We are going to talk about the luxury skincare that Cassandra shockingly likes, luxury skincare she thinks is worth prices, and would buy. Given that skincare will always have an approaching expiration date, expensive luxury beauty isn’t really Cassandra’s cup of tea. Normally, there’s just fancy packaging, and the ingredients aren’t that much better. If you have sunscreens, retinoids, and ceramides in your routine, you are good to go. However, for those who like to feel a little fancy or are curious, these are the luxury that Cassandra does recommend.
Disclaimer: You do not need to spend ridiculous amounts of money to have a good skincare routine. The price of a product does not indicate it’s quality or efficacy. But, for this piece, we’re actually going to pay tribute to the products that might not be worth all of that money, but nevertheless, Cassandra doesn’t likes them.
Are neck creams worth it?
The first type of product we're going to discuss is a neck cream. Most of the times, Cassandra really hates neck creams because similar to eye creams, they are simply overpriced facial moisturizers. But, because the targeted demographic normally has more disposable income (women who are 40 and above), they cost you and arm and a leg. All the while, the ingredients are not much different than what they have in their facial moisturizers. Shady, right? However, Cassandra has actually found some good neck creams that have good ingredients, are made by a doctors, and actually do what we want them to do.
Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25 ($89) -$89
This actually has the sunscreen protection for the neck and chest, two areas that often get ignored when it comes to SPF. The ingredients in here truly help with the wrinkles, fine lines, and some of the damage that happens from not protecting this area. This formula is a nice, whipped, dimethicone texture, and it actually feels very nice and hydrating on the skin. It layers on nice, and it doesn't ball up.
As for the ingredients, this formula has tetrapeptide 9, which is a formula that has been shown to go into the skin and help with protein formation. We need more testing, but if you’re in need of some anti-aging product, this is a really good option. We also know that vitamin C is absolutely amazing for brightening the skin and helping with sun damage.
This not only has vitamin C, but it has a vitamin C ester. This is oil soluble or lipid soluble. Likewise, it can actually penetrate deeper into the skin to do its work, and then, combined with the SPF, it's effectiveness gets boosted up. Additionally, this has vitamin B3, niacinamide, and it is a wonderful formula that can help to lift and support the neck area.
So, could you use this on the face? Absolutely.
This would make a great facial moisturizer, and if you have a facial moisturizer that you love, you can definitely use that on your neck. All in all, if you are someone looking for a specific neck cream that is scientifically validated, then, Cassandra does stand by this. Remember though, neck creams are a luxury, not a staple in a skincare routine, especially because you can just take you a moisturizer down to the neck.
Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum Radiant Rani -$135
Cassandra actually sampled this, and it was amazing. The science behind saffron is fascinating as well. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the entire world, and one pound of saffron can cost anywhere from $500 to $5000. It’s so expensive because you have to pull it out from the middle of a flower. It’s very labor intensive, and it only grows in specific places. Normally, when you see saffron products, they’re extraordinarily diluted, but this one is not. When it comes to the brand, Ranavat was created by a women who has two engineering degrees and one pharmacology degree. She actually cares about a cosmetic products, and she has put saffron in a serum that is meant for brightening and an antioxidant boost. It’s supposed to be a luxury skin option.
Ranavat Flawless Veil Resurfacing Saffron Masque - $75
This has flecks of saffron it. Cassandra wouldn’t say that this is the best for hyperpigmentation, but it does have a ton of antioxidant benefits. It made her skin look and feel more glowy. As mentioned, there is evidence that saffron has tangible benefits for the skin like being anti-inflammatory and vitamin C.
Odacité Crème de la Nuit -$118
You’re meant to wear this product over night, and some of the main ingredients in here are jojoba oil. This product is super silky, and it absorbs so well. It is a nice, liquid bubblegum texture that’s not overly sticky, and it’s also got vitamin C, and ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen, and when taken orally, it helps with stress, but even on the skin, there may be benefits. This product also has hyaluronic acid and CoQ10 which is ubiquinone. It also has pomegranate and blue-green algae (kelp). Blue-green algae can help to renew and refresh the skin, and moreover, it can assist with UV damage that may have been caused by ROS (reactive oxygen species).
