When Science and Nature Collide: 3LAB skincare
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Super H Serum, Perfect BB SPF 40, Perfect Moisturizer, Perfect C Eye Treatment and M Cream Review
photos: we heart this
I am constantly in awe of what science is doing these days to keep us looking younger than our years. Our mothers and grandmothers used hot towels, greasy cold creams and common foodstuffs from the kitchen in myriads of concoctions to combat wrinkles, redness, age spots and sagging skin.
While their methods may have worked to a degree, I’m so glad science and biochemistry has heralded a new future for our faces. As is often the case with technology, it borrows from nature – and maybe even mom – and improves upon their work. 3Lab is carving its initials in the fountain of youth with exactly this type of cutting edge nurture-the-nature technology.
3Lab uses Stem Cell technology and bio-engineered growth hormones as well as nature’s own fruit and pollen extracts to create the perfect cocktail, flush with antioxidants, for your face and body. We heart this tried five items from this line that boasts an impressive list of celebrity devotees.
Super H Serum ($320) — This serum consists of stem cells from a rare Swiss Apple known to delay the aging process, and the very first bio-engineered growth hormone, Nano-Claire GY™. These high-end, high efficacy ingredients work to sink DNA repairing molecules into the dermal layers resulting in improved radiance, firmness, tone and texture (and fewer wrinkles).
I tried this serum and, while rich, it is not greasy and is absorbed readily. My skin definitely seems more plump and firm after using this for a couple of weeks. There is also an ingredient called Matriyxl 3000 that “stimulates fibroblasts for increased collagen production” and, I feel, this is responsible for helping to erase an annoying little expression line that has recently cropped up between my eyebrows — it has all but disappeared!
A little too pricey for me, but this one is a solid performer. I think people with deeper lines may see more dramatic results that would make this worth its weight in gold, even if it does cost nearly as much.
Perfect Moisturizer ($100) — A lightweight moisturizer for all skin types, this also prevents moisture loss with Hyaluronic Acid. Olive Oil, Soybean and Wheat unsaponifiables and Pollen extracts provide loads of vitamins and help prevent reddening of the skin. If this had sunscreen, it would indeed be perfect. As it is, it is nearly so.
This is so lightweight it might as well be water because my skin just drinks it in! Redness is a perpetual problem for me, and some moisturizers help me a lot more than others. In that respect, this is one of my all-time top performers. This one has me wanting to try their Hydra Day with Water Based SPF 20 (my favorite Mad Woman, Christina Hendricks, is a big fan).
Perfect BB SPF 40 ($95) — This, like the Super H Serum, is also infused with 3LAB’s signature Bio-Engineered Growth Hormone and Apple Stem Cell technology. Not only does this one firm, lift and brighten the skin all while regenerating new skin cells. It also comes in three tints (Light, Medium, Dark) to match and even out your skin tone until your own skin perfects itself.
Perfect BB SPF40 in 02 Medium
Packaged in a soft tube with a pump dispenser, the BB Cream comes with a soft, foam roller for a smooth and even finish. There’s even a clear cap to keep the roller clean in between uses. This one sounds doubly perfect but our resident tinted moisturizer expert/aficionado, Tyna, will have to tell us how she really feels.
M Cream ($260) — An anti-stress cream that also contains those stem cells from that rare Swiss apple (apparently, there are only 3 trees in existence), this cream also contains Happybelle, a plant-based beta endorphin that stimulates enzymes and helps fight nasty skin aggressors and environmental damage while relaxing muscle contractions.
Happybelle? It sounds like that should be illegal…in a good way. Stef took this one for a test drive. I did have a small sample tube of this and found it richer in consistency than even the Super H Serum. I may not have been able to use this on my face, but it was nice on my neck and décolleté. I am beyond anxious to hear about the effects of Happybelle.
Perfect C Eye Treatment ($85) — This eye cream uses good old Vitamin C to brighten eyes while inhibiting melanin production thus reducing dark circles. Jojoba moisturizes, while Vitamin E works its antioxidant wiles and Aloe calms the skin. Stef, presently high on Happybelle, will tell us about this one, too.
I’m sure the price of these is on everyone’s mind. We definitely pay for cutting edge technology and rare ingredients. Is it worth it? The money spent discovering these new techniques inevitably leads to superior products. The stem cell technology seems to suggest that “rare” ingredients won’t really be rare in the future. Today’s technology is tomorrow’s mainstream. Nature, on the other hand, is forever.
So how does all this relate to mom? Well, mom’s old greasy cold cream is probably worth as much as her console TV. Today our face creams do much more than moisturize and our TV’s do more than transmit radio waves. Then again, that honey and oatmeal she used for her facial is still as relevant as her can opener.
3LAB founders Erica Y. and David Chung create that “perfect” marriage of known and discovered—old and new—ingredients and technologies. Biogenetic engineering and nature: it’s not just apples and oranges.
Ladies, would you pay to own the latest means to turn back the hands of time?
Sherri is co-author of What Would You Do With This Room?
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. It also contains an affiliate link, a link that gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
I’m very curious about the roller! It seems like it would just be easier to use a makeup sponge.
