Review: Skinfood Platinum Grape Cell Cream

I tried this yesterday and I tried the Skinfood Platinum Grape Cell Essence two nights ago. Anti-aging is one of my concerns as I'm in my mid-20's and I need to start adding it into my skincare regimen. I'm already starting to see fine lines on my forehead. Whitening has always been a concern for my skin because I get tanned very easily and my skin color is always very dull and "dark," not the tanned healthy dark but the stressed out lack of sleep malnutrition kind of dark (even though I may not be stressed and I'm eating enough). The Platinum Grape Cell line from Skinfood is advertised for both anti-aging and skin-brightening effects--sounds perfect for my needs!

Description (taken from eng.theskinfood.com):

• A premium anti-aging essence containing grape cells and platinum particles that brighten and firm aging skin from the inside out.
• Bourgogne is one of the three best wine producers in France-Bordeaux, Bourgogne, and Cotes du Rohone for the Gamay grapes. Extracted from the Gamay grapes, our grape cells help regenerate skin cells, firming skin from the inside out.
• Platinum is one of the purest and rarest metals in the world. With excellent antioxidant effects, Platinum is used for Food, Medical, Cosmetics and etc.
• After toner application, dispense an ample amount into the palm and apply onto the face in gentle upward and outward motions. Using both palms, pat and press gently onto the face for faster absorption.

My impression:


I basically repeated the same regimen as the day before when I tried out the Skinfood Platinum Grape Cell Essence. I used the cream right after applying my Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner toner. I didn't use any other creams except this. I usually put the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Sleeping Mask right before I sleep but I did not this time. That sleeping mask makes my skin look quite nice the morning after so I wanted to see what this Platinum Grape Cell Cream can do compared to the sleeping mask and also to compare the cream's effects with the essence. 

I didn't use the cream and essence together because I know even if I buy this full size I will not buy both as it would be way too oily for me and I would just end up breaking out. This lesson was (painfully) learned from trying out the Skinfood Omija Whitening Serum and Cream last week. 

It's pretty oily upon application, which is expected since this is an essence and it's anti-aging. If I were to compare, its consistency and oiliness is around the same as the essence, but oilier and thicker in consistency than the Skinfood Gold Caviar Collagen Serum that's also for anti-aging. As with the essence, I had some trouble trying to spread it throughout my face. I felt like I had to, and I was, pushing the essence upwards on my face to get it to go around my face. Fortunately I used to this my advantage to get it to go around my pimple so the cream wouldn't aggravate it the way the essence did.

It wasn't finished absorbing when I went to bed but this morning I found that it had almost absorbed completely, unlike the essence when I could clearly tell from touching my face that it wasn't done.

I did not break out or get new pimples from this cream. Because this was just a one-time use, I can't say much about its long-term anti-wrinkle and brightening effects. Just like the essence, there was no overnight effect on the fine lines on my forehead. However, unlike the essence, my face only looked a tiny bit brighter, the effect was visibly less than the essence. The softness, smoothness and moisture of my skin was also not as great as compared to the essence. When I woke up and saw my face with the essence, I was pretty impressed at one sample's overnight results, but I didn't have the same "happy surprise" feeling with this cream.


So if you have dry skin, then using a combination of the essence and cream may augment these results. For who who have oily/combination skin like me and still want to do some anti-wrinkle prevention, I would recommend the essence over the cream.

Summary:


Very oil and thick, hard to spread around face
Slow to absorb but finishes absorbing overnight
Essence > Cream
$31 for 55g on eBay

Grade: 3/5 because it's not as effective as the essence

Value: 2.5/5 because it contains more than the essence for the same price but it's not as effective...

Repurchase? No, I'll be buying the Skinfood Platinum Grape Cell Essence instead.