Skin Maintenance: Are You Doing It?

Do you ever feel like something’s missing in your skincare routine? I know, I know, you’re already using 100 products. The thought of adding just one more makes you want to scream. But, if you’re anything like me, all those products are anti-aging. Or anti-hyperpigmentation. Or anti-whatever-horror-your-skin’s-dealing-with. There’s nothing in there to keep your skin healthy, is there? You don’t even think of using something to keep your skin soft, supple and strong enough to withstand germs, cold weather and all the enemies that attack it every day.

It’s only when your skin gets all dry and irritated that you run to the nearest store to buy something – anything – that can nurse it back to health. Until next time. But, what if you could save yourself all that heartache and keep your skin naturally healthy and strong all the time? Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster promises to do the trick. Here’s how:

About The Brand: Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden was one of the first female entrepreneurs in 20th century America – and this at a time when women didn’t even have the right to vote. In 1910, she opened the first Red Door salon on Fifth Avenue. 6 years later, she launched a full line of skincare and makeup and the first travel size products. 1930 saw the launch of the band’s most iconic product, the Eight Hour Cream, a multitasker still loved by makeup artists the world over. Since then, Elizabeth Arden became the first woman to appear on the cover of TIME MAGAZINE. She was also appointed a royal warrant by HM Queen Elizabeth II. Today, the brand focuses on hydrating skincare products that combat dryness and aging and colour cosmetics that make you look timelessly polished with a bold edge.

Key Ingredients In Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster: What Makes It Work?

CERAMIDES TO STRENGTHEN THE SKIN’S BARRIER

These are old friends of Liz. You can find them in pretty much all her products. That’s awesome – ceramides are unsung skincare heroes . Ceramides are oily waxes (cera means wax in Latin) that, together with fatty acids and cholesterol, make up the glue that holds skin cells together. Put simply, they create a barrier that waterproofs your skin.

This waterproof barrier does two things for you:

1. It keeps moisture into your skin, so your skin is well-hydrated all day long. And well-hydrated skin is soft, supple and dewy.
2. It keeps germs, bacteria, pollutants and other random crap out of your skin. That way, they won’t cause irritations or worse.

When your skin’s fine, ceramides make sure it stays that way. And when it’s dry and irritated, they patche up the holes in its protective barrier that make water evaporate and let germs in, so your skin can go back to normal faster.

Related: Are ceramides the key to healthy skin?

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PROBIOTIC COMPLEX TO SOOTHE SKIN

Did you know that billions of bacteria are lurking on your skin at this very moment? Gross, I know. But, most of those bacteria are good. They’ve made your skin their home and are keeping it nice and clean. If you kill too many of them, you may do more harm than good. To keep the balance right, a lot of brands have started putting bacteria in their skincare lotions and potions. Elizabeth Arden put: Lactobacillus and Kefiran.

Lactibacullus is a skin-friendly bacteria found in yogurt. It can repair your skin’s barrier, soothe irritations and treat acne. But, only when it’s used at around 5% concentrations. There ain’t enough here. *sighs* Kefiran has anti-microbial properties and can help skin heal faster. But, the only study I’ve found that supports these claims used it at a 70% concentration! I don’t think Elizabeth Arden used that much!

Related: The Truth About Probiotics In Skincare: Do They Work?

GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN

Ok, all that probiotic businesses wasn’t too promising. Glycerin is another story entirely. Glycerin is only one of the many humectants used here. In case you’re wondering what the heck humectant means, it’s a fancy word scientists use to talk about anything that can draw water from the environment into the skin and bind it there. And if there’s one thing Korean skincare has taught us Westerners is that the more hydrated your skin is, the better it looks. Glycerin makes skin soft, supple, and hydrated all day long.

