Not all hyaluronic acid is built the same and Kiehls has sought to recognize this with their new serum, the Vital Skin-Strengthening Super Super Serum.
Every product that exists has a unique selling point that is not only useful in a brand’s marketing strategy but is essential in helping you figure out what you really need. It’s not easy to establish a beneficial skincare routine whilst being fiscally responsible and that is why I always recommend looking at the USP‘s and ingredient’s list of any product’s your considering purchasing. In the hot seat today is the latest concoction by the Kiehls formulator’s, the Vital Skin-Strengthening Super Super Serum.
Ingredient list
Aqua/Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water/Witch Hazel Water, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Disodium EDTA, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil/Orange Peel Oil, Limonene, Adenosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Citric Acid, Eugenol, Sodium Benzoate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citral, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil/Rosemary Leaf Oil Fmla 685832 32 F.I.L. Code D241983/2
For some of you this means absolutely nothing and that’s why the next paragraph will breakdown the ingredient’s in this list that are the most potent and some of the things you should consider before purchase.
Dimethicone – Type of silicone, can act as a primer and changes the texture of a product.
Glycerin – Humectant, meaning that it attracts moisture to the upper layer of the skin.
Alcohol Denat – Simple alcohol used as an antiseptic.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water/Witch Hazel Water – Skin conditioning agent that has astringent properties.
Propanediol – Prevents water loss and therefore can also be used as a humectant.
So, from the top line of ingredients you can already see this serum has a lot of ingredients that will keep the skin clean whilst also improving the texture. But what about it’s USP’s? Well it has two.
Unique Selling Points
- 11kDa (KILODALTON) HYALURONIC ACID
“Super Serum” formula is enriched with our smallest molecular size (11kDa) of Hyaluronic Acid. The formula is able to deliver its hydrating and plumping benefits to the skin thanks to its ability to penetrate up to 8 surface layers.*
Firstly, don’t be alarmed if you don’t see the words Hyaluronic Acid in the ingredient’s list. This form of HA is usually called Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate or a combination of those words. Secondly, the 11kDa is just a measure of size and denotes that this particular HA is small. The name also tells us that the hydroxyl group of HA is partially replaced with acetyl group; it owns both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties. This helps to promote high affinity and adsorption properties for skin. Meaning it has a greater capacity to retain moisture in the epidermis and good skin affinity than other HA’s.
2. HERBAL ADAPTOGENS
With a blend of Red Ginseng Root, Holy Basil and Schisandra Berry – inspired by traditional Chinese, Korean and Ayurveda. Our moisturising formula is enriched with herbal Adaptogens
If you are also looking for something that harness nature’s power too then, once again, Kiehls does not disappoint. In this formula we have;
Holy Basil
Holy Basil, rich in Ursolic acid & Rosmarinic acid, in the formula, helps protect against skin-damaging free radicals and revitalizes the look of skin helping to lessen the visible effects of skin stressors.
Red Ginseng Root
Within the formula, Red Ginseng Root, rich in Ginsenosides, helps promote essential renewal of skin cells surface.
Schisandra Berry
Schisandra Berry, rich in Schisandrins, helps reinforce skin resiliency and elasticity in this rich formula.
Some stats
The new Super Serum has been shown to:
Enhance skin’s radiance by 29%
Improve resilience by 38%
Decrease the appearance of fine lines by 27%
In a consumer study:
90% of users thought skin felt immediately smoother
89% of users agreed skin felt softer after one week
After four weeks, 85% of users reported that skin felt firmer
As always if you’d like me to review this one drop me an email or comment. Or if you’d like to try it out yourself click right here but I want to know if you’ve tried any Kiehls products before and if so what did you think?