In July, I saw an ad on Facebook for a skincare brand I had never heard of: DefenAge. The ad made a claim about their products that got my attention. To be honest, as a former advertising exec, I take advertising claims with a grain of salt, but something about the ad got me. It was a study that showed that the peptides in their products helped “turn back the hands of time” in 6 weeks. Hmmm, not sure I believed that, but it made me curious nevertheless. Coincidentally, I received a pitch from a PR company shortly thereafter asking me if I wanted to try the brand, and I responded with an emphatic yes.
They sent me 3 products that make up their Clinical Power Trio skincare system:
- DefenAge 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream, 1.5 fl. oz.
- DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum, 1.0 fl. oz.
- DefenAge 2 Minute Reveal, 2.5 oz.
They also sent along DefenAge Fly Kit with TSA friendly travel size versions of the three products, and I got them just before Jeff and I went to Savannah in late July-early August. I took them along on our trip.
Now I’m not complaining, but one of the toughest things about being a beauty blogger is having to stop using something you love to move on to testing another product. Because I am a beauty blogger of a certain age, I get sent many more skincare products than makeup. And to test skincare, I really need about a month to form an opinion. So after the month is up, I really need to move on.
But I absolutely positively am addicted to the DefenAge Clinical Power Trio, and I have been using the products for 10 weeks. To be completely honest, when I look in the mirror, I cannot say that the products have turned back the clock. At my age, I don’t expect that. But from the standpoint of how healthy my skin looks and feels, I am hooked. I keep hoping that I’ll use the products up so I will be forced to move on to the next set of skincare products awaiting me, but there’s a lot in there. I am in a tough spot.
Prior to launching the DefenAge product line, Dr. Amy Taub and her colleagues conducted clinical trials that were published in a dermatology journal in April 2018. You can read a synopsis of the study here. The physician-scientists developed the DefenAge products based on alpha and beta defensins – natural immune peptides – that have been shown to stimulate dormant stem cells in hair follicles to produce new skin cells during wound healing. They took alpha and beta defensins molecules, paired them with beneficial skincare ingredients, and created the three skin care products listed above. The goal of the regimen is to improve the structure and function of aging skin. In their research, they claim, after 12 weeks, respondents’ skin increased in thickness, and there were reductions in visible pores, superficial wrinkles, oiliness, pigmentation, and improvement of skin evenness. Though not at statistically significant levels, there was also a trend toward better elasticity of respondents’ skin.
DefenAge claims the following benefits after 6 weeks: Revives Youthful Firmness • Brightens Age Spots • Defines Contours • Smoothes Lines • Diminishes Wrinkles • Unclogs & Minimizes Pores • Comforts Sensitivity • Evens Skin Tone • Corrects Surface Imperfections • Revives Clarity • Replenishes Moisture • Repairs Dryness • Refines Texture • Renews Softness • Revitalizes Dullness • Calms Redness.
I am not a dermatologist and I really don’t completely understand their research on defensins and stem cells, but I was willing to try out the DefenAge regimen to see what it might do for me. I have learned that many dermatologists like this line, recommend it to their patients and sell it in their offices. After using the Clinical Power Trio for more than two months, I believe my skin seems better hydrated, definitely more elastic and my jawline seems more defined. The fine lines under my eye area seem less apparent. For me, my skin just feels better and healthier, and looks plumper and smoother.
The DefenAge products are used in a particular way, as follows:
- DefenAge 2 Minute Reveal Mask is used twice a week. I squeeze out some of the off-white thick mask and apply it to dry (meaning not wet) skin. It is a very stiff mask. Then I add a little bit of water and massage the mask with its exfoliating sugar crystals onto my skin being careful to avoid my eye area. I leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse. My skin feels clean as a whistle afterwards. This step ensures that there will be no debris like dead skin cells on the skin’s surface to inhibit the next two steps.
2 Minute Reveal Mask Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Tapioca Starch, Sucrose, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit, Papain, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol.
- DefenAge 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream: Two pumps of the off-white 24/7 Balance Cream is enough to cover my face. It has almost no scent. The medium weight cream is very smooth and easy to apply.
Barrier Balance Cream: Water (Aqua), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Yeast Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/ VP Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Alpha-Defensin 5, Beta-Defensin 3, Hyaluronic Acid, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Marcrocarpon Fruit (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Albumin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, SH Oligopeptide-1, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance.
- DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum: One or two pumps of the clear fragrance-free gel-cream is applied on top of the Balance Cream 30 seconds later. I am not sure why the serum goes on top of the cream and why it’s applied 30 seconds later, but that’s what the directions say to do, and that’s what I’ve been doing.
8-in-1 BioSerum: Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sinorhizobium Meliloti Ferment Filtrate, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/ VP Copolymer, Phospholipids, Alpha-Defensin 5, Beta-Defensin 3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Ergothioneine, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Offinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, SH Oligopeptide-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Albumin, L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride.
I love the packaging for the Balance Cream and BioSerum. They have built-in pump tops. And to close the pumps, just swivel the top so that it won’t pump.
The Balance Cream/BioSerum combination seriously hydrate and provide a protective coating to my skin that’s still there the next morning. Because the Balance Cream and Serum don’t contain sunscreen, I use them at night only. As I said earlier, I absolutely love this skincare regimen, and I don’t want to stop using it to go on to testing the next products in my stash. What to do?
DefenAge is sold on the DefenAge website and at Lovelyskin.com, an online retailer that I love because they carry great brands. I checked the prices, and Lovelyskin.com is definitely the way to go. DefenAge products are expensive IMO especially if purchased individually, but the most cost effective way to buy them is to buy the Clinical Power Trio with all three products for $285, a deep discount. Or try the Fly Kit for $95.
I also noticed something called 24 Hour Starter Kit for $14 with trial sizes of each of the 3 products, perfect for trying before buying!
Head over to the DefenAge website to learn more about the science behind the products or to Lovelyskin.com to check out the products. Let me know what you think.
23 Comments
Very nice packaging! The 8-in-1 Bioserum sounds lovely. My acne-scarred skin loves its peptides. That’s great to hear that you saw results, and that you can use these even on the under-eye area.
That’s awesome that you saw a change over a couple months!
I was so excited until I saw the price….BOO can’t afford right now. But gad you are enjoying these products.
Sandy, this is a wonderful skincare line especially for dry or mature skin, but the price definitely is a barrier. It’s great that Lovelyskin.com carries the brand at a deep discount, but it is still out of range for a lot of us.
I also shop at lovelyskin, they do have amazing products and sale every now and then. First time I’ve heard of this. I break out easily so I find it hard to switch skincare stuff like I used to.
Tell DefenAge that I’m a perfect candidate to test this for review too. If you love it I’m sure I would too plus with fragrance-free or almost FF that’s perfect for my taste. With winter coming I’m looking for a wonderful line like this. I’m glad that you are enjoying this so much.
Peptides have been the thing lately when it comes to anti aging skincare. I know some of my favorite brands have been adding peptides to their products
It sounds wonderful, I’d love to try it. I know what you mean about having to stop using something you love to try a new skincare routine. I’m trying to get my skin back in shape after breaking out from a new moisturizer.
Honestly this is the first time I’m reading about this brand but the products sound lovely! That said the price hurts my head…a lot. LOL!
I don’t trust skincare products that claim results in less than 2 weeks- it always takes at least 6 for me to see anything substantial. I like they offer travel sizes too! It’s a great way for those with sensitive skin to try products for sensitivities!
Especially for such a pricey skincare line, it’s great that DefenAge has a $14 trial set because as you said, you don’t know if you’ll have any sensitivities till you try.
Wow! I appreciate your continue long term use. Products won’t show skin changes in such a short time, so 10 weeks is amazing to use a product that long.
Yes, and I’m still using them. I think I’m starting week 12. I’ve gotta switch to some other products that I have to review, but I don’t want to, lol
I’ll have to take a look at this line! I love how thorough your review is!
Thats a great price to try it! I’ve never been huge into skincare well until I discovered Face Masks! LOL
Pretty packaging but I am leery of skin care brands that i have never heard of before.
I have no doubts this skincare is amazing but the price point is a bit high. I’d love to try the mask especially.
I love the packaging for these! So stunning. I also love the description of the products. I’ll have to look into these when I’m ready to restock on my skin care.
The packaging of the DefenAge Balance Cream and BioSerum is quite amazing, and the formulas are perfect for dry skin like mine!
I think it’s always a good idea to take these types of claims with a grain of salt when it comes to skincare. But, if you see improvement in your skin when you use the products, it’s really all that matters!
The Balance Cream and the BioSerum really are winners for me. I am wondering why they are used backwards, but hey they work!
This sounds really nice and I love the that they offer in travel size option too! I hate nothing more that having to decant or hunt for smaller options for travel.
I love the sleek packaging for the products! I am such a sucker for nice packaging, lol