And when it comes to eye care, we’re battling dark circles, dehydration and fine lines together with our skin reacting badly to the cold. It’s an area that some of us need a little added extra help, which is why at The Amazing Blog, we were delighted to return to the nature meets science-based Australian skincare Skin Virtue (which we previously reviewed here), but this time it’s with their hydrating and age-defying Future Advanced Eye Serum and the Pure Eye Radiance Cream.
Skin Virtue is an evidence-based skincare, with premium products that have been developed to address a multitude of skin issues. Founded in 2008, skincare expert Nina Gajic with a mission, “To bring beauty to life by crafting skincare regimes that are proven by science and enhanced by nature, for clients who demand results and value.” The inspiration for the brand began with Nina herself, who had been struggling with sensitive and easily irritated skin, and was determined to understand why. In order to help resolve her own skin issues, she began researching formulation science and teaming up with certified dermatologists and Italian biochemists to create targeted skincare. Nina was already running a clinic working with clients who also had skin sensitivity which is when Skin Virtue came to life during this journey. The principal goal was to create effective products that incorporated the most effective botanical aspects of both science and nature. The brand has developed highly-effective formulas using advanced ingredients and technologies using natural multi-functional actives, potent vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and calming marine and botanical extracts. The Skin Virtue range harnesses the power of these ingredients to help slow down skin ageing and restore the skin's health. This is done by strengthening the skin barrier, promoting skin cell longevity, and targeting skin-related concerns through specific treatments. Skin Virtue has three targeted skincare collections: Super Clear Collection (for oilier skin types) to help with skin issues like breakouts, redness, clogged pores, and inflammation, the Pure Anti-Aging Collection (for drier skin types) to hydrate and protect the skin from premature ageing, and the Future Advanced Treatment Collection (for all skin types) which can be used with the other two collections to target skin-ageing issues like discolouration, wrinkles, or volume loss. Skin Virtue dedicates itself to providing skincare that is also suitable for sensitive skin, as all their products are fragrance-free, noncomedogenic, anti-irritating, anti-allergen, paraben-free, and made without mineral oil. For skincare suggestions or to check out the founder’s own skincare routine, see here. They also have a questionnaire on their website to personalise your skincare experience here to help you determine the best products to add to your personalised skincare routine.
As the skin around the eyes is thinner and more active than the rest of the face, particularly with all our squinting, frowning and laughing, these ingredients help slow down the signs of ageing. Also, as the eye area doesn’t create hydration or replace moisture, it’s more prone to dryness, or worse – wrinkles. Therefore including an eye serum and/or eye cream in a daily skincare routine is, in our view, essential!
The Future Advanced Eye Serum is featured in the Future Advanced Treatment Collection, aims to correct signs of skin-ageing and revive skin complexion. This anti-ageing serum is ultra-light and developed to lift, firm, and plump the eye area so that your skin doesn't sag or suffer from hollowness and deep-set wrinkles. The serum’s super-concentrated formula and targets age-related volume loss through molecular lifting technologies. It has 11 active ingredients that work together to improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines.
Let’s start with the two patented ingredients, malus domestica cell culture extract, and adipofill’in™ (in ionosomes). Malus domestic is a liposomal preparation sourced from apple stem cells - specifically from a rare Swiss variety. These stem cells have a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect and help to protect skin against sun damage and fine lines. As for the adipofill’in™ (in ionosomes), its main purpose is to increase fatty tissue for facial rejuvenation, it has a ‘lipofilling-like" action and is designed to lift and plump.
There is acetyl hexapeptide-8 argireline, a peptide that restores the skin's natural water barrier by binding water to the skin which in turn helps improve elasticity. Next, there is hydrolysed pearl, which is easily absorbed by the skin offering plentiful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and energising benefits. It’s also known to boost collagen production to strengthen the skin and help prevent the onset of dark patches. There is also glycine soja protein from the soya bean. It has several fatty acids such as, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic, that have anti-ageing and soothing properties, which leaves the skin feeling rejuvenated. Another key ingredient is one that we all know well is sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate has a lower molecular weight than its cousin hyaluronic acid. It is synthesised small enough to penetrate deep into the skin, leaving a smoother, fuller, nourished, and more moisturised eye area. Finally, caffeine is present to reduce any puffiness and allay any hyperpigmentation or dark circles.
We were excited to try this serum for its volumising properties, which for us, worked perfectly in tandem with the Pure Eye Radiance Cream. As we have sensitive eyes that water, the fact that this is fragrance-free is a huge asset. We found that we needed only a tiny amount of this light serum, which we applied to the contour of the eye area, gently tapping it in with fingertips. It absorbed fast leaving skin feeling cool and hydrated. As Nina says about this Future Advanced Eye Serum, “it provides that lipofilling-like effect to sunken eyes, helping to plump up hollowing under the eye area and maintain firmness.” We found it effective to use independently, and together with the Pure Eye Radiance Cream (below).
Next, we tried the Pure Eye Radiance Cream, which is designed primarily to combat the look of puffy and aged skin. This eye cream is a part of the Pure Anti-Ageing Collection, which offers a range of products that use anti-ageing and pH strengthening active ingredients to help improve dry skin and prevent premature skin ageing. This age-defying rich cream leverages the power of biotechnological ingredients to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, reduce dark circles, target eye puffiness, and build skin health. Again this cream echoes some of the above serum’s ingredients with acetyl hexapeptide-8 argireline peptide and malus domestica stem cell liposomal formulas - both of these improve elasticity and support skin stem cell longevity around the eye. This eye cream certainly helps to revive the eye area with its 13 active ingredients, and wrinkle-smoothing peptides.
A few of the key ingredients worth mentioning are ginkgo extract, olea europaea (olive oil) unsaponifiables, vitamin A and E. These botanical extracts have soothing, toning, and antioxidant properties. The olea europaea oil unsaponifiables are a composition similar to sebum, with squalene and phytosterols that act as an intensive emollient. The hydrolysed elastin, marine collagen, has humectant properties for moisture retention, supporting cell growth and improving skin elasticity. Rich in vitamin A and E, both potent antioxidant that effectively fights free radicals - a major cause of wrinkles and dark spots.
The Pure Eye Radiance Cream is super hydrating, rich in texture, but not thick or heavy, and again only a small amount is needed. It feels ‘protective’, particularly when used in cold winter weather. As mentioned, this can be used independently, and together with the Future Advanced Eye Serum, if intense hydration is required. We noticed with regular use, the skin around our eye area looked smoother and felt more hydrated, but to see longer-lasting and more defined results, we think it is probably best to use them both morning and night for an extended period of time. They are both this week’s #amazingfinds and we love that they are great value for money, priced at around only £40 each. The 15ml Future Advanced Eye Serum can be purchased here or £40 and the 15ml Pure Eye Radiance Cream can be purchased for £39 here.