When I reached my late twenties, dermatologists, beauty experts, and older friends bombarded me with well-intentioned warnings about how my skin would slowly (but noticeably) alter. My collagen production would decrease. My skin would get thinner. Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, my first fine line appeared yesterday (checks watch).
Jokes aside, taking their advise changed my approach to skin care—specifically, it caused me to take a deeper look at the items I was using on my face. So, naturally, when I read about SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, an anti-aging moisturizing cream that claims to restore the skin barrier and reduce outward indications of aging, I was sold. So, for five weeks, I added it to my skin care routine. Here’s how things went.
The Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 cream treatment promises to hydrate, plump, nourish, smooth, and do a variety of other things for the skin, but its main goal is to avoid outward symptoms of aging.
Of course, spots, wrinkles, and fine lines develop for a multitude of causes (including food, sun exposure, and genetics). Still, SkinCeuticals, an advanced science- and M.D.-backed skin care brand, recognizes that one of the leading catalysts is lipid depletion or the loss of fatty compounds in your skin’s surface. Losing these lipids lowers your external protective barrier, making you more vulnerable to the aforementioned signs of aging.
In other words, this treatment tries to replenish lipids lost over time by applying a proprietary high concentration of them to your face twice a day. Although the brand’s recipe was intended for mature skin, it is suitable for all skin types.
How I tested the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Cream.
I cautiously included the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 into my morning and nightly skin care routines, using it twice a day for five weeks. Because I was trying this product in December and January—peak wintertime, when my dry skin is even more fragile, parched, and sensitive than usual—it had an uphill struggle.
In terms of how I incorporated it into my routine, I applied it in the morning between my cleanser and sunscreen and again in the evening after my retinol. Essentially, it became my go-to moisturizer during the testing time.
How did it feel to apply the treatment?
The first time I opened the heavy glass pot, I was distracted by its intense lavender-like scent. Hoping my first scent was incorrect, I brought it closer to my nose to gain a better sense and shortly realized that it was undeniably strong. To be fair, I am smell-sensitive and prefer fragrance-free face products (I acquire my scent from perfume).
Aside from the smell, I didn’t dismiss the opaque white cream just yet, reminding myself that if a treatment works wonders for my skin, I can put up with more than a little aroma. Before putting a tiny bit of cream to my face, I warmed it up in my palms according to SkinCeuticals’ directions. It retained its density and white color even when I utilized circular motions.
As someone who prefers gel-like moisturizers after a childhood spent wearing impossible-to-rub-in zinc sunscreen, I was concerned about how much work it would take to soak the cream into my skin. This anxiety was ultimately unfounded. Within 30 seconds to a minute, a dime-sized blot had entirely absorbed into my face, neck, and chest, leaving no white residue, stickiness, or moisture behind.
The cream applied nicely and left my skin feeling cool. A little went a long way, which is wonderful news given the treatment’s high price (this is my first time paying three figures for a moisturizer). And, to my delight, the aroma did not linger as the cream sank into my skin.
My Results After Five Weeks
Going into this test, I was aware that, like any anti-aging, over-the-counter medication, the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 would not transform my skin overnight. Fortunately, it plumped my skin enough with each application that I enjoyed applying it. As promised, it left my face feeling smooth and nourished, restoring some vitality to my skin just as it was succumbing to New York’s frigid winter weather. It provided me a gentle glow that showed through my foundation, bronzer, and blush.
The Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2’s immediate outcomes were excellent, but the long-term results were even better. After five weeks of continuous treatment, the pores in my T-zone became substantially reduced. At 28, I didn’t have many fine lines at the start of the trial period, so I didn’t notice a significant difference in wrinkles, but the cream did smooth out my skin texture without creating breakouts or irritation. Did it appear like I had Botox or filler at the end of the five weeks? It didn’t. However, the procedure did make my skin look healthier and more vibrant.
Final Thoughts
Would I pay $155 for this 1.6-ounce jar over and over? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean the treatment didn’t work as advertised. However, I can see it being a no-brainer for someone with mature skin looking for a powerful, scientifically proven solution. As long as they don’t mind a strong floral aroma, can be patient with results, and can accept the price, they’ll be satisfied with the improvement in pore size, skin texture, and overall radiance.
