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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, "Jan Marini - Starter Skin Care Management System - Normal to Combination Skin" works well for moisturizing the skin. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (urea, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate and sodium pca) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (glycine soja oil, pantethine, dimethicone, squalane and butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

  • This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.40% - 0.90%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
  • This moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.30% - 0.75%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
  • We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (sh-polypeptide-9 0.35% - 0.75% and myristoyl pentapeptide-8 0.35% - 0.75%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
  • There is also Azelaic Acid (1.90% - 2.90%). In this formulation. It is a helpful active to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce hyperpigmentation and help with blemishes. Please note that Azelaic Acid is most effective against acne in concentrations between 10% and 20%.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Price

The product retails for 205.00$ in the United States and for 224.00CA$ in Canada.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.