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Regimen Lab C.R.E.A.M. Review

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Final product in my series of reviews from Regimen Lab – their C.R.E.A.M.! Be sure to check out my reviews on their Vitamin X and Wave Serum.

General Information on Regimen Lab C.R.E.A.M.

“C.R.E.A.M. is based on game-changing research that gives us a new understanding of how moisture moves through the skin. We use high-concentration ceramides to better replenish your skin’s natural barrier and aquaporins to help generate and lock in moisture.” – regimenlab.com

Price: $49 CAD/$39 USD
Amount: 50ml
Packaging: Opaque white bottle with an airless pump
pH: 4.5 – 5.0

Regimen Lab Vitamin C.R.E.A.M. Ingredients

Aqua, Glycerin, Isostearyl Isostearate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ursolic Acid, Propanediol, Adipic Acid, Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Tocopherol, Dimethoxymethyl Chromanol, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth 7, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin

INCIDecoder

For the skincare enthusiasts, I’m sure we have seen the “Why Most Ceramide Products are a Scam” reddit post. We felt shook if beloved moisturizer did not have the 3:1:1 (ceramides, cholesterol, essential fatty acids) ratio of ingredients.

What is this ratio and why are us skincare enthusiasts obsessed with it? The 1:1:1 or 3:1:1 molar ratio of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids is sought after in skincare. This is reportedly the ideal ratio seen to recover the skin barrier. Our skin is made up of these substances, it only makes sense that if we have an impaired skin barrier, we replenish it with what the skin lacks. The molar ratio has a range because the barrier recovery is dependent on factors such as skin type, use of topicals, etc. You can read more about it in the pdf down below. Note, it is a difficult read for us non-science lingo oriented folk:

Optimization of Physiological Lipid Mixtures for Barrier Repair

Regimen Lab states their C.R.E.A.M. has a 3:1:1:1 (note the extra 1) ratio:

  • ceramides
  • cholesterol
  • essential fatty acids (EFAs)
  • non-essential fatty acids (NEFAs)

Naturally, I was excited to try it out and see what impact it may have on my skin!

Quick Briefer:

  • Ceramides – make up 50% of the outer layer of our skin – they help make up the glue that holds our skin cells together, keeping our skin hydrated.
  • Cholesterol – make up 25% of the lipids on the outer layer of our skin
  • Fatty Acids – make up 15% of the lipids on the outer layer of our skin

From my understanding (a non-science profession one), the ratio C.R.E.A.M. is as follows:
(This is based on their 5% of the following ingredients and how it’s ordered in the INCI list)

2.5% Ceramides (NP + EOP) : 0.833% Cholesterol + Phospholipids : 0.833% Lineonic Acid (Omega 3, essential) + Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) : 0.833% Stearic Acid

Now that we (including I) understand this 3:1:1:1 ratio offered in C.R.E.A.M., time for the rest of the standout ingredients!

  • 5% Glycerin – also an ingredient naturally occurring in our skin that acts as a humectant.
  • 2% Isosorbide Dicaprylate and 2% Glyceryl Glucoside – according to Regimen Lab, help activate more efficient hydration alongside Glycerin.
  • 2% Bisabolol – soothing.
  • 2% Ursolic Acid Liposomes – according to Regimen Lab, this ingredient helps support the skin barrier.

Tocopherol – antioxidant.

I’m glad you made it through this skinthusiast perspective about the madness behind this 3:1:1 ratio! Now on to my personal use of C.R.E.A.M.

My Experience Using Regimen Lab C.R.E.A.M.

As you may have guessed, I used Regimen Lab C.R.E.A.M. as my moisturizer lol. In the morning, I used it after all the serums, before SPF (of course). At night, it was the last step in my skincare routine. I applied 2 pumps of C.R.E.A.M. for my face and neck in the summer. I find myself doubling the amount now that we are in the cold season!

