As some of you may have noticed, my year long moratorium ended with a
bang. I've been buying cosmetics, skincare, and bath and body stuff like a
maniac for the past few weeks.

One thing I've been wondering about is serums. It seems as though every
line has one, and the variety is frankly, overwhelming.

Here's what I've tried:

SkinBio CP Serum
EL Idealist
OoO Regenerist

I've liked all of them but I'm wondering whether I'm missing
something. I liked Idealist as a first layer under moisturizer, and now I
use Regenerist the same way. In the summer the Regenerist serum alone is
enough at night by itself, so I'm really using it as a lightweight
moisturizer.

I used up the CP Serum I got at the Las Vegas AF get-together. I was
thinking about buying another bottle, but the OoO stuff came out and I got
that instead.

So ... what serums do you use? What are the effects? Do any of you use
more than one? If so, what order/frequency is effective for you?

TIA,

Priscilla
--
psb2@midway.uchicago.edu "Here comes the most beautiful woman in puppetland!"

Hi Priscilla--I use Clinique's Advanced Stop Signs and have been using it for a
few months upon a rec from good ole Paula B. I apply this before I put on my
moisturizer (if I use any moisturizer at all, I have very oily skin). I haven't
noticed any effects but I am 21 and am using it as a preventative technique for
the most part. Hopefully it will pay off! I use it all over the face, and have
no problems using it around my eyes either which is good because even most eye
creams burn my undereye area.

Regards,
Amy

I've been using Clinique's Advanced Stop Signs ($35 I think)as a serum.
Priscilla you've seen me so you know my problem with freckles. I'm probably
a little half way through my bottle (it's hard to tell because the bottle's
opaque) and my skin's definitely more even. Will definitely repurchase
this. It's super light weight and really doesn't moisturize at all, even in
warmer months so I always layer it with a moisturizer and/or a sunscreen.
Right now I layer with LaPrairie's Time Release Intensive Moisturizer. It's
hard to get over the smell of the LaPrairie but it's really moisturizing
without feeling greasy.

Other serum I've used:
Awake Serum Un-sign ($70 I think): I liked both the regular (slightly
moisturizing) and the oil-free versions. Used up one of each but don't
remember seeing any significant changes in my skin. Will *not* repurchase.

LaPrairie Caviar Firming Serum (not the right name but you get the idea,
around $150?): feels a little greasy/slippery, the fragrance in there is
overwhelming. I do think it's sort of firming/tightening though.

Dr. Perricone's Alpha Lipoic Acid Face Firming Activator (around $90): It's
nice but not moisturizing at all so a moisturizer is required immediately
following. It smells sort of like ammonia. I got my first bottle as a gift
and second from a swap. May re-purchase although I think someone with more
significant loss of firmness/elasticity might see the results better.

I do want to try Chantecaille's Retinol Intense next if NM has a good gwp
for InCircle.



Eunice

"Trilby" <psb2@midway.uchicago.edu> wrote in message
news:skVgb.63$%4.25137@news.uchicago.edu...

I use the CDLM serum at night after I cleanse and tone. I've tried samples
of the Clairins double
serum, Awake serum and others. In the morning I always use the La Prairie
essence of caviar
for eyes and skin. It may not be as concentrated as the serums but it works
for me. What I
have determined is these products help to keep my aging skin moistuized. I
haven't a clue as
to what else they have done, but my skin is probably my best feature. I have
some lines on my
face that are undoubtedly unavoidable. I have never used Botox. My mother
said she inherited
her wrinkles from her father. It's easier to blame the deceased than to say
they are there
because we are doing something wrong.
I also use Paula's Choice anti-oxidant serum after my initials moisturizers
for eyes and skin. So
every day I put two products under and around my eyes, two lightly on my
face, the anti-oxidant
serum and sunscreen. None are greasy and they serve as a base for my
foundation etc.
My advice is to stick with the products you like if you think they are good.
It might be because
they don't cause a severe reaction or they don't have a horrible odor. As
to whether one is
truly more effective than any other, I haven't a clue. I use the Awake,
Clairins and other serum
samples when I travel. I'm actually thrifty so I will use the pricey CDLM
or LP till the very
last drop has disappeared.
Hope this helps.
Audrey

"Trilby" <psb2@midway.uchicago.edu> wrote in message
news:skVgb.63$%4.25137@news.uchicago.edu...

