First Aid Beauty Skin Care: Overview of the Dual Repair Line and My Impression So Far

I recently started my First Aid Beauty skin care routine, and while I’ve shared more information about First Aid Beauty’s philosophy, I have been slacking a bit on doing my full post with what I’m using, what is in each product and why it works. Finally, I’m spilling the beans!

What sets Dual Repair apart from other anti-aging skin care lines is that in addition to providing ingredients to help fight and prevent aging, First Aid Beauty also supports the skin’s barrier function. There are a lot of ingredients to soothe skin, support barrier function (aka- moisturize with emollients and ceramides), and as I said in my intro post to this series, Good Barrier Function = Happy Skin = Glowy Skin and I like Glowy Skin.

To help fight aging the Dual Repair line includes a proprietary blend of ingredients in all three products:
• Astaxanthin (algae extract in the ingredients list): This is a very potent antioxidant derived from a micro-algae extract.
• SymCalmin: A proprietary blend of Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid. The blend (derived from Oats) has anti-itch, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!
• Lana Blue: Derived from a blue algae, this actually has some retinoid activity, without being a retinoid.
• Argireline (Hexapeptide or Acetyl Hexapeptide-8): This is a Peptide to help stimulate collagen production and prevent its breakdown.

Dual Repair Eye Cream
This eye cream is very lightweight like a lotion, but it seems to provide more moisture. It doesn’t leave a residual film on my skin at all, though it does hydrate the under eye area very well and the result is that my concealer goes on very smoothly and looks better. Who can argue with that?

While the Eye Cream has the same active ingredients that I mentioned above, it has some additional ingredients just for the under eye area and its special problems. Sodium Phytate and Glucosyl Hesperidin were added to reduce the look of puffiness and undereye circles.
• Sodium Phytate is an antioxidant often derived from Rice, it also acts as a chelating agent, taking up metals and modulating enzymes in the skin.
• Glucosyl Hesperidin helps to increase circulation to the area, decreasing the appearance of circles and helping to reduce swelling.

Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silybum Marianum Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Algae Extract, Phenyl Methicone, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol

Note that the key ingredients are in blue above, here’s more info on the other ingredients:
• Moisturizers (read more about moisturizer types): Glycerin (humectant), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient), Pentylene Glycol (humectant), Sorbitol (humectant)
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of Vitamin C
• Phenoxyethanol: Paraben alternative for preserving the whole thing (no one like their lotion to go bad!)
• Ethylhexyl Palmitate: A palm oil derivative that gives skin care items that “slip”
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka: White Tea Extract): Contains polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though they even suppress cancer. While most of the research into these effects used intake of the polyphenols rather than topical use, “most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant whether consumed orally or applied topically”
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Good to help preserve barrier function, read more at Truth in Aging
• Algae Extract: Lots of antioxidants as well as other minerals.
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant

Dual Repair Serum
I’ve found that this serum is more hydrating than many other serums. I don’t need to add in the moisturizer in the morning when using the serum (it’s too much moisture for my skin and I get greasy later in the day), serum alone is perfect for my combination skin. The serum also has the highest concentration of active ingredients, so if you’re going to pick 1 product, this is the one to pick!

Dual Repair Power Serum contains concentrated levels of the Dual Repair key actives. It is enhanced with Diacetyl Boldine to improve skin tone and Siegesbeckia Extract to calm the skin.

Note that this is the product with Retinyl Palmitate. It’s safe to use while nursing, but if you’re pregnant (or trying to get pregnant), skip the serum and just use the moisturizer and eye cream.

