Disclaimer: compensation for this review was in the form of the Retinol Moisturizer & Retinol Serum via Brandbacker & InstaNatural, but opinions are all mine.
I've been going back and forth with myself on if I even wanted to post this review or not. In the end, I was sorta pushed to, because that's the whole idea behind BrandBacker- you get to try a product and they you POST an honest review of the product (and if you don't post, then it's possible that you won't be eligible for future reviews and products, aka campaigns).
The reason that I didn't want to actually post a review? I rather hate being mean, especially when someone is giving me over fifty bucks in products to try for free. But I guess in the end, that's the game, and you have to play along.
Anyways....
I just turned twenty-nine, I'm a smoker (I know, I know... my goal of 2015 is to quit), I'm fair skinned, which means I burn easily in the sun, and have freckles. With all of that working against me, I am starting to be afraid of wrinkles.
Yes, I know that aren't going to pop up over night, but there is no time like the present to start a preventative. The most well know preventative in anti-aging skincare is a little compound called retinol. Simply put, retinol is Vitamin A, and it is proven to "unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin—sometimes in as little as four weeks." (http://www.oprah.com/style/Retinoid-Skin-Creams-Why-You-Should-Use-a-Retinoid#ixzz3NnB7ZNHJ)
So when InstaNatural and BrandBacker gave me a chance to try their Retinol Serum AND Moisturizer, I knew I had to jump on it. I love trying new products and I LOVE serums.
When they arrived in the mail, I had to try them out...
Unfortunately I was NOT pleased.
If you remember my other InstaNatural review on the eye serum and gel, the one thing that turned me off was the fact that the serum had a citrus smell. The retinol serum had the exact same smell, except it was more pungent and clear. Now, I have tried a lot of serums (seven to date) and never have I seen such a thin, almost water like, serum. Sure, it could have been that it was derived from natural ingredients, so I eventually got over it. And tried it.
I have rather sensitive skin- but it's clear (I've never had an issue with acne or anything like that- and yes, I know I'm lucky), so I listened to the bottle. With Retinols, you have to go slow in order to prevent dryness, skin sensitivities, and the like. I use the serum at night, every night. Over a period of a week, I noticed that I was starting to break out. I figured it was because of the serum, so I decreased the usage to every other night. It didn't work. So I tried every three nights. My face was still breaking out, and I was starting to realized that my upper cheeks were raw- something I'd never encountered with a skincare item before.
Sure if the weather had been blistering cold and windy the entire time I was using it, I could have blamed my rawness and super sensitivity on that. I didn't want to blame it on the product. Trust me.
I just stopped using the serum about three days ago, and my skin is still broken out. I have pimple like blemishes on my upper cheeks and my face feels dry and raw. Obviously I am allergic to the Retinol Serum.
The Retinol Moisturizer wasn't much better. I used it at night for a couple of nights and it literally felt like it was burning off my face. I even tried it in the morning, after I washed my face, and the same thing happened.
I have tried other Retinols, and never experienced the burning sensation.
Overall, due the issues I had with the products, I would not recommend them to anyone with sensitive skin. But if you do want to try them, InstaNatural does feature is a money-back guarantee. So if you buy it, and really don't like it, you can definitely get your money back.
Have you ever tried any InstaNatural product?
I reviewed their Age-Defying Moisturizer. I wasn't big on the smell either. My biggest issue is that it made my pores freaking HUGE and I already have enough problem with that. The hydration was otherwise great.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd recommend their products overall to anyone. I haven't heard a whole lot of good thus far.