The finish feels nice and velvety and it just gives the skin a nice healthy look. Unfortunately in the summer and now fall months, it did not moisturize enough. The moisture would disappear, especially if I was inside majority of the day. My skin felt dry to the touch and my face would start to feel a tad tight. My face would feel comfortable if I was out and about, producing tidbits of my own oils mixed into C.R.E.A.M. Overnight I found myself waking up with dry, slightly tight skin if I used it on its own. This plus the weather change is what prompted me to increase the amount I used. While the feeling did improve a bit, I still sometimes find myself applying my go-to moisturizer as a safeguard.

I tried using C.R.E.A.M. in combination with the Wave Serum. Basically, I wasn’t a fan of this mixture; I’d rather use the two separately. I also used it as a “supplemental” moisturizing product in my routine. I just wasn’t into the feel and finish of it on my skin. I preferred the Wave Serum for this purpose.

My Final Thoughts on Regimen Lab C.R.E.A.M.

I appreciate the formulation of Regimen Lab’s C.R.E.A.M. in that it’s offering us skincare nerds that “golden” ratio of barrier repairing ingredients. Unfortunately it doesn’t really suit my routine at the moment. It is not rich enough for my dry skin to use as a moisturizer, I just use too much for 50ml. I wasn’t a fan of mixing it with the Wave Serum, and on its own I didn’t really notice any significant impact it had on my skin’s health. I don’t think I am the right candidate for this skincare product. it may be better suited to those who are in dire need of something repairing.

Where to Buy: Regimen Lab Official Website

As always, I hope you find content like this helpful and informative!

xo, M

Regimen Lab Wave Serum Review

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A continuation of my review of Regimen Lab Skincare! Be sure to check out the first review of their Vitamin X Serum.

General Information on Regimen Lab Wave Serum


“Wave hydrates instantly and deeply using multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to penetrate each layer of the skin. We designed it to mimic the skin’s moisture barrier, using 24 humectants for intense hydration and plant and marine hyaluronics to lock that moisture in. The result is a serum that hydrates as effectively and deeply as scientifically possible.” – regimenlab.com

Price: $47 CAD/$37 USD
Amount: 30ml
Packaging: Opaque white bottle with an airless pump
pH: 5.3-5.5

Regimen Lab Wave Serum Ingredients

Aqua, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Betaine, Glycerin, Urea, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lactate, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, PCA, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

INCIDecoder

Regimen Lab’s Wave serum is a cocktail of proven moisturizing ingredients. It includes molecules from the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) and plant and marine-derived humectants. But lets get into what I think are some highlights (majority of the ingredients lol)!

5% Urea and 5% Hydroxyethyl Urea – Urea is a humectant naturally found in our skin. It also helps thicken our skin barrier to prevent excess Trans-Epidermal Water Loss, and regulates our skin cells shedding process. HE Urea is a derivative from urea that has the moisturizing elements.

The Wave Serum also has 5% Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycerin and Betaine, 2% Sodium PCA and Sodium Lactate, 1% Sodium Hyaluronate – all great humectants that will help our skin hold on to water and keep the surface plump and hydrated.

1% Panthenol – also a humectant that has additional soothing and wound-headling benefits, always a goodie to have in a skincare formula.

0.5% Centella Asiatica constituents – Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid and Asiatic Acid. Add antioxidant, moisturizing, barrier repairing, and wound-headling benefits.

Amino acids Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, and Phenylalanine. Amino acids are also moisturizing ingredients part of our NMF, some may play a role with soothing the skin as well.

My Experience Using Regimen Lab Wave Serum

Just like the Vitamin X Serum, I use one full pump of Regimen Lab’s Wave Serum all over my face and neck. In the AM I will use after the Vitamin X Serum, PM I use on damp skin after applying a hydrating toner or essence, then follow up with my tretinoin or fermented serum.

The texture looks like a thin gel, but it’s rather thick and emollient in feel, which I personally like in a serum that’s primarily used to add more moisture to my skin. I’ve come to the conclusion that runny gel serums are not my thing, I always associate them with a lotion like Hada Labo Premium Lotion but in smaller packaging.

