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Even though the occasional article might claim that glow is last season and we will venture back into matte skin territory eventually, the plethora of skincare aiming to enhance glow proves otherwise.
As someone with oily skin the hunt for glow has always been a mystery to me, even more so these days when the difference between oily AF and metallic highlighter is often undetectable, at least to my eye.
I look for mattifying powders and oil control foundations and I would love to see the same in skincare, but am willing to accept that I am the last person stuck in a velvet-matte past.
So here I am, reviewing an illuminating moisturizer for you: The Instytutum C-Illuminating 3D Moisturizer *.
What Instytutum claims
For an amazing immediate illuminating glow and a supple, plump, healthy and intensely hydrated radiant skin. This super-charged anti-aging formula is a real multi-tasker and has too many benefits to count. The innovative texture will blur, enhance and reflect your complexion.
Facts
Prize and size
One pot contains 50 ml and retails for 55 $ here or 55 € here.
Texture and smell
The thing you´ll probably notice first when opening the jar is the color: The Instytutum C-Illuminating 3D Moisturizer * is peachy with a subtle sheen that transfers beautifully on the skin.
Application and effects
Despite the fact that this cream focuses on emollients rather than occlusives, it still feels a little too rich for me to use during daytime. Directly after application my skin has a blurred effect, looks plump and dewy and feels very hydrated. It helped with evening out my skin tone, but left my skin easily congested with continuous use.
Ingredients
Favorable ingredients
- Butylene Glycol: Humectant
- Dimethicone: Emollient. antiinflammatory
- Decyl Oleate: Emollient, might be comedogenic
- Glycerin: Humectant, draws moisture to the skin
- Lactococcus Ferment Lysate: Antioxidant, according to the manufacturer it positively influences both the speed and quality of epidermal growth that results in better barrier function and overall skin quality (no independent studies so far)
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Emollient, emulsifier
- 3-O-Cetyl Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C derivate, brightening
- Sweet Almond (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) Oil: Rich in Vitamin E, emollient
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil: Improves elasticity, emollient, regulates sebum production
- Sorbitol: Humectant
- Shea Butter: Emollient
- Tocopheryl Acetate: More stable form of Vitamin E, antioxidant
- Panthenol: Vit. B 5, humectant, penetrates into deep layers of skin, moisturizing, antiinflammatory
- Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract: antioxidants
- Punica Granatum Fruit Extract: rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydrating, smaller form of hyaluronic acid with deeper penetration
- Lactic Acid: Humectant at this pH
- Allantoin: Aminoacid, soothing irritated skin
- Biosaccharide Gum-1: Humectant
- Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride: Occlusive
- Pantolactone: Humectant
- Ascorbyl palmitate: Vitamin C ester, more stable
- P-Anisic Acid: Antiseptic
- Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C, Brightening, stimulates collagen production
- Dextran: Humectant
- Tripeptide-1: Peptide, stimulating collagen production
Other ingredients
- Steareth 2: Emulsifier
- Steareth 21: Emulsifier
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative
- Hydrolized Corn Starch: Thickener
- Citric Acid: pH adjuster
- Disodium Phosphate: Buffering agent
- Mica: a mineral that reflects light
- Synthetic Fluorphlogopite: Thickener
- Carbomer: Thickener
- Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate: Surfactant
- Sodium Hydroxide: pH adjuster, can be irritating
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative
- Disodium EDTA: Binding Agent
- Benzyl Alcohol: Preservative
- Alumina: used as physical scrub or thickener
- Titanium/ Titanium Dioxide: mineral SPF, does not cover the whole UVA spectrum
- Iron Oxide (CI 77491): Colorant
Unfavorable Ingredients
- Fragrance (parfum)
- Alcohol (less than 1%)
- Benzyl Salicylacte: fragrance extracted from essential oil, potentially irritant
- Alpha – Isomethyl Ionone: Fragrance, potentially irritant
- Limonene/Citronellol: fragrance from essential oils, potentially irritant
Three different forms of Vitamin C, humectants and antioxidants as well as one peptide thrown in for good measure – the formula sounds perfect to stimulate collagen production, even out the skin tone and hydrate. It focuses on emollients rather than occlusives, making it more light weight. While it is not stated on the package, the addition of mica and titanium dioxide make this cream more suited to day time use.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
It is a glow giving, hydrating cream with added benefits for aging skin.
Would I repurchase?
No.
It is too rich for my combination oily skin, so I will pass it on to my mother who will most likely love it.
Who do I recommend it to?
If your skin is mature or aging, normal to dry and dehydrated, this cream will give you beautiful results.
The blurring and light reflecting effects make it perfect for days with little to no base.
