I wouldn't skip their Vitamin C product like suggested. I've been using it for 8 months and it's by far the best and most affordable Vitamin C I used. I keep it in the fridge and I refill the little bottle they sell every few weeks and it literally takes 1 minute. I only noticed a slight yellowish discoloration towards the end of those few weeks (in the little bottle) but my stock in the fridge never oxidised (it lasts for 3-4 months). I saw a big difference on my skin with this product, and considering how cheap it is compared with super expensive equivalent products like the skinceuticals one, it's definitely worth trying.
Thank you for this. I have their Vit C too and also have thought it was giving me good results, but considered replacing it with something else when it runs out after seeing this video. But I think you're right that it if isn't turning yellow, it isn't oxidizing. So it's stable enough the way we're handling it.
Its a fantastic Vitamin C and considering the company makes it fresh every week, it means whenever you buy it you are getting a fresh product and not something thats been sitting in a warehouse for months on end.
Yea have to agree C Glow is absolutely the best Ascorbic Acid Vit C I've used.. its never oxidised on me whilst keeping in the fridge and I even made the mistake once of buying 2 and the one I had in the fridge as back up was perfect when I finished the first bottle. It has 0 smell compared to others it is watery textured so it just sinks right into the skin in minutes and leaves no sticky residue on the skin. It's been a total game changer for me I have a lot of facial scarring on my chin area and I can literally see it reducing and fading its so effective and I've never had any irritation at all even at the 15% it really is just an outstanding product ❤
It took me about 4 months to get through one of their vitamin C serums. It arrived crystal clear, and didn’t turn yellow in colour even slightly the whole time I was using it.
Same. At around the 4 month mark it gets slightly straw coloured for me but am finished the bottle by then anyway. Best most affordable vit C I've used.
I love that their vit C is made in a weekly basis. Can't get much fresher than that. A million times better than Drunk Elephants vit C which has all kinds of issues.
Having been a user of Skinceuticals CEFerulic serum I was used to the serum changing colour before I finished the bottle. I continued to throw out half bottles but gave up on them when they sent a bottle that was orange on arrival. Then when I complained they tried to tell me it was still effective. I really appreciate the freshness of the G&G Vit C serum. The bottles I have used so far have stayed fresh and effective throughout the entire bottle.
I read skinceuticals had made the ce ferulic formula in such a way that it would not oxidize. ? 🤔 I assumed based on that & the extensive testing on the product, is why it's so expensive.
I’m on the second bottle of their vitamin C serum and I’m 💜-ing it!!! I do decant it as they suggest and keep the original bottle in the fridge. Honestly I would much rather “knock on wood however-many-times needed“ 😂for a solid product than pay „an arm and a leg“ for the Skinceauticals Vit c serum. Thanks for the review Dr Dray! 💜
Skinseauticals is ridiculously expensive, at least here in Europe. Oxidizes, like La Roche Posey' one (pricey as well), in a month, where ever and however you keep it: fridge, in the dark, less hot rooms during, either hot months or winter time with heating
I was shocked to see they were hungarian. I'm in Romania, so I hope this means I'd get vitamin c as fresh as it gets. I'm thrilled. And their vitamin a and c prices can't be beat here. I'm definitely buying from them
I compared the stability of the skinceutical and the G&again Vit C Serum. The stability is actually the same. The G&G seems even more stable. I think is fresher. The difference lays in the claims of the two companies. Skinceutical claims that you can use the serum even when it’s yellow to brown, while G&G do not recommend using such oxidized products.
A quick call out for the liquid hydration.. its really great for my oily skin. Almost all moisturisers give me spots, but this one is perfect for me. The retinal is a really nice creamy product to use and the azaleic acid is easy and gentle.
