HydroPeptide Cleansing Gel - Another Regular in My Routine

You asked about the skin care I use on a regular basis. HydroPeptide's Cleansing Gel ($44) is my go-to cleanser these days. Why? I have been very impressed with every HydroPeptide product I have used, and it was a gift from the company. I started using it and kept using it. I've grown fond of it.

It's dubbed a gentle cleanse, tone, and makeup remover product. In one step, this very gentle, anti-aging gel cleanser removes makeup, cleanses, tones, and "defies age." I'm not sure I can say it defies age, but it helps hold it back. I'm conservative about such claims for cleansers, which only make contact with the skin for a short time.

This nicely, clean, citrus-scented, cleansing powerhouse contains peptides to improve elasticity, sebacic acid to keep skin clear, and hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration.Three powerhouse ingredients are combined to improve your skin for the few moments they come in contact with it.

HydroPeptide's own blog summed up the ingredients nicely. What is the science behind this overachieving face wash?  Trylagen and Argireline are two peptides that work to protect and repair collagen networks by enabling skin to look and act younger.  Trylagen minimizes wrinkle depth by improving skin’s elasticity, preventing collagen loss and strengthening the collagen network.  Argireline reduces the appearance of expression lines by inhibiting pre-synaptic muscle contractions.  A clearer complexion results from sebacic acid, an ingredient that prevents blemishes by regulating sebum excretion.  A five percent lactic acid concentration is just enough to provide skin sloughing benefits without irritating sensitive types.  Witch hazel and geranium are natural astringents that tighten pores and contribute to a shine-free complexion.  The finishing touch?  Amazingly hydrating sodium hyaluronate (nature's sponge) prevents dryness and instantly plumps the skin for a youthful appearance.  

Here's how HydroPeptide stacks up its benefits.

• Battles the appearance of wrinkles by improving elasticity and smoothness, preventing collagen loss, and reinforcing the collagen network
• Thoroughly removes makeup and eye makeup (even waterproof) without irritation, stripping skin hydration or breaking fragile lashes
• Dissolves dirt and oil while normalizing overactive oil production
• Fights breakout-causing bacteria to keep your skin looking clear

I can testify to its eye makeup removal qualities. However, I still do a quick swipe under my lower lashes with an eye makeup remover after cleansing. I don't have the patience while cleansing my face before bed to concentrate on the mascara melt under my lower lashes, and I don't want to rub or move my fingers around my eyes any more than needed. Yes, I wash my face with my hands. Cleansing Gel removes my other makeup easily and quickly.

This Cleansing Gel, despite is benefits to women with oily and normal skin, works perfectly on my dry skin because it doesn't strip moisture from the skin. It feels nourishing, whether it is or not. Cleansers are on our skin for such a short time, it's most important to me that that they cleanse well without stripping the moisture from my skin. Any other effects are a bonus, and you can bet those peptides are working for those 1-2 minutes.

I've been using the same 6.76-ounce container for a long time. I need so little each night, it's remarkable. I am quite taken with the product and will buy another when I squeeze the last drops from the flip-top dispenser. I think I'll feel disappointed that day.

You can find HydroPeptide's Cleansing Gel at Hydropeptide's Web site and other online sources (DermStore, SkinStore, and other sources). Google it for your best price. There you have it - another regular in my skin-care routine

Photo courtesy of DermStore

HydroPeptide Power Lift Anti-Wrinkle Ultra Rich Concentrate

You know how you feel when you have scraped the last of a beloved product from its container? It's a loss - a goodbye. It leads you on an online shopping foray. It happened to me this morning when I applied the last of HydroPeptide's Power Lift Anti-Wrinkle Ultra Rich Concentrate ($80). I felt like I had lost a friend.

HydroPeptide sent me the jar a couple of months ago, and I have used it ever since. It offers everything I like in skin care: state-of-the-art ingredients (including peptides), a great feel on the skin, uber-hydration, and no funky fragrance.

Receive a potent, yet comforting, rich, hydrating treatment. Unlike other “rich” or “nighttime” treatments, Power Lift perfectly quenches even the driest complexions without clogging pores or leaving an oily shine. This powerful skin rejuvenator revives and restores your skin by uniting four peptides with 21 hydrating elements and purifying botanical ingredients, echinacea and buddleja. 

I've used it as a night cream and a day cream. During the day, it doesn't interfere with my makeup at all. It's made for drier skins, but gals with combination skin can use it at night only if they choose.

What can one expect from using Power Lift Anti-Wrinkle Untra Rich Concentrate? Here's what HydroPeptide has to say.

• Your skin appears regenerated, firmer, and more toned
• The concentrated cream will provides three layers of hydration: replenishing surface moisture for smooth skin, deep hydration for plumping, and barrier protection that allows skin to retain hydration throughout the night and next day 
• It has the ingredients to counteract damage suffered during the day and prepare skin to fight the next day’s oxidative stresses 
• It will lighten and brighten the skin

I believe I've experienced all of these benefits with one exception. I don't see that my skin - or my sun spots - have been lightened. I don't expect that after having a heart to heart with my dermatologist over prescription and non-prescription creams.

Basically, my dry skin looks hydrated, which means my fine lines are less noticeable. Because of the ingredients, I know that using it is delaying the effects of aging. Those four peptides plus other hydrating ingredients are helping build collagen and repair any loss of elasticity. There's a reason I don't look my age: great skin care!

All HydroPeptide products are designed with anti-aging skin care in mind, formulated for all skin types, are cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free and contain ECOCERT organic ingredients. What more can I tell you? You can find HydroPeptide at their Web site. 

Photo courtesy of HydroPeptide

HydroPeptide Eye Anti-Wrinkle Dark Circle Concentrate

Months ago, HydroPeptide sent me HydroPeptide Eye Anti-Wrinkle Dark Circle Concentrate ($60) to test. It took awhile for me to start using it because I only test one eye treatment at a time. How else would I know what's doing what? I've been using HydroPeptide for about six weeks (maybe seven), and I think it's a great eye treatment. I have to agree with the marketing information below.

The lightweight, yet super-hydrating eye cream is marketed as an under-eye cream, but I have been using it over and under, with no seepage into my eyes and no ill effects. I'm incorrigible.

Combat all the eye area concerns from fine lines and wrinkles to dark circles and puffiness. HydroPeptide Eye does it all and does it effectively. Seven peptides go to work visibly lifting wrinkles, reducing puffiness and dark circles. Immediately, pearls add a pretty luminescent glow, and hyaluronic acid perfectly hydrates. Perfectly primes eyelids for eye makeup for smooth, crease-free application.

I don't suffer with dark circles, but HydroPeptide Eye has captured me anyhow. They say you don't have to have dark circles to appreciate what a tiny dab will do for you.

• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves firmness and restore elasticity
• Enhances texture and tone
• Hydrates without any feeling of heaviness
• Adds radiance to the eye area

How does it do that? With its all-star line-up of ingredients. Look at the ingredient list, and you will see several peptides, botanicals, and (gasp) even retinol palmitate. I am terribly sensitive/allergic to retinol, yet this eye cream never caused burning, peeling, or discomfort. There's Vitamin K (known to help prevent capillary leakage under the eyes) and licorice, great ingredients for combating dark circles; sodium hyaluronate, nature's sponge - a fabulous moisturizer; and arbutin, a bearberry-derived natural skin brightener. I won't give you the science on all of the ingredients. I know there's a point at which your eyes may glaze over.

At HydroPeptide, the focus is on peptides. They are leaders in peptide technology and currently incorporate 21 of the latest generation peptides in their HydroPeptide Collection. This number is always growing as they test new peptides. They claim to have created the most advanced and comprehensive peptide collection available to lead the way in innovation and peptide technology.

This eye cream contains dipeptide-2. That's a peptide with a structure resembling that of the lipid content of the epidermis. It's considered to be a Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). As an NMF, it helps keep the intercellular structure of the epidermis intact, facilitates the skin’s healing process, prevents dermal irritation, and may even regenerate the skin. That's only one of the beneficial peptides in HydroPeptide's products.

HydroPeptide products are also paraben-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free. That leaves me extra-friendly toward the company.

Here are photos of a test subject after two weeks of using HydroPeptide's Sensitive Skin + Redness Relief Collection, including HydroPeptide Eye. Two weeks! All I can say is, "Wow!" You know what I really like about this photo? Have you ever noticed how staged before and after photos are? In the before photo, the subject is always frowning. Before photos look a bit like mugshots. In the after photo, the subjects are smiling - all happy, presumably, with the results. There's nothing like a smile, but it does nothing to illustrate most skin care results.

What specific results have I seen? First, it takes only a teeny tiny bit to apply under the eyes and over the eyelid crease. I'm sure that's why the half-ounce container has lasted me for a long time. When you pump the product onto your hand or finger to apply it, you will notice a pearly look. That pearly appearance transfers to the skin around my eyes, brightening for a radiant look. Could it be that pearl powder and mica in the ingredients? I think so because they really add a luminescence that's impressive.

It feels cool on the skin and absorbs quickly, leaving the perfect base for my makeup. I nave noticed no fragrance - one of my pet peeves with skin care.

My expression lines have been minimized, and the crepiness on the inside over the crease has been way less noticeable. The area around my eyes looks fresh and healthy after six weeks of continuous use (morning and night before bed). Perhaps it's turning back the hands of time? I think so. I'm a believer. I got so excited about it, I started applying it to the nasolabial folds around my mouth.

One more thing - for now. HydroPeptide is a company with a social conscious and a heart. See this page for a list of their philanthropic donations and their care for the environment and wellness. Just one example? HydroPeptide believes strongly in supporting those in need when help is needed most. HydroPeptide pays 11% of their profits to help support various charities that aid humanitarian projects worldwide. My kind of company!

What more can I tell you? You can find HydroPeptide at their Web site. I've seen the eye cream at Amazon for $51.44 and drugstore.com at list price. I will definitely purchase it when my gratis container pumps its last pump.

Photos courtesy of HydroPeptide