If you’re on a quest for the fountain of youth, you’re not alone. Many of us are constantly seeking ways to maintain youthful and healthy-looking skin as we age. In the world of skincare, there are countless products promising miraculous results. But how do you separate the hype from the reality?
In this article, we’ll delve into a year-long skincare journey with Agency, a brand that has garnered attention for its personalized skincare solutions. We’ll explore the products, ingredients, and routines that one user, a 57-year-old with rosacea and hyperpigmentation, has incorporated into her daily life. So, if you’re curious about how Agency skincare can transform your skin, keep reading.
The Agency Skincare Experience
One of the most exciting aspects of Agency skincare is its personalized approach. Upon signing up, users are presented with a questionnaire to assess their unique skincare needs. The company then formulates personalized products tailored to address specific concerns. This individualized approach ensures that you’re not using a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a skincare regimen designed just for you.
The Future Formula
The cornerstone of this skincare journey is the “Future Formula” from Agency. This potent serum contains four active ingredients:
- Tretinoin 0.05%: Known for its ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, tretinoin is a dermatologist favorite.
- Azelaic Acid 5%: Azelaic acid helps with pore cleansing, texture improvement, and reducing redness.
- Tranexamic Acid 5%: This ingredient aids in improving firmness and reducing hyperpigmentation.
- Niacinamide 4%: Niacinamide is a versatile component that can address various skin concerns, including fine lines.
The Future Formula works wonders for this user, helping with pore cleansing, texture improvement, and fine line reduction. It’s important to note that she avoids applying it around her eyes and uses an eye serum instead. Additionally, she applies a heavy moisturizer to the dry areas of her skin, particularly around her nose.
Dark Spot Formula
Another remarkable product from Agency is the Dark Spot Formula. It’s designed to combat hyperpigmentation, melasma, and dark spots effectively. Some of its key ingredients include:
- Hydroquinone: A potent ingredient for reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Azelaic Acid: This helps to improve skin brightness.
- Kojic Acid: Kojic acid is known for its skin-lightening properties.
- EGCG (Green Tea Extract): Green tea extract provides antioxidant benefits and aids in reducing redness.
Unlike the Future Formula, the Dark Spot Formula is not meant to be applied all over the face. Users should target it only on areas with hyperpigmentation or dark spots. The results, according to the user, have been impressive.
The Morning Routine
In the morning, the user’s skincare routine takes a slightly different approach. Instead of washing her face again, she opts for a gentle cleansing using a damp washcloth to remove any impurities. This approach helps maintain her skin’s natural oils while keeping it fresh.
She then follows up with serums and moisturizers, ensuring her skin remains hydrated throughout the day. The final step in her morning routine is applying sunscreen, a crucial step in protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. She particularly enjoys the Silk Screen Sheer Tint Mineral Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen from Agency, boasting an SPF of 50. It offers hydration without the greasy feel and works well under makeup or on its own.
The Empty Chronicles
Now that we’ve explored the core elements of the skincare routine, let’s take a look at the other products the user has used up over the course of her skincare journey.
Makeup Removal
Effective makeup removal is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. The user relied on the Vanilla Company Clean Zero, a cleansing balm that efficiently removes makeup, including waterproof mascara. It’s worth noting that this product doesn’t double as a facial cleanser but excels at makeup removal.
Moisturizing
To keep her skin hydrated, the user opted for the Eucerin UreaRepair Face Moisturizer. This product, designed for dry skin, provided the necessary hydration and comfort during the summer months. However, she found it less suitable for the harsher winter weather when her skin required extra moisture.
Hand Care
Hand care is often overlooked in skincare routines. The ELF Holy Hydration Hand Cream made its way into her skincare arsenal. While it provided relief for dry hands, she wasn’t particularly fond of its strong scent.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable step in any skincare routine. In addition to the Agency Silk Screen Sheer Tint, the user used two other sunscreens: the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 30 and the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 60+. Both offered protection during outdoor activities, with the SPF 60+ version being a go-to choice for intense sun exposure.
Hair Care
Skincare isn’t limited to the face; it extends to hair care as well. The user incorporated several hair care products into her routine, including a Redken Extreme Shampoo, a clarifying shampoo from Olaplex, and the Ava NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask. These products helped her maintain healthy hair, especially as she navigated the challenges of highlighting and maintaining her hair’s integrity.
Eye Care
For bright and radiant eyes, the user relied on Lumify Eye Drops. These drops provided a quick fix for red or tired eyes, making them a valuable addition to her beauty routine.
Lash and Brow Care
Last but not least, the user swears by GrandeLash and GrandeBrow. These products, known for enhancing lash and brow growth, delivered noticeable results, leaving her with longer, fuller lashes and well-defined brows.
Cleaning Woes
While the user had many positive experiences with her skincare and beauty products, not everything was a home run. She encountered a disappointment with Molly’s Suds Sink Scrub, a natural cleaning product. Despite its eco-friendly credentials, it fell short in terms of cleaning effectiveness compared to conventional products.
In conclusion, embarking on a skincare journey with Agency has yielded impressive results for this user, especially in addressing issues like rosacea and hyperpigmentation. The personalized approach and carefully crafted formulas have transformed her skin over the course of a year. Alongside her skincare routine, she found success with various beauty products, eye drops, and hair care items, although there were some hits and misses along the way. Ultimately, her experience showcases the importance of a tailored skincare regimen in achieving radiant and youthful-looking skin. So, if you’re on a quest for healthier skin, personalized skincare solutions like Agency could be the key to unlocking your skincare goals.