After applying the Wave Serum, my face instantly looks so smooth and plump! Right before my eyes, I also notice my pores looking smaller and my face in general just feels comfortably moisturized throughout the day when I use this serum in conjunction with the Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume.

My Final Thoughts on Regimen Lab Wave Serum

After rotating Regimen Lab’s Wave Serum in my morning and nighttime skincare routine for the past month, I am quite impressed. I usually don’t like buying just a hydrating serum because I feel like any serum I use does that, but I have noticed it’s performance and the difference it makes in my skincare routine, so it is officially my go-to hydrating serum. It’s also the urea product I’ve been looking for – it contains 5% urea which is an ingredient I have been struggling to incorporate in my skincare routine for years.

Back then I didn’t know hydroxyethyl urea was different and didn’t have the same benefits to urea other than the moisturizing aspect. Also for moisturizers I haven’t found one that keeps my skin feeling calm, collected and well moisturized throughout the day like Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume. The Wave Serum is exactly what I need it to be – a serum form of urea that I can easily include in my existing skincare routine without sacrificing my HG moisturizer.

Where to Buy: Regimen Lab Official Website

As always, I hope you find content like this helpful and informative!

xo, M

Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum Review

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I first heard of Regimen Lab from Sarah of No BS Beauty, and shortly after watched Dr. Dray’s brand review. I was so pleasantly surprised to learn that a science-backed, peer-reviewed skincare brand existed in Toronto, Canada, where I’m from!

When I looked at Regimen Lab’s website for the first time, I really liked what I saw. Here’s the breakdown of their brand, products, and website in general:

  • Products made for us skincare nerds
  • Only use ingredients backed by thorough, independent scientific evidence
  • Use the best ingredients in their highest effective concentrations
  • Formulation, sourcing, production are all done in their lab
  • Curate specific products with a cocktail of beneficial ingredients, don’t release based on an individual key ingredient
  • List the pH of each product
  • An encyclopedia of skincare ingredients
  • Informative blog posts
  • No fear-mongering “free of” marketing, but just say that their products do not contain common concerns to make their skincare as straight to the point as possible
  • Cruelty-free

Perusing their website more, it is probably the first time in a while I felt like I was learning something new about skincare. All coming from a skincare brand no less! I find their encyclopedia on skincare ingredients and blog very insightful and I feel like a skincare student again.

After checking out what they have to offer and rave reviews, I was very keen on trying Regimen Lab products. I bought skincare items seemed to suit my skin needs – Vitamin X serum, Wave Serum, and C.R.E.A.M. I have been incorporating all of these items in my skincare routine one by one. It has been rotated over the course of a few of months, so I’m ready to share my experience with you all!

In this post, I will be reviewing the Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum. I originally attempted to review all 3 items in this post, but as you can imagine, it got quite lengthy!

General Information on Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum

“Vitamin X is packed with more antioxidants, in the highest clinically proven concentrations, than anything before it. It’s the antioxidant of the future, but we got it here a little sooner.” – regimenlab.com

Price: $59 CAD/$47 USD
Amount: 30ml
Packaging: Opaque white bottle with an aireless pump
pH: 3.0

Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum Ingredients

Aqua, Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Zingerone, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, Genistein, Quercetin, Silymarin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid

INCIDecoder

We see the Ascorbic Acid (AA), Ferulic Acid, and Tocopherol trifecta all at a lovely low pH of 3.0. I saw the brand was doing a Q&A on instagram so I asked there what the percentage of LAA was. They answered with 15%! So to all the vitamin C conoisseurs out there, the Vitamin X serum hits the bells and whistles.

But as advertised, this is more than just a vitamin C serum. We can’t forget the 8 other antioxidants in the formula! EGCG, Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone also have soothing properties. Definitely a nice bonus, as AA at a low pH can irritate my skin. This has always been a struggle for me when trying to find a vitamin C serum!

Regimen Lab also highlights 2% Acetyl Zingerone helps reduce immediate and delayed DNA damage. Dimethulmethoxy Chromanol provides double scavenging action against reaction nitrogen and oxygen species.

