Your Best Face Correct (reformulated) Review

Our Rating: 5 stars

A beauty product that one can say is life changing is a rare find and Your Best Face Correct ($150 in the shop) is truly one of those exceptional products that can change your life, as it did mine. I have been following TIA for several years (likely since its inception), and the site has been my major source of information for all things beauty related. The moment I read the opening line of Marta’s first review of YBF Correct eye cream in 2008, “Your Best Face’s Correct is the best eye cream I have ever used,” I immediately purchased it. Although I have tested many other eye creams (some on behalf of TIA and some, admittedly, because I was looking for a more affordable option), I always go back to Correct as it has reliably and consistently solved all of my under-eye problems.

In my view, YBF’s Correct is the best eye cream on the planet – which is why I was more than a little alarmed to find out that my beloved eye cream was being reformulated. I’ve had some poor experiences in the past with reformulated products. Although these upgrades are generally made with good intentions in order to improve upon a product; on more than one occasion, it just didn’t quite work as well for me anymore. I confess my first (completely impractical) thought was to buy up as much stock of the original eye cream formulation.

Fortunately, I didn't need to go to such extreme measures when Darrell Owens, the founder of YBF, contacted me to let me know that he read and liked my articles and to ask my opinion on an ingredient he was considering for the new formulation. I was truly honored (and floored that he actually read my work). He is extremely conscientious about seeking out feedback and opinions about ingredients (see his video interview with Marta) as he realizes this makes for better products in the end. As such, the new version of Correct excludes certain ingredients like idebenone and snap-8. However, he added in ingredients like pentavitin, an excellent emollient that’s 100% safe according to the EWG (how rare is that?). Thus the improved version of Correct largely excludes potential skin irritants and is much more hydrating – all due to feedback he had received from the TIA community.

He also seriously upped the dosage of antioxidants, mainly spin trap (phenyl butyl nitrone) and lipochroman-6. But Darrell didn’t stop there with the antioxidants (I guess he really does read my articles as he noticed I’m a bit obsessed with antioxidants). He also added tetrahydrodiferyloylmethane, the isolated antioxidant found in turmeric as well as trans resveratrol, which is the bioactive form of the polyphenol. He also threw in a bit of co-enzyme Q10, which according to a 1999 study by German researchers reported that long-term use of co-enzyme Q10 reduced crow’s feet. The co-enzyme Q10 replaces idebenone, which is a bit notorious for causing contact dermatitis. Co-enzyme Q10 is generally much better tolerated, even by those with extremely sensitive skin. There is also alpha bisbolol, a derivative of M. chamomilla, which accelerates the healing process of skin and protects the skin from the effects of daily stress. The addition of these powerful free-radical fighters renders the new Correct eye cream an antioxidant powerhouse!

As previously mentioned, Darrell also made the updated formula much more moisturizing, a benefit that I noted right away. It’s much creamier and is smoother when applied. This is partly attributable to a higher concentration of olivem, a non-ionic emulsifier that helps soften skin and gives the cream a smooth and luxurious feel.   Hence, I no longer need to layer another hydrating eye cream on top of Correct as I’ve previously mentioned was part of my skincare regimen. Further, the creamier product texture enables it to dispense much more easily from the airless pump container. Darrell had considered changing the pump and evaluated some alternatives, but in the end, decided instead to focus on improving how the formula works with the container.

An interesting inclusion is the ingredient perfluorodecalin, which dissolves and delivers oxygen to skin and, according to research, is thought to revitalize skin and reduce wrinkles. Studies have also shown that the ingredient improves the skin’s barrier function resulting in increased moisturizing efficacy. Note that this is very different from Fi-Flow BTX, found in Beautisol’s Bright Eyed (see my review). Fi-Flow BTX is a trio of perfluorocarbons (which includes perflurodecalin) but which also carry nitrogen and carbon dioxide to the skin. Nor does it have the same risks associated with oxygen facials, which use perfluorodecalin under pressure creating oxidative stresses on skin. This doesn’t occur within the Correct formulation as the ingredient is inert. Moreover, perflurodecalin also has the ability to improve the overall product emulsion and enhance Correct’s texture.

Lastly, YBF Correct is now paraben-free as it uses leucidal, a natural preservative based on radish root. Darrell did point out to me that while he stands behind parabens as safe when used appropriately, he thought it best to transition away from them as he found suitable replacements. Yet another sign that the formula changes reflect his openness to feedback (there are skincare companies who can’t handle constructive criticism). I believe this really speaks to his integrity as he listens to and understands what his customers want and is flexible enough to incorporate changes when possible.

Correct’s seminal incarnation isn’t a simple reformulation with minor tweaks; it was more like an overhaul – a fairly extensive process that took several months. I’m delighted to report that the new Correct is indeed superior to the old formulation (who knew it was possible?). And I’m not the only one who loves the updated Correct; Gretchen stated that it really, really does work, while Marta found it gave her eyelids a lift and Ki was so impressed that she asked for a YBF neck cream. Further, the new and improved Correct made TIA’s Five best eye creams of 2012, won the silver medal in TIA’s Olympics and is one of the Ten Best reader-recommended eye creams.

As a licensed esthetician, clients often ask me for product recommendations and, without a doubt, the most frequently asked question is, “What’s the best eye cream?” Literally, everyone who has taken my advice and tried YBF Correct has become a devoted user of the eye cream.

[As a side note- I was fortunate enough to meet Darrell when he visited NYC earlier this year after I had just reviewed the book, Skin Rules. The author, a dermatologist, advised that the best place to keep skincare products was in the refrigerator. When I asked Darrell what he thought of that approach, he informed me that with the exception of Quench and the Private Reserve product series, every product goes immediately into refrigeration as soon as it is made. However, it’s best to let the creamier products like Correct, Define, Boost and Advanced CE Concentrate to return to room temperature to avoid issues dispensing the product from the pump. For those who stock up on YBF products every now and then, he encourages you to store unopened products in the refrigerator as he wants each customer to enjoy the products as fresh as possible. I know when I returned home after meeting with Darrell, I immediately put the majority of my skincare products in the refrigerator.]

*Editor's Note: Since this review was published, Your Best Face Correct has been reformulated for 2014.