Customer Reviews

Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment, 1.05 Ounce

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I started using Help Me two weeks ago. I've already seen a reduction in the brown patches on my forehead and cheeks (i.e., melasma) by maybe 20%, less noticeable pores (because they're getting cleaned out), smoother skin, reduced small wrinkles around my eyes, and - I didn't know this would happen - a reduction in the dark circles under my eyes! I've never used a retinol product before, but I am really surprised at how well this works. After the first week, it did sting slightly for about 30 seconds after applying, but that hasn't gotten any worse since. Also, I did start getting very small dry skin patches near my eyes and a bit on my cheeks/chin, but I hadn't been applying moisturizer on top of Help Me like it recommends, so now I do and the little bit of dryness has gone away.

I am excited to see if the improvements keep on getting better, or if it will plateau after awhile. So far, I'm a big fan of this product and highly recommend it! I usually get most of my beauty products at the drugstore because I never notice that much of a difference between the cheaper vs. expensive brands, but I think Help Me is worth the department store price for sure.

June, 2010 - Edited to Add: I ended up going to a dermatologist for another issue and she gave me a prescription for a similar, much stronger product (Triluma). The Rx stuff is about $150 per tube and not covered by insurance, but it works like you wouldn't believe. So now I use the prescription, BUT I still highly recommend Help Me because for the price it really really did make a significant difference in my skin texture, coloring (more even), and reducing clogged pores. If you don't have melasma, Help Me is plenty strong enough for normal skin.

[48 yr old female] I have been using this product for about 2 yrs, on the recommendation of my dermatologist. I have fair but 'resistant' skin. Regular use gives a light peel at first, after maybe 2 weeks. Really gets those dead skin cells off. After that, I saw freckles lightened and my skin tone became more even. I am VERY happy with this product.

I have only been using this product for two weeks and it has already erased 2 age spots on my face. The rest of my face looks brighter, pores smaller and my complexion looks great. My skin is usually pretty sensitive and this has not caused any adverse reactions. Overall, I am pleased and will stick with Help Me.

I loved this- it seemed to add a bit of extra exfoliation to my skin without irritating it. And it smoothed out even the faint trace of lines I have around my under-35 eyes. My mom had a furrow between her brows which seemed permanent- but seriously, this product got rid of it! Amazing. However...sadly, this broke us both out within a couple of weeks of using it. My mom used it solely with Purity cleanser (which doesn't break her out), so no, it wasn't another product or a reaction of combining with something else. Such a shame, because it turns the clock back on your skin, and that is a RARE product which accomplishes said goal. The price of this is high, but for the results, it's worth it- if it doesn't bother your skin.

This review refers to Philosophy - Save Me(Treatment for Mature Skin)

During the Holiday season I was shopping at the Philosophy site for a friend who uses this brand. Of course she is much younger then me, and so it was easy to pick out some lovely scented bath and beauty products, that by the way, she just loved. As I was browsing the store I came across this product - "SAVE ME" It was for "mature skin" - check- for firming and lifting - check,check- and promised to "cross train" my skin by turning over skin cells with the topical vitamin C -check- and had retinol to reduce fine lines,wrinkles and clogged pores - a big check there on the wrinkles and fine lines! Yes I needed all that. I have "mature" skin, which needed to be "saved". I'm 56, was a smoker,spent alot of time outdoors and always stressing about something - I decided it was time for the big guns.

I thought it was a little on the expensive side for 1 oz.- even with the seasonal discount offered - but with the miracles it promised I decided to go for it. So I've been using it a little over a month now, following the directions of 1 full push on pump for face and decollete(my case),or 1/2 pump for face only(should last you twice as long) and I am just about out. I have been trying to decide whether to reorder. Did I see enough of an improvement to keep going with this?

So I won't keep you in suspense any longer, the answer is yes, I would order it again. The results I saw were not a miracle, not dramatic, but definitely improvement in the feel and appearance of my skin. Firmness( a small but noticable to me difference) - check - renewed skin(yes!) - check - fine line and wrinkles - well - half a check, but half a check is better then none.It also left my skin feeling very soft to the touch and I could still feel that in the morning. Also I think that continued use may help even more.

So comparing it with StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Existing Stretch Marks 177.4 ml 6 oz, oz. per oz., THIS is the more effective(I found strivectin to be at best a great moisturizer), but also much more expensive(oz per oz). And along more economical lines I would never hesitate to recommendOlay Total Effects Night Firming Cream for Face & Neck - 1.7 fl oz for smooth and soft skin.

