A few months ago I watched this new skincare brand Algenist sell out a trial set on QVC. Every other time I have seen it on air, it sells out over and over. I knew it must have said something about the brand, and I couldn't wait to try it. Not only have I put it to the test over the last month, I had two of my friends test it out too, so you can hear how we all felt about this new brand of breakthrough skin care.

First, a bit about the brand. Algenist is a line of advanced anti-aging skincare products formulated with breakthrough ingredient Alguronic Acid. Algenist's biotechnology scientists unexpectedly discovered Alguronic Acid after studying thousands of micro algae strains themselves in harsh environments and conditions. When researched for potential anti-aging benefits, Alguronic Acid demonstrated significant results with regenerative and protective properties.

What does that mean? To me, it means that Alguronic Acid is an ingredient that works hard to regenerate the skin, while protecting it from the harsh elements as well.

There are eight products in the line so far, which are broken down into three categories:

Cleanse

Gentle Rejuventating Cleanser ($25) - Deeply cleanses and revives the skin while maintaining skin moisture levels

Delay and Restore

Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer ($90 for 2 oz., $135 for 4 oz.) - Nourishes and restores moisture, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, increases radiance
Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 ($90) - Nourishes and restores moisture, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, increases radiance, UVA/UVB protection
Regenerative Anti-Aging Lotion ($75) - Nourishes and hydrates, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, increases brightness
Overnight Restorative Cream ($90) - Deeply nourishes, strengthens skin, renews, repairs and restores skin overnight
Complete Eye Renewal Balm ($65) - Renews eye area, decreases puffiness and dark circles, repairs signs of fatigue and aging

Correct

Concentrated Reconstructing Serum ($95) - Minimizes deep wrinkles, increases skin elasticity and soothes skin texture
Targeted Age Correcting Serum ($79) - Corrects and resurfaces the skin, diminishes dark spots and age spots, evens skin tone

You do not need all of the products, just four or five depending on your needs. I suggest using the cleanser, one of the serums, one of the moisturizers, the eye balm, and the overnight cream if you feel you need to add this instead of the regular moisturizer.

Does it work? Three of us gals aged 32 - 44 put it to the test. We each tried out five of the products: the Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser, Concentrated Reconstructing Serum (the star product of the line), the Complete Eye Renewal Balm, the Regenerative Anti-Aging Lotion (I tried the Moisturizer) and the Overnight Restorative Cream.

Laurie, 32, shares her thoughts on the system.

I was so excited to try this line. Being a QVC beauty addict, I also saw the products sell out and couldn't wait to hear about it from Teri. I was thrilled to be able to test it out. I have been using all of the products religiously for 3 weeks. In one word: wow! My skin is definitely more energized and looks it. I can say that my skin looks better, brighter, more firm and just better. I have been using the system twice a day, morning and night.

I like the cleanser as it wakes me up with it's fresh, herbal scent and like the lather that washes all my makeup, oil and dirt away. I notice my wrinkles diminishing as I gently rub the Reconstructing Serum into my skin. I use about 1/4 of the eye dropper full of serum for my face and neck. It absorbs instantly and I think I could almost stop there because it also seems to really hydrate my skin. The Complete Eye Renewal Balm is luxurious and I use a very tiny amount of this. I use the tip of a cream spatula I have and I think I use about the size of a pinhead under and around each eye. It brightens my eye area and makes me look more awake. I finish with the Regenerative Anti-Aging Lotion during the day and use the Overnight Restorative Cream at night. I love the feel of the lotion during the day, but I feel like I almost don't even need it because I said above, my skin feels very hydrated after using the serum. It absorbs really well into my skin and almost feels like a primer as it marries with the serum to create the soft and smooth finish. I use two pumps of this on my face and one pump on my neck. I wish there were a sunscreen in the lotion and think that would be a great benefit to it.

I would say that my favorite product in the ine is the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum, with the Overnight Restorative Cream a second. I like how that works on my skin while I sleep and leaves my skin looking more bright and fresh as I wake up.

Anne, 41, shares her thoughts on the line.