The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients

• Water/Aqua/Eau: The base of the product, it dissolves other ingredients.
• Pentylene Glycol: A humectant that attracts water from the air into the skin to maximise hydration.
• Butylene Glycol: Another humectant that attracts water from the environment into your skin to increase its level of hydration and keep it softer and smoother.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Derived from coconut oil and glycerine, it makes skin softer and smoother.
• Cyclopentasiloxane: A silicone that improves the feel and texture of the serum. It’s volatile, so it doesn’t stay on your skin for long.
• Dimethicone: A silicone with a big molecular structure with wide gaps in between. Translation: it doesn’t suffocate skin. It fills in line fine lines and wrinkles, so that they look smaller. And makes the texture velvety soft.
• Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone: Another silicone that minimises the look of pores and wrinkles and make the texture velvety soft.
• Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer: A film-forming agent that also thickens cosmetics.
• Amodimethicone: Another silicone that acts as an emollient and makes skin softer and smoother.
• Caprylyl Glycol: A moisturiser that attracts moisture from the air into your skin to keep it hydrated. It also has preservative-like properties that help your skincare products last longer.
• Carbomer: An emulsifier that prevents the oily and watery parts of a formula from separating.
• Cholesterol: A natural component of your skin’s protective barrier, it makes it softer and smoother and protects it from environmental aggressors.
• Crithmum Maritimum Extract: It’s said to work like Vitamin A to promote collagen and hydration. However, I couldn’t find independent studies confirming these claims.
• Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer: A silicone powder that makes the texture of skincare products velvety soft.
• Disodium Edta: A chelating agent that prevents the active ingredients from binding with the trace elements found in water that could spoil them. Thus, it helps the product last longer.
• Ethylhexylglycerin: A skin-softer with preservative-like properties that helps to extend the shelf life of skincare products.
• Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract: A source of omega fatty acids, it strengthens your skin’s protective barrier, soothe irritations, and makes skin softer and smoother.
• Maltodextrin: A plant-based sugar that makes skin softer and smoother.
• Parfum/Fragrance: It makes the serum smell good, but it’s the most irritating ingredient found in skincare products. If you have sensitive skin, beware!
• Phytosphingosine: A type of fat that naturally occurs in skin cells, it’s moisturising and has anti-microbial properties.
• Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice: It’s moisturising.
• Saccharide Isomerate: A mixture of hydrating corn-derived sugars that draws moisture from the air into your skin to keep it hydrated.
• Salicornia Herbacea Extract: It strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, increases the level of hydration in your skin, and protects it from environmental aggressors.
• Sodium Hydroxide: It helps adjust the pH of skincare products.
• Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate: It prevents the oily and watery parts of a formula from separating. It also has thickening properties.
• Sodium Polyacrylate Starch: It thickens textures and makes them more pleasant to use.
• Xanthan Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
• Chlorphenesin: A preservative that inhibits bacterial contamination.
• Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that kills bacteria and helps your skincare products last longer.
• Sodium Benzoate: Another preservative that inhibits bacterial contamination and helps extend the shelf life of skincare products.

Texture

This serum has a lightweight and fast-absorbing texture that doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind. It’s silk-like and pleasant to use.

Fragrance

Slightly floral and subtle. It’s pleasant and makes the product smell good. But I’m not a fan of fragrances. They’re made up of lots and lots of chemicals and some of them cause irritations and allergies. If you have sensitive skin, fragranced-products are a big no-no.

How To Use It

You can use this serum morning and/or night, after cleansing but before moisturiser. If you’re using an antioxidant serum, apply that first. If you’re using it together with a hyaluronic acid serum, it doesn’t really matter which one you apply first.

Packaging

The serum comes in a grey bottle with a pump applicator. I admit I’m a bit disappointed by its aesthetics. It’s not the prettiest, is it? Plus, I’m biased against grey. It’s such a depressing colour. But, the bottle serves its purpose. It’s practical, releases an ok quantity of serum and you’re not wasting any product.

Performance & Personal Opinion

Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster has a water-based, lightweight texture that sinks immediately into the skin. I apply it straight after cleanser and before serum. Apparently, that makes the rest of your skincare routine work better. But, I can’t say I saw much of a difference there.

Actually, I didn’t see much of a difference at all. But, I was kind of expecting that. I mean, this is a maintenance booster and my skin is already in good condition. I’m using it more to make sure it stays that way than to fix any problems. Hence, no magical transformation.

That’s cool with me. But I get it if some of you feel underwhelmed by it. This isn’t by no means a must-have. But if your skin often gets dry and irritated and you’re tired of dealing with that drama all the time, adding something like this to your skincare routine can help your skin stay healthy and strong 24/7/365.

What I Like About Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

• Lightweight, silky, fast-absorbing texture
• Moisturising, makes skin softer and smoother
• Strengthen your skin’s protective barrier
• Soothing
• Practical packaging

What I DON’T Like About Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

• It has fragrance, which can be irritating for sensitive skin
• Keeps skin in good condition, but doesn’t have any anti-aging properties

Who Should Use This?

This booster is best suitable for dry skin that doesn’t react badly to fragrances. If your skin isn’t dry/irritated, you won’t see much of a difference with this. You may think it’s not working, when it’s just not suitable for your skin type.

Does Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster Live Up To Its Claims?

Is Elizabeth Arden Cruelty-Free?

Elizabet Arden is NOT cruelty-free. The brand, like its parent company Revlon, tests its products on animals where it is required by law.

Price & Availability

£63.00 at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Sephora

Should You Buy It?

Most people won’t need this. But if you have a damaged skin barrier, this can help you heal it faster.

Dupes & Alternatives

• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($20.99): A ceramide-rich moisturiser that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and moisturises skin. It’s suitable for all skin types. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, and Ulta.
• Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer ($63.00): This moisturiser has 5 types of ceramides, Vitamin C and retinol to moisturise skin and prevent wrinkles. Use it only every other night. Available at Cult Beauty, Net-A-Porter, and Paula’s Choice.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.