velvety, and it looks very even in color and tone. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars. At $40 for a 3 oz. tube, I’d say it’s on the average side of pricing for a boutique skincare product. But a little can go a long way, and it’s not used more than three times a week, so I could see this lasting for 2-3 months.

by Kathy Roberts

I have been testing LiftLab Purify + Clarify: Daily Cleanser & Detox Mask ($65 in the shop)  for the last five weeks and I love it!  

I am a 51-year-young woman with light skin. Freckles and age spots abound especially with summer sun exposure. To add to the sun fun exposure I recently bought a convertible and drive everywhere top down. I am an avid user of sunscreen on my face but freckles still show up. I was already enjoying the product for three weeks, when my neighbor who sells Mary Kay, wanted to know what I was doing to my face since it looked so smooth and free of hyper pigmentation. The only thing new was the LiftLab Purify + Clarify cleanser. So that was the truly the defining factor!

A few things are important to me. First, why just wash my face when I can use a product that gives me even more? LIFTLAB has a proprietary blend of enzymes they call Aqualumine. It has been clinically proven to minimize pore size and reduce blemishes. Additionally, their patented cell protection proteins boost hydration and refine the skin's surface. The product cleanses, detoxes, moisturizes, and exfoliates. This can be used as a daily cleanser as well as a mask. A mask too? Awesome!  Secondly, I am very sensitive to the scent of products I wear. The scent of this cleanser is fresh and somewhat sea-like. I found washing with it was refreshing. Third, the product must do what I am purchasing it for.  This is a cleanser. It successfully removed all makeup including waterproof eye shadow and mascara. It did not irritate my eyes.

I followed the instructions on the tube for daily usage. In the morning and evening I applied a pea sized amount on the center of my palm, wet my palm and vigorously rubbed the fingers of my other hand on my palm to produce foam. I massaged this into my face. I would rinse using a wet washcloth. This also worked well with my powered facial brush but does not produce much foam. I would leave the product on my face a few times a week while brushing my teeth to get the benefit of the mask.

I have to admit the price scared me at first. $65 for 4.4 ounces sounded dear to me. However, I have not yet used 1/2 the one ounce tester tube in 5 weeks. So I estimate the full size tube would last over 9 months. Add in that my neighbor and I saw improvement in my skin tone and texture and the fun of a dual purpose product then I can justify the price.  If I had one complaint it would be the rare piece of grit in the lotion that I find laying on my skin after rinsing. That is not enough to deter my future purchase.

One of the key actives in my beloved E’shee Clinical Esthetic Elixir of Life KI Therapy Serum ($189 in the shop) is Far Infrared Ceramic Powder. It is also known as cFIR and in Asia it has been accorded such miraculous powers that any sensible person’s skept-ometer would go into the red zone. On the other hand, E’shee KI is a great serum and there are some plausible anti-aging claims made about far infrared (FIR). And there could be more to learn, such as whether it could help hair growth, and/or be incorporated into a device. I set off to find the truth about far infrared.

What is far infrared?

Far infrared energy is all around us. You and I emit infrared wavelengths. Apparently, our bodies radiate far infrared (FIR) energy through the skin at around 9.4 microns. Our palms emit slightly more, between 8 and 14 microns. In Asia, some believe that “palm” or Reiki healing is due to this infrared energy. Could this energy be behind “healing hands”? All very intriguing.

FIR is in the spectrum of invisible light, with a wavelength of 15 micrometers (or thereabouts). It is further along the spectrum from near infrared. Visible light (think blue and red LED lights are in the range of 400-700 nm. 

Apparently all ceramics emit FIR (source). So does the mineral tourmaline, if ground to a fine powder. Nanoparticles of FIR-emitting ceramics can be sewn into clothes or – more rarely - included in a serum such as E’shee’s.

The more outlandish claims

In Asia, especially in Japan, FIR ceramic particles are woven into fabric (bedding, underwear, shoe insoles, my personal favorite is the leg wrap for horses – you name it) in the belief that it can slim you down, defy toxins and cell phone radiation, help you sleep and that’s just for starters. FIR “saunas” are credited with curing cancer, rheumatism and lowering blood pressure.

Substantiated claims and anti-aging

Despite all that silliness, there is plenty of tangible evidence that FIR is beneficial. I came across a study claiming that ceramic powder (cFIR) delayed the onset of muscle fatigue and other researchers have found that infrared rays emitted from ceramic powder could be used for increasing the period of storage and freshness of crops, fruits, and vegetables.

Far infrared waves are the longest rays in the light spectrum and easily absorbed by the body to a depth of up to three inches. There they can do useful things. Wound healing being one of them. A Japanese study found that wound healing “was significantly more rapid with than without FIR.”

The study also revealed “greater collagen regeneration and infiltration of fibroblasts that expressed transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).”

But how does it actually work?

The mechanisms by which FIR works remain unclear. Speculation that it has something to do with boosting blood flow in the skin was scotched by a study on rats (source). However, the aforementioned Japanese study suggests that it might have to do with encouraging the TGF-β1 growth factor or the activation of fibroblasts.

A plausible explanation that I came across made it sound a little like ultrasound or LED in that the wavelengths vibrate on water molecules and resonate with cellular frequencies (source).

Skin temperature increases when submitted to FIR and this could be responsible for the therapeutic effects of saunas and lamps. Although I also read that “levels of FIR that do not produce any detectable skin heating can also have biological effects.”  Ceramic will remain cool to the touch but still seems to have therapeutic effects. The problem is that no one really understands how. As Michael Hamblin at Harvard Medical School’s Dept. of Dermatology says, if non-heating FIR could be proved to have real and significant effects, then future applications could include FIR emitting bandages and dressings.