Yeah, that roller is definitely different. The science teacher in me is all about stem cell research and science based products. I really would like to hear more about these, because I am VERY intrigued!! Yes, they’re pricy, but if they’re cutting edge and they work, I just may have to splurge.
I am with you @spitfire77 ! I can’t wait to hear all of the details from the testers. I am really intersted in the pros and cons
Oh, how to put my love of M cream and Perfect C eye cream into words? Let me first say that I’m of the mind set that amazing products, TRULY amazing ones, are worth a splurge. But to make splurges, I need to make adjustments. No Starbucks for a month, buying what’s on sale at the grocery store (not just what I want), things like that. Let me tell you, these are “bag lunches for a month” worthy products. Two months if you need to! Because they are FAB.
I’ll start with the Perfect C eye cream because this is the best eye cream I have ever used. That’s right, the best. And I’ve used quite a lot, that cost way more as well. It’s got a gel cream consistency that I instantly fell for. It’s a dense cream that has a buoyancy to it, it feels light and really emollient at all at the same time. It soaks in well: not too fast that you wonder where it went and not to slow as to leave you looking shiny or oily. And when it does, I swear my eyes look instantly better. Brighter skin, wrinkles soothed, and like I had a full night sleep. Plus, a nice light scent and a beautiful silver lidded jar (sucker for packaging that I am). I can tell you this, I will buy this again and again.
I was also lured by the M Cream. And again, it was the consistency that immediately hooked me. Similar to the eye cream, this has a slight gel feel to the cream, it’s really luxurious. The kind of product that makes you “ooh” as you’re applying it. It just glides across your skin! It’s very moisturizing, honestly probably even more than moisture than my oily skin needs. But with that being said, I had no adverse side effects from it (no breakouts and I didn’t look slick). My skin looks instantly better; hydrated, wrinkles plumped, and yes; a bit firmer. Plus, the scent is FAB, like an orange grove. And, did you see that slight sheen to it shown above? It leaves behind a very slight radiance which I’m not sure if it comes from that sheen or all those fancy ingredients, but it’s def. there!
I can’t give these anything less than 5 stars. A splurge, but a worthy one! I’m very impressed.
I’ll admit that when I saw the prices, I was sort of hoping you didn’t really love these products, @sherrishera . But between your review and @stef ‘s comments, I’m already looking at my budget, trying to figure out how I can squeeze in a product or two. If you had to choose one thing from 3LAB, what would it be?
Well, I had full size products of the Perfect Moisturizer and the serum but I also had sample sizes of some f the others (though not that tinted moisturizer with the fancy-schmancy roller), and I’d have to say that the Perfect Moisturizer is where I’d put my money. It feels light (lotion-like, not super creamy) which is good for my oily skin, AND it’s for use day and night. The bottle is large (I’m still using it, my husband uses it, and we’ve had it for months now, I think). I use makeup with an SPF so that there isn’t any in this isn’t a huge issue for me. This moisturizer is a big help for my biggest problems: redness and texture, both improved. My Dermadoctor was better for these, but not exponentially so, and this has a good deal more product.
If wrinkles are your issue, that serum seems to wrk well, but I just had that one tiny groove forming next to an eyebrow by the nose. I used the serum religiously, paying close attention to that spot and it really seemed to disappear! I can only see the smallest hint of that groove. Unfortunately, I just ran out of the serum so if that line pops back up, I may make the big investment.
Thanks for this post.. now I need to win the stinkin lottery! This post has left me wanting it badly! I love the whole enchilada!@stef. Oh, am I raiding your stuff next visit! Dang, who has the M Cream ($260) — An anti-stress cream? I’ll be your BFF!
This is fascinating stuff! Only three of these apple trees in existence! I’m surprised it’s not even more expensive then! If I keep hearing great things about this, I may have to go bag lunches for the moisturizer at least…that one seems like the most bang for not as much buck. Great review, @sherrishera!
Oh 3LAB – such great products! I has a sampler of the Perfect Moisturizer and fell in love (now I need to figure out a way to afford the full size!). It’s a light feeling, but super moisturizing cream that just immediately soaks into the skin, leaving a smooth, dewy complexion all set for makeup application. It keeps my skin fresh and moist all day without ever getting shiny or greasy. Totally love this cream!
I also tested the Perfect BB SPF 40 in 02 Medium with mixed results. While the product and formula are top notch, the color was a bit too yellow for my pale skin. I think I am more a match with the 01 Light shade. As for the BB Cream, it IS pretty perfect! The formula offers a medium coverage tint that helps to even skin tone, and hide pores and red spots. Like the Perfect Moisturizer, I found that this products lasts for hours without melting away, creasing or adding shine or grease to the face. All while doing good for your skin!
As for the packaging, I love the pimp dispenser – the germaphobe in me appreciates it – and it is pretty easy to control so you can get just the right amount of BB Cream. The roller intrigued me, it’s nice for first applying the tinted cream and getting an all over, even coverage. However, it doesn’t get into all the nooks and crannies, so once I applied a base of BB Cream, I still used my fingertips to smooth out the areas around my nose, hairline, etc.
If the color were a bit of a better match, this would be my fave tinted moisturizer ever. Great, even, long lasting coverage with skin soothing ingredients – what more could you want?