Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Astre Skin Care Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum

I get frequent inquiries from companies I don't know. If their products look intriguing, I follow up and agree to test a product. Now and then, I get a product that knocks my socks off. Astre Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum ($99) got my attention with the first application, and it continues to dazzle me - and it's not simply because it has 24K gold in it. This serum is seriously effective.

Astre Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum is a scientifically advanced skin-care product. It is formulated to firm the skin and offer immediate hydration, penetrating to the basal layer of the skin to significantly reduce wrinkles and put collagen production into overdrive. It's Astre's premier product.

Astre Skin Care makes natural products and uses no hydroquinone (a skin lightener that can be irritating), parabens, or sulfates. They do no animal testing. They do use fabulous state-of-the-art ingredients, known to be effective. The organic aloe vera base of the serum is combined with hyaluronic acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, and L-Arginine to create the perfect platform for skin regeneration, which occurs in a three- to four-week cycle. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of 24K gold top off the mix.

Gold is considered a miracle element for skin these days. Not only does it improve collagen growth, it has superior anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce the breakdown of elastin and prevent the skin from sagging. Topical gold has been shown to slow melanin secretions, which can cause skin discoloration. Gold also has the unique ability to pull toxins from the skin. Gold creates luminous, radiant, healthy looking skin.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in our skin. Unfortunately,it decreases as we age. This decrease ultimately causes loss of hydration, resulting in wrinkling and loss of elasticity. Hyaluronic acid offers a superb environment for new cell growth and increases collagen. Hyaluronic acid is such a powerful humectant that it can absorb over 1,000 times its weight in water, unmatched in nature. I've mentioned this ingredient many times in my features. In fact, I wrote a whole post on it, which you can see at this link. In my opinion, hyaluronic acid has to be in a great moisturizer today.

I feel the same way about peptides. Acetyl Hexapeptide-3- a powerful, revolutionary pain-free alternative to injections and surgical procedures. AH-3 is a non-toxic amino acid peptide that was developed specifically to reduce existing wrinkles and the development of new wrinkles. Recent clinical studies have shown that AH-3 reduces the depth of wrinkles up to 30% after only 30 days of use. This is a fantastic copper peptide and a key ingredient in Astre Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum.

Another quality ingredient in this serum is L-Arginine, an anti-wrinkle hexapeptide. Known to decrease wrinkle depth, Arginine is present in my favorite treatment products. Want to know more about the scientific data to explain the effectiveness of this serum? Read the information at this link.

Why do I like this serum so much? The first time I used it, I saw and felt its firming properties. It tightened my skin, making me look very smooth - almost poreless - and visibly minimized the appearance of fine lines. The firming wasn't that awful, so-tight-you-can't-move-your-face firming, but I could feel it. I always apply a moisturizer over my serum, and once I did, I couldn't really feel the firming - I could only see it. I have been using this serum day and night for almost three weeks, and my skin looks incredibly good.

What blew me away was a compliment from a friend who is an aesthetician. I had readied my skin for night, applied Astre Skin Matrix Serum on my face and neck, and followed it with a moisturizer I'll tell you about this week. She took one look at me (and she knows me well) and said, "Your skin looks fabulous." No one ever really mentions my skin - other than nicely telling me I don't look my age - so I was impressed. She saw what I have seen since I started using this wonder-product.

When I am introduced to a product this great, I keep it in my rotation. Anti-Aging Skin Matrix Serum is definitely going to stay. I really love it - everything about it, including the very reasonable price for a serum that's packed with effective and expensive ingredients. If you want to try it, the company offers a money-back guarantee. If you purchase it and aren't satisfied for any reason, just return the bottle for a full refund. The company says, "If you do not see a newfound healthy glow, more radiant fuller skin, fewer wrinkles, [and] less discoloration by the time you finish your 1-oz bottle, we will refund your purchase." How can you beat that?

You can; it gets better. As a promotion for Best Things in Beauty readers, the company has generously offered you a $10 discount, making your purchase total $89 with free shipping. If you order and click on "Add to Cart" on this page, enter code Bestthings. You will receive that discount. I think it's being programmed this evening and should work in a few hours. Please let me know what you think. I'm thrilled.

Photo courtesy of Astre Skin Care

11 comments:

Heather said...

This sounds amazing! How do you think something like this would work on someone with sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin?

Charlestongirl said...

Yes, Heather, I do, for two reasons. 1) There are no ingredients that should cause break-outs, and 2) it is firming and not at all gooey on the skin. I can send your question, though, to the company. I will do that and get back to you here in the comments.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi again, Heather! Here is your answer from Astre.

We get asked often about acne and sensitive skin issues. The primary function of Astre's products is to reduce wrinkles and the further development of wrinkles. We have had no complaints from people with sensitive skin, quite the contrary. Many people with sensitive skin are now repeat buyers.

We would be very interested in getting feedback on its effects on clients with acne. We believe the gold should have a positive effect on treating acne due to its ability to pull toxins from the skin. Since our product is natural, we are confident in its ability to help people with sensitive skin. We have many customers who use our product BECAUSE they have sensitive skin.

Hope this helps, and we love feedback from our customers.

Suzanne said...

I am very intrigued by the information that the gold can help pull toxins from the skin. Can you get the company to elaborate on that? Do they have any information on what kind of toxins?

Charlestongirl said...

Suzanne,

There are studies that show that 24K gold promotes collagen and elastin synthesis to reverse the skin's aging process and protect the skin from free radicals, sun damage, and the environment. I can ask about the pulling toxins part. I know this company and don't believe they would make that up without some underlying proof. The issue with skin care is always whether the tests were done in vitro or on intact skin. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Just did a quick Google search...you might be interested in this.

http://www.eyecreams.com/gold-an-old-school-ingredient-gone-new/

Charlestongirl said...

Here you go, Suzanne!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Five-Benefits-of-Choosing-Gold-in-Your-Skin-Care-Products&id=4808202

Charlestongirl said...

Hi again, Suzanne!

It occurred to me that I should translate. "Toxins" references free radicals. They are "toxic" to our skin. As an antioxidant, the gold fights them off.

Lisa S. said...

My Astre Serum arrived today and I can't wait to start using it! Those pesky fine lines near the corners of my mouth are really starting to bug me! Hoping this might soften them a bit. Which moisturizer were you using over the serum?

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Lisa!

Thanks...you too. This week? Either Kate Multi-Active Repair or Stages of Beauty Grace. Love them both!

fraxel laser said...

I really like the name of the product as it describes the purpose perfectly, hope it works as perfects as it sounds. I truly love about using this line is the simplicity. None of this complicated business - I use only two products for my face in the morning (cleanser + oil) and occasionally three at night (sometimes still just two if I don't feel very dry). The primary function of Astre's products is to reduce wrinkles and the further development of wrinkles. We have had no complaints from people with sensitive skin, quite the contrary. Many people with sensitive skin are now repeat buyers. That's it. And of course I love that the ingredients are as clean as they get. I was also amazed by the results. I know this company and don't believe they would make that up without some underlying proof. The issue with skin care is always whether the tests were done in vitro or on intact skin. :)