Philosophy Miracle Worker trial kit

[vanillacourage]

Have decided it's time to take better care of my skin - I usually just use Cetaphil face wash and Aveeno moisturizer, but now that I'm past 30 I think I need targeted anti-aging stuff and to add in eye cream.

This kit comes very highly reviewed on Sephora:
www.sephora.com/miracle-workermiraculous-anti-aging-trial-kit-P272906

Anyone use these products, or do you have others to recommend?

[prairieglitter]

I use Philosophy almost exclusively. I LOVE the Miracle Worker serum and I believe I have an eye cream. Can't say enough about Philosophy!

[sasky]

I don't think it's included in the kit, but I use the Philosophy facial cleanser and it is amazing. So gentle, but it will also completely remove all make-up.

[mortomo]

I've used all of the products in the kit. I like the pads. They make my skin really smooth. I'm not a fan of the moisturizer though. It's too heavy for my skin. I ended up using it as a neck cream because I didn't want to waste it. To me, the serum was just kind of 'meh'. Didn't hate it but didn't really notice it was doing much. I suppose it's more of a preventative, but I just didn't love it.

I love philosophy products for the most part though.

[Deleted]

www.pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=recommendations&action=display&thread=9878



I would see a dermatologist and get a prescription for Retin A. Retinoids, the active ingredient in these Philosophy products, are a very weak version of the same active ingredient in Retin A. You will see very minimal and limited results with retinoids, and will get the best results from Retin A.

[happyhomemaker]

Sorry I can't help, but I would love to hear some more thoughts on Philosophy skincare also. I will be 30 next year and am trying to combat and prevent fine lines and early signs of aging. Is Philosophy worth the price?

[Deleted]

ETA that this response is to happyhomemaker

IMO, Philosophy isn't likely worth the price. For anti-aging, dermatologists recommend washing with Cetaphil or CeraVe, using prescription Tretinoin at night, and using spf 30+ and antioxidants during the day (which can both be found in drugstore products). Some derms also recommend copper peptides. If a dermatologist does recommend an expensive skincare product, it will be a brand like Obagi or Neova, which are truly excellent products with real science behind them and not just the nice smelling, nice feeling products at department stores that are put into pretty bottles and marketed like crazy with celebrity faces (I'm not referring specifically to Philosophy here - just most cosmetic company expensive skincare lines in general).

As far as anti-aging, a cheap antioxidant product, prescription Tretinoin, and simple sunscreen is going to do much, much more than any well marketed expensive product. However, I do think that expensive products can sometimes provide a better "experience" as far as smelling nicer and sometimes feeling nicer by using ingredients like sillicone.

This article is very good in explaining what really matters in an anti-aging routine.
dermatologyaffiliates.com/skin/philosophies/anti-aging-products/

The cosmetics industry gets soooooo much of our money by marketing products that really don't do anything for us. The reality that a tube of prescription goop and some cheap drugstore spf and drugstore facewash is what is best for anti-aging can be a tough pill to swallow because it is not sexy at all, and cosmetics companies are REALLY good at marketing.

That said, for some people the nicer experience is worth spending more money, even though it isn't going to make a long term difference in the skin. Sometimes I get tired of trying the same product and will splurge just to try something new. I just did this with a Vitamin C serum and bought a $30 serum rather than my regular $10 product. The $30 one has silicones and feels so nice going on, and also smells like roses while my cheap product smells like orange juice. But I am also certain that it's not truly doing more for me

Also, for some there might be a difference in the feel of their skin with certain products. I know that a lot of people on here like Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser and prefer it over Cetaphil or CeraVe. From what posters have said, it is a gentle cleanser but they feel it gets the skin a little cleaner than Cetaphil or CeraVe. I think that's completely legitimate, but isn't going to make a difference in preventing or improving fine lines and wrinkles, and I also think it makes more sense to try the inexpensive products first and only try something more expensive if the cheap product doesn't work for you.

I've also heard people recommend the Philosophy Microdelivery Peel. I haven't tried it. I find it interesting, but at $68 I feel pretty certain that I'm better off buying peels and such at a place like makeupartistschoice.com. That site sells the same chemical peels and many products you would receive at a Med Spa or dermatologists office. I use TCA peels from MUAC and they are great.

[Deleted]

I also want to add that I don't think that products like Philosophy are total crap and don't work. Many Philosophy products have really good ingredients. I've considered purchasing their When Hope is Not Enough serum, which is an antioxidant serum. Antioxidants are important for anti-aging, and I'm certain it's a good product. However, an antioxidant is an antioxidant, and I can spend $10 on a cheap serum from Sally's or the drugstore instead of $40 on the Philosophy product, with it's prettier packaging and probably a more pleasant smell and feel. Ultimately, they will both do the same for wrinkles.

The microdelivery peel also contains some great ingredients, specifically Vitamin C and Retinoids. Retinoids exfoliate the skin and Vitamin C helps brighten it and is a powerful antioxidant that helps combat signs of aging. However, both of these ingredients can be found in drugstore products. Also retinoids will have a very limited effect on lines and wrinkles, but Tretinoin (Retin A) is the exact same ingredient but in prescription strength. If you just google and read up on Retin A and aging, you will see that there are studies and plenty of scientific backing proving that Tretinoin really makes a difference with treatment and prevention of lines and wrinkles, but you really need the prescription strength to get the most benefit.

[happyhomemaker]

GoDawgs, thank you so much for your input. I have to admit, I am a major sucker for cute or sleek packaging. I found what you had to say very interesting. I am mainly looking for moisturizer (day and night), eye cream, maybe a serum or other treatment to help my skin look its best. I have used the microdelivery and really found it to be nice. It made my skin feel so smooth and it seemed to help a bit with some fine lines on my forehead and in between my eyebrows (that's about the extent of my fine lines, but that is enough!). I don't want to spend more than I have to either. I will check out the products that you mentioned. Thanks so much!