PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX BARRIER+ TRIPLE LIPID + COLLAGEN ACTIVATING SERUM - What Is Collagen? Does Collagen Really Help Skin? Can You Rebuild Collagen in Your Skin?
SKINFIX | BARRIER+ TRIPLE LIPID + COLLAGEN ACTIVATING SERUM
For the past three winters, I have protected my skin health with perhaps the best face cream with peptides and lipids on the market today.
In fact, until I came across the Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream I didn’t know how important lipids actually were to the health of my skin barrier – the body’s first line of defense against external aggressors. And, as important, the skin barrier keeps water in.
Skinfix’s iconic face cream is hands down one of the best moisturizers for dry skin and I consider it my cold weather savior.
And I know I’m not alone! TLPC ranks consistently in the top ten of Sephora’s “best selling moisturizers.” Whenever people ask me, which moisturizer is best for dry skin?, I always start off my list of recommendations with Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream. Don’t be confused. TLPC isn’t just for dry skin types; it’s for seasonally dry skin – and most of us go through that. If you haven’t experienced this dry skin wonder, you’re really missing out.
I invite you to catch my Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream review on the blog here.
So it’s no exaggeration to say that I trust Skinfix with my skin health and am super excited to be among the first to try the new Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum. Before I get into my Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum review, I want to explore several key components of the skin, essential to skin health: skin lipids and collagen.
PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX BARRIER+ TRIPLE LIPID-PEPTIDE FACE CREAM – BEST FACE CREAM FOR DRY SKIN
To start, what are skin lipids? And, more importantly, why are lipids so essential to your skin barrier health?
Well, to start, skin lipids are essentially the main fats and oils that are naturally present in the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum – also known as the skin barrier. Among the substances making up the lipid content of your skin are ceramides, fatty acids and choleseterol. These lipids play an important role in maintaining skin barrier function and preventing dehydration through trans-epidermal water loss, or TEWL.
They also contribute to the skin’s antimicrobial properties and actually influence your skin’s immune response. Additionally, skin lipids can provide protection against environmental stressors such as UV radiation, pollutants, and allergens. And, they contribute to the feel of your skin, helping to maintain a soft, smooth and youthful texture.
When your skin’s lipids are depleted, it dries out, with a rough, sometimes flaky texture. If you experience dry skin at any point in the year, you know it is can be itchy and uncomfortable.
Best Face Creams for Dry Skin
Overall, skin lipids play a vital role in maintaining the health and function of the skin. And the reason the Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream is so effective is because of its unique ability to help replenish depleted lipids. In fact, in a clinical study, TLPC was shown to increase the quantity of ceramides and fatty acids in the skin barrier by 212% over 28 days. That’s pretty significant and essentially amounts to a cure for dry skin.
Another vital substance that has a direct effect on your skin health is collagen. And collagen, a protein found naturally in the skin, is among several hot ingredient trends in skincare right now.
Two weeks ago, I published my review of the new Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster – a superb anti-aging face serum with peptides that relies on new peptide technologies to improve skin’s youthful qualities. Powered by its three-peptide complex, the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster has been “clinically proven to visibly firm, plump & reduce wrinkles in 4 weeks.”
Introduced last month, I’m obsessed with this serum and have already replenished my stock of it. You can catch my Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster review on the blog here.
PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE PRO-COLLAGEN MULTI-PEPTIDE BOOSTER
Yet another hot skincare ingredient trend is peptides. Nearly a third of the new products I’ve reviewed on the blog since the start of the year feature peptides in some form. Among these new innovations are the Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer and The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum – one of my favorite new eye treatments of 2023.
But did you know that collagen can also be classified as a peptide? In fact, I explored the question, Is collagen a peptide? in my Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster review. Collagen peptides are a type of collagen that has been broken down into smaller molecules. This makes them easier for the body to absorb and to use effectively. Collagen peptides are often taken as supplements and they are believed to have a number of health benefits, including improved skin health, joint health, and bone health.
