Loving PCA Skin A & C Synergy Serum!
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Products Reviews Forum

Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:31 am

It's been a while since I have written a review but this liquid gold certainly deserves it! I bought this serum on a whim earlier this year after browsing MUA for new serum ideas to deal with skin congestion and uneven skin tone ahead of my wedding. I have used retinol products in the past and have (of course) used vitamin C serums for years and years (though admittedly not consistently recently). My skin is generally very good as long as I don’t get lazy with my skincare routine - i.e. I exfoliate often (probably more often than most as my skin seems quite tough and prone to congestion), I use decongesting/revitalising masks a few times a week and use a BHA product of some sort (lately it’s been Paula’s Choice) on top of all that exfoliation. That’s all well and good as long as life doesn’t get in the way of my skincare routine. Once it does, my skin still looks good for the most part but close up I can see (and feel) annoying bumps. This is in particular the case on my cheeks, my nose and (most irritatingly) right between my brows. It turns out that the PCA C&A serum actually allows me to be, well, lazy with the rest of my skincare routine (when I have little choice) without the side-effects. I started using it twice a day around 3 months ago and my skin has been noticeably brighter and *super smooth* (I mean like “I want to keep touching my face because it’s so smooth” smooth!). Even when my routine dropped right off (read: just enough time to brush your teeth, slap on some serum and moisturiser and crash in bed) my skin remained smooth and there was no sign of the usual annoying bumps, no blackheads either. I’ve been getting facials every two months and the lady commented recently about how much my skin improved in texture and tone and asked what I was using. She also commented that my pigmentation has also lightened (which is true, but, to be fair, I am also using another product that specifically targets pigmentation). Needless to say, I’m super happy with the results. It’s not a particularly glamorous or luxurious serum to use but for my skin it just works. The serum itself is a very watery light yellow serum with a scent that isn’t particularly appealing (though it’s not terrible either). It feels like you just applied water (similar to the original Cellex-C vit C serum). It comes in an annoying pump bottle, which would be great if it worked properly. Mine started to leak shortly after I started to use it and I ended up transferring the whole thing into a glass dropper bottle from a previous C serum. Having searched online I see that many people have great results with this serum but also have trouble with the pump (time for PCA to listen and fix the packaging!) but even with the potential of the pump not working on my next bottle, I am about to order a replacement before I run out of this gem completely. If you have issues with congestion and uneven tone and you don’t have sensitive skin then I recommend you try this. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

Btw, most of my skincare routine actually consists of Eminence Organics products (and BHA before I started using this serum). I realise the irony of mixing something with retinol, kojic acid and also alcohol with an organic skincare routine but the results speak for themselves Smile

free skin care · Thu Jul 09, 2015 6:57 pm

Hi Mabsy
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Hope it is the best day of your life.
The PCA product sounds like it is a winner and I think it should suit many skin types. It has an incredible mix of ingredients and this is probably why it has the ability to help clarify the skin.
I am surprised it has not had more raves.

Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:34 am

Hi bushy!

Thank you, it was a lovely day.

I'm surprised as well (though I guess I am more surprised that I haven't tried more of PCA Skin, I recall using a good cleanser of theirs years ago). Having said that, this serum does have kojic acid in it and I know that some are wary of it. Nevertheless, I am so happy to have found this and to have found a retinol and vitamin C product in one. I love using the Eminence Organics line but the exfoliants in it are just not enough for my skin so this is a great addition

free skin care · Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:32 am

Hey Mabsy, congratulations! I have been looking for a new serum to replace my Proheal * spam alert * and this sounds like it might be the ticket!
Does EDS carry this? I see the C & E but not seeing the C & A.

Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:13 pm

Thank you AnnieR! Yes, I bought it from EDS in the first place (I may not post much anymore but this is still my go to place for skincare and tips Smile

) but it's not intuitively listed. It's actually under specialty products rather than under vitamin C & Pigment Control. You can find it here: http://www.essentialdayspa.com/pca-skin-a-c-synergy-seru-p_446.htm

If you end up trying it please let me know what you think. I hope it works as well for you as it does for me!

free skin care · Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:45 am

Thanks Mabsy! I am finishing up 2 others and then I will give it a try. We appreciate the feedback on it.

free skin care · Thu Feb 21, 2019 12:21 am

Hi Mabsy,
re: your comment (quoted below), I also mix and match according to my skin's needs at any given time.

"I realise the irony of mixing something with retinol, kojic acid and also alcohol with an organic skincare routine but the results speak for themselves"

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.