Jamie's Thoughts: This cleanser is interesting. It goes on a dry face, which is something I have never experimented with. It is very gentle, quite light, and totally free of any scents, dyes, or perfumes. It didn't do much of a job removing my makeup, however, so if you are looking for a true 2-in-1, you won't find that here. One would think all the "science" behind the SkinCeuticals line would make this product a cut above the rest. Meh. I didn't see an enormous improvement in my skin tone, but I didn't hate it.

Overall, it left my face feeling clean and refreshed. I took off a smooch on the rating because something this expensive should really knock my socks off.

Retail Price: $26.00 (at skinstore.com or check skinceuticals.com for a list of retailers near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: (about Serum 15 AOX) "Designed for all but the most sensitive skin types to help restore healthy looking skin, Serum 15 neutralizes free radicals, defends against environmental damage, and helps prevent premature signs of aging. Now formulated with AOX+ advanced antioxidant technology, this lightweight, fast-absorbing serum combines ferulic acid with 15% pure vitamin C to enhance antioxidant performance."

Jamie's Thoughts: Oh man, how do I say this? I guess I'll just come out with it.

I love this product, but it smells really strange. (sigh) There, I said it.

Let's get the bad new out of the way first, shall we? This serum smells very lightly of refried beans. Put another way, the serum smells JUST like the vitamin liquid that is added to the water bottle of domesticated rodents. (Don't laugh like that - I had a guinea pig in junior high. Sheesh.) I apologize if these descriptions border on crass, but I cannot find the words to accurately portray the smell! If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll remember that scents can be a deal-breaker for me.

Fortunately, this product is SO PHENOMENAL that I can actually overlook the fact that it smells like beans. I used it for two straight weeks - right after washing my face in the morning, I applied 6 drops worth to my face and followed it with my regular moisturizer. I even risked it on the eye area a couple times, even though it's not specifically designed for that, with no adverse reaction. BONUS! After consistent use, my pores looked smaller, my crow's feet were minimized considerably, and I was less blotchy in general.

In the end, the bean smell fades after a couple minutes. But great skin lasts forever. Or until you stop using this serum.

Retail Price: $85.00 (at skinstore.com or check skinceuticals.com for a list of retailers near you)

DeLush Rating: