This was another product I caved in to, due to the online explosion of hype some time last year. For a short few months, I couldn’t move without bumping into one person or another showing, mentioning or reviewing the Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age Serum and various other serums by Hylamide and under the Deciem umbrella brand. The first one I came across was from my Canadian friend, Tracy (who loves it), and I kept stumbling over it thereafter.
So one day, when I caught a discount code floating around online, I bit the bullet to see what the fuss was about.
Deciem is a brand from Canada, that houses a few different brands under its umbrella. I’d previously mentioned having tried the Fountain beauty drink, which is also a brand under Deciem. Hylamide is however, I think the more well known range.
From the name, you can kind of imagine that the key ingredient will be our old friend, hyaluronic acid, which most of us know by now, address skin dryness and dehydration. The difference is that this claims to have 5 forms of hyaluronic acid compounds of different molecular weights so it targets dryness, dehydration more effectively and plumps up fine lines. In addition, it contains peptides to boost collagen production (which plumps up the skin) and a form of retinol that promises effects of retinol without irritation.
It’s a very science-heavy product, with lots of ingredients that are beneficial to the skin, in one easy to use package. I’m a huge fan of anything that promises intense hydration and has anti-aging benefits so I was all over this! I also tell you if it lives up to my other Hall of Fame hydrating serum! 😀
Yet, for some reason, I wasn’t too blown away.
I will attest to the fact that the Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age serum is very easy to use, and effective in terms of hydrating skin. The texture is like that of water, and it comes as a clear liquid in a frosted glass bottle. The box it comes in is sealed, and you have to rip it open, to open it. The bottle housed inside in a hollowed out chamber tends to shift A LOT in its travels from Canada all around the world, so be careful.
To use, pick up some product with the dropper, drop a few drops in the palm of your hand (I’d suggest 3-4 drops) and then apply to the skin. The texture is very liquid and light, and the immediate feeling will be that of your skin going “Ahhh!!!” as it drinks up the serum.
There is no sticky or filmy after-feel and you then follow up with your other serums or moisturiser, as you will.
From most of the reviews I’d read, the common thread was that this Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age serum leaves skin feeling hydrated, plumped and over time, looking better. It does not irritate and there is no scent so I think it’s a good product.
Except I’m not particularly crazy about it. The reason I feel this way, is because while this left my skin feeling hydrated (I don’t have significant lines so I can’t attest to any plumping effects) it did not give me any wow-factor. Results are apparently visible in 10 days, and when that passed without comment, I gave it another 10 and then another. I just wasn’t seeing anything that would place this in my Hall of Fame. Contrast this with my jump-out-of-the-chair-and-yell-hallelujah reaction to the REN Instant Firming Shot, from which I derived visible and tactile benefits to my skin.
The other problem I face, is that this seems to break me out a little bit. Nothing drastic, but I’d get a spot or two. I noticed this most significantly, when I had switched over to the REN serum, and found that my skin was (almost) baby-smooth. Then, I came back to this one, to see how it felt by contrast, and within about 3 days, I developed 2 little spots. They go away eventually, but it always bugs me.
I’m not saying this is a bad product. In fact, I think the science behind it is sound, and that on its own, it’s good at what it does. If your skin concerns are primarily that of hydration, or if you live where it’s cold and/or very dry, your skin will absolutely love this serum. The added peptides are a plus to target aging skin. I’m just a little more on the fence with this than most, that’s all 🙂
If you’re interested, here is the ingredient list for the Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age serum.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age serum primarily targets hydration and aging skin. This lightweight liquid serum will benefit those who need intense hydration of skin, and is filled with ingredients that also boost collagen and help plump up fine lines. For those living overseas, this is fairly affordable, and it’s effective without a lot of story and crap surrounding it. I like that. Something that works because it says it does, and the science backs it up. However, I personally am not crazy about this. I’ll use it, if I have it, and I actually ended up buying another before I discovered my alternative hydrating serum, but I’m not otherwise singing its praises from the rafters.
PROS: Light liquid texture absorbs quickly and easily into the skin, Hydrates skin almost instantly and keeps it hydrated, Chockfull of effective ingredients, No scent
CONS: Glass bottle requires care when transporting
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an effective serum targeting hydration concerns and anti-aging
PRICE: US$49 (Hylamide website) US$38 (Target) | £30 for 30ml
AVAILABILITY: Hylamide website (ships internationally for free – you may catch a discount code online sometimes), Target, Boots (UK)
Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age Serum vs REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot
Some of you may remember me raving over the REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot and are possibly wondering how these 2 serums compare and which I’d pick. In a sense, I find them a little similar, in that both have hydration as their key concern, and both target aging skin as well. In terms of ingredients, it appears that the Hylamide one has more anti-aging ingredients. The texture is also much lighter.