I am hoping to see this on some sort of special offer again, that would make me feel better about ordering something this costly in these times, but I do like it and want to continue with it. Also there was no signs of any skin irritation for me.

The ingredients for those needing that info is listed on the product details, but just in case I have copied and pasted:

Ingredients
water (aqua), magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, peg-45 palm kernal glycerides, glycerin, c13-14 isoparaffin, isostearyl isostearate, sodium polyacrylate, ployacrylamide, polysorbate 60, glyceryl polymethacrylate, propylene glycol, oleyl alcohol, butylenes glycol, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, lecithin, peg-6, carthamus tinctoyius (safflower) seed oil, urea, palmitoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein, palmitoyl pentapeptide 3, peg-60 almond glycerides, retinyl palmitate, retinol, triethanolamine, xanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, fragrance, trisodium edta, carbomer, diazolidinyl urea, butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben

So remember to breathe ,eat healthy and enjoy....
Laurie

P.S. I was very happy with the Philosophy service and packaging and wouldn't hesitate to use them again for other products and gifts.

this light retinol treatment has helped keep my adult acne at bay, lessened my light wrinkles, and helped to erase my age spots! I love how it is a simple night layer that does so much!

For years I've used Proactiv on and off for my battle with acne. Proactiv has proved effective over the years but I had a few problems with the products:
1. The Price... For a cleanser, toner and moisturizer I was paying $45 dollars a month.
2. The Amount... I could NEVER get the cleanser and toner to last me the full month. To cover my face I needed half the bottle, and it is NOT an effective makeup remover.
3. Dryness... dried my skin out BAD. And the moisturizer sucked, but I couldn't customize my order to remove it.

After much research, debate and watching the infomercial over several times over I decided to switch to Philosophy. Now if you purchase Philosophy products individually it does get pretty spendy, but no more or less than other department store facial products. As a package it's a helluva deal.

I got the cleanser, moisturizer, retinol, exfoliating cleanser, eye/lip cream, shampoo/body wash, lip gelato, another exfoliating cream, and the Vitamin C booster AND A FREE GIFT for LESS than what I paid for my three rinky dinky Proactiv products.

For 8 products I paid $109.00 for 3 months. 3 months of Proactiv is $135, at the least.

The Philosophy product themselves have been life changing for me. If I absolutely had to choose one that I love the best I would have to say it's the Help Me.

This stuff is absolutely amazing. My skin is very sensitive to retinol, and continuous use of it for me on a weekly basis usually leads to a rash. This product seems to have enough retinol to do the job, but not enough to make me get a burn. I swear, within a FEW DAYS I noticed a difference, and I wasn't the only one. My husband has raved about the lack of lines under my eyes, and swear the product has taken years off of my face. Like all of Philosophy's stuff a little goes a long way, and always put moisturizer on afterwards, especially with the Help Me. Retinol is extremely beneficial to skin, but one must handle it with care. Frankly, I am not sure if it is the Help Me alone that has done it, or a combination of the Philosophy products I have invested in. Either which way, I have become a true lover of their products!!!

Love this product. Middle aged guy here with clogged and big pores and crazy sensitive skin. Unlike other retinol creams, acne lotions, or even so called "regenerating serums", this one doesn't make my skin red, peel, or hurt. I've got cystic-type acne and it's difficult to both prevent it and clean it up. This product is a godsend for me. This product does make my skin oilier, but that is because it is opening up the pores I think. Oh, and it works well in evening out my skin tone. I use this with the Philosophy Exfoliating Cleaner and it's a wonderful combination for me...less acne, smaller pores, better skin tone, etc.

I was sceptical, but it works. It really unclogged my pores, made them smaller and made blemishes disappear over a few nights. I like consistency-lightweight and absorbs quick, with no residue on the skin. It's gentle yet effective. A little goes long way, and this tube is going to last me forever. No odd smells. As far as working on lines I don't know yet, but retinol is known for that job and probably I'll see it overtime. If you hesitate ask for a sample at the store, I did it before purchase, and I was amazed.

I have been using Proactiv for years to control my acne however now in my 30's my skin has become uneven and dull looking. I needed to get a product that was anti-aging and still control my breakouts. After doing some research retinol was a proven ingredient so I decided to give Philosophy's Help Me a try.
This product is amazing! I noticed a difference in about 2 weeks. Since then I trust the Philosophy name and ordered other products and my skin has become make-up optional.