Apothederm 3-Piece Firming Serum, Moisturizing Cream & Hydrating Eye Cream Anti-Aging Set w/ Bag

Why Moisturize?
Everyone can benefit from using a moisturizer after cleansing. The key is finding the appropriate moisturizer based on your skin type. Moisturizers seal moisture into the skin, so the effect is hydrating while also inhibiting evaporation. Many moisturizers contain active ingredients that deliver vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and skin supporting compounds to provide therapeutic benefits that sooth, protect and ultimately delay the onset of early aging.
Eye creams are optional, but may be desirable for those with dry or aging skin as a welcome addendum to a moisturizer. Some individuals have very delicate eye areas that are more susceptible to wrinkling, dark circles and puffiness. An eye cream can help address these specific concerns with intense moisture and a high concentration of active ingredients.

How to Choose a Moisturizer
The oilier your complexion, the lighter and more liquid your moisturizer should be. Some moisturizers even have oil free ingredients that still serve to moisturize the skin without adding oil. Conversely, dry or aging skin requires a more moisturizing-nourishing preparation. Use a moisturizer labeled with your skin type or specific skin concern. If you live in a particularly harsh climate, consider wearing a more moisturizing face cream during the winter and switch to a lighter formula during warmer months.
Night creams tend to be thicker and more moisturizing than day creams. It is generally recommended to have separate moisturizers simply for the fact that you will want a day cream with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). This will provide you with added protection from sun damage that ultimately leads to premature aging.
Based on the amount of time you spend outside on any particular day, you might want to wear a moisturizer designed for outdoor use with a significantly higher SPF. You must also factor in how easily your skin burns and take precautions to protect your skin with a sufficient SPF. As a general rule, it is recommended that your day moisturizer should have at least 15-20 SPF, and if you spend more time outdoors, consider a moisturizer with 30+ SPF.

How to Use Moisturizer
After you wash your face and apply toner or a serum (optional), scoop out enough moisturizer to comfortably cover your face and neck area. Using your finger tips, rub it in using upward strokes, making sure to moisturize the neck, décolletage and earlobes. In order to prevent streaks, allow your moisturizer to penetrate before applying foundation.

When skin ages, its collagen and elastin are produced more slowly. This causes gradual changes like hyperpigmentation, discoloration, dryness, sagging, wrinkles, crepe-like folds, loss of muscle tone, textural unevenness and loss of elasticity.

The topical application of key skin firming ingredients works synergistically to protect and strengthen the skin. Skin care products should have a combination of naturally occurring active ingredients. They will contain compounds to protect which will likely be in the form of extracts containing antioxidants. Another set of ingredients will firm the skin by penetrating through its seven layers to support the collagen process at a cellular level.

Skin firming creams are usually formulated as night creams. They tend to be richer, thicker and more emollient and should be able to stay on long enough to absorb for maximum benefits. In general, face creams are designed to minimize lines/wrinkles, improve skin density, firm, plump and decrease puffiness (especially in the eye area).

Many manufacturers describe their product as a "cocktail" of ingredients that work together to decrease the effects of aging. Skin firming and anti-aging ingredients often include antioxidants, minerals, seaweed, herb extracts and different kinds of oils like Vitamins A and E. Other ingredients attributed to having a firming effect on the skin include green tea, aloe vera, beech bud extract, alpha lipoic acids, shea butter, hyaluronic acid and the very exotic sounding emu oil. Some firming and anti-aging products also contain light reflecting pigments, such as mica, to enhance the glow and make the skin look radiant.

What is a Serum?
Deciding to use a serum can depend on various factors including skin type, age or degree of damage. They are able to effectively absorb onto the skin, delivering active ingredients for maximum benefit. Depending on ingredients, serums contain anti-aging properties that help to firm, tighten, provide anti-oxidants, re-texturize, or address the signs of aging. If you decide to use a serum with your moisturizer, select one with the ingredients or benefits associated with the concerns you wish to address.

INGREDIENTS:
Firming Serum: Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Trehalose, Heptapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Thermus Ferment, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate.

Moisturizing Cream: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Methicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Soy Phospholipids, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cetyl Esters, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Linoleic Acid,Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

Hydrating Eye Cream: Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetyl Octanoate*, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Hexapeptide-21, Squalane, Tocopherol, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 80,Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Laureth-4, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Methylisothiazolinone, Disodium EDTA. (*Synonym: Cetyl Caprylate).