I wouldn't just skip liquid hydration! :) It's one of my favourite G&G products. Some may not need it, I do. The simple combination of cleanser, tretinoin, moisturizer, and sunscreen is not enough for my skin and, while I appreciate Dr Dray's content and still watch and enjoy every single video she posts, I no longer blindly follow her advice. My skin is finally the way I've always wanted it to be since I've started incorporating more actives, products, and treatments into my skincare routine. Everyone's skin is different I guess :)
Yes I have oily skin and one supposed benefit of apad Is oil control, not mentioned here. Re hydration - Feather light, fragrance free hydration (which can be sprayed on) has a place for those who are having to layer on acne products and moisturisers which might not be as easy as dry skin when you can just slather and are mainly just using waves of products to moisturise without worrying about reaction and that one layer extra causing a grease ball. I appreciate her generous expert feedback (loads) but I do appreciate that her lens is her lens
Agreed. I personally LOVE the liquid hydration! Able to layer a few times by pressing into my skin and applies soooooo much hydration without being over the top for my combo skin. An absolute must in my routine. Same with Stress Less serum. Amazing at really settling and soothing my skin or acting as a buffer before Agame retinol. Actually I pretty much love all the products she said to skip pass hahaha
Maybe the reason she is advising against most of the products is because this video is exceptionally unsponsored. Dermatologist I doubt it now, UA-cam saleswoman more true. At this point we're not talking about doctor's advice anymore we're talking about percentage paid sales.
It's quite normal that each person's skin has different needs and reactions. Even my longtime dermatologist shifts my routines since my skin, like everybody else's, changes due to numerous factors: hormones, aging, time of the year, the climate we live in, etc, etc. I listen to these videos on You Tube so that I can do my own research and ask my dermatologist about it. However, I def appreciate more Dr Dray's (and a select few other online dermatologists) than all the craze all over the net. The point being: "No one knows your skin better than you. Just listen to it."
I have been using the C Glow form Geek & Gorgeous for about 3 months now. I order it on a Monday (it is freshly made, weekly) and it arrives by Wednesday. Once I open it, I store it in the fridge and usually finish the bottle within a month. I love it! It has never oxidised (I use the Dr. Sam Bunting technique to see if the vitamin C has oxidised), and I’m so happy to finally have found a good and affordable vitamin C serum that doesn’t irritate my skin. I got one for my mom as well and she doesn’t store hers in the fridge. Almost 2 months later, the vitamin C still hasn’t oxidised for her either. I highly recommend this product!!!
I ordered their Retinal & Vit C serums at night and those arrived the next day???? I live in Finland which usually means it takes longer than other EU countries to arrive. Absolutely love their customer service and them being so transparent ❤ Many brands claim their vit C serums last 12 months even if the bottle is clear etc (Klairs, looking at you). So I was happy they were so honest about how to preserve it and keep it’s potency the best! 😊
OMG its my favourite brand (Im from Hungary and I love that I can purchase locally made products to decrease carbon footprint) and love that you published their review on the national day of Hungary❤😂
I absolutely adore this brand and their customer service and speed of delivery is unreal, they really are the best. I used to order from different websites, many based in the UK, but after Brexit I started looking elsewhere and found this brand and I am so glad I did, I'm on my fourth order now and cannot recommend them more.
I use the Jelly Joker cleanser as the second step of a double cleanse next to the inkey list cleansing balm. I really like the liquid hydration while using tretinoin . I use it in the morning before serum. Their glycolic acid liquid is awesome for the KP on the back of my arms.
Thank you for your review! I think this small company deserves some credit for the affordable formulations they are offering. I love aGame10, C-glow and I actually love and have seen improvements to my skin since I introduced aPAD, I tried different azelaic acid products at 10% before and it always seemed to irritate my skin, so I tried aPAD, it's the only active I have introduced in the last 3 months and I have seen improvements on the texture, redness and even in my hyperpigmentation... I was already using FT Exaglow so maybe as you mentioned in your video, the combination of tranexamic acid and the azelaic derivate has been a good combo to reduce my darkspots! I also use jelly Joker as 2nd cleansing step, and the H5 rich is a serum that I have enjoyed using. I'm still to try their exfoliators but ATM I'm very happy with my TO lactic acid 10% In general I really like this brand and I will continue using it. Have a great weekend!
Did you use the A game and the Face Theory Exaglow? Maybe not on the same day but on different days? If so, how did that go for you? And how many times did you use the Exaglow?
