We recently discovered Stratum C, which is the UK’s first skin care range formulated specifically for aging and menopausal skin. While I’m not “there” yet, I think that Stratum C’s line has a set of ingredients that will help all women look fresher and younger, starting as early as their mid-thirties. Since being in my forties, I’ve noticed a change in my skin tone and this is due to the fact that my skin just isn’t as elastic as it used to be.
We can give into aging skin or find great products, diet and the right exercise regime to help offset the negative impact of aging. It’s also important to drink plenty of water to keep our bodies and skin as hydrated as possible. Remember, as the aging process accelerates before and during menopause, the skin changes and this causes fine lines and wrinkles to form. The skin is less able to retain water, and collagen production; which gives our skin its thickness and suppleness.
Traditional anti-aging creams can contain as much as 90% water, with minimal quantities of active ingredients. Stratum Crum and cream contain just 18% and 45% water respectively, meaning that they contain larger quantities of active ingredients that are proven to deliver long-term collagen growth and wrinkle reducing properties. The two products are most effective when used together; the serum targets problem areas, whilst the cream is for long-term protection.
We tried them both as well as a sample of other products from the line related to correction of the skin as well as spot control — yes, really. Many people don’t realize but as we age, we can also get outbreaks again as our hormones change. Since I travel a lot, it’s important for me to keep my skin hydrated as I move from one time zone to the next and spend a lot of time on airplanes, which zaps the moisture out of your skin.
Core products in the range, Stratum C Protect Cream and Repair Serum, contain a combination of 6 peptides which include the revolutionary Matrixyl peptides and an additional 4 peptides, Argireline, SYNAKE, SNAP-8 and Leuphasyl, which relax the muscles and tighten the skin using only a topical application. The formulations also use high levels of Hyaluronic Acid which is known to improve hydration and collagen synthesis. These products are clinically proven to reduce deep wrinkle formation by up to 50% in just four weeks.
We’re still testing the results and plan to give it another four weeks of consistent use to see what transpires, but so far, I notice a softer smoother skin with less lines since I started using the cream combos below. Newer products in their line include Spot Relief, Pigment Correction Gel and a new hand and nail care product, Stratum CTM Complete 4 Hand Care which includes innovative Tego-Cosmo for reducing age spots, and also includes Keratin Amino Acids, Matrixyl — it also contains SPF as well, which we all know is important when we’re traveling to those winter getaway sun destinations we love so much.
Stratum C Menopause Protect Cream
This protection contains high levels of 6 collagen stimulating peptides, and was formulated to contain Matrixyl (made up of 2 of the 6 peptides), Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane to hydrate and moisturise the skin into the lower levels of the dermis. To combat existing wrinkles, the cream also has a muscle tightening ingredient that has been shown in clinical trials to reduce existing deep wrinkles by 45% in just 28 days. Again, we’re still testing.
The base moisturizer in Stratum C is based on natural luxurious products well known to the beauty industry including Jojoba Oil, and Apricot Kernel Oil, the latter being a good source of Vitamin A and E, which are also lost during menopause and I’d argue leading up to menopause. So many women I know in their thirties are already experiencing signs of perimenopause which means “around menopause” and refers to the time period during which a woman’s body makes its natural transition toward permanent infertility. For so many women, this can start in their late thirties and last for many years.
Stratum C Menopause Pigment Correction Gel
Age or liver spots are an inevitable side effect of the aging process especially for fairer skin, which despite the fact that I’m apparently 30% Italian according to Ancestry.com, my skin is on the fairer side. These aging spots are caused by melanin or Lipofuscin synthesis often caused by exposure to UV light. The production of melanin pigment is controlled by an enzyme in the skin called Tyrosinase.
For our skin, we wanted to create a natural, safe and effective treatment that both corrects the tone of the skin and helps protect against age spot creation as well as inhibit the enzyme Tyrosinase from causing melanin to form under the skin — this helps to keep your skin looking young.
To inhibit melanin, Vitamin C is combined with natural Daisy Extract which are known Tyrosinase inhibitors. Additionally an extract of Olive Leaves called Oleuropin is included which has been shown to both prevent the formation of Lipofuscin and to reduce the appearance of age spots. They use Bellis Perennis (Daisy Flower) and Oleuropin (Olive Leaf) Extracts and includes high levels of Vitamin C. I love the fact that they use so many natural ingredients in their products.
Remember that as we age, our skin tends to get thinner (I notice this directly) so using a cream that has both Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C is a great way to get it the additional moisture and hydration it needs on a regular basis. The gel can be used 3 times a day on the face or hands for optimum effect and visible changes should be seen within a month.
Stratum C Menopause Repair Serum
This serum is a light, clear, odourless gel that absorbs quickly into the skin. It delivers advanced nutrients and anti-ageing ingredients in higher concentrations to the areas on the face where you need it most. Note that it is designed to be particularly effective for areas around the eye (crow’s feet), forehead (furrows) and glabellar lines (above the nose), which we all suffer negative signs of as our skin ages. This intensive treatment has been shown to reduce deep wrinkles by 45% in as little as 28 days use.
The base gel is created from an Irish Moss Seaweed Extract with natural moisturizing and hydrating properties in addition to high levels of Hyaluronic Acid leaving the skin feeling beautiful, rejuvenated and glowing. This highly effective serum also contains the special peptide combination that works with the body’s own skin to create collagen, which helps reduce wrinkles.
Stratum C Menopause Spot Relief
Most treatments for acne and spots are based on drying agents in face washes that remove oil and grease from the entirety of the face. The problem is that aging skin is thinner and drier and needs those oils and nutrients to be baked into the cream as well so it’s balanced and doesn’t dry out.
Their overnight spot relief lotion combines Salicylic Acid (a commonly used ingredient in most spot or acne treatments) with Sulphur and Zinc Oxide. The Sulphur acts as a pH stabiliser, reducing the acidic environment and reducing inflammation. Zinc oxide helps to regulate the skin by reducing redness and swelling. I love the combo of ingredients here as I have found Salicylic Acid to be a powerful helper in keeping break outs at bay as is Sulphur and Zinc Oxide — that said, you want the natural and balancing result to be even-toned and hydrated, not dried out like so many traditional products on the market. Stratum C Menopause Spot Relief oxidises in air forming a pink powder. Two thumbs up!!
More information including how to order can be found at www.stratumc.com.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
