Strivectin Illuminating Serum

I chose Strivectin's Illuminating Serum in my 'build a box' from Latest in Beauty primarily from the claims that it would "diminish dull skin, even skin tone and enhance overall clarity," of the skin. My skin isn't particularly dull but I do have different skin tones across my face, from perfectly decent to the Rudolph the red nosed reindeer affect and a few other shades in-between. So anything that could even out those tones would get a thumbs up from me.

The Claims

"Patented NIA-114 technology minimizes the effect of environmental aggressors while encapsulated skin brightening ingredients target the key causes of discoloration. Over time, dark spots, age spots and discoloration are less visible for a more even complexion. Skin texture is smoother and more refined with a radiant, youthful glow."

The Ingredients

Aqua (Water, Eau), Bellis Perennis Extract, Isopropyl Myristate, Myristyl Nicotinate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hexylresorcinol, Mica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Dimethicone, Yeast Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Pullulan, Algae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soy Amino Acids, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

The Immediate Concerns

Well it came as a big surprise to me to see Isopropyl Myristate so high up the ingredients list, as repeated use of products with this ingredient cause skin irritation, it is is considered a comedogenic and is aggravating to acne, not what I expected from something designed to smooth skin texture and give you a refined, radiant, youthful glow to be honest.

It also contains Phenoxyethanol although low down on the ingredients list thank goodness, considering it can cause shut down of the central nervous system, vomiting and contact dermatitis.

And the NIA-114 technology (or Myristyl Nicotinate) is a new form of slow release vitamin B3 that delivers the benefits of Niacin without the side effects of skin flushing which it is well known for. It "restores normal epidermal differentiation and skin barrier integrity in chronically sun-damaged skin." (source)

How Did It Fair?

Obviously this is just a tester size at 7ml so it is really difficult to tell if it has evened out my skin tone, mostly because I firmly believe you need to use a product for 28 days or longer to see a result due to natural skin cell turnover and there just isn't another in a 7ml tester to do that, however it did apply well and my skin did feel smoother the morning after applying it.

However, that could have been the effects of the filler ingredients (blue) that are designed to make skin temporarily feel smoother which make up a large chunk of this serum. (Go on, call me cynical here)

My Conclusion

At $89 or £63 for 1oz from their website, I'd want more active ingredients included within it to be honest. I probably won't be paying for a full sized one.

Next time on the blog

Holika Holika Silky Foot Sheet Mask