SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum & Dermal Contour Pressed Serum

SENTÉ is a medical grade brand of skincare founded by biotech entrepreneurs and scientists. They are only available in a physician office though some online retailers sell the products like Harben House. SENTÉ has a patented technology in all their products called Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA). Details per SENTÉ:

Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) is unlike any other hydrating agent. It goes beyond surface hydration to revive skin’s natural renewal process. Exclusive to SENTÉ® skin care, HSA is clinically proven to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin tone texture.

I've tried a few of their products and these are the first two I would like to review. The Bio Complete Serum was one of those products that while I was using it I wasn't sure how much it was doing for my skin. Then two weeks after the bottle was empty I saw the difference. This is a nighttime serum with HSA and retinoids. Details per SENTÉ:

Bio Complete Serum is a lightweight nighttime formula that combines the benefits of patented HSA (Heparan Sulfate Analog) technology with sustained release retinoids and other key ingredients for the appearance of firmer and smoother skin with minimal irritation.

Benefits:

• Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Recommended for all skin types with signs of solar and environmental damage

Key Ingredients Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA), Retinol, Retinyl Safflowerate

Supportive Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Glycerin, Heparan Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Retinyl Safflowerate, Retinol, Lysophosphatidic Acid, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Ethyl Safflowerate, Ethyl Flaxseedate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Allantoin, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alanine, Arginine HCl, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Histidine HCl, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine HCl, Acetyl Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Valine, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Inositol, Niacinamide, Pyridoxal HCl, Riboflavin, Thiamine HCl, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Beta-Carotene, Polysorbate 80, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Fragrance, Tromethamine.

 

First off I love the SENTÉ packaging. It's metal airless pumps and so lightweight compared to glass. Bio Complete Serum has two sizes and I decided to just go for the big one since it's a better deal. The serum has a yellow colored gel texture with a very minimal scent (I don't even remember the scent it was so minimal). It's light but has a silicone feel to it so it spreads nicely on the skin. It doesn't pill or feel heavy at all so don't worry. So this night serum has two retinoids-Retinol & Retinyl Safflowerate. I think everyone pretty much knows retinol. The king of all anti-aging ingredients. Vitamin A will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, minimize dark spots and even your skintone, it helps even texture out, increases collagen production for that nice bouncy feel in your skin. It's your number one product for all aspects of aging skin. Retinyl Safflowerate is one I can't find a lot of information on. I read a little that this serum is a bit milder than the cream making it great for those not totally used to retinol.

I'm used to retinol and I noticed nice effects from this. A reduction in my lines and wrinkles and a smoother feel to the skin. I had no side effects at all, no dryness, redness or any irritation. Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 is a peptide that has effects similar to retinol by increasing cellular turnover and promoting the synthesis of collagen. Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a peptide that helps increase skin's hydration and resilience. Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline helps stimulate collagen synthesis, is an antioxidant and it helps preserve elastin fibers through anti-elastase activity. This serum also has a lot of the basic nice skincare loving ingredients like allantoin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C (derivative) and niacinamide. It's got many amino acids which are the building blocks of peptides. Amino acids are part of the skins Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) which help keep skin hydrated, some are antioxidants and some can help with lines and wrinkles or repair sun damage.

Heparan Sulfate is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (GAG). It's similar to hyaluronic acid in the fact that it helps bind water and is found naturally in the body. Heparan Sulfate helps transmit messages to skins cells to make more collagen. Essentially it helps escort growth factors in the cells to the receptors so they can bind telling the cells to make more collagen. It also hydrates similar to hyaluronic acid. It's a very new use for this ingredient and only in medical grade skincare you get from a physician for now as SENTÉ holds the patent. It's a really fascinating ingredient. Overall I have positive thoughts about the brand and serum so far, it did make a visible difference in my lines/wrinkles and the overall plumpness. I need to try the Bio Complete Cream now with the higher level of retinol.

The newest SENTÉ launch is the Dermal Contour Pressed Serum. This serum kills my wallet but it's really great at hydrating, firming and plumping. Details per SENTÉ:

Dermal Contour Pressed Serum is the first pressed serum formulated with a blend of three proprietary glycosaminoglycan analogs including DSA, CSA, and patented HSA to help tighten sagging skin. This multipurpose serum helps restore firmness, elasticity, and volume while reinforcing the skin’s youthful contours, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles, and addressing mature or photo-aged skin concerns.

Benefits:

• Helps restore firmness, volume, and elasticity while reinforcing the skin’s youthful contours.
• Decreases the appearance of coarse wrinkles.
• Promotes skin health by improving the appearance of mature, photoaged, and dehydrated skin

Key Ingredients 

Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA)
Dermatan Sulfate Analog (DSA)
Chondroitin Sulfate Analog (CSA)

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyacrylate-13, Heparan Sulfate, Sodium Dermatan Sulfate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Panthenol, Chlorella Sorokiniana Extract, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Magnesium Sulfate, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Sodium Carrageenan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sea Salt, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 20, Polyisobutene, Xanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA.

 

This has a creamy thick gel texture. It's very hydrating but not heavy or greasy in any way. It's fabulous at night and in the winter as well. This serum has a few extra ingredients but really the focus is on the main glycosaminoglycan analogs. I explained Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) above. Dermatan Sulfate Analog (increase firmness) and Chondroitin Sulfate Analog (increase firmness and elasticity) both compliment HSA for a powerful product. This has no fragrance which I love. The texture is a thick and creamy gel that does take a little while to penetrate the skin. It really hydrates, plumps and firms the skin. As I said earlier it's expensive and makes your wallet want to cry, but it's really good stuff. If you have aging skin that needs a firmness or elasticity boost this is one to try. I would easily repurchase this one. If you have more combo to oily skin you might get away with this as a moisturizer. Drier skin can layer this under a balm or another moisturizer. I get my SENTÉ at Harben House.