Flashback Friday: Instanatural Vitamin C Serum

Instanatural Vitamin C Serum
Amazon.com 16.99

The first time I ever heard the term, "serum", was in 2008, when I watched a fascinating PBS fundraising special, that featured the beautiful Hungarian Dermatologist Dr. Denese. She is now also a bestselling host, on QVC, where she sells her extensive skincare collection.

I learned a lot that night and literally, took notes.  Dr. Denese believes in cleansing, toning, exfoliating with glycolic acid and then applying a serum and a fatty moisturizer as a binder, to finish your regime.  Back then, it was not easy to find a serum.  I bought several of her products that night and I don't even recall if she had one to purchase.

Now there are so many, it's hard to know which one to buy...A few thousand dozen later, I have my Holy Grail serum, which I stumbled upon
while trolling Amazon.com.  It very much reminds me of Skinceuticals Ferulic Acid Serum, a fabulous, but very pricey product.  My dupe???

MitoQ Power Antioxidant Rejuvenation Serum

MitoQ Power Antioxidant Rejuvenation Serum
$119 for a 2 mos. supply

I will freely admit to be a serum addict.  When I first started using them 7 years ago, at the behest of Dr. Denese a Hungarian Dermatologist who believes in their power to harness moisture and make everything that goes on top of them more efficacious.

Back in the day, serums were hard to come by, (she of course made one as part of her skincare line).  Now they are a dime a dozen and I have a couple of faves.

When I received information about  Doctor developed, patented MitoQ Power Antioxidant Rejuvenation's Serum, I was intrigued by the description:

MitoQ® protects cells from the increasing oxidative stress associated with age and returns skin cells to optimal function. MitoQ® supports youthful collagen and elastin production - the key building blocks of healthy skin.

The result: MitoQ® Anti-aging Serum is an effective anti-wrinkle product that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin becomes denser, firmer and age spots fade.

MitoQ® Anti-aging Serum has been formulated in a hypoallergenic fragrance free base designed to fit in with your regular beauty regimen.

Simply apply two to three pumps to your face, neck and décolletage morning and night after cleansing for younger looking skin in as few as 6 weeks.

MitoQ® Anti-aging Serum makes a perfect night cream and combines well with sunscreens and moisturizers for all day skin repair and protection.

One bottle of MitoQ® lasts between 8 and 10 weeks and results improve with continued use.

I was immediately seduced by the sleek packaging when it arrived as well as the full size of the product. It is blissfully, scentless and has a light, creamy gel like consistency that melts into my skin.  It is encouraged to be used on it's own as a night cream, but I still find myself layering it under mine. I appreciate that MitoQ smartly also recommends that it be used on the neck, decolletage and back of the hands.

Paging Dr. Denese

Dr. Adrienne Denese M.D. Ph.D

Back in May of 2008, I wrote about how I stumbled upon Dr. Denese, during a  PBS fundraiser, just at the point when I was discouraged that my pricey skin regimen had plateaued. This is what I had to say back then:

Enter Dr. Denese, also a PBS celebutant. A Hungarian blond, of a certain age and a definite glow. I was so intrigued by what she was "teaching", instead of selling, that I actually took notes. Dr. Denese's skin care philosophy is backed up with a whole lotta science and boils down to 5 simple steps: 1) Cleanse 2) Tone 3) Exfoliate with glycolic acid 4) Apply a "serum" with a watery consistency to 5) Bind with an application of a "fatty" night creme. It all resonated well with me, and I still follow this regimen nightly, 2 years later.

Make that 7 years...plus a 6th step- Protect with SPF 30 evert morning. If you wish to see her 6 Step Plan please click on the this link.

At the time, Dr. Denese's products were not readily available. She did not have a website and did not appear on QVC to sell her products.  Today, both are up and running and she is one of QVC's most popular Hosts.

Actively Radiant with Murad's Active Radiance Serum

Murad's Active Radiance Serum
1 fl. oz. $89.00

When I first started blogging back in March of 2008 (!), I recalled my introduction to the world of serums.

I have always been a PBS Girl, and will slog through the fundraising events because I know they need viewer support.

One evening, I became mesmerized, watching the Internationally known Dermatologist, Dr. Denese spouting her shpil.   Dr. Denese is a Hungarian blonde of a certain age. Initially, I wasn't paying any attention to what she was saying because I couldn't take my eyes off her glowing skin...Then I snapped out of my revelry and whipped out a  notepad.

 Dr. Denese's skin care philosophy is backed up with a whole lotta science and boils down to 5 simple steps: 


1) Cleanse 
2) Tone
3) Exfoliate with glycolic acid 
4) Apply a "serum" with a watery consistency to 
5) Bind with an application of a "fatty" night creme.


