I am loving this new treatment gel from Neostrata. I suffer from ageing skin that is also very oily and acne prone. Acne prone is also a symptom of very sensitive skin so I have that too. I dread switching up a skincare routine that is working, as I am terrified to wake the cystic acne monster lying beneath the surface. I ran out of my Skinceuticals Blemish + Age, my usual go-to for my tedious skin, and was looking for something light that would not break me out. I also wanted it to have some anti wrinkle powers. So, fruit stem cells, you say? How will they help me? Stem cells, in this case from a plant source, help to form new cells in the tissue in which they are located, as well as repair and replace damaged cells. They work in human tissues, making them a no brainer for skincare applications. The AHA’s that make Neostrata so effective are also fruit derived, and that is what is in their magic ingredient here, Phyto Cell Tech, along with the anti-aging cocktail that include retinols. Not only does do fruit stem cells help stimulate skin cell growth, but they also helps protect the skin from UV damage.

I have a drawer of skincare I like to call “Untrieds” – products that I haven’t tried yet, but plan to in the future. I am a devotee of Neostrata Smoothing Cream and Lotion – Level 3, thank you very much. The glycolic acid resurfaces and fights zits beautifully on my skin. I’m wary of retinols as I always end up shedding and peeling – trust me, it’s not pretty! So I was a little reticent about trying the Neostrata Anti-Aging Gel with Fruit Stem Cells but what I do understand is that the retinol in this gel is part of a “cocktail” of skin goodness. So I gave it a try, and I’m glad I did. First, the texture is lovely. It’s like a soft whipped gel that literally melts into the skin. A tiny bit goes a very long way, and I love the way it feels on my skin. It moisturizes and soothes without feeling heavy, and I can see an improvement in my skin’s tone and texture since using it. I like to use it at night, with RoC Multi Correxion Eye Cream. Where I’ve really noticed a difference is on the skin above my lips. Over the past few weeks the skin texture has definitely improved.

Verdict? Love. At $65 for a 30ml jar, I’d say it’s on the medium-high end of drugstore products price wise, but totally worth it. I’m not sure how long it will last, but as I only need a small amount to cover my face/neck, I’m thinking quite awhile. Would this work on drier skin types? According to Neostrata, yes. it is recommended for all skin types that are over 35, or concerned with aging skin. My love affair with Neostrata continues….

Canadians can find Neostrata here. I’m not sure if this line is available to US shoppers.