The experts on the Paula’s Choice research team published an in-depth, well-sourced article titled, What Are Peptides and What Do They Do for Skin? You can access it here.
An excerpt on collagen from the piece:
Proteins, like collagen and elastin, are the fundamental building blocks of skin. Without peptides and proteins, skin doesn’t remain intact. The result is loss of firmness, the appearance of wrinkles, textural changes and skin that doesn’t bounce back as it once did.
Recently collagen peptides have gotten a lot of attention– both in supplements and in topical skin care products. Yet there’s a bit of misunderstanding when it comes to the benefits of collagen peptides (also referred to as hydrolyzed collagen).
Unfortunately, for topical use, this specific form of peptide cannot help prompt collagen regeneration or repair within skin. Its molecule size is just too large to penetrate skin. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not beneficial to skin. This buzzy ingredient functions as a humectant, meaning it helps attract and bind water to skin, increasing hydration. In turn, this promotes a dewy, smooth appearance.
Research shows these peptides (which can be extracted either from plant or animal collagen) have benefits when used in both topical and supplement applications.
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Before I get to my Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum product review below, I wanted to explore more about collagen, its importance to your skin health, and how it functions in the skin. I tapped the artificial intelligence technology at you.com for expert answers to a few key questions about collagen.
Here’s how the AI responded to my queries:
1. What Is Collagen for Skin?
Collagen is a major component of your skin and plays a significant role in the strength [1], elasticity and hydration of the skin. Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced in the body and refers to the connective tissue that holds our skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments together [2].
As we age, our body produces less collagen, which can cause our skin to become thin and less firm. Collagen supplements contain amino acids [3], the building blocks of protein, and are said to improve skin hydration and elasticity [4], reduce visible wrinkles, and increase blood flow to the skin [5]. Some studies suggest that taking collagen supplements can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keep skin looking smoother.
Sources: [1] Health Benefits of Collagen: Pros, Cons, and More; [2] Collagen: What it is, Types, Function & Benefits; [3] Collagen | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of ...; [4] Collagen: Benefits, Side Effects, and More; 5. Collagen for Your Skin: Healthy or Hype? | Cedars-Sinai
2. Does Collagen Improve Your Skin?
Yes, collagen can improve skin health and reduce the signs of aging. According to several authoritative sources, collagen is an essential protein that provides structure, strength, and elasticity to the skin. As we age, the body produces less collagen, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
Studies have shown that taking collagen supplements or applying collagen topically can improve skin elasticity, texture, hydration, and thickness [2], [6]. Furthermore, collagen can promote wound healing and skin repair [3]. Another study [4] suggests that a nutritious diet containing vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, supports healthy skin; and consuming collagen-rich foods (such as meat and fish) may also help maintain skin health.
While the effectiveness of collagen supplements may vary depending on the individual [1], [2], it is believed that supplements can provide noticeable benefits for skin health.
Sources: [1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.12852; [2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881#benefits; [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6414379/; [4] https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/collagen-supplements-for-skin; [5] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-benefits#section6
3. Can You Rebuild Collagen in Skin?
Yes, it is possible to rebuild collagen in the skin. Collagen production naturally decreases as we age, but there are some things you can do to stimulate collagen production and maintain healthy levels of collagen in your skin. Here are some strategies that may help:
Use skin care products with retinoids and Vitamin C: Retinoids, Vitamin A derivatives, and Vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production over time to plump skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in protein, vitamin C, and antioxidants may help support collagen production. Lean protein sources include fish, seafood, skinless chicken, and beans. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and leafy green vegetables.
Consider collagen supplements: Collagen supplements may help increase collagen levels in the skin.
Protect your skin from sun damage: Sun damage, also referred to as photo damage, can accelerate collagen breakdown, so it’s important to protect your skin from UV rays. Wear protective clothing and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835901/; https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sunscreen-patients/sunscreen-faqs
4. Do Collagen Supplements Help Skin?
It seems that there is evidence to suggest that collagen supplements may improve skin health.
