If you are in need of a great moisturizer and anti-aging treatment, Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter is both. It instantly nourished dry skin, making my skin look softer and dewey. However I have dryer skin, so I don’t know how it would effect oily skin. After a few days of applying A.G.E. day and night I started to see the fine lines around my eyes and mouth diminish.

I was hesitant to try this product simply due to its’ price point, $150, but I am an avid Skinceuticals user and I know their products work so I went ahead and spent the money. Totally worth it.

Here’s what the company says about A.G.E.:

A.G.E. Interrupter is specifically formulated to improve the creping, thinning appearance of mature skin caused by intrinsic or internal aging processes such as glycation.

Glycation occurs when excess glucose molecules stick to collagen and elastin fibers, eventually binding them together and leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation End-products (A.G.E.). Glycated collagen and elastin fibers lose the ability to function normally, and the body cannot break them down and replace them, which leads to severe wrinkling of the skin.

A.G.E. Interrupter is a unique treatment formulated with 4% Blueberry Extract, 30% Proxylane and 0.2% Phytosphingosine to help prevent the glycation process and correct severe signs of intrinsic aging in mature skin.

Benefits:

• Blueberry extract slows down the process of advanced glycation end-product (A.G.E.) formation, preventing the rigidification of collagen and elastin fibers.
• Proxylane stimulates GAG synthesis, restoring water and nutrients to the dermal epidermal junction.
• Phytosphingosine helps protect the skin's barrier to alleviate discomfort associated with dry, aging skin.

I recently heard some rumors that a new skincare company, Cosmetic Skin Solutions, has replicated Skinceuticals formulas for their top selling skin treatments and are selling the same formulas at a much lower price. I immediately thought ‘no way’, but since I write this blog I thought I would try it and see, since it’s pretty inexpensive. I tried it and the hype is true! My face had the same tightened feeling it gets when I use C+E Ferulic from Skinceuticals and within a few days of use my skin had the healthy glow, evened complexion, and diminished lines, as well. As a true skincare junkie and Skinceuticals diehard, I’m switching to the less expensive version from Cosmetic Skin Solutions. It saves me over a hundred bucks per bottle! Amazon has the most competitive prices from several retailers ( click image above), but the average cost is about forty bucks for the 1 oz bottle of C+E Feurelic. Cosmetic Skin Solutions also replicated the formulas for Phloretin C+F Serum, C+AHA Serum, Vitamin C 20 AOX+, Phyto + Gel, and Hydrating B5 Gel.

For the fourth year in a row Skinceuticals has come in number one as the best anti aging skin care on the market. CE Ferulic has won the number one spot 4 years in a row, and the last two years a newer antioxidant, anti aging Skinceuticals serum, Phloretin CF has tied with CE for the number one spot.

As an avid user of Skinceuticals I’m not surprised they come in number one for anything and everything related to improving skin care. Their products are amazing and truly turn back the clock on your skin. I love both of the winning products, CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF, but just as a habit I use CE more regularly.

Here is the difference between the two:

C E Ferulic^® is a revolutionary antioxidant combination that delivers advanced protection against photoaging - neutralizing free radicals, helping build collagen, and providing unmatched antioxidant protection. More protection means more youthful looking skin and better defense against environmental aging.
Containing 15% pure L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha tocopherol, the addition of ferulic acid doubles the already synergistic benefits of our original high-potency formula, C+E, transforming C E Ferulic^® into a super-antioxidant combination. – Skinceuticals.com

Phloretin CF® represents a new class of preventive and corrective topical antioxidant treatment. After five years of extensive research, SkinCeuticals developed this patent-pending breakthrough technology combining the newly-discovered, broad-range power of phloretin with vitamin C and ferulic acid in a biodiverse formulation to divide and conquer sources of damage at every level.
Phloretin CF®, a broad-spectrum treatment, protects against not only free radicals, but the range of other reactive molecules known to cause damage and DNA mutations among the integral cell types. In addition, it corrects existing damage by stimulating the synthesis of essential proteins and fibers and accelerating cell turnover. The result — a strengthened support structure on the inside and a more youthful, firm, radiant appearance on the outside. – Skinceuticals.com

The difference between the two is Phloretin, a new and promising ingredient in skin care. Also Phloretin CF is said to be better for sensitive skin. Skinceuticals is available here. Use the coupon code BESTSKIN20 for a 20% discount on anything storewide.

The latest and greatest from Skinceuticals is their pigment regulator. This product has been proven as effective as the leading medical standard for treating hyper pigmentation, 4% hydroquinone. But unlike hydroquinone, it doesn’t have a reverse effect with the freckles and spots coming back if you discontinue using it. Pigment Regulator lightens and reduces existing hyper pigmentation, improves overall skin tone, and protects skin from future discolorations without the side effects of hydroquinone.

The natural formula combines precise concentrations of kojic acid and emblica, along with an exfoliating blend, to improve uneven skin tone and discoloration. Pigment Regulator inhibits the production of excess melanin (brown spots), prevents excess melanin from traveling to the skin’s surface, and breaks up melanin clusters on the skin’s surface to diminish existing discoloration.

This product was tested and chosen by InStyle magazine as one of their top picks for skincare. Available at Skinstore, $85. Use the link below for a 20% coupon.

With Mother's day coming up, lots of stores are running sales. Lucky for us skincare lover's, one of those stores is Skinstore. Everything in their store is 20% off. I'm using this fabulous markdown for my beloved Skinceuticals. And even better, they offer my two favorite products as a combo - CE Feurelic with Hydrating B5 gel at 50% off! yeah! Follow the link below for sales!

NEW: 20% off Storewide with code MOMSDAY- End 5/3

We have been hearing it for a few years now...anti oxidants are like the fountain of youth, but there are so many of them, which ones are the best? Allure magazine spoke with Dr. David McDaniel, a professor of clinical dermatology and plastic surgery from East Virginia Medical School who specializes in antioxidants, and here's what he said. "Some of the most effective are Coffeeberry, phloretin with vitamin C and feurelic acid, and idebenone."

He recommends any of these reliable creams:
RevaleSkin Night Cream (with Coffeeberry) $110
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF $150
Prevage MD $150

If you buy any of these products, use the coupon code BASICS20 at checkout and save 20%. A nice little savings for these pricey items I think.

Of these three products, I have only used the Skinceuticals Phloretin CF and it is absolutely my favorite anti aging skin care serum ever! Based on customer comments about all three products, RevaleSkin and Skinceuticals get the highest marks, 5 out of 5 stars overall, the Prevage just got 3 out of 5 stars. However, I use another idebenone based cream that I really like, Obaji, and I know it isn't really for anti-aging, it's more for fading sun and age spots. So that may account for the lower marks on Prevage if the customers were expecting wrinkle reduction.

Dr. Daniel went on to say, "I really like the idea of using two different ones, either on alternating nights or one in the morning and one in the evening. The antioxidants actions are somewhat different, so getting some of both makes more sense."

Like I said, I use the Skinceuticals Phloretin CF in the evening and an idebenone based cream during the day and I love the way my once freckly, slightly lined face looks. I swear by anything from Skinceuticals, though. I've never tried one of their products I didn't love.