As our skin ages, we’re literally in a race against time to help protect its structure. Stress, diet, the environment — these aggressors play a major role in how our skin ages.
Our skin’s collagen-producing function peaks in our mid-20’s and gradually decreases by 1% each year as we hit 40.
Many of us (ahem) already over the 50-year threshold can attest to how our skin rapidly loses firmness. Wrinkles are making themselves known and the biggest question I now face (pardon the pun) is how to slow things down just a bit.
I have healthy skin but that’s not going to change the fact that it’s no longer the skin of a 20-year-old. At a recent Vichy Canada event, I was introduced to two of their latest products in helping fight the skin aging race: Liftactiv Collagen Specialist and LiftActiv Hyalu Mask.
Liftactiv Collagen Specialist
Vichy has just launched a non-invasive skin care cream suitable for all skin types: Liftactiv Collagen Specialist. This product helps skin compensate for the loss of collagen by improving firmness, using two types of naturally-boosting peptides (short fragments of proteins, capable of targeting the receptor that sets off collagen synthesis).
– Proteasyl, derived from green peas, is known to fight collagen fiber degradation and to stimulate Collagen Type 3 and 4
– Dermican, known to stimulate Collagen Type 1, which represents 85% of skin’s natural collagen structure
Added to this powerful anti-aging formula is Vichy mineralizing water, rich in 15 minerals essential for skin’s health.
[L to R: Liftactiv Collagen Specialist, LiftActiv Hyalu Mask]
According to clinical tests on 24 women, Vichy’s Collagen Specialist adds 28% hydration after being worn for eight hours and can diminish wrinkles by 16% after one month of continual usage. Over a two-month period, the test found that sagginess and pigmentation were significantly decreased and there was a significant reduction in wrinkles.
Liftactiv Collagen Specialist mimics the tissular induction procedures’ mode of action to compensate visible effects of collagen loss on skin.
The product can be used morning and evening, alone or following a serum.
LiftActiv Hyalu Mask
Vichy’s new Liftactiv Hyalu Mask promises the ultimate skin replenishment in just five minutes. There’s 1% combined double-dose low- and high-weight hyaluronic acid in each jar, proven to instantly hydrate and smooth skin while restoring firmness.
After 12 uses, tests have shown more even skin tone, improved radiance and skin quality transformation when used three times per week.
It’s a fact that one-third of the hyaluronic acid present in our body is broken down on a daily basis and only partially renewed by the skin. With age, you lose up to half of the HA capital.
You may be wondering, just what is hyaluronic acid? It’s a substance that works as a “magnet for moisture”, aiding in the skin cells’ ability to retain as much as possible to allow your skin to feel and appear plump and hydrated.
One single gram of the stuff is able to hold up to six liters of water and regulate the moisture within the cells. The beauty of hyaluronic acid is that it works on all skin types, and according to research may also contain antioxidant properties, acting as a shield against environmental factors and other aggressors.
To push the properties of hyaluronic acid beyond hydration, Vichy labs have combined that 1% double-dose with agave yeast extract in a replenishing formula.
It’s a powerful trio: Agave yeast extract is known to protect natural hyaluronic acid in the skin, low-weight HA helps fight against skin aging and high-weight HA helps to hydrate and replump the skin. All this in a formula that’s easy to use at home.
Simply apply a thin layer to your face and leave on for five minutes, then gently remove excess with a damp cotton pad. Vichy suggests to use up to three times a week at night. I’m hoping to soon notice the powerful effects of this product to help my own race against time.
Collagen Specialist is now available in drugstores and online. Liftactiv Hyalu Mask will be available in Canada beginning on March 27. Both products are priced at CAD $59.95.