The Avene is so pricey compared to it, but I understand there are other ingredients, and the brand name ofcourse basically where the sum of the money goes
Uh oh, she’s gone and reviewed it. Now I have to hurry up and reorder all my stuff before it sells out. Their Vit. C is the only one that doesn’t break me out, does last super long in the fridge. Their Retinal is the best, non irritating, their small bottle seems to last forever. I use APAD during the day and FaceTheory Azelaic acid At night. I do love their toner and would not skip it. Jelly joker is a good simple cleanser that I use after my Jordan Samuel gel to oil Sensitive skin cleanser, what a great combo. Their liquid exfoliants I get in the travel size and use now and again depending where I feel my skin is at. I think I’m still going to try out their brand new Stress Less for myself, but appreciate the review on it.
Oh thank you so much! I’m happy to hear this about their vit C! I have sensitive skin and was considering theirs! May I ask, have did you try the timeless 10% vitamin C ? Did that cause irritation?
Trust the customers, the x glow is super stable. Lasted months in the fridge and it remained crystal clear until the very last drop. Amazing product. The aPAD serum did nothing for my skin. The jelly joker cleanser is very good, nothing outstanding but it spreads easily.
I really like their vit c! The first time I ordered it I didn’t put in the fridge and it started to oxidize after 3 months, next time I putted it in the fridge and it stayed perfectly clear for more than 4 months, maybe 5👌🏻🙌🏻
Really? Although it said will only last 6 weeks at room temperature? I really hope so. Because it is such a hassle to go back and forth to the fridge. Or decant it to a smaller 10ml bottle 😴... Im just lazy. 3 months at room temperature is pretty good. Did you use it as usual without decanting into a smaller bottle?
Overall is a great brand. I've used many of their products, the textures are amazingly simple and play so well with other stuff. Their retinal as far as I know is IconicA, a blend with retinal, cyclodextrine and cloudberry seed oil, that's also used by other imo unnecessarily expensive brands like medik8 and allies of skin. I believe though that they should make one serum/moisturizer from ha5, b bomb, stress less and liquid hydration instead of having 4 different product, all that complicated layering is annoying.
@@pentiuminside1234 Mine arrived in a cardboard box along with other products. I don't care about packaging or what the container is made of, the only thing that's important to me is if it works and the 0.1% A-game works well on my ageing skin, I can see results. Bear in mind any kind of retinoids are a marathon, not a sprint. It's taken about 5 months of daily application for me to really see results.
Except Stress Less serum and HA I have tried everything from G&G and I am very impressed. Even strongest exfoliant is not stinging my quite sensitive skin, they must have great formulations. I cannot handle 7% glycolic acid from TO, but here I can use Smooth Out. With C-glow you forgot to mention that they are doing every week fresh ones and I had to wait few times for my delivery because of that. Also you can easily spot when this serum oxides, once I forgot about it and had it turn yellow (3 months). Niacinamide- I cannot use The Ordinary one, but B-Bomb is not stinging. I love cleanser for 2nd cleanse, it is so gentle and I appreciate on Liquid Hydration that it does not have HA in it. A-game is great for my neck, I use tret on face. Plus, since I am located next to Hungary in Europe, I order one day and I have next day delivery home :) so my Vitamin C is always fresh and in good price level.
"stress less" is my holy grail to combine with retinol or literally any time my moisture barrier is compromised. I have very sensitive, very dry skin, it gets irritated when I look at it, let alone try crazy exfoliation stuff or even the mildest over the counter Retinol. Since I started using "stress less" as a base before using retinol, I don't experience that whole retinization process to the extent I used to anytime I went a little higher. "APad" indeed is not my favorite, it pills no matter how small of the amount I'm using, it's just not compatible with any moisturizer, so I'm just using it up for my body as a mild overnight exfoliation, but "A-Game" is fantastic dupe for "Avene"! I am also still waiting to be in awe about "C-glow", so far it's just fine, but not bad either.
A year later, but I 100٪ agree, I love stress less! I don't use it for hydration, I use a panthenol moisturiser after, but I use it for the madecassoside and calming between retinal (a-game 5) applications and after vit C, while keeping the ingredients list super light and simple for my acne-prone skin. If you already have hydrated healthy skin (like I presume Dr Dray does) you wouldn't notice a difference or a boost of hydration, but it's not a product that really exists to make a visible difference, it's there to reduce any stress and keep your skin calm per the name. It's a silent helper.
