Alpha Derma Disaster
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free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:39 am

Hello,

Please can I have some advice!

I bought the Alpha Derma CE, Skin Prep, Okusil and Night Cream after reading rave reviews here.

I'm mid-thirties and suffering from the usual complaints - wrinkles and skin not looking so young any more.

Received my product and washed my face, no toner, then used:
1. skin prep
2. okusil around eyes
3. alpha derma CE
4. a couple drops C&C (sample)
5. night cream

i went to sleep, woke up in the morning, looked in the mirror - horror! Shock

My skin was puffy, and wrinkled esp. under eyes, and nose to mouth. and overall my skin just looked aged, kind of slack and spongy. I'm not exaggerating, it was a really big difference. Also 2 spots came out. Plus a numb feeling. It was only after sleeping that all this came out - on putting the products on, my skin looked and felt fine.

Since then, 2 days ago, I course stopped everything, and only now does my skin look OK again.

I have wasted a lot of money on these products, and am so disappointed. I thought Alpha Derma was going to be my Holy Grail of skincare! I've been saving my pennies for this product, and really want to improve my skin.

What happened? I've never had skin reactions before.

Does any one have any advice?

Thanks all,

ChickenLittle

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:04 am

Not really advice, other than maybe too much too soon? Justed wanted to let you know I've been there and feel for you Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:37 am

Thank you! It was a real shock, waking up to look like a grandma! (ok, exaggerating a little there). Just interested, was your experience with the Alpha Derma too?

I guess I'm wondering - should I try again, each product separately, using much less? If so, say I used just the Alpha Derma CE, can I then add a normal moisturiser on top?

I just worry that maybe Alpha Derma is harming my skin, as it produced those aging effects when I used it all at once/a little too much.

Any advice gratefully recieved! I'm hoping Winnie might have some words of advice, I know she knows a lot about Alpha Derma. Or even Ian if he reads this.

Don't want to waste all that product Embarassed

chicken

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:23 am

Chickenlittle:

Wow I am surprised to hear of this reaction to Alpha Derma. I have been using the Prep and ADCE for over 4 years and have never experienced anything like this. Maybe you had some type of allergic reaction to one of the products? Do you normally have sensitive skin? I really don't think it could be from using too much product too quickly, JB products are not like Retin A or cooper peptides where one would need to start slowly and could have reactions from overuse. Have you used vitamin C serum before or was this your first time? Some people cannot tolerate vitamin c and have a poor skin response - If I had to hedge a guess I would think the Vitamin C might be the one product causing the issues. I would stop everything and give your skin a rest for a few days, then reintroduce only one product at a time for 3-4 days and make sure there is no reaction before adding another product. This should help you determine which product is causing your problem.

JB's prep and ADCE are really wonderful products that have made my skin much nicer - I hope your problem resolves quickly.

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:01 am

Hi Fairlady,

No, I really don't have sensitive skin. I've put all kinds of stuff on in the past, and it always seems to react well to stuff.

I have used C serum before, the strongest Cellex C - worked really well on my skin.

I think I will give my skin a good rest, then start to test the products again, only one at a time. I wonder if the night cream was the problem, don't know why, just instinct.

When my skin feels happy again, I will try Alpha Derma CE, just followed by by Boots No7 day or night cream (these are "normal" drugstore creams, with chemicals but no crazy ingredients). Maybe on just 1/2 my face.

Thanks for your input. I'm going to persevere! Cool

Would appreciate any other ideas/input ...

thanks!
Chickenlittle

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:28 am

Hi chickenlittle,

Sorry to hear of your ordeal. I am glad that you skin went back to normal after a few days. The reaction you had over night is most unusual. Did you read the ingredient list? Do you have any allergies or sensitivity to topicals?

My advice to you is not to go back on the products. If you received your products from Janson Beckett they have either a 30 day or 60 day customer satisfaction return policy.

I worked for Janson Beckett two years ago. You might call me a JB junkie Embarassed

I have never heard of such a reaction. Shock

Apparently this product is not for you. Again, if you purchased from JB, call them regarding a refund. HTH's Winnie Smile

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:24 am

Chickenlittle -

I just thought of something esle. I believe AlphaDerma contains parabens (an artificial preservative)which has been linked to skin irritation in some individuals. Perhaps this could be the ingredient that is causing you problems.

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:05 pm

Thanks Winnie and Fairlady,

Yes, I noticed parabens on the product listings and I have to say i was disappointed. Maybe the concentrations in these products is particularly high, as I have used other products containing them without problems.

