INSTYTUTUM is a Swiss skincare brand known for its endless pursuit for perfection and flawless skin. INSTYTUTUM was founded by Natalia Derkach, M.D. – A top level executive of a successful Pharmaceutical company. She teamed up with the most prestigious Swiss Laboratory to bring INSTYTUTUM skincare to life, providing highly effective and innovative skincare products.
I have tested some items from the range for about 6 weeks, read on and find out what made it through to my repurchase list.
Triple-Effect Peel
This peel is a gel containing 3 powerful actives: salicylic acid, papaya enzymes and micro-polishing particles.
I love the sensorial experience with this peel. There is a lovely scent, very pleasant and spa like. I used this twice a week after cleansing. I covered my skin with this peel and left it on for around 3 minutes then used gentle circular motion to massage and rinsed the peel off. The micro-polishing particles are ultra-fine and I didn’t feel that they are rubbing harshly against my skin. If you have sensitive or prefer not to massage with the particles, you can simply just wash off the peel after 3 minutes. The peel exfoliated my skin incredibly well, giving my skin a smoother, brighter and radiant appearance. My skin didn’t feel tight or stripped after use. I love using the peel prior to makeup application, especially on an event day.
Key ingredients:
- THE GENTLE KERATOLYTIC COMPLEX: effectively exfoliates the skin by combining potent acacia polysaccharides and smoothing salicylic acid. The skin feels soft and regenerated.
- PAPAIN: an enzyme from papaya that dissolves keratin, smoothing and softening the skin’s epidermis.
- CAMOMILE EXTRACT: soothes and moisturizes while repairing damaged skin.
- ALLANTOIN: an excellent anti-irritant. Improves healing processes and soothes the skin.
Lifting cream
This anti-ageing cream feels luxurious and substantial. It is formulated with a unique combination of actives to redefine the facial contours and make the skin appear sculpted and lifted. It contains peptides, advanced amino acids, potent vitamins and smoothing retinol to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and improves skin texture, elasticity and firmness. It’s also formulated with raspberry plant stem cells and rejuvenating hyaluronic acid, enriched with natural oils to provide moisture.
Key ingredients:
- COLLAGEN-SYNTHESIS-STIMULATING PEPTIDE: a small peptide that mimics the body’s own mechanism to produce collagen, helping to reduce all types of wrinkles and leaving skin plump and firm.
- INSTANT REMODELLING ACTIVE: boosts cellular dynamics by stimulating fibroblasts, tightening the collagen fibre network in the dermis. Visibly smoothes and diminishes wrinkles from the first application.
- NATURAL FLASH TENSING AGENT: an optimized blend of hydrolyzed polysaccharide and acacia gum which forms a mesh at the surface of the skin. Skin appears lifted; the depth of wrinkles is decreased, leaving skin appearing young and smooth.
- SHEA BUTTER: softens, moisturizes, and improves cell regeneration, leaving skin looking hydrated and firm.
- RETINOL: aids in restoring damaged skin and improving barrier functions while stimulating the rejuvenation process and increasing collagen production. This potent wrinkle fighter also exfoliates surface skin cells, leaving skin looking radiant and youthful.
- VITAMIN C GLUCOSIDE: a highly stable, time-released form of vitamin C. Promotes collagen synthesis and aids in fighting the aging process. Brightens skin and reduces UV-induced skin inflammation and pigmentation. Leaves skin looking rejuvenated and energized.
- BIONYMPH PEPTIDE: provides 360° anti-aging benefits. Derived from plant stem cells, this natural blend of tripeptides and sugar molecules significantly decreases the production of free radicals, regulating the activity of DNA proteins. Diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and improves skin elasticity and smoothness.
- BERRYFLUX VITA: extract of raspberry cultured stem cells with strong antioxidant properties: It improves the skin’s own moisturizing capacity and elasticity, and increases hyaluronic acid content. Skin looks plump and feels firm.
- SODIUM HYALURONATE: has strong moisturizing and film-forming properties. The hyaluronic acid film helps preserve the most important characteristics of youthful, healthy skin, such as suppleness, elasticity and tone.
The cream has a gorgeous velvety smooth texture. It’s not too thick but feels very hydrating so a little goes a long way on my oily skin. I loved that it melted into my skin quickly and didn’t feel greasy or heavy. It provides a serious dose of hydration when you need it. I applied more generously around the area with pigmentation and lines. The cream gave me such an instant glowing and youthful skin. Over the 6 week period, my skin appeared brighter and so much healthier.