Genistein helps reduce UVB-induced redness. Silymarin adds some skin-conditioning benefit (I feel like a lot of plant-derived skincare offers some moisturizing ability…).

Lets not forget good ol’ Glycerin – one of the best humectants out there and always welcome in a skincare product.

Another interesting point to make note: Regimen Lab also shared on their Instagram Q&A that the Vitamin X Serum (as well as the other products) are good for up to a year. Without refigeration. Actually, they said not to refigerate Vitamin X as it was formulated to be stable at room temperature.

My Experience Using Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum

Upon first pump, I did get thrown off that the colour was a bright neon yellow. The brand did explain that this is the natural colour. I have been using it daily in my AM skincare routine for a couple of months. I haven’t noticed any intense oxidization until the 3rd month when the colour became deeper.

Texture and Application

The texture is not watery like I’m used to using, but a rather slippy, runny gel. As mentioned, I use the Vitamin X Serum in the AM after applying a hydrating toner or essence. One pump is enough to cover my entire face and neck. Regimen Lab suggests to wait 5 minutes for maximum absorption until following up with the rest of your skincare routine. I personally just wait until it feels like it settled on my skin then continue. I don’t like waiting long between steps because I run the risk of dehydration.

Experience

First time I applied the serum, I did feel a little bit of irritation. I have not experienced this since so overall I find it gentle. It also leaves a bit of a moisturizing layer on my skin.

Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum maintains a bright complexion on my skin. Even in recent times where I have been going to the beach a lot, my skin does not look compromised. It didn’t do anything to prevent freckles (I don’t really care). However I have noticed it performs well alongside my tretinoin to reduce the colour and longevity of post-acne red marks. I used to get very dark red marks after dealing with a breakout. It would take 6 months minimum for them to fade. I’ve noticed this since using gentler, properly formulated vitamin C serums that they disappear significantly faster. I’d say within a couple of months. With the Vitamin X Serum in particular, I also notice my skin is looking smoother.

Unfortunately you can’t have so many good things without a little bad involved. One major con I have with this serum is that it does oxidize after a few months. I tried to remove my bias of using clear coloured vitamin C serums and continued using Vitamin X. (Recently I have read that this could be refigerated, darn!)

I also started to notice blackheads on my nose, around my nose, and faded black dots all over my chin. The only time I experience blackheads like this is in the summer with too many emollient layers. In addition, I have been continuing the same skincare routine as I had in the summer months. Why am I getting these blackheads? Well, it’s because the vitamin C in the Vitamin X Serum has oxidized, and it’s showing on my face.

My Final Thoughts on Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum

Regimen Lab’s Vitamin X Serum has the bells and whistles I’m looking for in a vitamin C serum. LAA-F-E combo and a hell of a lot more antioxidant prowess (I’ve been liking this word recently lol). It is quite a pricey serum at $59 CAD for a 30ml bottle. But I believe it is worth it considering its formula and that you use it in a timely manner.

Vitamin C has been one of the biggest-love hate products for me for quite a while because:

  1. finding the right formula
  2. whether or not it is gentle
  3. price
  4. accepting that there are some results I will not see unless I use it longterm.

With Regimen Lab’s Vitamin X Serum, it has a lot of benefits. It fits in my skincare routine, I like the texture, I see the brightening, post-acne mark fading benefits, it’s gentle, my skin feels smoother, it feels like it adds a touch of moisture to my skin, it’s local (or was local, currently in Europe lol)…

It is one of the best vitamin C serums – or antioxidant serum I have come across. I am considering repurchasing, but right now I actually repurchased the Geek & Gorgeous 101 C-Glow Serum (reviewed). I also want to try NIOD’s Survival 0. It may be 2 products, but I want to see if both would last longer. I’ve used 2 bottles of C-Glow in the past and it kept for a long time when stored in the fridge.

Where to Buy: Regimen Lab Official Website

As always, I hope you find posts like this helpful and informative!

XO, M