Ladies and gentleman, we have ourselves a miracle cream. It’s worked miracles on my skin in just a little over 4 weeks, I’ve moved it to Holy Grail status in my skincare and I’m here to tell you all about this magical, unicorn elixir in luxury skincare. CODE: MELISSA20 for 20% off
The lovely Amoreena at SMD cosmetics, (seriously- she’s gorgeous, with skin that would leave Cleopatra steeped in jealousy), gifted me a few products from their luxury skincare line. I was struck immediately by the opulent packaging. These bottles were going to be taking center stage on my dressing table! They were too gorgeous to hide!
If you’ve read here for very long you know that I have been a slave to the BioRecept line, which is made in France and can only be purchased here in the US. This was really my first introduction to “K Beauty”, and to be honest, I didn’t expect to be surprised or “wowed” at all.
I was wrong. Turns out, the Koreans know a thing or 10 about skincare my friends. SMD Cosmetics (Saimdang Cosmetics in Korea), is well known as THE go-to luxury skincare line in that country. In fact, they’ve been around for more than 20 years and they’re the only cosmetic company to have ever been awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence.
While still fairly new in the US, the brand became an instant cult favorite of Hollywood makeup artists after bursting onto the scene with their Snail Serum Concentrate. The results were so good they developed an immediate and very devoted following. USE CODE: MELISSA20 for 20% off your purchase.
So, What’s Different?
In 2 words: Ingredients and Processing. Most skincare that we buy today has maybe 1 or 2 active ingredients. 3 if you’re really lucky. SMD Cosmetics has anywhere from 35-65 active ingredients in ONE formulation! Y’all- they have over 39 patents- 26 of which are brand new ingredients! (Take THAT Creme de La Mer).
They also own and oversee every single step of the intricate processing of their products- from the research, the sourcing of ingredients, all the way to the actual manufacturing, all of which is done in Korea.
Their products are safe, natural and non-toxic. They are a cruelty-free brand and do not test on animals in any way.
Inhyunjin Collection Luxury Skincare
The science behind the line is truly fascinating and based on herbal medicinal formulations. I won’t geek out on you here but suffice it to say that they use a natural fermentation process along with nano-technology that ensures the product is pulled deep into the layers of skin. This is so important because even the very best ingredients aren’t going to do much for you if they’re left sitting on top of your skin.
My Results
After only 4 weeks I cannot believe how much better my skin looks! It has restored elasticity and radiance. I’m so pleased! The biggest change that I’ve noticed is in the overall texture of my skin. I’ve always had small pores, but in the last year, I’ve noticed that in my T-Zone, they are becoming more visible which I hate. Using these products, not only do my pores look good again, but the crepey-ness under my eyes has completely vanished! Like….gone. My skin drinks this stuff in and looks immediately hydrated after I use it. I only use 2 small pumps and that is enough for my face, neck and chest. The eye cream is the same- it only takes the tiniest amount and the ingenious applicator is metal, so it’s cold and depuffs the undereye area at the same time. code: MELISSA20 for 20% off your purchase
I’m hooked you guys.
Now, like all things that are hot -damn- awesome- this line is pricey. I immediately began deciding which organs I’d have to part with to be able to continue to use this luxury skincare line…..which I was most certainly going to do. But at second glance you’ll notice that the amount in the products is almost twice that in typical US skincare AND because of the natural preservation process of these products, they will last anywhere from 6-8 glorious months! Take. My. Money.
I test a lot of products and you guys know that I’m loyal to what works for me. The whole purpose of this blog is to share the good stuff with you, so place SMD Cosmetics firmly at the top of the skincare list, would you?
I do understand that not everyone can afford luxury skincare- even when they DO work, so I’ll continue to review products for you and share what I think is worth the money in all price ranges, but rest assured that the Inhyunjin Collection from SMD Cosmetics is worth every penny in results. Use code MELISSA20 for 20% off of your purchase.
My New skincare routine:
AM:
Cleanse: Clinique Take The Day Off
Moisturize: SMD Cosmetics Inhyunjin refining Moisturizer
Eye cream: SMD Cosmetics Inhyunjin Eye Cream
Sun Screen: Elta MD
PM:
Retin A: Curology (1st month free here)
Eye Cream: SMD Cosmetics Inyunjin Eye Cream
Night Cream: Biorecept LycOconfort de Peau (used to use this twice daily as a moisturizer, now I’m using it only at night.)
You may also enjoy reading more about skincare for women over 40 here and consider signing up for my email list for access to my Private Skincare Library here.
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I was gifted these products from SMD Cosmetics but all opinions, as always, are completely my own.
These products sound amazing!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Thank you Jennifer. It takes a lot to impress me in the field of skincare….a bitter skeptic at heart when it comes to any age-reversal products, but color me WAY impressed!
~Melissa xx
Hi, Melissa! Great post โค๏ธ. I have some rolling scars on one of my cheeks, and one near my mouth. I’ve been using Tretinoin .025. I still buffer, but I’ve built up to nightly use. I believe the Tretinoin has helped to smooth out the scars. I see old pictures and my scars looked a lot more noticeable. So happy ๐ I googled ‘Ret247get’ and got tretinoin. I also have a very hydrating routine, which I think helps plump up the skin so that scars are less noticeable. I have a certain elevator I take once a week for work. It has the most stressful, disturbing lighting in the world. It makes skin texture look 10,000 times worse. I remember seeing myself in a selfie in that lighting back when I started Tret. Well, recently, just to torture myself, I took out the selfie cam again in that same elevator and noticed a much smoother texture than before. I sound toxic and obsessive. Sigh. But they’ve gotten better! I will probably wait until I run out of this Tret tube and then up to .05.
I have a friend that sells face masks by K Beauty. I assume it’s the same? I also just saw a Korean Beauty store opening in our mall the other day, but can’t remember the name. I wonder if it’s this. You look amazing and I have crepeiness under my eyes too and would like to give it the kiss off. LOL
http://www.coasttocoast2.com
Oh thank you so much Lisa! This is by SMD Cosmetics, and I don’t *think* they have any stores or have products sold anywhere else but on their site but the stuff is amazing. I’m a bitter skeptic when it comes to skin care products and this just blew me away.
~Melissa xx
These products sound great. Iโm just finishing up a set of facial products that, though I love them, I wonโt buy them again because the staff at the store are so pushy (and I found out that itโs apparently this brands business model) that Iโll never go in there again… so Iโll be looking for something new in another month or so.
I’m with you Julie- I HATE pushy sales people and it’s a great way to never get my business. This stuff is ah-mazing. I’m not an affiliate or anything, I just completely love it!
~Melissa xx
I’m all about great skincare, Melissa!! I’ll have to add this one to my list.
XOOX
Jodie