Ingredients:
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Algae Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tromethamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Diacetyl Boldine. Astaxanthin, Tocopherol

Note that the key ingredients are in blue above, here’s more info on the other ingredients:
• Dimethicone: A silicone to help things glide nicely (probably part of the reason concealers like this so much!)
• Moisturizers (read more about moisturizer types): Glycerin (humectant), Pentylene Glycol (humectant), Sorbitol (humectant)
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Good to help preserve barrier function, read more at Truth in Aging
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of Vitamin C
• Retinyl Palmitate: Retinoid
• Algae Extract: Lots of antioxidants as well as other minerals.
• Phenoxyethanol: Paraben alternative for preserving the whole thing (no one like their lotion to go bad!)
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka: White Tea Extract): Contains polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though they even suppress cancer. While most of the research into these effects used intake of the polyphenols rather than topical use, “most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant whether consumed orally or applied topically”
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant

Dual Repair Face Cream
The cream is more like a traditional night cream in that it is thicker and more hydrating than a day lotion. I think it does sink in quickly and completely enough to use under makeup, but the amount of hydration in the product is just a little too much for every day use in the morning for my combination skin. I’ve been using it at night, and if there’s a day my skin feels a bit dry or irritated (I hate that it is still in the 20’s here in Michigan!), then I’ve been using this a little on my cheeks and other dry spots in the morning as well. While it has heavy duty moisture, the cream hasn’t otherwise been an issue. It’s non-comedogenic, and I haven’t had any increase in clogged pores or blemishes.

First Aid Beauty did conduct some independent research and they found that after 6 weeks of twice daily use:
• 88% reported an improvement in the texture of their skin
• 84% reported that the product calmed and soothed the skin
• 81% reported a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• 81% reported an improvement in the moisture level of their skin

Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Silica, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Styrene Butadiene Copolymer, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenyl Methicone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Algae Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sodium, Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl, Hexapeptide-8, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol

Note that the key ingredients are in blue above, here’s more info on the other ingredients:
• Moisturizers (read more about moisturizer types): Glycerin (humectant), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient), Pentylene Glycol (humectant), Sorbitol (humectant), Sunflower Seed Oil (emollient), Safflower Seed Oil (occlusive)
• Dimethicone: A silicone to help things glide nicely.
• Ethylhexyl Palmitate: A palm oil derivative that gives skin care items that “slip”
• Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: Emollient moisturizer with antioxidant properties
• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter): This is super popular as a moisturizer because while it acts as an occlusive, it also acts to replace the body’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF) more directly than other emollients, really helping to reduce dry and flaky skin.
• Phenoxyethanol: Paraben alternative for preserving the whole thing (no one like their lotion to go bad!)
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Good to help preserve barrier function, read more at Truth in Aging
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka: White Tea Extract): Contains polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though they even suppress cancer. While most of the research into these effects used intake of the polyphenols rather than topical use, “most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant whether consumed orally or applied topically”
• Algae Extract: Lots of antioxidants as well as other minerals.
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of Vitamin C
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant

How I’m Using the Products & What I Think So Far
Basically, I’m using the entire First Aid Beauty Dual Repair line, with the First Aid Beauty Facial Cleanser that I reviewed a few weeks ago.

All of the Dual Repair products can be used twice a day, and to get the most out of the ingredients (I’m a bit in awe of how much is packed into these bottes!) I would probably use the serum, then eye cream and finally the face cream. This order will let the better penetrating serum get on your skin first, then the eye cream and finally the Face Cream can kind of seal it all in to your skin.

You should always listen to your skin, and mine definitely seemed to be saying to me that the cream is a bit too much moisture for my skin to use twice a day, every day. So, I’ve been sticking to the eye cream and serum in the morning, and adding in the face cream at night. I definitely will use a bit of the face cream on days that I feel a bit dry, we’re still stuck in winter mode here in Michigan and a bit too much time outside means I’ll be using cream the next morning.

As I’ve been using the line, here’s what I’ve found:
• All three products have a little scent, but it isn’t much and it goes away after everything is absorbed into your skin.
• All three products sink into my skin very quickly without any residue left behind, which means they’re great under makeup.
• The Eye Cream especially seems to do a great job under makeup, it does something to my under eye area which makes my concealer look flawless. Flawless. Immediately I look awake. Love that.
• None of the products have caused any stinging, sensitivity or other issues.

I often have dryness and irritation issues with my skin this time of year. Since starting the Dual Repair products, my skin has definitely been happy. I have no dry patches and my redness has improved (I have rosacea) as well I feel like my skin tone is evening out a bit just because everything is happier. I’m definitely happy that my First Aid Beauty time fell during what is the roughest time of year for my skin!

What do you think, could the Dual Repair line work for you?

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