Moisturizer - Chantecaille

Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream
7/11/13

I've had a couple of bad experiences with Retinol, but I've had great success with other Chantecaille skincare products and decided to give this cream a try. When the word Retinol was uttered, I used to cringe. I'd tried both an eye cream and another face cream containing the anti-aging ingredient and had visibly poor results, with one lone product being a happy exception. My skin became red and just didn't agree with the products. I'd just about written off Retinol until I saw that Chantecaille had a Retinol cream with excellent reviews. I've found the line to be gentle overall, so they'd already established my trust. Retinol has so many amazing and highly-coveted benefits, from warding off wrinkles to banishing breakouts, tightening pores and improving skin texture, I couldn't say goodbye.

(click photo to enlarge)

Since Chantecaille categorizes this as a nighttime treatment, I knew I'd have less irritation. Many age-fighting products containing ingredients like Vitamin C and Retinol have adverse effects on my skin in daylight. The idea that a night cream could not only clear up but also banish acne is refreshing. Once again, I must reiterate my love of all products working their magic while we sleep, when our body naturally goes into healing mode. After reading many an article about how Retinol loses its effectiveness over time, I decided to use it 3 nights a week, and continue using La Mer on alternate nights. I've simply incorporated this cream into my nightly regimen as I would any night cream - as a last step. Directions indicate applying two to three pumps onto fingertips and gently pressing onto entire face and neck until fully absorbed, careful not to tug at or pull skin. Very similar to La Mer's application method. To my delight, the application area also includes the delicate under-eye area where we all need an extra boost of anti-aging benefits. 

I immediately loved the soft and smooth texture of this cream, and how my skin happily drank it up. It's practically unscented, with perhaps a very slight Pure Rosewater scent, which is the product's base. Not exactly heavily perfumed. It's also Paraben-Free, which several of my readers have indicated is important to them. Because the cream feels so light during and after application, I was thrilled that my skin remained dewy and deeply hydrated all night, and still felt soft and supple come morning. Not only have I not experienced a single adverse effect, I've noticed major improvements to my skin texture (including smaller pores), a more even skin tone, and vanishing fine lines around my eyes. They've quite literally disappeared. Granted, they were small - but who wants wrinkles?! Not I. 

My verdict? This surprisingly gentle and effective night cream has become part of my nighttime skincare regimen three times a week. I see continued improvements with each passing week, and while it's somewhat expensive, it should last about two months with use three nights weekly. The smart pump design also keeps the cream germ-free. I simply can't say enough great things about this product. 

Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream is $110.00 for a 1.7 oz. bottle. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, & Barneys.

Night Eye Treatments:
philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging eye cream
& Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Sleep. It does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. It's also the most important time to care for your skin. I spend more time researching and trying out eye creams and treatments than any other skincare product, particularly night treatments. Because the skin around our eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on our bodies, it shows signs of aging and is the most wrinkle-prone area we have. That said, a combination of those hard facts and some women I've seen who look far older than their age have solidified my commitment not only to overall skincare, but to keeping my eye area as nurtured and nourished as possible. What better time to layer up and generously apply products than before sleep?

I never thought I'd use or give kudos to philosophy products, as they generally haven't wowed me. I'd been interested in eye treatments with Retinol, and had been disappointed with other brands I've recently tried. This particular product contains "a proprietary Retinol blend, peptides, antioxidants and moisture." The reviews I'd read were overwhelmingly positive, so I decided to try it for myself. Along with the claim that "the signs of aging are visibly reduced, giving the eye a firmer, smoother appearance," I intended to use it as my first line of defense- under my go-to night treatment. I should note that this product can be used both morning and night, but I reserve it for nighttime application. I love the pump container, which keeps germs at bay. I use about two pumps and smooth over my entire eye area, including both the interior and exterior corners, the full under-eye area, and between and immediately above my brows. It has a gel-like texture that feels soft and gentle during application. I haven't experienced any negative reactions, and have noticed drastic improvements to fine lines, the dreaded line between the brows, and improved overall hydration. Kudos, philosophy!

Nighttime eye creams don't easily wow me. My expectations are generally rather elevated, and admittedly often unrealistic. Estée Lauder is another brand I used to snub in favor of either newer or luxury brands. I'd tried Advanced Night Repair Eye and quite liked it. But I felt there must be something better out there, for what I now realize are unfounded reasons. I used everything from La Mer to La Prairie, and pretty much everything in-between. Yet I found myself consistently returning to Advanced Night Repair Eye. The accolades from high-end fashion magazines to skincare gurus are impressive, and I allowed myself to experience and revel in the product's well documented benefits. The jar comes with a flat spoon applicator, keeping the product germ-free. I like to layer this gel-like treatment over philosophy miracle worker eye, but I also use this product on its own every other night. It manages to feel rich and refreshing at once, and smooths onto my delicate eye skin like a dream. I'm currently testing another brand of skincare, and this is the product I miss the most. Three more weeks! This miracle product has rid my eye area of small, set-in wrinkles I thought were here to stay. Well, I no longer have those wrinkles. I won't go without it again. This relationship is going the distance, and I foresee a bright, youthful future together. What can I say? It's true love. 

My verdict? Both products are purposeful, effective, and reasonably priced. If I had to pick only one, it would be Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye. But both together are an unbeatable match, and defy aging. Sold. 

- philosophy 'miracle worker' miraculous anti-aging eye cream is $65 for 0.5 oz. 

- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye is $52 for 0.5 oz. 

Both are available at Nordstrom.