Hi All!
Now: if you are my age (or a little bit younger, OBVS), you will remember when StriVectin launched with much noise and fanfare into the industry back in 2002. It started as a Stretch Mark Cream and the story was that women started using it on their faces and Voila!, it was helping the skin on their face. Well: fast-forward to 2020 and the new, revamped, updated and modernised StriVectin have just launched their own customer-facing website in the UK, meaning they can ship all of their newness directly to you. Easy-peasy. StriVectin's main ingredient claim is based around their patented ingredient NIA-114 and 35 years of research. It was originally found by researching niacin’s* role in the process of DNA repair with the purpose of better understanding skin cancer. Specifically, when scientists looked into which cells were able to avoid developing skin cancer naturally, they discovered that niacin played a role. (To be clear, they are making no medical claims in that arena.) That then led to their own patented NIA-114 trials and studies that seemed to showed that unlike oral and topical nicotinic acid, NIA-114 was able to be received by the epidermis without causing vasodilation (red flushing of skin). Its main benefit is improving the barrier function of the skin, which in turn visibly improves fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
It's worth noting the following points about StriVectin and how they get to the claims they make:
- Everything is used at the clinically-proven-active level. There is no angel dusting* going on here. All of the individual ingredients are used at the level that their original claims were based on.
- The peptide blends target fibroblasts, with the goal of boosting one's own collagen. Something to remember when you see claims on the packaging of some brands that you can 'add' collagen to the skin. Scientifically impossible.
- Once the formula is complete, StriVectin then test their work via the clinicals listed under the individual products both here and on their website.
- Formulas are vegan with the exception of two: Tri-Phase Daily Glow Toner and the Volumizing Hand Cream contain honey.
- StriVectin are cruelty free.
- StriVectin choose active ingredients based on the benefits they deliver to skin, not on how they smell. As such, the raw formulas often benefit from aromatic improvements. Carefully constructed fragrances at low levels enhance the application experience without compromising results. They responsibly source their scents from notable fragrance houses and perform rigorous safety testing on all formulas to ensure they are non-irritating. As an aside, they smell of nothing to me. They've made the products scent-less, as opposed to very fragrant. I thought they were fragrance free. Word.
NEW SD Advanced PLUS Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate Their best-selling wrinkle-fighting moisturiser, now upgraded for 2020, StriVectin have taken the NIA-114 and boosted their Collagex-CE Complex with Copper Tripeptide and Marine Ferment to further support the effects on the skin.
WHAT IT DOES:
- Targets 10 types of skin-boosting collagen via 6 peptide blends
- Visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles in just two weeks*
- Fades the appearance of stretch marks in just four weeks**
- Delivers 72 hours of continuous moisture*** *Based on instrumental testing **Based on dermal evaluation. ***Based on instrumental testing
- Apply daily or twice daily to the face or body, avoiding the eye area. (It comes in two sizes, 118ml and 60ml, the choice is yours, but the bigger option obviously is designed with body use in mind.)
Key Ingredients:
Collagex-CE Complex with Copper Tripeptide and Marine Ferments, Hyaluronic Acid, White Water Lily Extract, Green Bean Seed Extract, Tucuma, Cupuacu and Murumuru butters. (I have listed the full ingredients list of each product featured at the bottom of this post for your reference. They are long and would fill the post.)
CH Thoughts:
Ok so for me, this is the winner. I've enjoyed using all of the products, but I love the effects of this on the skin. I wanted to test it on lines, particularly on my forehead, and have been pleased with the results. I had baby (superficial) botox back at the beginning of March, and to be honest, as its worn off, I've decided not to have it again. This is sufficient. I'm NOT by any means suggesting that a cream can replace the needle, we all know it can't. I'm just saying it 'may' help elongate the time between your appointments, and that if you have lines that you aren’t happy with, but don’t want to go down the needle road with, maybe try this... A little goes a very long way, it absorbs beautifully and is not sticky after application. I've really enjoyed using this cream. SD Advanced™ PLUS Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate - https://bit.ly/StriSDAdvancedPlus 
NEW Hyperlift Eye Instant Eye Fix Instant tightening treatment that visibly (albeit temporarily) erases eye bags, puffiness, lines and crepey texture.
