Review | La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-Aging Serum & Hyaluronic Acid Cream

It's no secret that La Roche Posay is my favourite skincare brand for a number of reasons - widely available, affordable prices and products that actually work for my skin type!

I have been sharing some snaps on Instagram and Facebook of two new products from La Roche Posay, belonging to the latest range, Hyalu B5, which addresses anti-ageing for sensitive skin. The products are a Hyaluronic Acid Cream and serum, with the serum being already available locally while the cream will be launched at a later date this year.

The Hyalu B5 range features two key ingredients, essential in anti-ageing care - Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5 which aim at re-plumping the skin, whilst keeping it super hydrated. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is already present in our skin and it has a high affinity for water, thus, using products which contain HA, increases water levels in our skin, making it look plumper and ensuring adequate hydration levels.

HA levels in our skin deplete over time and by the age of 50, it is estimated that we would have lost 50% of the skin's original HA levels. This decrease in HA leads to impairment of the skin's self-repairing mechanisms, of which HA is at the very core.

In fact, the LRP Hyalu B5 range is indicated for correction of wrinkles, loss of volume and elasticity, tired and dull skin as well as post-procedure recovery, even on sensitive skin. It is known that sensitive skin types age faster and take longer to recover due to micro-inflammatory stress within the skin that breaks down the collagen fibres and HA.

The formulas contain two different molecules of HA, one lighter than the other - High Molecular Weight HA and Low Molecular Weight HA. The High Molecular Weight HA is responsible for forming an invisible moisture barrier at the skin's surface, which holds water and consequently fills in fine lines and wrinkles. On the other hand, the Low Molecular Weight HA is able to seep deeper into the top skin layers to stimulate and re-activate the skin's repair mechanisms for a plumper look. These two different HA molecules work in synergy with the Vitamin B5 to replenish the skin's moisture barrier.

Hyalu B5 Anti-Wrinkle Care Hyaluronic Acid Cream - Price TBA

First up, Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Cream which is meant to be used as a moisturiser. The cream is available in a 40ml format which is more than enough because you need a minute amount and you can also take it abroad with you.

It has a light consistency with a rapidly-absorbing formula which doesn't feel heavy. In fact, I use it morning and night after cleansing my skin and never had issues with my makeup not lasting during the day or my skin feeling tacky at any time. 

Hyalu B5 Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Serum - €34.20

Now, my favourite out of the two! I love serums so I was delighted to try this one out. It has a gel-like consistency and you can either use it with the pipette or without. I personally prefer the pipette as it is more hygienic and easier to control the amount of product that you use. The jar contains 30ml of product, so again, it will last you for a long time.

The verdict

And now for the final verdict - do these products pass the test? Yes, they do! The very fine lines around my eyes have diminished in the last couple of months that I have introduced these two products in my skin care routine. Also, both formulas are nice to work with, hence they both get my seal of approval!

La Roche Posay products can be purchased from all pharmacies.

PR Samples

Discovering Estee Lauder Skin Care at Franks

Skin care is my favourite part of a beauty routine - having a nice, smooth canvas makes for easier makeup application and better results. I joined the Estee Lauder VIP Session held at Franks The Plaza on Friday the 29th of September to discover more about this luxury brand and what it has to offer.

The Estee Lauder brand saw it's inception in the year 1946 when Mrs. Lauder wanted something new to offer to women in terms of skin care back when only a couple of products were available on the market. The first shop was opened in Sachs, New York and Estee Lauder products were deemed expensive by customers, hence, to boost sales, 'samples' of the products were given out so that clients can try before they commit to buying the full sized product. As a matter of fact, the term 'sample' was coined by Estee Lauder. They even offered gifts with purchase to make the client feel more special.

Following a run-through of all the products offered by the brand, one could easily deduce that it is all about creating innovative formulas that deliver the promised results. Their skin care ranges target all skin concerns and most of the products are even multi-purpose. For example the cleansers have ingredients that pertain to both a conventional cleanser as well as a makeup remover. They come in different formulas to suit everyone's needs and of course, there is a complementing range of products for an all round caring experience.

Estee Lauder is mostly renowned for it's serums and it is in fact considered a serum brand. Their best seller has to be the Advanced Night Repair which can be used by anyone as it is considered as a preventive product. It acts onto the deeper layers of the skin and contains Hyaluronic Acid to plump the skin. Apart from the Advanced Night Repair, the Estee Lauder brand carries serums for other skin concerns such as dehydration, oily skin and pigmentation.

There are even the more luxurious brands for mature skin types, which promise to aid in restoring youthfulness to the skin thanks to a higher concentration of Hyaluronic Acid. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this session and look forward to attending more of them to discover more luxurious brands Franks has to offer. If you'd like to join, do follow the Frank's Facebook page to know when the next session will be held.

Review | Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash

To the majority of people, men and women alike, the month of May translates to 'panic-because-summer-is-soon-upon-us' month. We all know that new year resolutions of eating a healthier diet and going daily to the gym are easier said than done but luckily, there exists an easier way to keep cellulite at bay that comes in a black squeeze-type tube and the consistency of a serum. Enter Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash. 

 

I was kindly sent this product by ProHealth, the importers of Vichy and La Roche Posay products in Malta and I have been testing it for two weeks so as to see if it stands to the claim that results are visible after 14 days of use. 

 

Like I said, packaging is pretty simple yet very convenient with respect to the intended use of the product as you just have to twist the silver cap and the product comes out of a small hole, enabling you to control how much product is dispensed. A carton box is part of the packaging and there are massaging instructions printed on the inside. Here I would like to suggest that I think it is better if the instructions were printed on a package insert rather than inside the box as that made it a little difficult to see them.

 

 

As for the product, it has the consistency of a serum and bears a caramel colour with light reflecting gold pearl pigments. The formulation is easy to work onto the skin and a euro-sized amount is enough for me to massage one thigh. Despite being tinted, the serum does not stain clothes and is rapidly absorbed, hence you don't have to wait for it to dry before dressing.

 

 

The serum is fit for use thighs, buttock, hips, stomach and arms - basically any area that lacks tonicity and is showing signs of cellulite development. In fact, it is aimed at targeting cellulite, stubborn volumes, tonicity, homogeneity and overall skin texture for an improved silhouette.

 

The key ingredients are 6% pure Caffeine (known for its action against cellulite), Hyaluronic Acid at a concentration of 0.4% (known for its re-plumping effect) and Salicylic Acid (to yield smoother, softer and more radiant skin).

 

It is recommended to apply the product twice a day for 2 to 4 weeks in massaging motions as explained below and after I have followed the instructions and tested the product for two weeks, I have noticed that my thighs do look more toned. I am now in the third week of treatment and I am still noticing an even more toned appearance.

 

I would recommend this product for a quick fix just before summer but always remember that a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise are key to maintaining a healthy body all year round. Lotions and potions are there to help you preserve what you achieve ;)

 

Vichy Cellu Destock Serum Flash is now available at various pharmacies around Malta & Gozo and retails for €29.90. For enquiries, check out the Vichy Facebook page.

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