The REN serum is thicker and has a rose scent that may or may not appeal. For me, in terms of efficacy, I find the REN better for my skin. It delivered visible results very quickly and actually had me sitting up and taking notice. With the Hylamide, I felt that the results did not match the hype. Price-wise, the Hylamide is a little cheaper. In the end, it’ll come down to which you prefer as both are good products.
Have you tried the Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age serum and did you see dramatic results from it?
I picked up a few other highly raved products from the brand so I’ll give them a go and see how I feel. The SubQ eye serum comes very highly raved too so that’s probably one to try soon! Let me know if you’ve tried anything else that I should! 😀
Paris B
And I thought I am the odd one out! I agree this is a fantastic serum if you have concerns to hydration but thats about it….after all the hype behind this product is so much…especially when it claims to refine textural issues which I have but unfortunately it really doesnt do much on that apart..not for me atleast…I find this serum really helps when layered under other serums or moisturizers ..doesnt do much on its own
What I’ve learned about my time on the internet is that we always think we’re the only one who loves/hates a product only to find that there are kindred spirits out there! 😀 We just have to have the guts to speak up and say so. I’m glad to know too that I’m not the only one who isn’t blown away by this particular product. I think the hype got to me. It is a decent product, just not mind-blowing. That said, I find that all hydrating serums needs something over – they can never function well on their own. Do you have a serum you like?
I absolutely love my EL ANRII…have gone through so many bottles of this baby! But I do want to try something else..any recommendation for dry dehydrated skin prone to acne?
Hmm if you’re looking for something similar, I’d suggest Antipodes Worship serum (but I’m not sure if it’s available where you are, although there are many online retailers where you can find it) Otherwise, I’m not currently using one specific anti-aging serum as I’m trying a Vitamin C serum and am then going to move on to retinol serums instead. Will update if I come across any I like!
I actually really liked this serum! It kept my skin very well hydrated, and that’s probably why skin looked more plump. The price is very reasonable as well, which I think is also a selling point. But no, I did not notice dramatic results. Then again, I don’t have any noticeable fine lines on my face so I couldn’t tell 🙂 I’m more and more intrigued with this REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot now.
Yep, it’s the hydration that helps plump up the skin and I’ve no doubt that the other ingredients in there help too. Still, I was only pretty ambivalent about it, only the REN really made me sit up and take notice! I like that a lot, but then I might be building up expectations too LOL! 😀
Aww, too bad. I really like this and still use it every day. I’ve been using it for oh god, probably 6-8 months now? And my skin looks AWESOME. This has kept any wrinkles from getting worse-I have a number 11 between my brows that wants to be noticed, and so far this has kept it at bay. It never breaks me out either. . I have the REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot and it does nothing for me-like NADA-I don’t notice any hydration at all, no plumping like nothing! HAHAHA-guess we’re just different in skincare now!
That’s awesome to know Tracy! I guess things just react differently on different skins or maybe the local weather makes a difference? Honestly, it’s hard to say! But I suppose that’s why there are so many brands with similar products – there’s one out there for everyone 😉
Try the CAIS, LVCE and ELAN from NIOD. I find I don’t break out if I only use 2-3 drops of everything, except LVCE (generous amount, enough to give me that gliding feeling) and CAIS (5 drops).
I find my breakouts heal faster with CAIS and ELAN. My skin doesn’t notice much if I skip SubQ.
If you are dry, maybe LVCE (not stripping at all) or Hydration Vaccine may be more useful.
Thanks for the recs! I tried cutting back on the Hylamide SubQ but no difference. Skin didn’t feel wonderful, the way it does with the REN LOL! But I’ll take a look at the other stuff. Sounds so scientific!
Always curious about what you called a “science heavy serum”… will have to study the formula to check whether it is worth or not :-).
Well, I called it that, because the makers claim that it has a lot of science behind the formula 🙂 I’m not very well trained in reading ingredient lists, so perhaps you’d know better 🙂
I adore the calming fix (blue) and will definitely repurchase. That has really helped my redness. The serum is lovely, but I’m a bit of a serum tart so I’ll try something else when it runs out
“serum tart” HAHAHA Describes me to a T! Sometimes, I wish I weren’t so fickle, but then I figure, heck, life is short, let’s try all the things! 😀