Retinol-X Starter Kit

Fond of trying out new skincare products? They say that we shouldn't fix what ain't broken. However, girls like me aren't that fortunate given the type of skin that I have. Mine is a combination of oily, sensitive, and prone to acne and blemishes. Once I found the right product, I try to stay loyal to that brand but what always happens is either it becomes too expensive to maintain or it is discontinued. So the search is never ending. My latest find is the Retinol X Starter Kit which I bought from Beauty Bar.

I bought this at Beauty Bar for Php 1,950.00. I saved Php 542.50 compared to buying in individual full-sized container.

The starter kit includes a 7.5g of Retinol-X Anti-Aging Eyelift, 60ml Anti-Aging Cleanser, and 20mL Anti-Aging Moisturizer.

DESCRIPTION:

Step 1. Cleanse. Anti-Aging Cleanser. Encapsulated with micro beads, this luxurious cleanser lathers and foams and is gentle enough to use daily. The micro beads delicately dissolve to provide the long-term benefits of Retinol with the deep hydration of Vitamin E. Used daily, it prepares and optimizes your skin for your retinol-X Anti-Aging Regimen.

Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Triethanolamine, Tcopherol Acetate, Mannitol, Cellulose, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium PCA, Chamomile Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mica, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Triethyl Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ultramarines (CI770077).

Step 2. Repair. Anti-Aging Eye-Lift. Formulated with Retinol and Peptides, this potent serum targets the delicate eye-area tissue to tighten, smooth, and restore. The De-Puff Massaging Applicator with specially contoured smooth-as-silk tip won't drag or pull as it massages away puffiness. Gently apply around crow's feet, fine lines, wrinkles, and under the eye area working from the inner to the outer corners. 

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaprate, Glycerin, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, C10-C18 Triglycerides, Sodium Hyaluronate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Echinacea Purpurea extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diacetyl Boldine, Malachite, Lycium Barbarum Fruit extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethicone, Synthetic Sapphire, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco Glucoside, Steareth-2, Octyldodecyl Behenate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose.   

Step 3. Hydrate. Anti-Aging Moisturizer. It combines the time-tested results of Retinol with algae and mineral extracts, collagen boosters and muscle inhibitors to give your skin the ultimate anti-aging treatment. After cleansing, apply to face and neck. Allow to completely absorb before applying makeup. For best results, apply twice daily.

Ingredients: Water, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Oat Kernal Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Cetyl Ester, Nylon 12, Silica, Ethoxydiglycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-C30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate.

Pros:

• The Anti-Aging Eye-Lift lives up to its promise. I've been using this since March this year and it's very effective that's why I was convinced to try the other products in the line. I noticed a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness.

• The Anti-Aging Moisturizer is non-greasy and is easily absorbed. The scent reminds me of VMV Hypoallergenics Primary Brilliance Cream but this one is non-sticky. It also leaves a semi-matte finish.

• The Anti-Aging Cleanser has a subtle scent and the microbeads melt on the skin. It also foams and lathers and doesn't leave my skin dry and taut.

• The starter kit is travel-friendly and more economical than buying all three products in full sizes. You can save as much as Php 500 pesos.

Cons:

• The starter kit is only available in Beauty Bar stores nationwide.
• It is more expensive than other retinol-based products.
• The Anti-Aging moisturizer broke me out after 4 nights of using it. Probably because of the wheat protein in the ingredients.
• Retinol is not on the top of the ingredient list. By this, I assume that the amount of Retinol isn't sufficient to produce much results.

My Verdict:

I will rate each product individually as they work differently on my skin. I give the Anti-Aging Eye-Lift Cream a 5/5 because it is the best eye cream that I have tried. It made a dramatic difference on my eyes after using it nightly for months. It is also less expensive than my previous eye cream from Burt's Bees which also works but I cannot maintain beacause of the hefty price tag. For the Anti-Aging Moisturizer, I give it a 3/5. I love how it makes my face smooth and soft to the touch but I hate that it broke me out in only four nights. Finally, I give the Anti-Aging Cleanser a 3/5. It doesn't make my face dry but it isn't as effective and inexpensive as my current cleanser from Derma E. I can recommend this to people with aging and dry skin but not so much to people with acne-prone skin. I will repurchase the eye cream over and over again but not the cleanser and moisturizer.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. I bought these products with my own money and tried each one firsthand before sharing my thoughts and experience. Everybodys skin is different. This may work for some and not for others. Just take it with a grain of salt. To each his own.