According to the NIH, “collagen supplements improve skin moisture [1], elasticity, and hydration when orally administered.” This suggests that collagen supplements can have a positive impact on skin health when taken orally. Collagen supplements may help keep collagen levels up throughout aging to help skin maintain its youthful qualities.
In an article titled The 10 Best Collagen Supplements of 2023, the online health resource Health.com reported on a study [2] that looked at whether collagen supplementation could improve skin tissue hydration – an important factor in skin health.
Overall, while more research is needed, it appears there is some evidence to suggest that collagen supplements may help improve skin health, particularly in terms of hydration, moisture, and elasticity. [3]
Sources: [1] Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in ...; [2] The 10 Best Collagen Supplements of 2023; [3] Collagen Supplements: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage
5. Product Review
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum
As I’ve said, the Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream has become indispensable to my skin health during the dry, low-humidity months of the year. Here in Brooklyn, that can span from November to March. During this time, I rely on TLPC to replenish depleted lipids like fatty acids and ceramides and prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) – the leading cause of skin dehydration.
I trust Skinfix with the health of my skin barrier. So what about the rest of the year? For people with oily and acne-prone skin, TLPC isn’t quite what they’re looking for. It’s far too rich – and it’s even too rich for me on a warm spring or summer day.
To address the needs of an oiler skin type and those of us exuding oil on a hot day, the brand introduced Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream. A far lighter moisturizer with a similar ability to strengthen the skin barrier, the new Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is clinically proven to strengthen skin barrier function in as little as an hour. In addition, it’s proven to deliver intense hydration for 72 hours, essentially preventing TEWL. You can catch my Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream review on the blog here.
PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX BARRIER+ SKIN BARRIER RESTORING GEL CREAM
But what about the lipid replenishment that’s so essential to your skin barrier health? Boom! Skinfix embraced exactly what we’re here for – what we want from the brand: skin lipids!
To deliver lipid replenishment all-year-round, Skinfix just introduced their new Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum. It’s a super lightweight lotion that helps replenish lipids and stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. And, as a milky serum, it’s easily layered into any skincare routine – any day of the year.
The new Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum is packed with ingredients that are essential to skin barrier health, including multiple peptides, Niacinamide, fatty acids, ceramides, and Collagen Amino Acids aka collagen peptides. For the last three weeks, I’ve been using this velvety lotion daily and have to say I’m hooked.
Of course, Skinfix didn’t just load up their new replenishing serum and drop it on the shelves of Sephora, hoping we’d all just believe in the product. The brand did the hard work of proving the new product’s efficacy, something I’ve appreciated about Skinfix from early on. Many clinical brands don’t do that kind of due diligence. And they should.
$360? THAT’S AS MUCH AS A CAR PAYMENT!
Over the weekend, I was on a rant about overpriced, overhyped skincare and called out Dr. Barbara Sturm for charging $360 for her new Super Anti-Aging Face Cream. There’s nothing “super” about her new moisturizer with Plankton Extract. And certainly nothing about it that justifies charging an amount equivalent to a car payment. Hey, it’s a nice face cream, don’t get me wrong. But is it worth your car payment? Do I even have to ask?!
Notably, there are no clinicals done to prove the efficacy of the product – and justify its hefty price point. None. Everything the brand says about their super-duper anti-aging cream is rooted in marketing.
Dr. Barbara Sturm apparently doesn’t care about clinical testing. Isn’t she a doctor? Or is that just marketing spin, too?
Again, clinical testing is a key differentiator between Skinfix and many other clinical brands, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Drunk Elephant and Paula’s Choice among them. The new Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum is clinically proven to immediately hydrate skin and to visibly plump, firm and reduce the look of fine lines in 28 days. You can’t get that from plankton.