I use whatever one you're using. So I was really pleased when you
chose the Olay, because it is cheap. Please choose a cheap one
if you change.

TIA,
AJ

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Oh, this made me laugh and laugh!

I still use the Regenerist. My 3rd bottle is almost gone now. I've been using
some of it on the tops of my hands lately, too. It's the only thing I used on
my face this summer. Was all I needed. But this winter I will probably have
to add some moisturizing cream on top of it, as my face gets dry then. I like
the way the Regenerist makes my skin feel so smooth. I'm noticing a difference
on the tops of my hands, too. -- Beckie

Good thinking Beckie! I never even thought of using it on the tops of the
hands, will buy and try this now! Thank you.

Carol

I've been using the Regenerist. Don't know if it's making any long-term
difference in my skin, but it makes my face feel smooth and soft.
Recently got a sample of the EL serum in a GWP, and truthfully, I can't
tell the difference between it and the OoO.
--
Dana W. Carpender
Howard Dean For President
Take Back the Democratic Party!
Take Back America!
http://www.deanforamerica.com

I use various C serums- Jason Naturals, Kiss My Face organics, Enhanceme (the
Dixie Carter line that was remaindered on Ebay) with Regenerist.

If I was going to try something else, it would be Isomers Matrixyl Serum (like
Regenerist only stronger) or the Source Naturals serum with DMAE, alpha lipoic,
etc. or maybe straight hyaluronic acid.

Priscilla, Whole Foods has a bunch of very intriguing serums in their cosmetic
aisle.
The quality is very high and the prices are in the $20-$35. range.

Thanks for the reminder, Maladicta. I've also used Jason High Potent-C
serum in a dropper. It's quite nice actually. After using several high-end
serums (few of which I actually purchased myself, I used to work in retail
cosmetics and got many of my products as gratis) the one I like the most is
probably Clinique Advanced Stop Signs which is not that bad of deal at $35,
considering how long it has lasted me. And $35 always qualifies for the gwp
when they're running one.

Eunice
"Maladicta1" <maladicta1@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20031008120520.04844.00000620@mb-m18.aol.com...

For awhile, I used the Prescriptives serum. I think it did a pretty good
job at minimizing the appearance of wrinkles... Then they "improved" it and
I had an allergic reaction to it. (I wrote to complain and never heard a
word from them!)

I don't use anything like that in my skin regimen these days. Just
cleansing (Aveeno Daily Brightening Scrub) and Chanel Calming Emulsion. For
moisturizer, I'm using a Neutrogena product that is so-so. At least it
seems to do no harm.

cofarb of the genetically pretty good skin

Trilby at psb2@midway.uchicago.edu wrote on 10/8/03 7:39 AM:

I've used:
*Kinerase Lotion (and cream when my skin is feeling drier) - not a true
"serum", but this is my current favorite. It truly smooths and evens out my
skin and feels wonderful. It feels almost the same way a serum feels on the
skin, and not even the slightest bit greasy.
*Olay Regenerist - works nicely, but I really haven't seen long-term
results. I should use it on my hands as others have suggested.
*EL Idealist - seems similar to Olay, but smells great and I like to use it
as a foundation primer.
*Clinique Total Turnaround - maybe not what you'd call a "serum" either, but
it feels like one on my skin and I love the subtle shimmer. I use it as
primer too sometimes, and I haven't seen true results from it either.
*SkinBio CP Serum - though it smells horrible, it gives a fabulous glow. If
it didn't smell so bad, I'd use it more often.

I use the serums by itself after I've cleansed and (sometimes) toned my skin
or before I use moisturizer.

