(product photo courtesy of www.amazon.com)
3.53 oz./100g $8.40
I am such a nut for the KBeauty craze. I absolutely love Korean skincare. So much that whenever I get the chance to try something affordable, I jump on it. When I saw the Elizavecca Milky Piggy EGF Elastic Retinol Cream on Amazon, I purchased it right away and started to use it. Its main purpose is to address fine lines and wrinkles. The EGF stands for: epidermal growth factor and relates to wrinkle improvement, hydration and pigmentation prevention. This cream does treat all three. EGF encourages cell growth by stimulating the division of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which then synthesize fibrous proteins that improve skin elasticity (collagen & elastin). New skin cell growth is stimulated and the natural skin barrier is also enhanced, allowing the skin to hold onto moisture more easily. Skin becomes softer and smoother. Finally, melanin production is inhibited during the wound healing process. This means that acne marks and other forms of hyperpigmentation are decreased.
This cream is different from the usual retinol creams that we are used to in the US. It is somewhat web-like when you apply it. This might be due to the main ingredient, swiftlet nest extract (69.9%). This ingredient is a skin conditioning agent made from the nest of the swiftlet bird. It is a mucin glycoprotein that contains two novel antioxidant peptides. These help to fight the signs of aging in skin. Because it is a retinol cream this is to be used at night, as it would cause sun sensitivity during the day time. Other ingredients that are of note in this cream are: retinol, glycerin, niacinamide. macadamia nut seed oil, beeswax, adenosine, allantoin and tocopheryl acetate. This cream contains 2500IU of retinol, which should equal 2.5%. It also contains glycerin, a great humectant that will help add moisture to the skin and decrease the look of dehydration & fine lines. Niacinamide regulates sebum production and also helps with the prevention of hyperpigmentation. Macadamia nut seed oil has a moisturizing and a regenerating effect on the skin. It helps to care for wan, dry skin and is characterized by a high content of oleic acid & palmitoleic acid, which are similar to sebum. This cream is not vegan by any means, with its use of the swiftlet nest extract and beeswax. Beeswax has skin conditioning and moisturizing properties, it acts as a humectant and emollient. Sealing dry skin, providing hydration and skin softening action, beeswax works wonders. Also helping to energize the skin and provide anti-aging benefits is adenosine, which has been shown to decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Allantoin is a great soothing ingredient that is found in many skincare products, it soothes itching, inflammation and redness (which can be a side effect of retinol). Tocopheryl acetate is also known as Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals, which are atoms floating around with an unpaired electron. When they do pair with an electron to stabilize themselves, it damages DNA and other cells, causing aging to the body.
I love the way this cream makes my skin feel, which is to say hydrated and soft. It is a lightweight retinol cream. For me this cream is perfect for spring and summer, as it is lighter than some of the heavier creams I was using during the winter. As I mentioned, it kind of goes on web-like when applied and this is due to its glue like consistency. However, it does begin to sink into the skin within about 1-2 minutes. The key is to not apply too much. It comes with a little spatula for application purposes and I think the best thing is to apply an amount the fits onto the spatula. Over time it should help with preventing any pigmentation issues due to the inclusion of niacinamide. But keep applying sunscreen in the morning to make sure and avoid any hyperpigmentation that would pop up from the sun. Since it is a retinol cream it will prevent fine lines and wrinkles. I am used to retinol and didn't experience any side effects from the cream. The allantoin added in should help mitigate some of the redness and irritation that you might experience with it if you are not used to retinol. Don't forget that retinol increases cell turnover and can cause you to purge, thus increasing acne lesions for a limited time. Don't worry it is temporary. Just keep moving along with using the cream. As far as skincare goes, it is important to have a retinol in your arsenal and this might be the one to work for you. This cream is inexpensive and a good idea to kill three birds with one stone because it helps with exfoliation, hydration and pigmentation.
Elizavecca Milky Piggy EGF Elastic Retinol Cream retails for $8.40 and can be purchased on Amazon.
Until Next Time~
Marie Papachatzis
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