In my case I store the C-glow in the fridge and fill up the mini bottle to put on my shelves. the C-Glow remains perfectly clear for 6 months! So yes it's not as convenient as the C E Ferulic which is more stable but I don't find it difficult or disturbing to do it that way. Actually I like skincare steps no matter what 😅😂. according to me, this is the best vitamin C serum ever.(price, components, efficacy etc ❤️
I quite like their vitamin C and it’s really affordable. Unfortunately their aPad was a miss, after finishing 3 bottles of that honestly doesn’t have nowhere near the brightening effect of a normal 10% Azelaic acid cream.
G&G did have an issue with their PAD supplier's label claim. G&G sold APad as a 20% PAD, but it turned out their supplier was not selling them 100% PAD. Thus, it actually only contains 6% PAD. They issued an apology that included a picture of the misleading label on the raw material bottle. However, the product is still sold as 20% "Azeclair" which does not make it clear that the finished product is only 6% PAD. If you are used to a 10% product, you have dropped in concentration by almost 50%. The details page does explain this issue on their website (if you look for it), but they should change the name to 6% aPAD. I prefer PAD to regular azelaic, but I am using 10% - 15% PAD.
Happy to see your review on G&G! It's a great brand and I've been using a few of their products for almost a year now. For me, their best products are the acids; I also appreciate that you can order the small bottles to test them out before committing to the bigger bottles. Really like the PHA & Mandelic ones, the 12% AHA is too strong for me. Also like the C-Glow, it really does last about 3-4 months and it's a nice watery texture. Only thing is that it tans my skin, which I don't like, but I wonder if I'm just applying it wrong. The PAD didn't do anything for me. Will try the retinals next to see how they perform. Overall, I'd say it's still a great, simple, affordable, transparent brand and a good option to those in Europe.
Liquid hydratation has actually changed the game for me. I never really liked toners but I gave a shot to this one. Did not regret it! For dehydrated skin it is the perfect base.
I used the skinceuticals CE ferulic for a while and had to skip it due to financial reasons. I use the c glow now quite a time and like it very much. It's made fresh every week by the company and I didn't have a problem with oxidation. Nothing different as with the CE ferulic. Even If I could afford it, I personally wouldn't change back. But that's just my personal expierience and opinion. Have a nice time y'all!
Avene is constantly reformulating so when their retinaldehyde products disappeared from the shelves I started using G&G A-Game 10. I have rosascea, so I use it every other evening and experience no irritation, just occasional dryness in winter. It truly has made a noticeable difference in my skins's texture, firmness, and micro wrinkles. When I run out, I may switch to the milder version so I can use it every day. I like Jelly Joker for the second step of my double cleanse. A bottle of that lasts FOREVER. I'm going to try Calm Down next.
I can't use normal Azelaic Acid because it makes my skin itch really bad. But PAD never irritates my skin. I've heard the same thing from other people who are sensitive to Azelaic Acid but can use PAD. So it's interesting how everyone's skin is different.
@@lisagardner4814 Usually PAD is not drying. It can be slightly irritating or have a mild exfoliating effect. But generally it's really gently, unlike pure Azelaic Acid.
Geek and Gorgeoius is without a doubt my favorite affordable skincare brand and I pretty much disagree with everything you said to pass on. Hahaha. Sorry they didnt work for you. I would stick with it. I personally pass on the hyaluronic acid and the niacinamide serum products just because I personally dont need them individually in my routine but everything else has literally been AMAZING for my skin and my wallet. Between G&G and some Kbeauty brands I use, my skin is looking fantastic and much cheaper then most other products
I quite like G&G. At least the products I use from them. I use their Jelly Joker cleanser. Yes, it doesn't remove sunscreen or makeup so I use a micellar makeup remover (from Garden of Wisdom) first. No, it's not going to do anything AMAZING for your skin, such as cure your acne (though it may help if your current cleanser is too harsh and breaking you out) or age you backwards 10 years but it's just a gentle ph balanced cleanser. Which, IMO, is all you need for a product that you're just going to be rinsing off soon after applying. I prefer serums to get the most benefit out of my skincare. Their retinal is the only one I've been able to find that has a formulation that doesn't irritate my skin, aggravate my rosacea, or break me out. I'm Canadian and since they are sold in Shopper's Drug Mart (Canadian drugstore) a lot of people here swear by Avene, but for me... Their products are crap. If you aren't sensitive or acne-prone they might work for you. I honestly think they are more of a hit with the over 50 crowd (my mom uses some of their products). I'll stick with G&G even if I do have to pay stupid custom fees haha. Also, as a rosacea sufferer, it's great to see a professional saying you don't need vitamin c serum. I've never used one and I'm not planning to.
