Bionova Anti-Stress Care with UV Chromophores

IMPORTANT- Bionova‘s products are very different from any other products on the market.  If you have not been following this blog, or my Bionova posts, FIRST read Bionova: The Next Generation in Skincare, then read Bionova Nano Skin Tech: First Impression, THEN come back here 🙂

Bionova’s Anti-Stress Care cream is the final step in their skincare regimen. After I gave them details about my skin and lifestyle, the company’s doctors recommended that I use the Anti-Stress Care for Oily Skin with UV Chromophores from the BN Science line.

Of all the products in the regimen, this is the most complex. It’s important to remember that the skin is actually an organ, and Bionova treats it as such. Stress causes our bodies to release hormones that negatively affect the body’s normal hormone balance, which in turn affects many organs, including the skin. When skin is under stress, it can look less radiant due to a decreased blood supply. Furthermore, free radicals from outside factors such as smoke and sunlight can cause damage and photoaging (Bionova, n.d.).

Bionova’s Nano Skin Tech Anti-Stress Cream contains a precisely balanced Nano-Complex of antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and free-radical scavengers to help prevent oxidative stress. Additionally, the Anti-Stress Care cream helps protect the skin from premature aging and smoothes existing lines and wrinkles. The cream for Oily Skin also reduces oil production and helps keep the skin and pores clean. UV Chromophores protect against the sun (Bionova, n.d.).

Other Nano-Complexes in the Bionova Anti-Stress Care are Vitamin-Coenzyme, Amino Acids, Nucleic Acids, Oily Skin, Age & Wrinkle Control, Bioactive Transmitters, Sterols-F, UV Chromophores, Anti-Inflammatory, High Density Lipo-Proteins, Anti-Irritation, Sterols-M, and Nu-Cell Direct Delivery System Nano-Complexes (Bionova, n.d.).

The Anti-Stress Care consists of a base to which specific active ingredients are added. The first thing that jumps out at me is the dimethicone used in the base. I feel it’s important to address this because many people think silicones, including dimethicone, are not good for the skin. This is absolutely not the case. According to Paula Begoun, one of the harshest critics of skincare ingredients, silicones such as dimethicone are GOOD ingredients (you can read about it here). Claims of silicones suffocating the skin or worsening skin conditions are unsubstantiated. Due to the molecular properties of silicone, it is both porous and resistant to air, similar to a tea bag. When you steep the tea bag in water, the tea, along with its antioxidant properties, is released. Silicone/demethicone is actually helpful- it offsets dryness but still allows active ingredients through (Begoun, 2015).

Like other Bionova products, some ingredients are probably familiar, such as salicylic acid. Salicylic acid, a beta hydryoxy acid, is oil soluble. Therefore, it can penetrate into the pores, and help other ingredients penetrate as well. Retinyl palmitate, a retinoid, is another familiar ingredient (read about it here). While the doctors recommend I discontinue using Retin-A (tretinoin) to prevent irritation, retinyl palmitate is a much gentler retinoid because it has to break down and be converted by the body into retinoic acid.

Other familiar ingredients remind me of an energy drink, such as taurine, an amino acid. You will also notice ingredients such as Gly-His-Lys, Gly-Gly-His, and Gly-Pro-Ala. These are amino acid chains, or peptides. More specifically, they are polypeptides (tripeptides, oligopeptides, etc.), which play an important role in cellular communication, and serve as the building blocks of protein (Study.com, 2015). Bionova uses precise nano- and pico- quantities of each ingredient, customized to each individual product.

The Anti-Stress Care cream has the same trademark scent as the mask and other products due to the bioactive ingredients. The Anti-Stress Care and Mask have a bit more “sourness,” which is not unpleasant- I really like it. The scent dissipates quickly- if it doesn’t, you’re using too much. Bionova recommends applying a tiny amount right after the Activator, while it’s still wet. Rub a small amount between the fingers and press it onto the skin. Makeup may be applied after five minutes.

Like the mask, the cream is housed in a jar- I usually don’t like jar packaging due to sanitary issues and degradation of ingredients.  But again, as I mentioned in the mask review, these products are produced on demand, and extremely fresh.  Since the formulas are highly customized, I think the jars are probably the most cost-effective, and quickest, method of packaging.  You can also use a cosmetic spatula to get the product out, no need to dip your fingers into it.

I rarely use moisturizers for oily skin; many of them contain talc or some other sort of powder to give a false sense of smoothness. Bionova’s Anti-Stress Care is different. There is no powder or other such residue, and my skin simply feels soft and smooth.  The formula is also very concentrated, so a little goes a very long way.

Bionova BN Science Anti-Stress Care with UV Chromophores is available at Dermstore.com.

I’ll be posting my results from the Bionova regimen very soon, along with before and after photos, so be sure to check back!

See also:

Bionova: The Next Generation in Skincare

Bionova Nano Skin Tech: First Impression

Review of Bionova Bioactive Cleanser

Review of Bionova Bioactive Mask

Review of Bionova Bioactive Cream Activator

Sources:

Begoun, P. (2015). Silicone. Ingredient Dictionary. Retrieved November 8, 2015, from www.paulaschoice.com.

Bionova (n.d.). Instruction sheet. Anti-Stress Care for Oily Skin with UV Chromophores. Bionova, Inc.

Study.com (2015). Polypeptide chain: Definition, structure & synthesis. Study.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015, from www.study.com.