FIR in skincare

FIR ceramic powder is in E’shee KI, as mentioned above, and in the brand’s recently introduced Clinical Esthetic Alpha and Omega Gene Therapy Eye Cream ($284 in the shop).

These days, with some many natural beauty brands to choose from, simply being chemical-free isn’t enough. We need our natural products to be effective. This is the mission of Dawn Lorraine, a brand that is mostly sold through estheticians. I decided to try it by starting with a cleanser, on the grounds that the way a cleanser is formulated speaks volumes about a beauty brand — especially one that wants to keep it all natural but deliver on anti-aging.

The Dawn Lorraine Green Tea Nourishing Cleanser ($37) had me at hello. The ingredients include some effective anti-agers, well-chosen botanicals and a lovely fruity scent. Even after only the first use, I was proclaiming Dawn Lorraine’s cleanser a keeper.

Opting for creamy makes a natural cleanser’s life easier. There’s no foam, so no need for chemical surfactants. The bases are aloe vera and olive oil, which — like most of the botanicals — are organic. I am a light make up person so cannot vouch for this cleanser’s ability to remove layers of mascara, but it works well for me and leaves my skin looking very clean and feeling soft.

Although the name gives a shout out to green tea, among the most useful ingredients are the papaya and pineapple extracts. These are both natural exfoliators and work by harnessing an enzyme called pepain that can break down peptide bonds and loosen dead cells (it has been used for centuries as a meat tenderizer).  Someone once told me that papaya enzymes “eat” skin cells. Surprisingly, this is kind of what happens: papain is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning that it digests proteins.

Given that this cleanser thinks it is a serum, it is a good idea to leave it on for a few minutes and get the full benefit of ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid, a very able free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory, and DMAE, a controversial ingredient that is said to reduce sagging.

The antioxidant power of green tea is rounded out by rooibos and pomegranate extracts and there are oils from lime (I think that is partly responsible for the scent and I happen to love lime), avocado, rosehip and cranberry, as well as vitamins E, B and A. Well chosen botanicals include extract of horsetail, which is good for broken veins, as is geranium (as well as being helpful for breakout control) and dandelion gets rid of unwanted skin bacteria. Best of all, apart from phenoxyethanol, there’s nothing to dislike.

When I told Dr Gross that I was most concerned about my lip lines, he was insistent that I incorporate his Triple C Peptide Firming Oil ($62) into my regimen (along with the Alpha Beta Peel and Moisture Cushion). One month in, I am seeing a very subtle decline in my stubborn lip lines and overall my face is more radiant and — surprisingly firmer. Triple C Peptide Firming Oil lives up to its name in every respect.

Triple C

There are three forms of vitamin C: ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. The first, ascorbyl glucoside is a stable derivative of vitamin C that research has shown to have antioxidant and skin lightening effects (more so than plain ascorbic acid). Ascorbyl palmitate is also known as vitamin C ester and has been shown to boost collagen production (the only vitamin that can do this) and works synergistically with vitamin E (also in this serum). The third is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is very stable and powerful at low concentrations.

Peptide

Since all good things seem to come in threes in this serum, there are three peptides: tetrapeptide-21, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tripeptide-28. The first of these goes by the name of TEGO Pep 4-17 and increases collagen synthesis, penetrating the skin well due to its small molecular size. Tripeptide-1 is said to stimulate the synthesis of collagen I and III, fibronectin and laminin. The third peptide is supposed to bind to a growth factor and mimic the natural regeneration of the extracellular matrix.

Firming

With collagen-boosting vitamin C and potent peptides, this serum should boast “firming” in its moniker. And deservedly so. After a month of use, I have really noticed the difference — especially around the jawline and the cheeks.

Oil

This is where my first (actually only) caveat comes in. If you don’t like oily products, you might not like Tripe C Peptide Firming Oil. Initially, it feels very oily. The important thing to remember is that a very little of this serum should be applied. As a rule, I’m not wild about oils and I was worried that I wouldn’t like this one. But I quickly got over that when I realized how rapidly and evenly it absorbs.

The serum’s base is squalane. A properly refined squalane can permeate into the skin at a rate of 2 mm/second — hence the rapid absorption effect I noted when applying this serum. Squalane is in human sebaceous secretions and declines dramatically as we get older. The many antioxidant oils include rose, rosemary, evening primrose, argan, avocado and more.

Dr. Gross could have inserted vitamins into his serum’s title as well. In addition to all those Cs, there are vitamins K, A, D and E. I especially like the vitamin K, which you don’t come across all that often as it is supposed to help with spider veins, and vitamin D, in which almost of all of us are deficient. But wait! There’s vitamin H and F as well. I don’t think I knew that the vitamin alphabet was so comprehensive. Vitamin F is linoleic acid and it is found in omega 6 fatty acids, while vitamin H is biotin (also more commonly known as B7).

The great thing about oil-based products is that don’t require all the emulsifiers, solvents and preservatives that go into creams. So there’s nothing to dislike here except for a dab of phenoxyethanol. And there is so, so much to love. This is really the best vitamin C product I have used and I’ll be buying a replacement for sure. Although given that a little goes a long way, that will be some time off. Just remember, if you follow me in giving Dr. Dennis Gross Triple C Peptide Firming Oil a try, that it should be applied sparingly and left for a minute or two before layering any other products above it.