Unfortunately I got my products from Essential day spa, so I can't get my money back on the opened products. I was so convinced by the reviews that I have some more coming, which I will return unopened, and get refunded minus restocking and postage fees.

So maybe that's it for me as far as Alpha Derma goes ... hopefully one day I'll find my Holy Grail of skincare (once I have some cash again Rolling Eyes

)

thanks all for your advice and support,
chickenlittle

Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:16 pm

Hi,almost the same thing happend to me! It seemed like someone had hooked a hose to my skin and sucked all the moisture out. Lots of fine lines appeared around my eyes and mouth overnight . It was terrible! I expected great things from Alpha Derma CE. For me it was the vitamin C because I have very dry skin. But the dissapointment has been great!

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:25 pm

The only product that did that to me in this line was Okusil. It just completely dried out my eyes..yet, it's wonderful for others. Go figure. But, I've noticed a lot of people are affected by okusil, so I'm not surprised.

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:20 pm

I'd be very very upset if that happened to me from Alpha Derma Ce!!! I've thought of as a holy grail type thing for 2 years, too- and haven't tried it yet!! If my experience mirrors yours when I finally do try it, Chickenlittle- I'll be very dissapointed!(like you are, I'm sure!!) Confused

BUT- just because your holy grail isn't alpha derma ce- doesn't mean you can't find one on here! There are lots of other products that forum members find to be extremely good, like Ice Elements, IS Ceuticals, Valmont, and more that I can't think of right now!
Also- the baby Q is supposed to do some of the things that alpha derma ce does- like reduce wrinkles and increase firmness and collagen production!! Yay- you don't have to be without those benefits! Maybe the Baby Q will do them for you instead! Just look at the before and after photos of Cesce on the thread and you'll want a baby Q ! (Of course the baby Q might not work for you either- but it might! And if not , you can sell it). Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:13 pm

Thank you samuel, marina and andrea for your comments!

Hmm, now I wonder if it was the hyaluronic acid that wrinkled my skin (in skin prep and okusil). I remember trying HA in a Skinceuticals product years ago and not being that impressed. But still, nothing like the irritation/spots/swelling i got with alpha derma. grrrrrrrrrrr.

Cos I don't have lots of cash right now, I'm going back to my Boots Protect and Perfect serum, and their day and night creams. Definitely not holy grails, but they are better than nothing.

I'm going to keep searching for my HG - lots of time to spend on these boards i think! Now I'm in my thirties I'm really beginning to need help. I'll look at those thinks you mentioned Andrea thank you Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:59 pm

I tried the Alpha Derma products and my skin simply didn't like the line. That said, it doesn't mean that it's a bad product but just one I can't use. There are other products like Ice Elements that are good for sensitive skin. I think it's time you tried some samples to see if you can find something that works for you.

free skin care · Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:58 pm

I don't like Argireline there.

free skin care · Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:27 pm

I also tried AlphaDerma and didn't have good luck with it.

I agree with Rufus about trying some Ice Elements samples as it works really well for those with sensitive skin.

I really love their Anti-Aging serum... my skin drinks it right up. The ingredients in the Anti-Aging serum are designed to help with trouble that you have now, and perhaps more importantly, to reduce further problems by keeping the skin hydrated and producing collagen.

While you can purchase the products here, at hsn.com, or directly, I would highly recommend consulting with either Shelly or Brenda at the official website to ensure that you try the products that would most meet your needs.

Whatever products you do decide to try next, I wish you the best!
Bosoxy.

free skin care · Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:59 am

Can you take back to store and get your refund?

free skin care · Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:15 pm

Hello,

I just thought I'd give an update on my experience with Alpha Derma.

I tried the ADCE on it's own, again - and my skin has responded quite well. Less lines, a bit firmer. But my skin is congested/bumpy from it, a little. I'm happy enough to continue with it for the moment until I find something better.

I think it was the Okusil and Mineral Prep that gave my skin the granny look Sad

I like the C&C serum too, no miracles, but just feels good soaking in, and skin perhaps a little brighter.

free skin care · Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:24 pm

chicken, so sorry you had to go through this. I've been using AlphaDermaCE, organic toner, mineral skinprep from Janson Beckett with no problems. They are my HG.

I have learned the hard way, however, to always buy new product from Sephora. That way if my skin reacts badly or if it doesn't perform the miracle it's promised, I can take it back. Or if I'm lemming for something that Sephora doesn't carry [which happens a lot more with my interest narrowing to more natural/organic lines] then try samples to at least determine the products won't cause irritation.

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