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Oct 06, 2023

Beauty Editor Review: 111 SKIN Reparative Collection

Skin care science is growing at a rapid rate, with many innovators looking to repair the damage of beauty trends past. Gone are the days of destroying the skin barrier with exfoliants and retinol—and

Skin care science is growing at a rapid rate, with many innovators looking to repair the damage of beauty trends past. Gone are the days of destroying the skin barrier with exfoliants and retinol—and cheers to mainstream beauty finally focusing on barrier repair and skin longevity.

One of these innovators is the expert-founded luxury skin care brand 111 SKIN. Developed by a plastic surgeon who wanted to speed up patient recovery, 111 SKIN focuses on repairing and soothing skin with a patented hero ingredient: NAC Y²™.

The one-of-a-kind antioxidant complex is at the heart of the brand's Reparative Line (and the unlikely superhero when it comes to supporting skin longevity). It supports the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that fends off free radicals.

If you're not thinking about free radicals with your skin care routine, you should be. An overload can cause oxidative stress, which in turn can speed up the skin aging process by contributing to the loss of collagen and elastin fibers. The end result? Fine wrinkles, sagging, texture changes, and even dark spot.

As a beauty editor who is already planning ahead to protect and nourish my complexion, I was eager to test out a few best-sellers from the Reparative line—and the results were shocking.

111 SKIN was founded by globally-renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon Yannis Alexandrides, M.D., FACS and entrepreneur Eva Alexandrides. He wanted a better way to help his patients recover post-surgery and turned to two space scientists.

These unlikely collaborators studied the well-being of astronauts in space, which included finding ways to protect against skin aging from cosmic radiation. Together they developed NAC Y²™, which was used in the company's first product: the Y Theorem Repair Light Serum.

NAC Y²™ is the key patented ingredient in many 111 SKIN products, including the Reparative line. The trio of skin-loving ingredients include NAC, escin, and vitamin C.

Given that the body takes a dip in collagen production starting in the early to mid-20s1, it’s important for everyone, even those who may not have deep-set wrinkles just yet, to really hone in on supporting this key skin elasticity factor as a preventative measure—and this ingredient is a powerful way to do just that.

These products came to me just in time, as my complexion was feeling rough and dehydrated, even in the peak of New York City summer humidity. If I ran my finger over my cheeks I’d feel tiny bumps of texture, and my skin drank up moisturizer leaving my complexion dull an hour after application.

With the dryness and dullness combined, I looked more tired than I felt. While this was a less-than-ideal skin state to have, it was the perfect time for me to test these reparative products. My goals were softer skin and a healthy glow—safe to say, these products delivered.

I used the REPAIR SERUM NAC Y²™ and the REPAIR DAY CREAM NAC Y²™. I wanted to really see what these products could do, so I halted the use of my other products besides SPF, for the sake of a trusted review.

After just two weeks of using the products, I look like I drank two liters of water and slept for 10 hours, and that glow is replicated every single day. I was impressed by how quickly this duo took action on my skin, as many formulas take a month or more to truly show tangible results.

The texture on my skin is gone and has been replaced with soft, touchable skin that feels as healthy as it looks. I’ve gone many days with tinted moisturizer alone, if that, because my complexion looks that good. With this duo, every day is a good skin day.

When you first apply this serum you're hit with a light fragrance that I can only describe as clean laundry. The texture is a rich gel that sinks into your skin quickly, leaving the surface silky smooth—you can actually feel it plump your skin in seconds.

It doesn't leave that uncomfortable burning or tingling feeling that many serums do because it's been precisely formulated to soothe irritation, not incite it. It's so gentle that it can be used post-procedures like microneedling, laser treatment, etc. to bolster quick healing.

Apart from the ingredients listed above, this serum also contains soothing calendula extract, niacinamide for gentle skin brightening, and aloe vera to restore hydration.

Inside this beautiful purple bottle, you'll find the highest concentration of NAC Y²™ that 111 SKIN offers, so you'll want to apply this to freshly cleansed skin with nothing else applied so your complexion can soak up the full product both morning and night.

When you first apply this serum you're hit with a light fragrance that I can only describe as clean laundry. The texture is a rich gel that sinks into your skin quickly, leaving the surface silky smooth—you can actually feel it plump your skin in seconds.

If you've ever gotten a facial then you know your complexion when you leave is next-level dewy and plump—that's how I look after applying this moisturizer.

This skin-protecting cream helps to smooth fine lines, rehydrate a dry skin barrier, and provide long-lasting hydration. The latter benefit is something I find quite unique. As someone with dry skin, I'm constantly applying moisturizer and face mist throughout the day to ease irritation and dehydration, but I could go from morning to night with just one layer of this cream.

At the same time, it doesn't feel heavy or weigh down my skin like some ultra-thick moisturizers, hence why it's so perfect for daytime. Plus, you only need a pea size amount for your entire neck and chest because it's so easily spread.

The base of this nourishing moisturizer is castor oil, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and olive oil, which provides humectants, emollients, and occlusives to plump, nourish, and retain moisture in your skin. The yeast extract and pink rock rose extract keep your skin feeling tout but simultaneously relaxed and comfortable.

If you've ever gotten a facial then you know your complexion when you leave is next-level dewy and plump—that's how I look after applying this moisturizer.

If my results with 111 SKIN weren't enough to convince you, then the brand's current sale should be. All masks and boosters are buy-one-get-one free through July 30 with code JULYTREAT. As someone who is already eyeing the Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask, this flash promo was the perfect excuse to finally make the splurge.

I tested the 111 SKIN Reparative Collection to be met with soothed, plump, and beaming skin after just two weeks. I'm equally obsessed with the serum and moisturizer as they provide a noticeable hydration boost while also supporting my skin health and longevity on a cellular level. Cheers to science-backed products that help your skin right now and prepare it for graceful aging.