I personally like to use liquid hydration on my scalp after I shampoo and condition. I hold my head upside down and pour some of the product on my fingers, then quickly massage it into my scalp. My scalp tends to be dry and this is a great way to help calm it and keep it hydrated. I also use liquid hydration on my lips before my lip balm, I'm not sure if I should do that but it seems to work 😬 that said I never notice any difference using it on my face or body. Other people say it gives them a massive hydration boost and instantly calms redness, to me it's the same as water. Except it seems to help my lips and scalp 🤔
Your advise on niacinamide has changed my routine and face for the better... I used to use the 10% niacinamide serum of OT, but that didn’t do anything for my face. So I started to search for a face moisturiser with this ingredient in a less percentage, couldn’t find any... Then I realised your other very helpful tip, to use body lotion as a moisturiser, found one with niacinamide and petrolatum... The improvements are much more visible than what the niacinamide serum could ever achieve! Thank you so much for your guidance, my hyperpigmentation has never looked this good
i have used c-glow and definitely would recommend, i have time to use the entire bottle and for the price i will happily store it in the fridge and get a cool serum on my skin in the morning. also love jelly joker for my morning cleanse, and evening cleanse as a second step in double cleansing. i have used a-game and do like it a lot, but with my acne history and it apparently starting to come up again, i have plans to go see a dermatologist to ask for a tretinoin to take care of my skin. however, amazing delivery time, only 2 days from hungary to finland and the price is amazing for the quality
i've gotten the liquid hydration in a spray bottle as a gift with my last order and I really love it actually. I've been using it instead of a moisturizer on many nights because it's more than enough, so lightweight, feels nice and really helps my skin calm down. I never would've bought it myself but now I'm a big fan honestly. I also got the 0.05 A-game and didn't notice anything (been using it for more than a month) so I'm still waiting to see an effect. I'll definitely try the stronger one after, as this one also causes zero irritation. The vitamin C I think made my face a bit brighter but no big change to write home about either. I hope it's accumulative tho and overall worth it. All are easy to apply and I love how cheap they are
Hi all! By now, I am using almost all G&G products, my fave is the cleanser and C-Glow. I wish they had a moisturizer, I loooove all their products. I do use azelaic acid but the prescription .
I’m on my first bottles of the C Glow and A Game 5. I like both of them. Good to know I don’t need to move up to the A Game 10. The company has really fast shipping…I ordered on a Monday and received my products on Friday.
@Siret Ojala no mistake, I am neighbouring with Hungary, but in all honesty I never expected to receive my order next day when I ordered 5 pm day before! Crazy quick shipping, not even 20 hours :) this never happened to me, even with local eshops. And whenewer I order I receive my goods latest within 2 days, only once I had to wait 4 because they were making fresh Vitamin C.
Wow. I think you’ve done videos all the popular affordable brands now. Thank you. A couple of video requests include: skincare for diabetics, skincare for elderly/bedridden, skincare for obese, 1 video that goes over off brand uses of OTC and prescriptions meds for skin diseases. P.S. 20% azelaic acid can be purchased OTC from Australian shopping sites. The product is called Azclear. Very affordable and much cheaper that prescription prices in the USA.
As someone with family members with diabetes, diabetics need to be concerned about keeping their skin moisturized and that doesn't mean having to buy diabetic skin products.
Thanks for your review! That's one of my favorite brands. I tried it for the c-glow which is one of only two Vit C Serums that showed some improvement on my skin (Paula's Choice was fine but oxidised much quicker and is more expensive). But I was really impressed with their Retinal products. I didn't really tolerate Retinol well but Retinal doesn't irritate my skin at all and I've seen it clear up with their aGame. Love it.
Skinceuticals doesn't have to be stored in the fridge perhaps, but it turns brown very quickly. Haven't seen any change in color with the Geek&Gorgeous one after 2 months of use, still crystal clear. Duke patent also describes skinceuticals as being clear and pale yellow after the stability test, but skinceuticals is often yellow to beige already after purchase. PAO also doesnt say much bc standard stability tests for PAO only include bacterial growth, shifting, pH changes etc, stability assays are not mandatory, and even when its done it doesn't have to be taken into account when determining the PAO, thats up to the company. Shelf life and PAO don't say everything regarding degradationof specific actives.
THANK YOU for this review, Dr. Dray! I really appreciate what Geek & Gorgegous has done as living in Denmark there is so much stuff out and over there - difficult to get ones hands on. And Brexit is NOT helping! ;-)
@@Lucky13888 No trouble ordering Geek & Gorgeous it being a European brand. It's all those enticing brands from the US (and now UK) which UA-camrs mesmerise us with that can be impossible - or too expensive - to get one's hands on. ;-)
I have been using the Avene 0.1% but at $74 for 30 ml. It's just crazy. I just purchased the geek and gorgeous and I bought 2 (30 ml each) and with $9 shipping still cheaper than Avene. 60 ml for less than one 30ml from Avene. I'm glad I skipped the other stuff
I've been using A-Game 5 for a while and really enjoyed it. Recently I've upgraded to A-Game 10. I actually like a lot the C-Glow serum and keep rotating it with the SKINTRA Light your skin, one bottle at a time. I know ascorbic acid is tricky but it doesn't irritate me so, even if it is just a "make up" optical illusion and does nothing in deeper layers, I like how my face looks when I apply it. The Jelly Joker cleanser is good too and I buy it sometimes.
@@AK-do9jw It isn't a specific acne treatment (as adapalene would be) but it will help. Its main active it's retinaldehyde so you can expect similar acne benefits to other retinoids: cell turnover, pore uncloging and hyperpigmentation (probably at a different pace than other retinoids, in theory slower than retinoic acid but faster than retinol). I don't really have acne apart from a couple hormonal pimples from time to time so I can't really tell if A-Game works well in that area, but it definitely should. Also I love its texture on my combination skin. I hope this helps.
Finally!! I was looking forward to your review of G&G! After finishing A-game 5 I moved to A-game 10 which I'm currently using and I love them both, they never caused any irritation to my super sensitive skin (I use the sandwich method though). Instead, their vitamin c increased redness, probably it just wasn't good for my skin type. Anyway I'll stick to their A-game 10, it's just a great product! Thanks for your review, Dr. Dray! ♥
Though I've never had issues with vitamin C products before I get irritation and dryness (!) from the C-Glow as well. Can't work out why since there's nothing odd in the ingredient list. Strange. And annoying since Timeless currently doesn't ship to Europe, and I really want to support this continental game changer brand. Looking forward to give aPad another go as a daytime azelaic acid (using Facetheory at night) and trying out A-game 10.
@@rebekkas.sterup9909 I thought the reason has been the percentage of ascorbic acid was too high for my sensitive skin. Anyway I’m currently using Klairs vitamin c and I love it! It’s probably not “good” enough for people used to stronger vitamin c serums like the Timeless one but it’s helping with my redness and hyperpigmentation. 😉
Finally !! Thank you Dr. Dray for reviewing and appreciate your honesty I know geek and gorgeous uses the same company as avene idk if that's true they formulate geek and gorgeous
Big big recommendation for A-Game 5, gave my combo acne prone skin with PIE better results with no irritation than Adapalene. Plus amazing texture that leaves smooth skin hours upon application and is enjoyable to use, airless packaging and wonderful price. I have no intention chasing other retinal products now i found it, only maybe upgrade to 10 after some time 😊
I've been using the A-Game on my neck for several months, since I can't use my tretinoin there (too sensitive). I started out with the lower strength and graduated to the higher strength. I can't say I see a visible difference in the skin on my neck but at least it's not irritating.
I was on the fence about their new serum "Stress less" too but I had a terrible irritation from benzoperoxide wash (I left it on for too long) and the serum brought down the redness within 5-10minutes. It could be a dupe for NIOD's modulating serum maybe?!
Yeah, she passed on it because it wasn't hydrating or didn't produce visible results, but it's more of a calming/soothing serum. If your skin isn't irritated or in need of calming, you wouldn't see much effect, but it's great paired with retinal or other actives to soothe your skin.