Toner
I love toners! It’s a crucial step in my skincare routine as it helps to normalise my skin’s pH level in order for the subsequent important layers to be absorbed. This is a glycolic acid containing toner that felt quite gentle and soothing on the skin yet evidently effective. I was using the toner twice a day apart from the evenings where I used the Flawless Pads.
The toner helps to remove dead surface skin cells while hydrating the skin with provitamin B5 and allantoin. My skin felt smoother and refreshed after use.
There is a scent to the toner which seemed more detectable in the first week of use.
Key ingredients:
- GLYCOLIC ACID: alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) aids in sloughing off dead skin cells, effectively clears and refines pores, improves the overall appearance of the skin.
- CAMOMILE EXTRACT: soothes and moisturizes while repairing damaged skin.
- SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE: retains moisture, reducing dryness and making rough skin feel softer.
- PROVITAMIN B5: protects, restores and soothes, maintaining natural skin moisture. Leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
- ALLANTOIN: an excellent anti-irritant. Improves healing processes and soothes the skin.
- BOTANICAL SOOTHING PROTECTOR: a synergic combination of three plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, designed to reinforce the skin’s natural defence system. This active also effectively increases protection against oxidative stress, preventing premature skin aging.
- VITAMIN B3: improves skin hydration and promotes younger looking skin. Skin appears even-toned and rejuvenated.
- VITAMIN E: prevents premature aging and enhances firmness and overall glow.
- VITAMIN A: Improves skin texture, firmness and smoothness, and aids in moisture retention, preventing dry skin.
Serum
This serum has a silky gel-lotion formula and absorbed quickly without any stickiness. It contains a host of powerful ingredients: collagen-stimulating peptides, vitamin B3, stable time-released Vitamin C.
Key ingredients:
- VITAMIN B3: improves skin hydration and promotes younger looking skin. Skin appears even-toned and rejuvenated.
- BOTANICAL MATTIFYING AGENT: reduces pore size and diminishes shine. Contains extract from Enantia chlorantha bark, which is known for its medicinal powers.
- COLLAGEN SYNTHESIS-STIMULATING PEPTIDE: mimics the body’s own mechanism to boost new collagen synthesis while also protecting existing collagen against degradation. It visibly helps to diminish even the deepest wrinkles and keeps the skin replenished.
- SQUALANE: prevents moisture loss and promotes the restoration of skin suppleness and flexibility.
- VITAMIN C: a highly stable, time-released form of vitamin C that promotes collagen synthesis, fighting the aging process. It brightens the skin and helps prevent skin pigmentation.
- SPOTLIGHT: a liposomal combination of Swiss cress extract and soy isoflavone that reduces the pigmentation of age spots without affecting the surrounding skin.
The serum managed to firm and brighten my skin up over the weeks. My skin felt hydrated and rejuvenated. During the recent hot weather climate, I would use this serum as the last step prior to sun protection.
Flawless Pads
Now I have saved the best till last. These Flawless Pads are powerful! As you can see in the ingredient list below, the pads contains not one but four acids. I love chemical exfoliation so I am no stranger to acids but this baby hit me hard the first few uses. I slowly built up my tolerance to a every other night use over the 6 weeks. I do still feel the tingling sensation during application. My skin looked slightly red immediately after use but the next day my skin would look so smooth and glowing. I love that it doesn’t leave my skin tight or dry after use too.
Ingredients: water (aqua), butylene glycol, glycolic acid, niacinamide, lactic acid, sodium hydroxide, phenoxyethanol, saccharideisomerate, citric acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, panthenol, ethylhexylglycerin, hydroxyethylcellulose, PPG-26-buteth-26, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, fragrance (parfum), sodium hyaluronate, sodium citrate, portulaca oleracea extract
If you’re new to acids or have sensitive skin, do try a patch test prior to full use.
Since opened till now, the pads kept their appearance and dampness. They would be perfect for travelling for a quick and effective exfoliation.
These Flawless Pads are definitely worth repurchasing. I am saving some of these for those rainy days when my skin needs some serious polishing!
Final thoughts
My skin benefited immensely from using INSTYTUTUM skincare range. My skin texture became more even and smooth. There’s one thing that I definitely noticed was the unparalleled glow my skin had every morning!
NOTE: I received these products and have been testing them out for a few months. They have a new line out now, you can check it out here.
Thank you for being here today!
Much love always,
Sandyxo
This post featured products that were generously provided for review consideration. As always, opinions are my own and unbiased.
