I started playing with ALASTIN Skincare last year. This is a pharmaceutical line dispensed at physicians offices. They do sell online on their website as well. Everything in the brand uses TriHex Technology® which is a blend of peptides and botanicals designed to work with the skin and support the removal of aged collagen and elastin fibers followed by the rebuilding and replenishing of new collagen and elastin. I have a huge wish list from the brand but so far I've been able to try three products out. I got the Regenerating Skin Nectar from a friend. Designed really for pre and post procedure skin support but as I'm not a big procedure person I tried it last winter for more of a supportive product. Details per Alastin:
This proprietary formulation is designed to support the skin, before, during and after cosmetic procedures. This product works with the skin's natural regeneration process and assists in improving the skin's appearance. It can be applied immediately post-procedure for faster recovery and healthier looking skin.
Benefits
- Enhances healthy skin by helping to clear damage and debris in the extracellular matrix
- Helps support the skin’s natural ability to produce new, healthy elastin and collagen
- High antioxidant activity is designed to calm the skin and reduce the appearance of redness
Key Ingredients
- TriHex Technology™
- Naringenin with Panthenyl Triacetate
- Arnica Montana Extract
- Phytoene and Phytofluene
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Panthenyl Triacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Naringenin, Oleuropein, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Phosphatidylserine, Arnica Montana Extract, Phospholipids, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite.
This clear serum has a silicone type texture. It has an easy spreadable texture with a satin finish. It's in an airless pump which is always nice. All of Alastin's products have been fragrance free for me which is fabulous. The silicone feel was heavy in this one for me but it layered well with everything, no pilling. As I said earlier it's designed for procedure recovery. I don't do procedures yet so for me it was more for cold weather recovery just because I happened to have it in my arsenal. I used this in the winter more as a barrier repair serum on sensitive days.
Naringenin is a flavenoid usually found in the skin of grapefruit, lemon or orange. It's an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Panthenyl Triacetate is an ester of panthenol. It may have some stimulating effects on the skins metabolism and some wound healing properties. Arnica helps with bruising, it's anti-inflammatory and it helps with wound healing. Phytoene and Phytofluene are carotenoids. These two happen to be colorless. Carotenoids are found in tomatoes and naturally in the body. They're antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.
This product is geared towards antioxidants to protect the skin from light induced sun damage & anti-inflammatory or wound healing. All things you want after a procedure so that makes sense. It's got a few peptides Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (helps repair visible skin damage, strengthens skins underlying supportive elements and stimulates collagen production) & Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 (skin restoring, improves firmness and tone). This product was honestly just OK for me. I never got a wow this was so repairing or restoring for me. I prefer a ceramide, NMF and cholesterol serum to this for barrier repair. I know it works for many based on reviews but I just couldn't see the magic on non-post procedure skin. It has some nice ingredients that are really beneficial to the skin but for $195 I would not repurchase. I would only recommend this for people doing procedures, hence what it was designed for.
Shortly after getting the serum I got the Restorative Neck Complex at the New Beauty event last fall. This stuff is pure gold. I never believed in a neck cream before but this one made me change my mind (there are many neck creams that haven't been able to do that). Details per Alastin:
This next generation neck and décolleté firming treatment was specifically formulated to address the unique challenges of the delicate skin below the chin and above the chest such as crepey skin, and photo-aged discoloration accumulated over time. This elegant formulation incorporates TriHex Technology along with a proprietary blend of peptides and potent antioxidants that supports your skin’s natural ability to create new collagen and elastin, and formulated specifically to help improve the firmness, tone, and helps hydrate the skin while reducing the appearance of redness and photo‐aged discoloration.
Benefits
- Specifically formulated to address the unique challenges of the delicate skin on the neck and décolleté.
- TriHex Technology® supports the skin’s natural ability to produce new elastin and collagen.
- Works synergistically with neck tightening, toning, and pigmentary procedures or as part of your daily age management skincare routine.
- Helps to minimize the appearance of redness and photo‐aged discoloration.
- Improves the appearance of crepey skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-C15 Alkane, Squalane, C12-16 Alcohols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Phosphatidylserine, Oleuropein, Ceramide NP, Linum Usitatissimum (linseed) Seed Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Betaine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Phospholipids, Bentonite, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sucrose Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
This neck cream has the most light creamy texture. The neck is an area that needs just a bit less than the face. My neck can't take the heavy oils and creams that my face can. So I appreciate a more lightweight cream. This has an airless jar package. I'm not going to get into ingredients on this one. This one is about effects for me. This manages to reduce my neck lines and wrinkles, smooth the skin and increase it's elasticity. Unlike any other neck cream I've tried to date. It's so lightweight, non-greasy or heavy and produces visible effects. Yes it's pricey, but it really does work. And it works well. Seriously no other neck cream has had the same effects on me. If you see their before and after photos on their site it's accurate actually. It's the only neck cream that I would consider re-purchasing at this point because it was that good.
Next I grabbed the HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen. This is the most perfect tinted mineral sunscreen ever. You can use it like a tinted moisturizer. Details per Alastin:
A lightweight, all physical, broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides daily protection from damaging UVA/UVB rays. The formulation is rich in antioxidants that shield against pollution induced damage, ingredients that improve skin hydration and has a natural hint of tint compatible with all skin types.
Benefits
- All physical, lightweight formulation
- Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection
- Environmental pollution protection
- Universal tint enhances most skin tones
Key Ingredients
- ACTIVE: Titanium Dioxide 8.9%, Zinc Oxide 3.4%
- Dunaliella Salina Extract, Camellia Sinensis, Ergothioneine
- Thermus Thermophilus Ferment
- Asteriscus Graveolens Flower/Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Ingredients
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Titanium Dioxide 8.9%, Zinc Oxide 3.4%
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Aluminum Hydroxide, Asteriscus Graveolens Flower/Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Ergothioneine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77491), Iron Oxides (C.I. 77492), Iron Oxides (C.I. 77499), PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Water/Aqua/Eau.
This is a tinted mineral sunscreen. I love its light non-greasy texture. This is an easy substitute for light foundation. It has an airless pump which I love. I use this on the weekends a lot as it doubles for sunscreen and foundation. It's only SPF 36, not 50, but for non sunny or beach days that's just fine. SPF 30 is the minimum recommended coverage for daily use. What I love about this one is the light non-greasy texture plus it doubles as foundation for me. It never pills which is nice and it layers beautifully. The texture is really superb. Now I will say the color is pretty dark and it most definitely suits a light medium to medium skin tone. Pale or very fair complexions may have a hard time using this as it may be too dark. I'd love to see them have a fair and deep option as well to be more inclusive.
If you want a non-greasy, lightweight, tinted mineral sunscreen that can double as a foundation and you have the right skin tone then most definitely check out this one. It's worthy of the splurge and one of the best tinted sunscreens on the market. Next I really want to dive into the eye cream, restorative complex & retinol. Those are my next three from this brand to try. Seriously though check out the neck cream and sunscreen if you're the right skin tone.