 It all resonated well with me, and I still follow this regimen every day and every night for the last 6 years.  In addition to my beloved La Peau Skincare (the best day, night and eye cream ever), I have added a miracle booster, a 2 part system from 3 Sisters Restorasis before my serum. This one, two easy system clinically reverses damage.  I have promised and will be providing you with in depth information about this amazing find.  I am proud to be the the Brand Ambassador for both products.


In the beginning, it was nearly impossible to find a "serum with a watery consistency".  They barely  existed as a skin care category.  The market is now proliferated with them,  so hunting for an effective serum, that delivers the glow I pursue like a truffle hound is always something I am open to sample.


I  am quite enamored with Dr. Howard Murad's Skincare products.  One of the easiest, most effective glow getters I have added to my skin care regimen is  a simple application of  Murad's Intensive-C Radiance Peel, for 10 minutes, once a week.  ($49.50 and a little goes a long way).


When I had the opportunity to sample the well reviewed Murad Active Radiance Serum, I pounced.  Here's the promise:

You Glow Girl

I have been hooked on using serums morning and night for over five years.  I first learned of them  from Dr. Denese on a channel 13 fundraiser.  This is what I said about her in a blog I wrote in May of 2008.  Hey!  I'm quoting me!  "Enter Dr. Denese, also a PBS celebutant. A Hungarian blond, of a certain age and a definite glow. I was so intrigued by what she was "teaching", instead of selling, that I actually took notes. Dr. Denese's skin care philosophy is backed up with a whole lotta science and boils down to 5 simple steps: 1) Cleanse 2) Tone 3) Exfoliate with glycolic acid 4) Apply a "serum" with a watery consistency to 5) Bind with an application of a "fatty" night creme. It all resonated well with me, and I follow this regimen nightly"....and still do, though I do take exception with watery.

Avon Calling

The very first glycolic pad I ever used, was Avon's Clinical Advanced Retexturing Peel.   They were simple to use, well priced and left my skin with a perpetual glow.  I was so enamored with this product, that I recommended it to anyone and everyone.  I am sure they thought I was leading a double life as an Avon Lady.  I can't recall where I purchased them from and I used them for quite some time, before falling in love, with a similar product by Dr. Denese.   I eventually left Dr. Denese in the dust after moving on to my latest product crush, Peter Thomas Roth's Un-Wrinkle Pads.   Having recently tested some new products from Anew's Regenerist  and Clinical line, I think it may be time to look at Anew,  well...anew.   The results are stellar.

A Spritz in Time

Every now and then, I receive an email, from a cranky reader, frustrated at about my fickle beauty nature. Days after describing a devout love fest for a particular mascara-lipstick-liner-foundation, cupids arrow strikes again and I am newly smitten.

Ya. I get it.

I am a little more loyal when it comes to skin care, specifically my face. There are a four products I could never live without and in the last few weeks, I just added the 5th...See, just a wee handful. They are:

1) Cetaphil soap for dry skin
2) Dr. Denese Advanced Firming Facial Pads
3) ReVersital 3-in-1 MicrodermaStick
4) SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Treatment

#5 is a new crush, but has already made the permanent roster; Jasmine Aromatherapy Treatment Tonic by SPONGE. This pungent, olive oil based, Vitamin E infused, hand-blended, antioxident mist is the last step in my morning skin care and makeup routine. Three spritz's later, I am dewy, radiant and ready to face the day, all day, without re-touching.

SPONGE, is a 30 year old skin care company, founded by an Athens Obstetrician, Dr. Costas Tympanidis, to help his patients retain their skin elasticity during pregnancy.

His nephew, Markos Drakatos has followed his devotion to pure, chemical free, powerful plant based, earth friendly products, to pamper and protect our skin.

I had received my Jasmine Aromatherapy as a gift, and due to its luxe richness, shuttered to think how much the latest addition to my permanent arsenal was going to set me back. I was delighted, when I went on their website and discovered that Jasmine Mist has two siblings, Sweet Basil and Lavender and that they were reasonably priced at $45. (Sponge is available on their linked website, Barney's, DermStore.com and Warren Tricomi Beauty at the Plaza in NY)

In addition, it is a small line of face and body products, with $100 at the pinnacle. I adore that it is simple and straight forward, instead of dozens of options for distant body parts in all stages of maturity. THANK YOU! Every product is good for every skin type. THANK YOU!

Yes, cupids arrow may strike again...but this time, at least you will know from where.

Pass the olives please.

xox,
DD