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Secret Sauce Clinically Advanced Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer has a name that sounds so impressive, we can't help but wonder why IT Cosmetics keeps selling their other anti-aging moisturizers. If this is really miraculous, why bother with any of the others? That aside, this creamy-smooth moisturizer ends up being "advanced" and "miraculous" in name only.
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this moisturizer's downfall comes in two forms: jar packaging and fragrance. The jar packaging keeps this moisturizer's best ingredients from working all of their magic, while the fragrance is present in a greater concentration than practically all of the anti-aging ingredients. How disappointing! See More Info for explanations on why jar packaging and highly fragrant products are not the way to go for maximum anti-aging results.
There are some brilliant anti-aging moisturizers out there whose "secret sauce" is their combinations of antioxidants, skin-restoring, and skin-replenishing ingredients all wrapped up in ideal packaging. You'll find those youth-reviving options on our list of Best Moisturizers, Nighttime.
One more comment: Like most skincare from IT Cosmetics, this one's ingredient list is lengthy. It looks like you're getting a lot of great ingredients, and you are—but in amounts that are likely lower than what research has shown works best for skin.
- Hydrates skin.
- Provides lasting moisture and a smooth feel.
- Contains more fragrance than state-of-the-art ingredients.
- Jar packaging won't keep the antioxidants, ferments, and plant extracts stable once opened.
- "Advanced" and "Miraculous" in name only.
Jar Packaging & Anti-Aging Moisturizers: Beneficial anti-aging ingredients, which include all plant extracts, almost all vitamins, antioxidants, and other state-of-the-art ingredients, are unstable, which means they begin to break down in the presence of air. Once a jar is opened and lets air in, these important ingredients begin to deteriorate, becoming less and less effective. Routine exposure to daylight also is problematic for these ingredients.
Jar packaging is also unsanitary because you dip your fingers into the jar with each use, contaminating the product. This stresses the preservative system, leading to further deterioration of the beneficial ingredients.
Remember: The ingredients that provide the most benefit in addressing visible signs of aging must be in airtight or air-restrictive packaging to remain effective throughout usage. Buying products in this type of packaging means that the ingredients have the best chance of remaining effective—to the benefit of your skin!
References for this information:
Pharmacology Review, July 2013, pages 97–106
Dermatologic Therapy, May-June 2012, pages 252–259
Current Drug Delivery, November 2011, pages 640–660
Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, May 2011, pages 4676–4683
Journal of Biophotonics, January 2010, pages 82–88
Guidelines of Stability Testing of Cosmetic Products, Colipa-CTFA, March 2004, pages 1–10
Why Fragrance Is a Problem for Skin: Daily use of products that contain a high amount of fragrance, whether the fragrant ingredients are synthetic or natural, causes a chronic sensitizing reaction on skin.
This reaction in turn leads to all kinds of problems, including disrupting skin's barrier, worsening dryness, increasing or triggering redness, depleting vital substances in skin's surface, and generally preventing skin from looking healthy, smooth, and hydrated. Fragrance free is always the best way to go for all skin types.
A surprising fact: Even though you can't always see or feel the negative effects of fragrant ingredients on skin, the damage will still be taking place, even if it's not evident on the surface. Research has demonstrated that you don't need to see or feel the effects of irritation for your skin to be suffering. Much like the effects from cumulative sun damage, the negative impact and the visible damage from fragrance may not become apparent for a long time.
References for this information:
Biochimica and Biophysica Acta, May 2012, pages 1410–1419
Aging, March 2012, pages 166–175
Chemical Immunology and Allergy, March 2012, pages 77–80
Experimental Dermatology, October 2009, pages 821–832
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2008, pages 191–202
International Journal of Toxicology, Volume 27, 2008, Supplement, pages 1–43
Food and Chemical Toxicology, February 2008, pages 446–475
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003, pages 789–798
Strengths: Excellent color products, standout foundation and concealer options, impressive highlighters.
Weaknesses: Can be on the pricey side; has a few makeup products with exaggerated anti-aging claims.
IT Cosmetics (the IT stands for Innovative Technology) is the creation of Jamie Kern Lima, a former Miss USA pageant contestant and TV news anchor. Lima founded IT Cosmetics in 2008, selling her products in boutique stores and on QVC, then expanding into Canada in 2009. Since then, the line has gotten a lot of exposure with featured reports and stories on network television, including prominent mentions on the ABC reality show Dancing With the Stars.
The labels on most IT Cosmetics products reveal a variety of age-defying claims centered around ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, vitamins, and collagen. Those are indeed great additions to any cosmetic product, but unfortunately, the combination of compact or jar packaging among the formulas that include those helpful ingredients isnt a good thing.
Air exposure compromises ingredients like antioxidants and peptides, rendering them useless. While that doesnt affect the quality of the makeup, it is worth noting if you were hoping for an anti-aging edge from IT Cosmetics antioxidant-boosted blush or powders.
Of course, IT Cosmetics does have products that are absolutely worth checking out. The line boasts an excellent range of color products, highlighters, foundations and many more worth consideration. As with any line that has a mix of standouts and caveats, shopping using our reviews to guide you is a great way to ensure youll at least get your moneys worth, and your skin will be the better for it.
For more information on IT Cosmetics, visit www.itcosmetics.com.
About the Experts
The Beautypedia team consists of skin care and makeup experts personally trained by the original Cosmetics Cop and best-selling beauty author, Paula Begoun. We’re fascinated by skin care and makeup products and thrilled when they meet or exceed our expectations, but we’re also disappointed when they fail to perform as claimed, are wildly overpriced, or contain ingredients scientific research has proven can hurt skin.
Our mission has always been to help you find the best products for your skin, no matter your budget or preferences. Beautypedia’s thorough and insightful reviews cut through the hype and provide reliable recommendations for all ages, skin types, and skin tones.
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