The vitamin C in here can help with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and it doesn’t make your skin feel overly oily if you leave it on overnight. This is a great formula, but the main reason it's so expensive is because the main ingredient is fruit juice instead of water. There’s also grapeseed oil, glycerin, and Jojoba oil from Trader Joe’s is also really good.
Dermalogica AGE Smart Phyto-Nature Firming Serum -$145
Cassandra wouldn’t consider this a luxury brand, but this is a luxury product from Dermalogica. This will not give you a facelift. If you are looking for a plant-based serum that makes you feel fancy, this would be it. This has fragrance and a lot of basic ingredients that you would normally see in skincare. However, we do have an interesting ingredient in here called trifluroacetyl tetrapeptide 2 as well as palmityl tetrapeptide 28, and then, we there's tumeric and hydrated silica. It is a good plant formula, and the plant phytoactives can help to lift and rejuvenate the skin. It does feel like an oil serum so it helps to lock in moisture, and it absorbs really nicely into the neck or the face. Peptides can penetrate deeper into the skin because they are smaller, and then, while they’re there they can hopefully do some cellular signaling to assist the skin in renewing better and create more of its own moisture barrier. There is lavender and a couple of other plant extracts so just be aware of that if you are sensitive.
Troiareuke - Triopel At Home Kit -$ 216.90
This is K-beauty. This is an at-home exfoliation kit. The G&S ampoule moisturizer has gold in it. Now, what does gold for skin? It can stabilize vitamin C, but it’s not really penetrating or doing anything to your face. It’s more of a luxury thing. And if you don't have a gold allergy, this serves as a moisturizing, hydrating K beauty serum. It’s very fun, and the gold flecks dissolve quite nicely. The serum is very lightweight and has peptides that can help with cellular signaling, rebuilding the skin barrier, and maybe even some protein or collagen formation.
The is a spicule cream, and it does the peeling. Spicules are little needle-shaped elements that are meant to exfoliate.
That absorb into the skin overtime, and they help the skin peel, rejuvenate, and exfoliate from the inside out. They help with brightness, firming, and texture. You push it on the side, and it dispenses. It doesn’t sting or feel grainy when you rub it in. It works overtime to give the skin a really beautiful glow. K beauty has a lot soothing and more gentle formulas than a lot of other brands. It’s a peel and fill cream, and does fill up scars and plump up the skin.
These are meant to work together. You do the moisturizing hydration, and then, the peel. They are great. This is not botox in a bottle, but it is fun.
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Acid Brightening Complex 20% -$159
This is the elevated cruelty-free version of the Skinceuticals. The absorbs without irritating. It has a vitamin C ester which is more stable. It absorbs into the skin, and it is less irritating than other vitamin Cs. It has that ferulic acid which is an amazing vitamin C. It has a vitamin e, which is tocopherol acetate, something we love for boosting up vitamin C. If you are looking for a luxury, hyperpigmentation serum and something that is brightening or antioxidant support before you go out during the day, this is going to be it. It has jojoba oil which Cassandra’s skin loves.
Chantecaille Bio Lifting Oil Free Fluid - $275
This has great ingredients, and it goes onto the skin like an absorbent, moisturizing primer. This actually helps to lift and support the skin. There are flour ingredients, but they’re not oils. They’re actually waxes. Jasmine flower wax, spent grain flower wax, and shea butter wax. There are root extract, phospholipids, glutamic acid, rubus, idiocus leaf. This also has plankton an ascorbic acid which will give you some vitamin C antioxidants benefits. The plankton is also really hard to extract. So, the fact that they extracted it and stabilized in a formula into an oil-free formula is awesome. It doesn’t peel or feel heavy, and it gives a wonderful glow. This product is soothing towards oily skin and contains glycerin and propandial which are great hydrating ingredients for oily prone skin. This is really nice to apply morning or evening.
Again, beware of scams, luxury does not indicate quality, but it can definitely be a treat.