I am a Physicians Assistant with very damaged skin from too many years spent in the sun. I try all sorts of products from my dermatologist and say that this line is worthy of a dermatologist recommendation and am really surprised I haven't seen it at derm offices, as this is the type of product I equate it with, especially with all of the science behind it.

I like what the system has done to my skin over the past month. From the cleanser to the overnight cream, I have been using them all as instructed. I like the way the cleanser lathers a bit, but not too much. It removes all my makeup, even stubborn eye makeup at the end of the day. I really enjoy it. After cleansing, I use the eye balm. I really like the eye balm as I have dark circles (genetic) and some wrinkles. I think this eye balm not only hydrates my entire eye area, it really plumps up my lines making them look not as bad - sort of filled in. I LOVE the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum and I don't think I ever want to be without this again. It is pricey, but after applying it does so much good to my skin. It is brighter, tighter and my dark spots seem to be fading already, after using this for only a month. I will continue to buy this. I am about half way through the bottle using it twice a day, but I will fit it into my budget to keep on buying. The lotion is the perfect consistency for me, and I like the light, fresh scent of it. I do add in a drop of my favorite sunscreen and mix them before applying. The Overnight Resorative Cream is a five star product in my book. It sinks into my dry skin and I love how I look when I wake up.

Teri asked me what my favorite product was form the line and I can clearly say it is the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum for the reasons I listed above. I will be re-purchasing.

Finally, I would like to share my thoughts on the line.

As I feel llike I am in my prime, yet my skin not, I look hard and continually try new skincare products to get my skin in better shape. I would say that I will be keeping a few of these in my skincare regimen for a long time.

Like the others, I found the cleanser refreshing and was surprised that it removed all of my makeup while not stripping my skin or leaving it feeling dry. After cleansing, I apply a toner, then I use the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum. I was very impressed the way this serum had just enough slip and hydration to help it sink into my skin without feeling too serum-like. I have a love-hate relationship with serums and many of them irritate my sensitive skin. The fact that this one did nothing but soother it was a huge plus for me. I'd love to try the Targeted Age Correcting Serum as well and wonder if I should use them together or one am and one pm. AS age spots are a big concern of mine, I 'd really like to try it considering how gentle the Reconstructing Serum is on my skin. I am in love with the Eye Renewal Balm and I will be using this from her on out, even if just as part of my morning routine. This eye balm sinks into my undereye area and instantly gets rid of the puffiness and fills in my lines. Whether it is working together with the serum, I don't know, but like Laurie and Anne, I noticed how my lines seemed to plump out and fill in. I have uses this eye balm twice a day for the month that I have been testing this, and it looks like i have barely touched the jar, maybe using 1/8 of the jar. I would say at $65, this is a bargain for what it does. I finish up my regimen with the Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 for the day and the Overnight Restorative Cream at night. I do like the moisturizer, but felt it a bit heavy for daytime use under makeup, even with my very dry skin, I attribute this to how well the serum works too because I fell it really seals in my skin natural moisture. The Overnight Cream is a nice way to end the day as it sinks in my skin, really hydrating it, helping me wake up to better looking skin every day.

I really liked the Reconstructing Serum as well as the Eye Renewal Balm, which I would say is my favorite from the line. Like I said, I will continue using the Eye Renewal Balm and consider it my new favorite eye cream.

Algenist Skin Care can be purchased online at Algenist.com as well as in Sephora or on QVC.

GIVEAWAY

Now, here is your chance to try the star product, the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum for yourself. The brand has given me five bottles to giveaway so you can see just how good it is for you too. Enter by leaving me a comment (click on comments above under the title), telling me why you would like to try this serum from Algenist.

Rules: Five winners will receive (1) Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum. You must be at least 13 years old to enter, and have a United States mailing address. Please, only one entry per email address. Multiple entries will be deleted and disqualify you. Please leave an email address where required (only we will see this and never share!) so that we can contact you. Giveaway entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on October 11, 2011. Winners will be chosen and notified by email on October 12, 2011 and will have just 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Prize provided by brand representative.

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