Several months ago while getting my hair re-redded at Vidal Sassoon, I was reading Vogue to pass the time. I saw an ad for a free sample of serum at Sephora from Algenist, a brand unknown to me. When I get my hair colored, I don’t bother wearing makeup since it would come off anyway. Instead, I go to Sephora afterwards and try out new makeup. This time, I brought the Algenist ad with me and got my free sample.
Retail Sample/Gift Affiliate Links
Algenist is a biotechnology company based in San Francisco. Here’s their story taken from their website (http://www.algenist.com):
“While researching microalgae-based renewable energy solutions, our team uncovered Alguronic Acid, a patented, powerful compound that is responsible for regenerating and protecting the microalgae cell. When scientifically tested, Alguronic Acid also demonstrated significant anti-aging properties, increasing cellular regeneration by up to 55%* and elastin synthesis by up to 32%**
Rooted in the breakthrough discovery of Alguronic Acid, Algenist focuses on the ability of targeted, bioactive ingredients to deliver visible anti-aging results to the skin. Committed to proven results, Algenist skincare products undergo extensive third party clinical and consumer testing for scientifically proven efficacy claims.
The result? Breakthrough skincare for younger-looking skin at any age.”
(The good news is they test the alguronic acid and their product line on women, age 40-60 instead of 20-somethings.)
OK, I believe that on the road to one discovery, other discoveries often arise. Case in point: velcro. Algae is supposed to be the next fuel source, so why not microalgae that help skin act younger? I’ll go with that.
At any rate, I took the free sample of
Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum. And it was a generous sample: 0.27 fl.oz./8 ml (the same size as my eye drops). I assumed it was meant to last 10 days, since many of their claims are based on a 10 day period. I managed to get a couple of months out of it.
I didn’t measure the results on my skin this time. (I gave up on the iphone app from OWN Skin Health, another SF skincare company with a scientific bent.) I just used it up, boo hoo, and I really like this serum. The
Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum sample came in a pump bottle, and you literally need only a few drops of this lightweight cream serum. I use it at night before moisturizer.
It has a fresh scent that I really like, and it is absorbed quickly by my skin…which is in direct contrast to hyaluronic acid that takes forever to dry and smells weird. It leaves my skin feeling slightly tightened, slightly tingly.
Here are the claims about the serum on the Algenist website:
“Formulated with a high concentration of the powerful patented ingredient Alguronic Acid, this advanced anti-aging serum minimizes the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines, while helping to restore skin density and elasticity.
Key benefits:
- Minimizes the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines
- Restores skin density and elasticity
- Rebuilds skin firmness
- Boosts skin radiance”
The website goes on to give the results of both a small sample clinical study with the product used once daily and a large sample consumer study with the product used at home twice daily. The consumers reported better results than the lab study. Not surprising.
I don’t know whether
Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum has made a significant change in my cell turnover or cell regeneration, and my deep wrinkles don’t look any less deep. But I enjoy wearing it, and I wish I could spare the $95 to buy a bottle…tear 🙁
For those of you who may wish to try this serum, it is available at Sephora, on the Algenist website, on QVC, and on Amazon. The bottle contains 1 fl.oz/30 mL. I’m not sure whether it’s a pump. From the photo and something else I read, it may be a dropper, but that doesn’t seem to make sense from the product form, ie it’s not a liquid.
If you’re curious, here’s the link on Amazon:
If anyone tries this, please let me know what you think!!
Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Algae Exopolysaccharides, Tetrapeptide-21, Beta-Glucan, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit (Apple) Cell Culture Extract, Inula Crithmoide Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Leaf/Stem Extract, Glucosamine HCL, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Ergothioneine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol.
Hmm, dimethicone is the second ingredient. No wonder the smooth feel. The algae polysaccharides that are the active ingredient are the 14th ingredient, but I still liked it.
