Product Review: Altilis Beauty

Hello My Dear Readers,

I have been on a roll when it comes to my skincare. Not because I am wearing less makeup— but I am loving how the skin looks on my makeup free days. I have been experimenting with a few products for some time. I like to really take my time when it comes to reviewing skin care items. It takes more than two weeks to effectively see if a certain moisturizer or serum is in fact working.

Today I am reviewing the indie brand Altilis Beauty Line. I bought the entire line a few months back and it is all I have been using on my face. I learned about the brand back when it was still owned and operated by Kenna Whitnell who does have her own YouTube channel. She did a video that provided viewers with an in depth look at her skincare line. She mentioned that her skincare line uses breadfruit and other sustainable ingredients proven to help your skin. I like that the line was created using a natural extract which was being sourced sustainably and given Kenna’s background as a chemist, I decided to give it try.

The entire line which is listed as Infloressence on the website. It comes with the cleanser, the serum and the moisturizer that can be used both day and night. At the time of my purchased, this cost me about $80. Since then, it seems that the price has gone up and it is currently listed on their website for around $90.99. Another big change, Kenna no longer owns the Altilis Beauty line. She made a YouTube video revealing why she parted ways with the line that she created.

I tried really hard to love this line… but the products somehow made my skin drier than normal. The cleanser worked fine, it doesn’t feel like it leaves my skin too stripped. The biggest issue that I had was with the serum and the moisturizer. The serum feels a little too emollient and almost greasy. I did not like the feeling of it at all on my skin. I would wait about a minute to let it absorb into my skin, but the greasy feeling was still there. I added the moisturizer and it didn’t feel like I was putting anything on my skin. Despite feeling greasy, it didn’t feel like I was adding the ingredients needed to really give my skin the much needed moisture. It felt greasy while and tight at the same time. I needed to add a little of my “Good Molecules Squalane Oil” to really feel like I was adding moisture.

Since, I spent $80 on this line, I kept using them while waiting for my skin to get used to the new ingredients. Sadly, it was a lot of the same thing. Greasy while also still managing to feel really dehydrated. I found this really bizarre because on the website, the products are promoted as helping to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. I imagine that my skin simply did not like the breadfruit ingredient or it just didn’t have what I needed for my dehydrated skin. For those who have a sensitivity to smells, there is a bit of a smell that is almost acidic. I can quite place my finger on it so I assume it’s simply a smell from the breadfruit flower.

I have used up all of products in this line—and I will definitely not be repurchasing. The ingredients just didn’t react well to my skin type. While I didn’t make me break out in any way—just the state of my skin took a turn for the worse and this line is all I have been using. My skin got so dry that I needed to find a sleeping mask to somehow add some moisture to my skin. This is how I found the Laneige sleeping mask and the toner that helped with my skin.

My advice to you, I would purchase the samples first to do a little trial run and see if it works for your particular skin type. Remember, just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it will not work for you.

I hope you found this blog post useful. As always I hope you guys are staying healthy. If you guys have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment.

Much love as always,

-Kat

Product Review: Cerave Skin Renewing Skin Serum

Hello Dear Readers,

I am back this week with another product review this time having to do with skin care. Now that I am basically in my late twenties, I have started to incorporate serums into my skin care routine. I was using a retinol based serum but it seemed like my skin reacted to it because I started to get small bumps like acne on my forehead. Once I stopped using the product the bumps disappeared on their own. I was in the search for a new one when I came across this product at my local Rite Aid store. If you have read any of my previous blog post then you already might be aware that I am a super big fan of their skin care line. They offer great skin care products for only a fraction of the price! So when I came across serum I jumped at the opportunity to try it.

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love the packaging. I wish other companies would hop on board when it comes to this.  This serum brings a total of 1.0 oz. it comes like a squeeze tube that has a little pump so you can dispense the product. You pump exactly the amount you need for your face and your neck. Now this product runs roughly around $16.99 depending on where you buy it.

According to the product’s description this will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps repair and restore the skin barrier to keep it looking plump. This product does contain retinol and ceramide which both are known to help fight any signs of aging on the skin. It contains vitamins that help keep the skin looking radiant and fresh. The consistency of the cream is a gel like formula that quickly absorbs into the skin. It doesn’t feel greasy at all and if your sensitive to smell this is great because there’s no fragrance in it at all. You can apply both day and night underneath your moisturizer.

I’ve been using this product for about three weeks and I honestly think this is a little magic potion in a bottle! My skin texture has improved a great deal ever since I have started using this. I apply it early in the morning before my moisturizer and I use it at night as well. My skin feels nice and healthy. It has gotten rid of little texture that I had around my forehead and chin area. It’s plump and I’ve even notice the laugh lines reduced quite a bit. I love that this quickly absorbs into the skin without leaving any sort of residue. My moisturizers applies better, ever since I started using this my BB cream goes on a lot smoother. The overall appearance of my skin has improved a great deal. It looks a lot smoother and radiant! This stuff is absolutely amazing!

If you’re looking for a nice serum that does what it says and gives you more bang for your buck, then this stuff is definitely for you. It contains a lot of the ingredients you find in high end serums. I give a big bravo to the creators of Cerave who come out with high quality items without the heavy price tag. Like I mentioned before I paid roughly around 16.99 for this, but Rite Aid and other stores are always running special so you may be able to score this for much cheaper.

I hope you found this review helpful! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions and I will gladly respond! Until next time, much love as always.

-Kat