Product Review: L’Oréal Skin Genesis and Lancome Absôlue Premium Bx
Pictured: L’Oréal Skin Genesis ($21.25, Amazon.com) and Lancôme Absôlue Night Cream ($135.00, Macy’s)
The new patented ingredient from L’Oréal, the company that owns Lancôme and L’Oréal, is Pro-XylaneTM, which aims to reduce lines and wrinkles by boosting the production of glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) within the skin. According to the October 2007 issue of Allure magazine, L’Oréal scientists found that when Pro-XylaneTM (the company’s name for xylose, a sugar molecule derived from the beech wood plant) was applied to the skin in the concentrations found in both Skin Genesis and Absolue Premium Bx, the skin held more moisture, stimulated collagen production, and generated the production of new GAGs within the skin.
According to Dr. Leslie Baumann, author of Cosmetic Dermatology and the Director of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology at the University of Miami, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharide chains composed of repeating disaccharide units linked to a core protein. Found primarily in the dermis of the skin, the major purpose of GAGs is to defend against water loss, as they bind large quantities of water, up to 1000 times their volume. For this reason, GAGs are also known as “natural moisturizing factors,” or NMFs (for more, see here). Most studies show that GAGs, such as hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate (the two GAGs most common in the dermis), decrease with age; however, some studies, such as that by Pearce et. al cited by Baumann, found no change in the amount of GAGs in aged skin. If in fact the majority of research is correct and GAGs decrease in aged skin, then certain changes in aged skin may be attributed to GAG loss, such as decreased elasticity, decreased turgidity, and wrinkling.
The research found in Skin Genesis and Absôlue Premium Bx is truly novel because it stimulates the skin to produce more GAGs. Although topical application of hyaluronic acid to the skin has been shown to moisturize the skin effectively, stimulating aged skin to mimic younger skin with the production of GAGs is a new advancement, as Dr. Debra Jaliman states in the October 2007 Allure magazine: “The research is amazing. It proves that these products produce long-term results by boosting the skin’s production of GAGs, which are crucial in fighting aging.”
It will be interesting to see future research into how long Skin Genesis and Absolue Premium Bx stimulate GAG production with the skin after application (the company recommends daily application under sunscreen), and where the stimulated GAG production increases within the skin, as a higher concentration of GAGs in young skin tends to be found at the periphery of collagen and elastin fibers and at the interface of these types of fibers, according to Baumann in Cosmetic Dermatology. At any rate, the product looks promising, and should stimulate the skin to give itself the moisturizing benefits of treatment with topical hyaluronic acid (or other natural moisturizing factor/GAGs). In fact, an additional ingredient in L’Oréal Skin Genesis is hyaluronic acid, so even before your skin starts to make more GAGs, you will reap the hydrating benefits.
So what is the difference between L’Oréal Skin Genesis and Lancome Absôlue Premium Bx? Besides the price (L’Oréal Skin Genesis moisturizer is $21.25 on Amazon.com, while Lancome Absôlue Premium Bx night cream is $135.00 from Macy’s), according to Allure, L’Oréal Skin Genesis seems to be geared toward younger women, while with Lancome Absôlue Premium Bx seems to want to attract a more mature audience. However, either formula would benefit a woman of any age: L’Oréal Skin Genesis contains ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, and Lancome Absôlue Premium Bx contains ingredients to increase skin elasticity and radiance for older women, such as yam, soy, sea algae, and barley.
Although the product does not contain very potent antioxidants (i.e., green tea, idebenone, vitamin C, vitamin E, etc.), retinoids, or peptides, if you are currently using these ingredients in your skincare regimé and simply want to boost your skin’s natural moisture levels, then either L’Oréal Skin Genesis and Lancome Absôlue Premium Bx are an excellent way to do it. A free sample of L’Oréal Skin Genesis is available from the company website for a limited time here.
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Is there a loreal product similar to the lancome product secret de vie?
I bought the serum, eye serum, and spf 15 genesis lastnight and used them all this am. I am only 24 and my skin just drank all three perfectly.. Only used one small pump for all and its the perfect amount.. Not oily either..
I love Skin Genesis but it caused an itchy rash at my cheekbones on boths sides. I’ve never had this occur with any product before so I was slow to realize the source. I suppose I will have to discontinue use as the point was to look better not worse!
I’m 38 and have very sensitive skin. I purchased the serum concentrate and the eye serum. I’m very pleased with both products. I was worried about breaking out or irritation, and have not had any problems after using both products twice daily. I notice my skin feeling smoother and looking fresher. I highly recommend this product.
I bought the serum and lotion. Both products peel off the face with the slightest friction. It’s impossible to apply foundation over the serum and/or the lotion.
I find this common with most products that contain sunscreen, but these products flake off the skin the most.
Please tell me do any lancome or Loreal contain parabens inside their products?
I have just begun to use the skin genesis products and am quickly impressed with my initial results. I am 49 and have had large pored problem skin for many years. Now, time has added new lines and skin spots to my issues. Magnifying mirrors are not a woman’s best friend, but even in front of my makeup mirror.. I see real results with this product.
I apply the product and let it “settle”. After about 15 minutes I dampen my hands and apply my foundation with damp hands and although there is some initial drag.. I do get good application. Some foundations that are long wearing are not compatable with many moistureizers and skin treatments.
You may need to find a compatible foundation from the L’Oreal line to complement the treatment. There may be validity to using a whole product line for best results.
I just bought the Loreal Skin Genesis Day Lotion and Serum. I am 49 with some sun spots, I still break out, and some lines. I have been having a very hard time finding a good day lotion and foundation for my age that WORKS!!!!!!! I have tried everything. If anyone has any tips, please do so. Thanks
hola.
soy de maracaibo venezuela y necesito saber donde puedo adquirir la SKIN GENESIS en mi pais. Ya que la compre en un vuelo a Paris y la he usado dandome unos resultados
SUPERMEGAHIPERESPECIALES.
GRACIAS……..
YULI SANCHEZ
I have a product that will help you, and you will see results without wasting alot of money. Debbie you need to be on the RE9 line from Arbonne. You will see a difference in two weeks. Email me jaimemmartell@aol.com
I have been using Loreal Skin Genesis for a couple of months .It keeps my face moisturized.At last I found what I need.It matches my skin.It moisturizes my face while facial oils nourish it.
I use the eye serum and the night serum, and I am very impressed. I have tried all kinds of products, and usually don’t see much of a difference. I can honestly say that these products make my skin look fresher and younger. I am 42, and was starting to notice crepeiness around my eyes. The eye serum seems to have minimized it. I would recommend highly.
I’m 60 and have been useing a different product until I ran across Skin Genesis cell strengthening moisturizer. I tried it because it was on sale with a sample of the serum concentrate included. I loved the results that were visible in just a few days. Now I added the pore minimizer to my daily routine. I ran into someone I had not seen only 2 months ago and they told me I looked great…younger…what have I done to myself. Thats always proof that the product your useing is working!
I would like to ask something regarding loreal products,
I am 28 year old and i started to use this creme for eyes
Loreal derma genese,
contour yeux, pro-xylane+acide hyaluronique
So, is it a creme for my age or not?
Can i use this or you prefer me another product?
Thanks a lot,
Lirika