So what is it about the new Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum that I think makes it exceptional and, perhaps, essential to a pro-skin health skincare regimen?
Well, first is that it’s easy to use. As I said, it’s super light and easily layered into a skincare routine. Where would you position it in your skincare steps? Well, I apply it as the last of my face serums in the treatment step – just before moisturizer. As a rule, always start with the lightest water-based serums and end with heavier oil-based ones.
So a normal serum sequence for me could be this: Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, then the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum and lastly, the Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum.
If it’s in the evening, I wait for all three serums to dry down and be fully absorbed before applying a Retinol face serum like the Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum. It’s best to apply Retinol on dry skin. And the new Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum is ideal for use with Retinol treatments that can dry out and irritate your skin.
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And what about the cocktail of pro-skin health goodness in the Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum?
Skinfix has recently re-classified its triple lipid complex as B-L3™ Complex, which is essentially an ideal blend of skin-identical lipids that includes fatty acids and ceramides. The lipid complex is combined with six peptides that together help to “boost production of natural ceramides and fatty acids to repair the skin barrier.”
In addition to its blend of peptides and emollient plant oils, the formula contains a healthy dose of humectants. Together, these form what I refer to as a “lock and block” strategy. The humectants lock water in your skin and the lipids block water from escaping. That’s how you keep your skin optimally hydrated at all times of the year – not just during the dry, low-humidity months.
Healthy functioning skin performs this delicate balance on its own. But often, and more so as we age, we need a little boost. Why? Well, for a few reasons. Our skin barrier thins out; and, skin produces less of the collagen, ceramides and fatty acids that help to hold water in.
The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum delivers that boost.
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The new Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum also contains a healthy dose of Niacinamide at about a 2% concentration. That’s a nice little bonus, but not a replacement for a dedicated Niacinamide serum. IMO you can’t get enough Niacinamide in your skincare routine and the best way to do that is to use a separate serum.
Most skin can tolerate a 20% concentration of Niacinamide at one time. And, as I’ve said, I generally use a Niacinamide serum twice daily. I’m a die-hard fan of the Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster to deliver the antioxidant, brightening, soothing and strengthening benefits of Niacinamide I’m looking for. A 20% concentration can also smooth out a rough skin texture. Catch my list of the best Niacinamide serums on the blog here.
Consider amping up your skin health by adding the new Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum to your daily routine. It’s a solid, pro-skin health treatment and just may give your skin that boost it’s craving...
6. Pros & Cons
What I like about it: The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum is a terrific face serum infused with lipids, peptides and a whole cocktail of pro-skin health actives that enhance your skin health. I love the texture and how easily layered into an existing skincare routine it is.
What I don’t like about it: At $69, it’s on the pricier side. I’m no fan of overpaying for skincare but at least you’re getting a solid product backed by clinical proof – not marketing spin.
Who it’s for: All skin types, except very oily and acne-prone.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum for $69 here.
The Ingredient List of the Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Activating Serum:
sii|emo, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer vc, Squalene sii|aox|emo, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil emo, Amylopectin vc, Lecithin emo|emu, Phytosteryl Macadamiate emo|sii, Collagen Amino Acids sii|h, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Folic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactic Acid exf|h|buff, Phospholipids sii|emo, Ceramide NP sii, Phytosterols, Phytosphingosine sii|cci|aacne|amic, Ceramide AP sii, Cholesterol sii|emo 0 0, Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract h, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana (Cherry Blossom) Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Tripeptide-1 cci, Ceramide EOP sii, Polyglutamic Acid h, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Tocopherol aox 0-3 0-3, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate emu, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Hexylene Glycol solv|emu|perf|surf 0-1 0-2, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Acetyl Glutamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate amic|pres, Sodium Benzoate pres, Hydroxyacetophenone aox, Xanthan Gum vc, Potassium Sorbate pres, Carbomer vc 0 1, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Dextran vc, Phenoxyethanol pres
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