You don’t have to be old with shriveled-prune skin to start using anti-aging products, nor should you, because by then it’d be a tad too late. So why is it that so many brands seem to create anti-aging products that are waaaay too thick and heavy for people with combo/oily skin? We need our anti-aging goodies too!
Hylamide SubQ Antiage Serum Overview
- What is it
- A super light serum full that aims to hydrate and plump our skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Aka the standard anti-aging serum claim.
- How I use it
- 3-5 drops right after toning, twice a day
- Best suited for
- All skin types, but combo/oily skin folks will especially appreciate the water-like texture!
- Key ingredients
- Peptides, amino acid complexes, 5 forms of hyaluronic acid, and several fermented extracts (full ingredient list)
- Irritants
- None. It’s silicone-free, oil-free, fragrance-free, vegan, and has a comfortable pH range of 5.5-6.5
- Packaging
- A frosted glass bottle with a dropper
- Scent
- Like wet rags (which in case you’re wondering, is not very pleasant), though it’s not noticeable once you apply it
- Texture
- Like water. Honestly I have toners that feel heavier than this.
- Finish
- Just the smallest hint of stickiness at first that disappears after a few seconds
- What I love
- It’s incredibly light texture that makes layering with other products a dream. The ingredient list is solid as well, with barely any filler ingredients
- What I dislike
- The scent. It also doesn’t work overnight, so you definitely need to be patient.
- Size & Price
- $38/30ml
- Where to buy
- CVS (US, frequent 30% off sales), Beauty Bay (UK), Escentuals (UK and worldwide)
Closer look at the Hylamide brand
One of the brands under the oh-so-hot Deciem company (others include Niod and The Ordinary) whose mantra is “skincare for every depth of your skin“. With technologically advanced ingredients and delivery mechanisms, their products are designed to not just reach the surface, but all layers of our skin.
If you’re looking for something a little fancier than The Ordinary, but aren’t quite ready to splurge on Niod products, Hylamide is a great brand to consider.
Closer look at the SubQ Anti-age ingredients
Copper Lysinate/Prolinate – helps improve overall skin conditions by promoting collagen synthesis within our skin. This and methylglucoside phosphate (another key ingredient) form the anti-aging complex Neodermyl™. (source)
Nonapeptide-3 Retino-Complex – A new technology that delivers better(?) anti-aging results than Retinol with less irritation
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 – Aka Matrixyl Synthe’6™, an ingredient that helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles (source)
5 forms of hyaluronic acid – they work together to target surface hydration and promote rehydration from within, helping the skin look plump and healthy
Multi-functional saccharide – identical in form to skin carbohydrates that offers lasting rehydration, improves skin texture, and supports healthy skin barrier functions
Antarctic and Hawaiian algae complex – supports renewal and help prevent moisture loss
Skin binding glycoprotein – helps optimizes skin exposure to active ingredients for a boosted effect
I was deciding between this and The Ordinary’s “Buffet”, but ultimately decided on this one due to a few negative comments about Buffet’s texture, and I’m all about the nice texture. That and The Ordinary website recommended the Hylamide SubQ Anti-age as a stronger alternative, so I was sold (I’m very easily persuaded in case you haven’t noticed).
I’m not sure why there aren’t that many reviews for this product, as I think it’s fantastic. Impressive ingredient list aside (which I won’t even bother analyzing because Deciem already did a fab job at it), it works for all skin types and all ages. Anti-aging should be a preventive measure, not a reactive treatment, so don’t think it’s too early to start adding anti-aging products in your routine! From the bright pop of purple on the packaging to the super-light texture, I feel like this serum was made for the younger crowd that find traditional anti-aging serums off-putting.
As someone with combo (and now slightly sensitive) skin, this serum works beautifully with my skin and with other products. I did experience a bit of redness and tingling with this when my skin was irritated from Curology, but that’s more due to my comprised skin barrier than the serum itself.
Now for the million dollar question: does it work? I do have a few fine lines around my eyes (only visible when I squint) and one pesky smile line that’s a result of me sleeping on my side, but I haven’t noticed any significant improvements. At the same time, I haven’t noticed any new lines appearing either, and I’ve found my concealer creases less around the eye area. So while the results aren’t significant, there are definitely small improvements that I’m hoping will be more obvious as I continue using the product.
Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age Serum
- Packaging7.5/10
- Ingredients9.5/10
- Texture/Application9.5/10
- Performance7.5/10
- Price8/10
As long as you keep in mind that anti-aging products in general take time to show their results and that they're often preventive rather than reactive (especially when you start young), you won't be disappointed with the lack of WOW factor. Instead, you'll appreciate the Hylamide SubQ Antiage for what it is - a beautifully light serum packed with great ingredients that will work for all skin types.
While I won't be repurchasing immediately (sorry, there are way too many products I want to try!), this will stay on my list as a solid anti-aging option that I can always count on. If you're thinking about adding an anti-aging product to your routine, this is an excellent option - you really can't go wrong with its elegant texture!
Hope you enjoyed this review, and let me know if you’ve have a favorite anti-aging serum you love or if you’ve ever tried any of Hylamide’s products before! I also have their C25 (vitamin C) and Low Molecular HA (hyaluronic acid) boosters that I’m testing out now, and will review those shortly!
Also, a big thank you to everyone who commented on my last post!! I was feeling pretty down when I wrote it, but it was comforting to know that I’m not alone in my struggles. So thank you! *kisses*
