Zelens Power A

A year ago I wrote a post about Zelens Power A. At the time I was not into facial oils that much. Let alone facial oils with retinol. Oh how the last year has changed for me. I discovered that I not only love facial oils, but facial oils were really helping my skin when used twice a day. I really started researching oils, ingredients and what they do for the skin. I became a facial oil addict and nut. I now use a facial oil twice a day and wouldn't go back to being without one. Facial oils can suit any skin type, season or climate, mood or whim. There's one out there for everybody. They range from featherweight and light to heavier weight and super hydrating.

Facial oils give the skin a concentrated form of nourishment in addition just just hydrating the skin. I prefer to use a facial oil before a cream or lotion. I "seal" in the oil with the following cream/lotion. This is an important step because even though facial oils are hydrating at the time, I find they leave me dry a few hours later if I don't seal them in with some kind of more occlusive humectant. This is true for me on both face and body. I prefer to use a facial oil after serums but before a cream or lotion. It's the mayonnaise or mustard of my sandwich. You can't have a sandwich without it.

So long story short I had only played with Power A for a while and given up on it. A year later Zelens kindly sent me a new Power A so I figured I'd go for it and retest it now that I love facial oils. I'm glad I did. Zelens Power A is a retinol in oil. Retinol in oil is popular because it's usually gentler to the skin but still gives results. Retinol can be drying so in an oil format it helps counteract that side effect, especially if you don't normally use an oil. Details per Zelens:

A high potency Vitamin A concentrate containing a powerful combination of pure, encapsulated retinol and two retinoids. This time-released, oil-free retinol treatment promotes skin renewal and improves skin tone and texture with minimal or no irritation. Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots resulting from aging and sun damage. Additionally helps to clear blemishes and diminish the look of enlarged pores. Fortified with a proprietary botanical blend containing extracts rich in Vitamin A. Leaves skin visibly smoother, clearer and younger looking.

Benefits

• Refines and smooths skin texture
• Reduces the appearance of the visible signs of aging
• Helps clear blemishes and skin imperfections

Active Ingredients:

Retinol Zelens uses encapsulated, time-released retinol which stimulates cellular turnover minimal or no irritation. Visibly retexturize skin surface, restores skin thickness and help reverse signs of aging.

Retinoids Zelens uses two cosmetic grades retinoids: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and Retinyl palmitate.

• Hydroxypinacolone retinoate is an ester of all-trans retinoic acid. This retinoid demonstrates activities of pure retinol without irritation.
• Retinyl palmitate is an ester of retinol and palmitic acid. This retinoid facilitates cell communication and enhances skin renewal process.

Phospholipids Major building components in the structure of any cellular membrane essential for all vital physiological processes. These natural skin-identical ingredients demonstrate moisturising, restructuring and protective properties.

Sterol complex A blend of vegetable-derived esters structurally similar to skin lipids. Demonstrates moisturising, conditioning and repairing properties. Reinforces skin barrier function.

Soybean sterols Phytosterols derived from soybeans are lipid molecules with strong biomimetic and soothing properties. Structurally similar to skin natural lipids, these sterols moisturise skin, reduce water loss and strengthen natural barrier function.

Glycolipids Lipid molecules analogous to the intercellular lipids of stratum corneum (SC) demonstrate structuring, repairing and protective properties. Strengthen the barrier function and hydro-retaining capacity of skin.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential fatty acids derived from safflower oil. Help restore and maintain lipid barrier function and balance the moisture of the skin. Omega acids act as skin protectors and revitalisers.

Proprietary botanical blend This unique botanical blend contains 6 fruit and vegetable extracts (pumpkin, carrot, broccoli, sweet potato, tomato and spinach) rich in Vitamin A (carotenoids).

Vitamin E An antioxidant with a key role in the protection of cellular membranes from free radicals. It is the major antioxidant in the human epidermis with strong protective - effects against UV-induced skin damage.

Geranium oil An essential oil extracted from the plant Rose geranium. This oil possesses antioxidant and antiseptic properties. It helps to balance the secretion of sebum and clear oily skins. Traditionally it has been used for years to help healing of wounds, burns and ulcers.

Zelens is one of my favorite skincare brands. In general it does what it says. Time and time again it proves its worthiness. I know it's a little pricey but it's good stuff. Power A comes packaged in a frosted glass bottle with a dropper style dispenser. I would prefer a pump as I hate droppers, but I'll manage. This oil has a really silky texture. It's not a dry oil, but almost. It never feels heavy or greasy. This doesn't smell strong for a facial oil. No essential oils but it has a very light fragrance. Nothing bothersome. I love that they include carrot, tomato, pumpkin and broccoli extract as those are some of my favorite oils. In this oil they are extracts not full oils. I found when used nightly and consistently Power A delivers results. It's quite powerful. More so than some other retinols (not in oil). I noticed smoother skin, better texture and less depth in my fine lines when used consistently. Even though it's powerful it never irritated or left my skin dry or flaky. I'm really glad I gave it another go. It shows how sometimes retrying something that didn't work in the past may just be a good thing.

 

Ingredients

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Isoamyl Laurate, Octyldodecanol, Isoamyl Cocoate, Linoleic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Phospholipids, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Lipids, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Glycolipids, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Tuber (Sweet Potato) Extract, Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract, Linolenic Acid, Arachidyl Propionate, Ethyl Linolenate, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool