I love skincare. I love learning about it, trying it out, telling people about it…but what I don’t love is how confusing it can be. “What do I put on first?”. “What happens if I forget that step?”.
Well, Dermalogica has a promised solution to help streamline your routine while still getting all the benefits. In fact, they’ve created one serum to replace all your other serums. One serum that tailors itself to your exact skin requirements – proactively responding to what your skin needs – the Dermalogica Smart Response Serum.
Ummm…does this sound too good to be true? I put the Smart Response Serum to the test – using this serum twice daily for one month. Below you’ll learn more about what’s in the serum, how it works, and my honest opinion after dedicated use.
Now, Dermalogica is a trusted brand so when I was invited to the launch event of their Smart Response Serum, I was caught up in the hype! A revolutionary smart technology that respond to skin’s signals, delivering a personalized response for healthier-looking skin, activating only when needed. Yeah! It sounds incredible…but how does it actually work?
How does the Smart Response Serum work?
Dermalogica’s ‘SmartResponse technology‘ incorporates four smart actives which, when triggered, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brightens, hydrates, and reduces redness:
Fine lines and wrinkles: Plant-based Mannose-6-Phosphate smooths and firms. Because Fibroblasts lose their energy as we age this reduces collagen production. This detects collagen weakness and increases energy of fibroblasts.
Dark spots: Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour, rich in arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides, detects a surge in melanin (surge in enzyme TRP-1), and acts to brighten. If there is no surge in melanin, the active does not take any action.
Dehydration: Oligosaccharides from hydrolyzed Beta Glucan detects a weak skin barrier and acts to repair and hydrate by increasing the amount of hydrating molecules available to restore the barriers and optimize hydration levels.
Redness: Antioxidant-rich Japanese Cornelia Cherry protects stressed skin against free radicals by detecting cellular imbalances and acts to soothe and stop the response to free radicals.
How should you use the Smart Response Serum?
As this is a serum, you apply after cleansing and toning. When your skin is dry – apply just one pump for the face and neck. Then wait one minute to absorb, then apply moisturizer and SPF. This can be used morning and night.
Dermalogica does not recommend using the Smart Response Serum in combination with any other serums because it has so many active ingredients of its own it works best when it is the only serum being applied to the skin. The bottle should last you 2-3 months if used twice per day.
My honest opinion after dedicated use
I have fairly balanced skin and don’t suffer from dry, irritated skin but I found my skin felt comfortable, all day. I really like the texture of this serum – smooth and silky but it doesn’t ‘sit on top of my skin’ the way a lot of similarly textured serums can do. When left to absorb for one minute, this serum layered very well under my moisturizer, foundation (when I wore it) and SPF.
I am a dedicate Vitamin C and AHA user (which I stopped while testing out this serum so not to conflict with the results), so I didn’t notice a dramatic brightening effect but overall my skin tone looked even and fresh. Over the course of my trial I had no complaints. My skin felt nice. It felt soft and cushy – healthy and it wanted for naught. I didn’t miss my other serums and absolutely appreciated the streamlined routine (and the sleek and chic air-tight bottle).
Finally, let’s talk price. Yup. $189 for one serum is an investment…but for four serums all in one? To me, that is a cost effective way to streamline your routine while effectively personalizing your skincare.
Love learning about new products first, follow me on IG as @immfab for all your first looks.
MFabalogica
