Earlier this year Target partnered with Who What Wear to launch an affordable skincare line called Versed. Yes, you are reading that name correctly. Versed also happens to be a popular sedative given to patients before they go into surgery. I haven’t found a reason yet for why they went with this name, and I imagine it’s not great for SEO but that is for another day.
This line was made for and is targeted towards millennials. It’s free of the things that are trendy for brands to exclude (parabens, sulfates, fragrances, dyes, you know). It’s made with scientifically backed ingredients, simple formulas, and at an affordable price tag. Everything in this line cost less than $20! There are currently 19 items in this line, so I am going to review some of their best sellers!
Find Clarity – Purifying Mask
The Find Clairty mask is a purifying clay mask that “draws impurities out of skin” without being overly drying. I have used this a couple of times and found it works fairly well. Despite what the website says, I definitely found it to be a little drying but it’s nothing that a thick night cream or face oil can’t fix. My favorite clay mask is SUPERMUD from GLAMGLOW, but this is a great alternative if you’re looking to save a couple of bucks. The ingredients list includes:
Kaolin: a hydrated silicate of aluminum, kaolin has been established as an effective adsorbent for hundreds of years. Kaolin has long been used to treat skin erythema, eczema, and inflammatory skin disorders. It is a popular ingredient in face masks because of its ability to effectively absorb oil (Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics). Studies have shown it to be non-irritating, so it is gentle enough for sensitive skin (European Kaolin and Plastic Clays Association). It is so great at binding to oil that it makes me hesitant to recommend this to anyone with dry skin!
Charcoal Powder: For hundreds of years, charcoal has been used in holistic medicine as a deodorant. This is due to charcoal’s high oxygen content and absorptive properties: When charcoal comes into contact with decomposing matter, it absorbs malodorous gases within the air and releases oxygen. In dermatology, charcoal’s high oxygen content is less relevant. Instead, topically applied charcoal “draws out” impurities from the skin. Limited research in the journal Dermatology suggests that charcoal may also be useful in the treatment of certain skin diseases, including porphyria. Unfortunately, studies also show charcoal can be very drying for normal-to-dry skin types (Dermatology).
Bentonite Clay: In a study on people with acne vulgaris, where subjects are found to have roughly three times more sebum produced than normal, researchers use bentonite clay to absorb the extra oil — demonstrating bentonite’s ability to soak up excess oils (Dermatology). But these clays don’t just absorb oils; they also help to pull impurities out of the skin (Life Science Weekly).
Stroke of Brilliance – Brightening Serum
I’m a big fan of the Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum as it contains some of my favorite ingredients. I didn’t find it irritating at all and it worked great under makeup. This is one product from this line I would recommend. Some of the ingredients include:
Niacinamide: According to Bissett et. al., niacinamide does it all: reduces fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (yellowing), and increases elasticity. Further, according to a 2005 study by Draelos et. al., niacinamide may help alleviate some of the symptoms of rosacea by increasing hydration and barrier function of the stratum corneum (uppermost layer of the skin) and may have some anti-tumor characteristics as well. And finally, in a 1995 study by Takozaki et. al., it was reported that a 4% topical niacinamide treatment applied twice daily may help to treat acne by reducing inflammation with similar efficacy to 1% clindamycin gel.
Licorice Root Extract: Licorice root extract contains glycyrrhizinate, a potent antioxidant. Licorice has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to be anti-inflammatory and to help prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a water-soluble form of L-ascorbic acid. True to its name, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is L-ascorbic acid combined with palmitic acid, a fatty acid, and sodium. According to a 2001 study in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, sodium ascorbyl phosphate has greater long-term stability than another vitamin C alternative, ascorbyl palmitate, when each is used in similar concentrations. While some scientists argue that vitamin C must be in acidic form in order to have effects within the skin, careful examination shows many of these studies may be authored by scientists with interests in Cellex-C, Skinceuticals, or other brands with products containing high doses of L-ascorbic acid, the original form of vitamin C. In fact, other studies have shown sodium ascorbyl phosphate has antioxidant action (International Journal of Pharmaceutics), may be effective in skin lightening (Patent), and may even be effective in fighting acne vulgaris (International Journal of Cosmetic Science). Whether sodium ascorbyl phosphate is as effective as L-ascorbic acid remains to be seen.
Found the Light – Powder with VC
Found the Light Vitamin C powder was the product I was most excited to try when I first heard about this launch. Vitamin C is notorious for being unstable, so companies have been releasing it in powder form. When you add a serum or moisturizer to the powder, you get fresh, unoxidized vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid, without having to worry about excessive exposure to light, heat, or air. It’s great to add to your existing lightweight serum — just cleanse and/or tone, and add this powder into the next step of your skin care regimen. I don’t think I will ever stop using Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum but I can’t lie, I am very impressed with this!
Bottom Line
Found the Light Vitamin C powder is my favorite from the Versed Skincare line at target, but I really enjoyed them all. Proven ingredients in simple, affordable formulations that work… it’s hard to be mad about that!
The post Versed: Target’s New Skincare Line — What to Buy appeared first on FutureDerm.