WHAT IT DOES:
- Gives instant gratification to the eye area
- Instantly improves the look of eye bags and puffiness
- Visibly smooths fine lines and wrinkles
- Tightens and firms under-eye area
- Apply to clean moisturised under eye area
- Remain expressionless while formula dries
- Allow 4-5 minutes for formula to dry
- Use sparingly to avoid leaving a white residue
- If using concealer, the formula should be applied on top as the last step
Key Ingredients: Minerals from Smectite Clays, Clear Quartz Crystal, and French Pink Clay CH Thoughts: OK full transparency, I tested this to give you feedback, it's not a product that I would use all the time as I don't particularly suffer from bags or wrinkles under the eye area. Once you've managed application, this is an easy, quick fix if your under eyes are something that bother you. Remember that fixes aren't permanent, and if you want to wear makeup, apply this on top of it. Hyperlift Eye™ Instant Eye Fix - https://bit.ly/HyperliftEye 
NEW Peptight Tightening & Brightening Face Serum Visibly tightens and firms skin while brightening and evening skin tone.
WHAT IT DOES:
- Tightening Meets Brightening
- Improves the look of sagging skin for a more sculpted-looking contour
- Evens skin tone and reduces the look of discolouration for brighter, more radiant skin
- Improves firmness & elasticity
- Apply to clean face before moisturiser in the morning and evening.
- Using a circular motion, gently massage in until completely absorbed.
Key Ingredients: Hexapeptides, Australian Kakadu Plum Extract, and NIA-114
CH Thoughts: My second favourite product, this is great serum if your concern is signs of ageing that include dullness or loss of elasticity in the skin. *waves* The Peptight Serum contains tetrapeptide and hexapeptide, supported by NIA-114 and Vitamin C from Kakadu Plum extract to help with pigmentation and to brighten the skin. So easy to use, works really well under the Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate. Peptight™ Tightening & Brightening Face Serum - https://bit.ly/PeptideTBSerum 
Hyaluronic Tripeptide Gel-Cream for Eyes Double up for hydrated, younger-looking eyes.
WHAT IT DOES:
- Intensely hydrates & moisturises the delicate eye area
- Can help to reduce the look of fine lines, dark circles and puffiness
- Neutralises the visible effects of blue light exposure
- Ophthalmologist tested
- Start with clean, dry skin.
- Swipe finger across swirled eye cream.
- Evenly distribute in small dots under the eye area and around orbital bone.
- Gently tap into skin until completely absorbed.
- Use AM and PM.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide, Blue Daisy Extract, BioMarine Extract, and NIA-114 CH Thoughts: This is right up my street. The gel/cream formula is light, but really hydrating and gently softens lines without feeling heavy or sticky. It's cooling when applied, and the soothing feeling stays around, even when other products (and makeup) go on top. Lush. Hyaluronic Tripeptide Gel-Cream for Eyes - https://bit.ly/StriGelCreamForEyes 
StriVectin are offering everyone 20% off until 31st July - simply enter CH20 when prompted on StriVectin Home Page The site offers free shipping and returns. 
This is a paid partnership with StriVectin and frankly I was thrilled to be asked.
Further info for you: *Niacin aka vitamin B3: is a key vitamin required for a healthy skin. It has been shown to have a positive effect on hydration levels, increase production of fibroblasts (which help reduce the wrinkles and fine lines via collagen support) and is helpful for skin tone (as in colour, not as in elasticity). *NIA-114 Technology is StriVectin's patented, optimised form of Niacin / Vitamin B3 (INCI name: Myristyl Nicotinate) found in ALL StriVectin products. It is backed by 35+ years of biomedical research, 90+ global patents, 30+ independent studies and 150 published papers and is clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier and supercharge the performance of other ingredients. Unlike other Niacin derivatives, NIA-114 is fat soluble, enabling optimal delivery to skin. *Collegex-CE Complex is a trademark that refers to their proprietary blend of peptides and extracts that helps to support the SD Advanced Plus Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate. The upgraded formula now targets 10 types of skin collagen and is clinically-proven to reduce the look of wrinkles in 2 weeks* and visibly fade stretch marks in just 4 weeks.** *Based on instrumental testing **Based on dermal evaluation *Angel dusting is the common practice of brands adding an ingredient that is clinically proven to their formula, but at a minute dosage so that they can make the claim on packaging, but the reality is that it won't work in the way described. Full inci lists of all products featured (because I know you will ask!):
The NEW SD Advanced™ PLUS Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate: Aqua (Water, Eau), Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propanediol, Myristyl Nicotinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-40 Stearate, Astrocaryum Vulgare Kernel Oil, Polysilicone-11, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ceteareth-20, Bisabolol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 sh-Oligopeptide-1, Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil/Behenic Acid/Aminopropanediol Amides/Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Adenosine, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dipotassium Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sodium Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Resveratrol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Lactic Acid, Mica, Rutin, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides)
Hyperlift Eye™ Instant Eye Fix Aqua (Water, Eau), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Silicate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Quartz, Myristyl Nicotinate, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Quercus Alba Bark Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Lactobacillus Ferment, Illite, Montmorillonite, Cellulose Gum, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides) Hyaluronic Tripeptide Gel-Cream for Eyes
