As Grant explains, one of the most intriguing aspects of the serum is its ability to limit the movement of your facial muscles – during lab tests, scientists found that it reduces the muscle contractions responsible for wrinkles by 91% after just 24 hours of use. Sounds too good to be true?
Well, someone thought I was 25. Another, 27. And I’m still getting away with my, ahem, 26-30 railcard. So something must be working.
I’ve noticed – for me – a dramatic change in my skin. I say ‘for me’ because, disclaimer, I do have what you might call ‘good’ skin (not particularly oily, I only tend to get hormonal spots and I’ve not experienced any conditions such as rosacea or scarring). As a result, most skincare sits on my face just fine. So it takes a great product for me to notice a real difference.
After six weeks of use, the faint lines across my forehead have nearly disappeared and the deeper expression lines around my mouth (which were causing me the most ‘concern’, for want of a better word) have significantly reduced, to the point where I’m happy they’re there as a tiny marker of my smile. I’ve also noticed a general improvement in my complexion – it feels a little brighter, and definitely plumper.
It might be helpful to point out that despite its claims to reduce muscle contractions, this serum won’t freeze your face like some injectables will (great for everyday expressions, less so for my permanent-yet-never-intentional Resting Bitch Face). And yes, it’s expensive, but a little goes a long way – and there’s a lot less needles involved.
As for how I used it? The official advice is to use it morning and night for those optimal results – though you can apply it just to targeted areas to make the product go further (it is a rather steep £85, after all). Grant suggests easing it into your routine – she “incorporates it into my nightly routine, applying a pea-size amount after cleansing and before [moisturiser]”. For the record, I aimed to stick with a dedicated skincare routine, cleansing thoroughly at night and using the Elixr morning and evening, but let’s be honest, life sometimes gets in the way, so more often than not I applied it once a day for these results.
6 more (affordable) skin-boosters to try…
Here are six more tried-and-tested formulas that help to brighten and plump skin, without breaking the bank…
The first step in any skin regime? Check your moisturiser. Particularly as the weather begins to cool, a rich formula such as this one will hydrate and replenish tired complexions. Apply a good layer before bed and wake up to soothed, glowing skin.
If you’re looking to boost your skin’s appearance, peptides are the ingredient to look out for – and this serum packs in plenty, using both the brand’s Matrixyl 3000 peptide and a further dual peptide (so many peptides) to minimise the appearance of fine lines and add hydration. Tap onto cleansed skin morning and night for maximum results.
If you’re after a brighter complexion, (gentle) acids might just be for you. This cult Paula’s Choice formula contains BHA salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and reduce blemishes in one swipe.
If you get dehydration lines like me, then hydrating hyaluronic acid will be your best friend. This gel-cream formula locks in moisture, boosting your skin’s natural hydration levels for a plumper finish – providing the perfect base for makeup.
This gel-to-foam face wash gently exfoliates the skin as you cleanse, thanks to a mix of lactic, mandelic and salicylic acids targeting uneven texture, fine lines and dull skin – a two-in-one product that leaves skin feeling super clean and fresh, but not squeaky.
Retinal delivers youth-boosting superhero vitamin A to the skin more directly than retinol – and this affordable formula from The Ordinary is a great one to start with. Apply sparingly to skin, starting with once a week and building it up to avoid any reactions – and enjoy the line-reducing effects of vitamin A with regular use.
