DERMA E | ULTRA LIFT DMAE CONCENTRATED SERUM

Over the past two weekends, I’ve shared about two new CBD-powered products from my favorite all-natural skincare brand, Derma E.

The Derma E Skin De-Stress Cheek & Eye Cream Corrector with Phytocannabinoids (CBD), Hemp Seed Oil and Tamanu Seed Oil, is one of the coolest, most innovative treatments for rosacea and skin irritation that I’ve come across. (See my recent post here!)

I’m also quite fond of the Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster — one of the best hydrating serums for dehydrated skin. It’s infused with three effective humectants, including vegetable-derived Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate and Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate. With its super watery texture, the Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster is one of my all-time favorite humectant serums. Psst…you can catch my review of it on the blog here.

If you’re unfamiliar with Derma E, permit me to share some background on the indie brand.

Derma E got its start in 1984 with a single product, a Vitamin E cream sold at a small health food store in Southern California. A pioneer in clean, effective, natural skincare, the Derma E brand is perhaps best known for their “Refuse to Use” list of toxic ingredients and potential allergens that has helped to move the entire skincare industry forward. It’s the most extensive list I’ve come across with 2,700 “nasties”.

PRODUCT REVIEW: DERMA E ULTRA HYDRATING ALKALINE GEL BOOSTER

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And while the brand’s new CBD range feels like real innovation, the one Derma E product that has truly blown be away over the last several weeks is the brand’s Ultra Lift Dmae Concentrated Serum. It’s been my favorite, go-to anti-aging serum since late winter and I just finished it up. I’m really feeling the #fomo right now!

The electric blue serum is powered by copper peptides, an increasingly popular form of peptides of late. Copper peptides are what make The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides and NIOD’s Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) that brilliant blue, too. Copper peptides are super pro-skin health actives and I love seeing this particular peptide in a product’s INCI.

NIOD’s CAIS3 is one of the best anti-aging serums for wrinkles. The super watery serum is infused with a blend of 1.0% Pure Undiluted Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) and 1.0% Pure Undiluted Tripeptide-1 (GHK).

PRODUCT REVIEW: NIOD COPPER AMINO ISOLATE SERUM 3 1:1 (CAIS3) – BEST ANTI-AGING SERUM FOR WRINKLES

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In fact, the NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 is a peptide powerhouse. In addition to the formula’s two innovative copper peptides, there are multiple additional peptides, including Tripeptide-29, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1 Acetate, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2.

What are copper peptides?

Well, they’re a specific type of peptide that’s naturally occurring in the body. They’re formed when the mineral copper bonds with amino acids. Copper peptides work as antioxidants in the skin to defend against environmental damage and are believed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, plumping skin and softening the look of surface lines and wrinkles.

What Are Copper Peptides (and what makes them special)?

I found an insightful piece on peptides, and specifically copper peptides, on the Byrdie website titled, Copper Peptides Are Like Nature's Botox, Here's How to Use Them.

Over the past few years, we've noticed a major trend gaining ground within the beauty industry and among skincare enthusiasts like ourselves: From 24 karat gold–infused facial oils to diamond dust–encrusted setting powders to colloidal silver eye masks, metallics are taking over.
And most recently, copper—specifically copper peptides—has repeatedly caught our eye as we peruse the ingredient lists of our favorite serums. And apparently, we aren't alone. We spoke to experts Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, founder of Mudgil Dermatology in NYC; Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care; Marie Hayag, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist and Founder of 5th Avenue Aesthetics; and Nancy Pellegrino, NP and co-founder of THE ROUTE.
“Copper peptides are well known in the skincare world with decades of data as a skin restoring ingredient causing skin improvement including skin firmness, smoothness, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, by promoting collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycan (think HAs) and improved antioxidant activity,” says Pellegrino. They're increasingly popular—for instance, in just one month, ‘copper peptides serums’ was searched more than 1000 times on Google. And considering the acclaimed benefits of this particular kind of peptide (like the collagen-increasing and wrinkle-reducing), we're not all that surprised by the apparent fascination.

Peptides fascinate me. The use of peptides in skin care products, particularly the best anti-aging serums and creams, has grown increasingly popular over the course of the last several years. Though they haven’t been as buzzy as Bakuchiol or Niacinamide, they’re considered to be among the most effective skincare actives for plumping the skin and treating multiple signs of aging.

But what are peptides and what do peptides do?

According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, “Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin and keratin. When applied topically to the skin, peptides act as little messengers, triggering skin cells to perform specific functions such as building collagen and elastin, encouraging skin to look and act younger.”

What are Peptides in Skincare and What Do Peptides Do for Skin?

Of course, there’s a superbly insightful article on the Paula’s Choice website from the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team. Titled What Are Peptides and What Do They Do for Your Skin?, the article goes deep into everything from what peptides are to how they benefit the skin — and what makes them among the best age-fighters in skin care. Here is an excerpt.

Peptides are one of the most talked-about ingredients in the field of anti-ageing skincare. When applied to your skin, they demonstrate remarkable benefits, revitalising your skin and making it more resilient and stronger. But peptides do not possess magical properties, as some brands claim. The fact is that there is no single ingredient that will address all the signs of skin ageing - and peptides are no exception. Peptides are a great asset to your skin, but it’s best to be realistic in your expectations to avoid disappointment. Peptides have amazing benefits for skin but the results will never be the same as a cosmetic procedure.
What are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin and keratin. These proteins are the foundations of your skin and are responsible for its texture, strength and resilience. Without peptides, our skin is less intact which can lead to a loss of firmness, the appearance of wrinkles, a change in texture and less ‘bounce’.
When applied topically to the skin, peptides act as little messengers, triggering skin cells to perform specific functions such as building collagen and elastin, encouraging skin to look and act younger.
Extensive scientific research has proven that peptides can support your skin on multiple levels, for example firming, soothing and hydrating the skin.

Peptides fascinate me. The use of peptides in skin care products, particularly the best anti-aging serums and creams, has grown increasingly popular in the last couple of years.

But what are peptides and what do peptides do for the skin?

According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, “Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin and keratin. When applied topically to the skin, peptides act as little messengers, triggering skin cells to perform specific functions such as building collagen and elastin, encouraging skin to look and act younger.”

Derma E’s Ultra Lift DMAE Concentrated Serum is an antioxidant powerhouse with the addition of Kakadu Plum Extract and Resveratrol. Plus, its deliciously pulpy texture soothes, plumps and hydrates skin.

Ugh. I’m sad it’s gone…

What I like about it: The Derma E Ultra Lift DMAE Concentrated Serum is one of the most well-formulated anti-aging serums with potent copper peptides. I love its super lightweight texture, making it easily layered into any skincare routine. And, at just about $20, it’s also one of the most affordable peptide serums.

What I don’t like about it: I like everything about the formula. However, its translucent glass packaging, while highlighting the product’s brilliant blue hue, is a detriment to its powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants like Resveratrol are sensitive to UV exposure and will break down more quickly. It’s wise to use this up within a month or so.

Who it’s for: All skin types.

SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Derma E Ultra Lift DMAE Concentrated Serum for $19.99 here.

SHOP DERMA E FOR ULTRA LIFT DMAE CONCENTRATED SERUM