PB says: Earlier this month, we previewed the L’Oreal Youth Code Pre-Essence which has just been launched locally. It appears that its a regional launch because I cannot find much if any information about this on the international websites! Youth Code, the range, is available internationally but not Pre-Essence. You can read all about the product in the launch post. This is the review by guest reviewer Juan who has taken this on a one month spin to see if it can turn back time and unlock the code of youth!
I promised I shall update you on the L’oreal Paris’ Youth Code Pre-essence once I have used it for about a month and so here is my review…
What Youth Code is able to do is it helps our skin’s repair process and help restore balance.
When the people in L’Oreal Paris said that they went into gene research to come up with this product, that doesn’t mean they’re trying to play God to humans’ DNA makeup. Instead, they studied the ‘skin repair genes’ that are active in both young and mature skin that are triggered for the production of proteins for the epidermal renewal and differentiation processes.
The Youth Code Pre-essence helps activate the recovery genes involved in cellular regeneration to improve skin’s recovery capabilities like it did when we were younger. As a result, L’Oreal claims that skin’s barrier function is strengthened, as skin recovers better and faster.
That said, I still don’t understand the mechanics… does the product replicate that protein production for the repair process of the skin or does the product work in tandem with the chemicals that are discharged from the inner dermis to the skin surface? I was a pure science student in uni. These things count, you know. After all, it claims that skin regeneration and recovery processes is amplified 5x, eliminating dullness of the skin surface and somewhat turning back the time.
Why do I need to think of all these? Well, simply put, this stuff works! It works, it is considered cheap for what it can do, and I am simply miffed. What is this thing and how did them dermatologists come up with such a simple product that works a miracle?
I am already in my mid-30s, have very oily skin that has a mind of its own, and it is hard to find anti-aging serums that do not break me out.
On the third day of twice-daily use, an acquaintance had to agree that I look radiant and my skin looked younger. In one month, I saw that my skin looks really healthy. In fact, when I took a photo with a group of younger friends, it is very noticeable that my skin is also even-toned and glowy.
There’s more – my laugh lines are totally gone. Gone. Ok, I only had a faint laugh line before this, thanks to my oily skin and after a month, I don’t see it at all. Like this is so amazing!
Of course, I think the remarkable result may have been possible with the help of good serums. After all, the Youth Code is branded as a Pre-essence and would help the existing serums you use to work more effectively and penetrate much deeper into the dermis. Hence, I believe that the more even skin tone and smoother skin texture is due to the whitening and hydrating serums that I use morning and night, respectively.
What amazed me more was at one point when my hormones were playing tricks on my skin and I had a zit at the end of a hectic work day. I tried to push the whitish hardened blah that looked like it could be squeezed out but I failed as it felt painful. I was pleasantly surprised the moment I woke up the next morning though, as the zit was totally gone. There wasn’t any mark left on my skin and it disappeared as if it was never there in the first place. At that point in time, I decided that I have fallen in love with the product 🙂
And with that discovery, I realised that yes, my skin would still have some breakouts every now and then (this product is a miracle but I never said it is magic, ok) but what this product does is that it really helps my skin heal very quickly – no more reddish marks after a zit pops and there is no scarring… hence, no more need of a whitening spot corrector that costs a bomb, to rid the acne scars.
My skin is also more refined, the top half of my face now has much less visible open pores. I believe that no products are able to make my large pores smaller since it is purely genetics. No amount of gene research can make it small by just applying a layer of product on the skin surface. If anyone says their product can, they’re liars 😛
And so, I’d rate this product as extremely good because my skin looks smooth and definitely younger looking. The larger pores on the bottom half of my face don’t appear that visible at a glance because the skin does look smoother.
One month of use and I’ve only used up 1/3 of the bottle. That would mean that it could last about 3 months of twice daily use. I’ve tried using it just once a day, but the skin doesn’t function as well as it does with twice daily use.
Here is the ingredient list (again)
I wish though, that the potion comes in a formula for the eye area. If it works this good, who knows how much it can help eliminate the fine lines I have on my undereye area. In fact, I feel this sudden inclination to apply it on the fine lines under my eyes, just to see if it works 😀
A friend of mine has already gotten the product when I first wrote about it and many I know did say they would get their hands on it. Would you? 😉
Juan
Price: RM109 (Look out for promotional price of RM88.90) Availability: L’Oreal counters at most major pharmacies and supermarkets
dom says
you’ve got me intrigued Juan! great review! guess this is a dupe for lancome’s pre-serum essence too 😉
Paris B says
Butting in: Lancome has something similar?
rinnah says
I feel like getting this for my mom! She can be my guinea pig. Hehehehe 🙂
xin says
u made it sound super amazing! i might get 1 for my mom for her to try 😀
Cosmocrazewoman says
wow…i am definitely getting this. It is cheap for what it can do.
Cosmocrazewoman says
How long does the promotional price last??
Juan says
I think the promo price is only for the Christmas/year-end sale.
Cat says
Make me feel like going out and getting one immediately! I have laugh lines (quite bad) around my mouth 🙁
peach_ says
Gah! We don’t even have the Youth Code line here, but I still enjoyed your review! I like booster serums. They probably don’t do too much on their own, but I like to believe they truly to enhance the effects of whatever you put on top. Your skin looks great, Juan!
Juan says
Thanks for the compliments, Peach… yes, it is looking good thanks to the pre-essence 😀
electronicfly says
Mom? Nope, sorry mummy dearest but if I buy this you’re not getting it! *hogs bottle to self*
Amanda says
Sounds like a really good product, really make me wanna try 😀
How about the texture, does it absorb rapidly with no sticky feeling? Coz I had pretty bad experience with all my loreal skin care before, all is sticky and just yucks. 🙁
Juan says
Hiya Amanda, the texture is so liquidy and absorbs pretty well. it feels quite matte after it is absorbed and gives you that nice fresh scent.
rudi says
RM88 and it works?? I’m running out NOW!
Lily says
Sounds interesting! I have to go check it out myself. Mom as guinea pig sounds good too. I’ve got too many serums that I haven’t used up!! Or, maybe it’s a good choice for Christmas pressie! Thanks for the review 🙂
Syen says
It works??? Cool! I saw this at the pharmacy (prior to reading this review), and I went “Meh.. doubt it’ll work.” And now I’m reading this review.
*smacks forehead*
Jyoan says
wow, it reduces laugh lines? Sounds like for me. I think the first few ingredients are really great, but I’m worried about the alcohol. I was using alcohol based toner at one point in time, and the damage took me another set of products to reverse… … LOL. But the new L’oreal products all sounds very good, I must say. Thanks for the review!
beetrice says
now I’m torn between getting this or the Kiehl’s MRC! I wanna see how it works on the lines in between my brows though, so I might just cave – if not, mum’s gonna get it for a present and err..I’ll “borrow” some! 😛
Zahemi Azul says
Thanks for the review Juan. I just wanna know if it works d same with men skin, since I believe, sometimes some skin care products works at different rate as for men or women. I m 45 y/o and blessed with rather young feature and skin, only recently due to hectic lifestyle I can see sagging cheeks, not to mention to pores too. I take collagen regularly but wish can turn the clock faster. Wishful thinking yeahhhh