Happy Friday!
Yes, I have another voxbox review for you! This time it’s quite a few products, but because I wrote such a lengthy post on Monday for Clarins, I will do my best to keep this one a bit shorter 🙂 Let’s jump right in!
About Restorative Elements
This brand doesn’t have very much information about how they got started, their mission, nothing like that. They have one single paragraph at the footer of the website:
“Restorative Elements was brought on by Alchemee, the makers of Proactiv. It is a clinically-proven, dermatologist-developed skincare routine to gently and safely help fade visible signs of hyperpigmentation and discoloration – sunspots, age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and uneven skin tone – when used daily as directed”.
And a few quotes throughout the site from one single person:
The Restorative Elements routine is science and evidence-backed skincare that works together to help visibly correct hyperpigmentation and discoloration
— Dr. Rachel Nazarian, Board-Certified Dermatologist (Restorative Elements Partner)
Ingredients
They do go over the ingredients, but rather quickly in my opinion.
Every single product in this line has the following ingredients:
- Licorice Root: A powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten uneven skin tone and visibly fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
- Niacinamide: A powerful form of vitamin B-3 that helps to improve uneven skin tone and visibly correct the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
- Centella Asiatica: Brightens the skin and helps fade the visible effects of UV damage and discoloration.
Cruelty Free Status
I could not confirm their cruelty-free status because this information was nowhere on their site or social media.
I have sent an email to reach out, will update when and/if I get a reply.
* * *
The website seems like it was quickly put together, but can be easily navigated. I did look up Alchemee and they have a whole site with their sub-pages for their story, brands, etc., but no external links from within RE’s site. The site feels very underwhelming, like not a lot of effort went into it. I do wish they had more information. Most of what I found was on the home page, and it seemed like nothing, but perhaps they’ve decided to condense all the information into bite size pieces. Just a thought.
With all that out of the way, let’s get started with the products!
Brightening Gel Cleanser
Product Overview:
Our antioxidant and vitamin-rich gel cleanser gently lathers to remove impurities on the skin while nourishing and helping to reduce hyperpigmentation.
- Formulated with our proprietary brightening blend of niacinamide, centella asiatica, and licorice root
- Contains the richest form of vitamin C: Kakadu plum
- Hydroquinone-free (no bleaching agents)
- Clinically tested and dermatologist developed
Size: 6 fl. oz (177 mL) | Price: $30.00 USD
I recently started looking into the ingredients list, and I saw that niacinamide is listed as the 4th ingredient. That’s reassuring because this is the ingredient I’d want highest in the list, as it improves uneven skin tone and appearance of hyperpigmentation.
I do like this cleanser. It feels thick and super smooth, hydrating to the skin, and gentle. It doesn’t foam up a whole lot which I am okay with, because it still manages to make my skin feel nice and clean. My skin also feels smooth after rinsing, instead of stripped, so major kudos!
Restorative AHA Resurfacing Pads
Product Overview:
Designed to give you both physical and chemical exfoliation, these treatment pads help resurface and refine your skin for a brighter and more even complexion.
- Double exfoliating textured pads help refine and smooth overall skin texture
- Formulated with renewing 6% glycolic acid and potent antioxidant green tea extract
- Fragrance and hydroquinone-free (no bleaching agents)
- Clinically tested and dermatologist developed
Size: 45 pads/jar | Price: $35.00 USD
For this product, niacinamide also appears as the 4th highest ingredient, and glycolic acid as the 5th. I like seeing these ingredients at the top, and the ingredients list for this product is short too.
The glycolic pads are very gentle, more so than other glycolic pads I’ve used in the past. They don’t feel scratchy or rough on the skin. My skin feels like it is being exfoliated thoroughly and I think the niacinamide in this helps to leave the skin feeling smooth and hydrated. I love rotating these pads in and out of my skincare routine for both day and night every three days or so.
Dark Mark Corrector
Product Overview:
This lightweight, corrective moisturizer helps visibly fade the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation while improving skin texture, so you’re left with vibrant, healthier-looking skin.
- Designed to visibly correct the look of various types of hyperpigmentation including sunspots, uneven skin tone, post-acne marks, post-pregnancy mask, and dark spots
- Contains bisabolol, which is derived from the chamomile plant, and helps to protect, soothe, moisturize, and restore skin’s suppleness
- Safe and gentle for daily use
- Fragrance and hydroquinone-free (no bleaching agents)
- Clinically tested and dermatologist-developed
Size: 1.7 fl oz. (70 mL) | Price: $50.00 USD
I was a little confused with the ingredients list for this product on their site. The list is exactly the same as the glycolic pads, but this product isn’t supposed to have glycolic in it? Instead it should have squalane and hyaluronic acid as they have that listed as the key ingredients. Like I said, the site looks like they quickly put it together, but this is a major mess up in my opinion to not have the proper ingredient list for the product….
Aside from that, this cream feels really nice, lightweight, and hydrating (that would be thanks to the squalane and hyaluronic acid). It absorbs into the skin fairly quickly and I’ve started to see improvements in the way my skin looks and feels. It looks brighter, feels smoother, and a lot of my dark spots from acne are starting to fade. I would recommend this if you have dark spots or hyperpigmentation, though I would say the price is a little steep compared to the rest of their products.
Rose Quartz Gua Sha
I couldn’t find this product anywhere on their site, which would have been nice for those who may want it, but it seems like you get this for free only if you purchase the full size skincare routine. I didn’t really need to review this anywhere but I’ll show it here.
This rose quartz gua sha looks beautiful. I haven’t really used this one as much, maybe a handful of times at most. It’s not because I don’t like it, more so that I have another one I prefer and love. With enough slip, this feels amazing against the skin and also feels a bit cooling. May work better if put in the fridge for a few mins to reduce some puffiness.
The Routine
Developed to work together for best results.
- Step 1: Cleanse w/Brightening Gel Cleanser
- Step 2: Exfoliate w/Glycolic Pads
- Step 3: Moisturize w/Dark Mark Corrector
Starter Set: $49.00 USD | Full Size: $99.00 USD
Free rose quartz gua sha & travel bag w/full size set
I created a reel on how I implemented these products into my skincare routine.
Feel free to watch or skip 🙂
The idea of this set is to use them together so you see better results. I don’t necessarily use all three products when I do my routine. Overtime, I’ve mixed these with other products I have due to active ingredients in other products, but I still have seen great results while using these products.
Aside from the underwhelming website, I think these products are great additions to anyone’s skincare routine. I do wish I knew more information about what skin types these products are geared to because I think that kind of information is necessary as some ingredients may be irritants for certain skin types. You know your skin best, so always be cautious and do patch tests. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading. Hope this post was informative to you. 🙂
Have you seen Restorative Elements anywhere?
Would you try any of their products?
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