Laurie

"MoonFancy" <moonfancy@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20031008115156.17462.00000302@mb-m26.aol.com...
Glad I amused you, Beckie. But I am deeply pitiful: I just bought
the Idealist (my first Estee Lauder purchase ever) because Trilby
said it was good and then, witch that she is, sent me a GWP sample
of it. It works like the Regenerist but has a wonderful citrusy
fragrance. Darn you, Trilby, I mean darn you to heck. OTOH there
was a GWP so it's really like I got the Idealist free, isn't it? I mean
I'm going to use the EL blush and lipstick aren't I, lol.

--AJ

AJ wrote:


Well, I certainly am.

--
Dana W. Carpender
Howard Dean For President
Take Back the Democratic Party!
Take Back America!
http://www.deanforamerica.com

psb2@midway.uchicago.edu (Trilby) wrote:

Great thread Trilby. You're right, every line seems to have a serum now. Most
I've tried feel so similar that I don't feel the need to drop the big bucks on
any prestige brands.

I own two: OoO Regenerist and L'Oreal Revitalift Slim. I'm not convinced
these things actively *do* anything for skin. (The L'Oreal claim that theirs
will actually "slim and contour" the facial structure is especially laughable,
but that's not what I bought it for so it's of no concern.) What they do is
make the skin feel incredibly smooth, and makeup slips on so much more smoothly
too.

I don't have lines or wrinkles yet so I can't say whether or not the serums
would improve those. Don't think they could prevent any lines/wrinkles either,
since the only true wrinkle-preventors are a high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen
and a decent pair of shades. But I think serums are worth it for the
smoothness they impart alone, and the improved smoothness of makeup applied
over them.

I have used serums first, after cleansing, then applied sunscreen, then makeup.
I tried the sunscreen first, then the serum, then makeup, and found it didn't
make a difference in the improved smoothness and makeup application. The
L'Oreal has a thinner texture than the OoO, either produces the same
smoothness.
Interestingly, the OoO Regenerist feels and performs exactly like English Ideas
foundation primer. That just convinces me more that this is the main benefit
of these serums, despite whatever other claims they may be advertising.

-Kerri

aerogasm1@aol.com (Aerogasm1) wrote in message news:<20031008104938.13769.00000102@mb-m29.aol.com>...
I could have written this; all except the being 21 part. ;=)
I found the sample I had so good that I bought the full
bottle. For me, any good moisturizer that doesn't break
me out is worth hootin' about.

Dior R60/80 serum: best ever
EL Idealist: okay but not great

Evie

I used a Jo Malone serum I can't think of the name of...first in a sample,
which I loved. Ordered a full size from London and it just wasn't the same.
Did nothing for me, even though the sample made my skin feel like silk.

Smokey

"Kerri Clair" <kerriclair@aol.comma> wrote in message
news:20031008132613.04909.00000337@mb-m17.aol.com...

Hi, Amy & Priscilla! Being totally obsessed with skin care, I speak
from experiense: Amy, try Active Contour Tensor Gel by Sothys Paris
for your eye area! It will never burn your skin. If, however, you have
anything resembling lines forming in that area, get Active Contour Age
Defying Cream for eye area by Sothys instead. That will stop them from
forming! Sothys is not available retail, but you can check it out
where I buy it at http://www.image-and-beauty.com and even request a
free samples via e-mail! As to serums, Priscilla is using them the
right way, under her regular mositurizer. Sothys has great serums,
too, like Nourishing Serum for Dry Skin, or Purifying Serum for Oily
skin, and other serums, like Lift Defense Anti-Wrinkle Serum that are
available only on request...but they should all be used the same way -
under moisturizer.
Prevention is the way to go! But if there is damage already - I firmly
believe it can be reversed with proper care!
Tiffani

aerogasm1@aol.com (Aerogasm1) wrote in message news:<20031008104938.13769.00000102@mb-m29.aol.com>...

Tiffani--is there any chance that you work for Sothy's?