Elizabeth Arden’s Plump Perfect Firming Facial Mask, has ceramides as one of the active ingredients. The other active ingredient, Argireline, is nicknamed “Botox in a jar.†Before I divulge the results of my treatment I know you are dying to learn what ceramides and Argireline are and how they work, so, here goes.
Ceramides are lipids found naturally in the stratum corneum, the outer most layer of the epidermis. The stratum corneum contains three types of lipids or fats, ceramides, free fatty acids and cholesterol. There are nine types of ceramides, named ceramide 1, ceramide 2 and so on. Each ceramide has subsets but we need not get that scientific. Ceramides makes up about 40-50% of the total lipids in the stratum corneum and helps to hold skin cells together giving it a smooth, firm appearance. As we age, the amount of ceramide in our stratum corneum is reduced, this makes skin dry, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Egad! Argireline is a synthetic peptide developed to fight the effects of aging. It is said to block the transmissions from the muscle to the skin, thereby helping the face to be relaxed and appear smoother.
Elizabeth Arden has a whole line of ceramide products. The Plump Perfect Firming Facial Mask uses ceramides 1, 3 and 6 along with Argireline, in an attempt to plump skin and relax the face, giving it a “retexturized and renewed†look. According to the manufacturer, the masks holds six times more Argireline than other Plump Perfect products.
Results
After cleansing and toning with my regular products, I added the Ceramide Plump Perfect Firming Facial Mask and waited the prescribed ten minutes. I removed the mask and massaged the remaining serum (left by the mask) into my skin. My skin was noticeably softer but not much else was different.
The box contains four masks with suggested use for once per week, for four weeks. I gave my aunt (who is about 25 years older that I am) the remaining three masks. After one use, she reported that her skin was softer, but smoothness and firmness remain unchanged. The claim that “skin will look firmer, retexturized and renewed†in just ten minutes is not quite true. On the upside – this mask (and it’s packaging) would be great when traveling, it’s a quick and easy way to restore a bit of moisture to the face and it will give you ten minutes to put your feet up and relax.
This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more: @ChristeneCarr on Twitter and her blog www.christenecarr.com.
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