Founded in 2002, Strivectin is a skin care brand that “breaks the barrier” of conventional skin care science by creating innovative solutions for aging and changing skin. The brand formulates their products with ingredients that support a strong skin barrier, for example, the Strivectin skin care products feature the brand’s patented NIA-114 technology. Don’t worry, we’ll explain exactly what NIA-44 is and what it can do for your skin in this review. While the brand offers an extensive collection of anti-aging skin care products, we’ll be focusing on the Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum in this review. We’ll discuss the key ingredients, how to use it, Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum reviews from real customers, and more.
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2024?
Is Strivectin Skincare Worth The Money?
A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost. Strivectin Skincare products are expensive, for example, the Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream Jumbo is $149.
In our opinion, Strivectin Skincare products aren’t worth the money, simply because there are other skincare brands that offer similar products that are less expensive.
One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.
Carrot & Stick intro bundles deliver great value for money because you can bundle 3 full-size products worth up to $240 for $88.
What’s Inside Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum?
Like we mentioned above, the key ingredients in Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum include three different forms of vitamin C, acerola cherry extract, retinol, and NIA-114. In order to determine if Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum can provide all of the purported benefits, we must evaluate the science behind these key ingredients. Let’s start with vitamin C.
Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.
The forms of vitamin C used in Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum include sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, and ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C). While ascorbic acid is the chemically active form of vitamin C, it is the least stable form of vitamin C, meaning it easily oxidizes when exposed to heat, light, and/or air.
Therefore, combining ascorbic acid with the stabilized derivatives sodium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl glucoside helps to ensure that the vitamin C in this formula remains stable. Acerola cherry extract is another ingredient in the Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum that provides vitamin C.
Our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Retinol
While vitamin C is known as one of the best skin care ingredients to help improve brightness, retinol is the gold standard ingredient for correcting signs of aging.
The Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum includes pure retinol, although the brand does not disclose the percentage of retinol in this formulation.
When applied to the skin, retinol is clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores. Retinol provides all of these benefits by first being converted to retinoic acid (its active form) after being absorbed into the skin.
Retinoic acid works deep within the skin where it boosts collagen synthesis, increases elasticity, and repairs connective tissue. It also increases cellular turnover, which helps to prevent clogged pores and also promotes smoother, healthier skin.
As you can see, retinol can help to improve numerous signs of skin aging. So you may be asking: what’s not to love about this skin care ingredient?
Unfortunately, retinol products are notorious for causing skin dryness and irritation. These side effects are largely due to how retinol works: increase in cellular turnover reveals a fresh, smooth layer of new skin, but this can also cause dryness and irritation because of transepidermal water loss.
We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation
NIA-114
An innovative ingredient that’s used in Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum is NIA-114, a patented, optimized form of niacinamide/vitamin B3.
The company says it is clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier and supercharge the performance of other ingredients for visibly transformed, more youthful looking skin. The ingredient is also believed to protect skin from external stressors and prevent water loss.
We recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum because it combines niacinamide with seven plant-based neuropeptides and soothing, brightening botanicals to promote a youthful glow.
What is Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum?
Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum combines two of the best ingredients in skin care — vitamin C and retinol — into one lightweight serum. The formula includes three different forms of vitamin C, as well as acerola cherry extract, a botanical extract that is naturally rich in vitamin C. In addition to vitamin C and retinol, this serum contains NIA-114, the brand’s proprietary form of niacin, to strengthen the skin barrier. Together, these key ingredients are said to restore radiance and clarity, smooth away fine lines and uneven texture, and visibly firm and improve elasticity. So can the Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum really provide all of these benefits? Keep reading to find out!
Related: Best Retinol Creams
How to Use Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum
Shake well, then apply one to three drops of Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum to your face in the morning and in the evening. Follow with a moisturizer.
Where is Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum Sold?
Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum is sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party sellers such as Amazon, Ulta, Sephora, and more.
What is The Strivectin Return Policy?
The Strivectin return policy states, “We are happy to accept returns on both new and gently used products at no cost to you within 30 days of receipt.”
Is Strivectin Cruelty Free?
Strivectin is cruelty free and has an official cruelty-free certification by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program.
Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum Reviews
Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum reviews on the brand’s website are very positive, with the product receiving mostly four and five star reviews. The positive reviews for this serum are from customers who saw improvements such as brighter, smoother, and clearer skin. For example, one review says, “Love, love, love this product. Have only been using it for 2 weeks and can already see a difference in the clarity of my skin. Sinks in nice and quickly meaning you can apply your moisturizer almost immediately. And, it smells divine!”
There aren’t many negative reviews for the Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum, but those that we did read were from customers who didn’t see the results they were hoping for after using this serum. For example, one review says, “Very dissatisfied. I’m not seeing any results at all. Won’t buy again.” And there are other negative reviews from customers who experienced skin dryness after using this serum, for example, one review says, “I just started using this serum. So far my skin is really tight after use and dry.”
What Are Some Alternatives to Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend this serum.
References:
1. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
2. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Feb; 3(2): 22–41
3. Women’s Voices for the Earth “Unpacking The Fragrance Industry” 2018
