Review: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Hydrating Fluid & Biotherm Aquasource

To be very honest, I've found it really hard to evaluate skincare. I'm not sure if you feel the same? In my opinion, the impact is generally milder and the side effects take longer to show.

This review will be split into three review portions, first my old love - Biotherm Aquasource Moisturizer followed by my new love - Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Fluid and lastly a comparison against each other. Its going to be a long post, be prepared!

1. Biotherm Aquasource Non-stop Moisturizer (for combination skin) - the green gel

My background with moisturizers are quite straightforward. From as far as I could recall, I've been using Biotherm's Aquasource since its old formula (lighter and less fragrant) and old packaging. I think it has been approximately 10 years since! (woah) Unfortunately, no biotherm has not rewarded me very much for being such a loyal fan, in both monetary/gift benefits and skin benefits, especially after I've started a full make-up regime on a day to day basis. As such I've decided to move away from Biotherm Aquasource.

So let's get digging into the review!

Ingredients

Aqua, Alcohol Denat, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerine, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Gluconate, Serine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Citrulline, Cholestrol, Liminene, Fructose, Glucose, Tocopherol, Vitreoscilla Ferment Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Urea, Menthoxypropanediol, Zinc Gluconate, Linalool, Ceramide 3, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Citral, Dextrin, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Benzyl Alcohol, Copper Gluconate, Hexyl Nicotinate, Sucrose, Glutamic Acid, Manganese Gluconate, CI 42090, CI 19140, Aspartic Acid, Alanine

To be fair, let me highlight that this moisturizer is not a bad moisturizer. I love the gel-like formula which leaves my skin a refreshed and supple! It has a fresh and a cooling hydrating texture just like spa water! Furthermore, it is light, gentle to sensitive skin (mineral oil and paraben free) and easy to apply - does not leave a greasy oily feel, perfect for summer weather. But on the long run, it does not work miraculously, definitely not for dry skin types, and more importantly, it is insufficient for your skin if you are like me, spending 5 days a week in air conditioned spaces. Oh yes, and nah, put this aside if its winter.

Summary: I will not repurchase this unless I'm dying for a quick spa pampering perk-me-up as it does not do much for my facial skin. Besides, the increasingly hefty price tag for this product with such strong alcohol denat content makes me ponder twice before purchasing for that quick perk.

2. Elizabeth Arden Prevage Hydrating Fluid (S$221)
{see EA's official page}

I've been using this new product launched by Elizabeth Arden (EA) in March 2012 (Singapore). It was launched together with Prevage triple defense SPF 50+++. Anyway given my experience with Biotherm Aquasource as described above, I decided to embark on a new journey with this moisturizer which was meant to be light weight for oily to combination skin & suitable for sensitive skin as well. It was also meant to be suitable for folks living in a humid climate (yay, that's Singapore) EA also mentioned that this can be doubled up as a primer!

Prevage was range developed by EA to combate skin aging signs which are caused by environmental factors like air pollution and our exposure to the harmful sun rays (UVA, UVB and Infrared-A). These will eventually lead to fine lines, skin dryness and pigmentation visibility on our skin.

This moisturizer is orange in colour and easily absorbed into the skin, leaving a silky finish. It contains two antioxidants (Idebenone and Thiotaine), Soy protein, glycerin and peptide complex to help combat these environment stress, repair and hydrate the skin.

Unfortunately this product comes with a hefty price tag (S$221) at all EA counters since March 2012. The bottle is not opaque and hence I'm not sure how long it will last. At the moment, I use 1.5 - 2 pumps per use in order for full face coverage. Just after 2 - 3 weeks of using this moisturizer, I've seen my facial skin improving - smoother, more radiant and more hydrated! However, I'm concerned about the trade off between the cost and its benefits.


Elizabeth Arden's Prevage Hydrating Fluid vs Biotherm Non-stop Aquasource Moisturizer - who wins?

Well its pretty obvious that EA's product won Biotherm's handsdown given the scoring. However, it is note worthy to point out that Biotherm's product application was smoother and it gave me a more relaxed feeling. Unfortunately that does not live up to its product function as a moisturizer. I also just started on EA's Ceramide Intense Moisture & Renewal Regeneration Eye Cream as I'm done with Bobbi Brown's Extra Eye Repair Cream. More of that at a later date!

By the way, I've also tried Biotherm Skin.Ergetic Concentrate from 1 Jan 2012 to date. I've decided to boycott that product as it was simply a waste of money. [Afternote: I've reviewed the product in September, see here]

Thanks for your continual support for my page! hugs! Till the next post!