C-Glow states on the website that it's shelf stable for 7-8 months and longer in fridge. Also each batch is done fresh and about 2-4 weeks old when it arrives. Not sure if this has changed since this video was posted 2 years ago but I appreciate the transparency and just ordered my 2nd bottle. My 1st bottle didn't irritate my rosacea and hand a minor yellowish tone only as the bottle was almost empty. By far the best product I've used to date for vitamin c and I have used skin ceuticals in the past. I find G&G less sticky with longer shelf life
Love using Jelly Joker so much, I have 3 bottles of it!! I find that it will wash off almost everything I use, but if I’m wearing a full face of mineral sunscreen it won’t touch that, so I have to use my foaming LRP cleanser!! ♥️❤️😍🥰👍🎉🙏
Thanks for this review. You can't get the Avene Retinal here in NZ and no one will ship it here. Just ordered the G&G - all up $60 NZD and that includes shipping which is pretty darn good.
I’ve been using all their products for 3 years now, never found anything better. My main “concern” is smart aging. People think I’m 25 and I’m 37, if this counts as a review 😅 C glow is a product I’ve tried not using, but every time I returned to it because there was a certain dullness about my skin non wig the AHAs made better without the Cglow. So I keep it in the box and in the fridge, use it on face and neck and it stays completely colorless for me and it lasts about 2-3 months I reckon. I like the Hydration Station before applying C-glow as it helps absorption, even though I lean a little dry on the cheeks it is still a vital part of my routine and then I just use a rich cream before sunscreen during daytime. A-game I use the stronger one, I alternate between their acids, all works for me. No problems whatsoever.
Their vitamin C comes crystal clear every time I order it. And has been clear for a 2 months now of constant use. However, I think their recommendations for the shelf life are not suspicious in this case- their recommendations for shelf life extension are just that, recommendations that would work to increase the shelf life a quick to oxidize ingredient. It’s a finicky ingredient that even a top tier serums like the C E Skinceuticals(which often comes in yellow after paying $150+) one would benefit from such tips also
I've been using C-glow for about a month now and, eventhough it is crystal clear in the bottle, it oxidases on my face..my skin literally gets an orangey yellow tint after approx. 5 hours of wear. I tried multiple SPF creams with it, but still I get the same result..I'm curious, did anybody else experience this also?
I use the A game 10 and I’ve been using it for a year now and it switched up my skin incredibly but funny enough I had a bit of irritation yesterday so I’ve laid off it a bit. But it’s still a fav and hardly causes irritation in my opinion.
So glad for the review. I've been using for a while Agame5 and had no irritation. Is it worth trying Agame 10 or should I keep using the Agame5 for the same results?
Im from Hungary, i glad u rewived this brand! In here we have limited acces for this brand that are easy to by in the U.S. or bigger country. It is getting better nowdays but this brand G&G is make the way. For example in the whole county there are only ONE store where u can buy the ordinary staff off the shelfs (off course we can order online but we have 27% tax on it...)
I love their C Glow! It doesn’t help my hyperpigmentation but when I use it I notice an improvement in fine lines. I also used some of their other products but had no results or they just didn’t suit my needs. But even just ordering 5 bottles of vitamin C (to get the free shipping) is worth it for me. Cheaper than the CE Ferulic and same results. I just use it on all exposed body parts, not just my face, to use it within 6 months.
I've used both A-Game 5 and 10! I liked both of them but enjoyed A-Game 5 more bc I felt it went on the skin easier, so that's the one I use now since using a higher percentage isn't necessary. Of course with the added bonus of A-Game 5 being more affordable!
I don't understand why people are complaining...this is a very fair and balanced review; i had mixed results with this brand, for many of the reasons Dr Dray lists here. Its a fair review; Dr Dray's opinions, you don't have to agree
@@greenknitter I kept the big bottle in the fridge and I would refill the small one every week in a matter of two days it turns yellow, maybe because i live in hot climate in the middle east and the product is from hungry
Hi Dr Dray. Thank you for educating us on ingredients. Would you be able to do a video with the best products to use for anti aging... aside from retinol and vitamin A...which I understand the gold standard .
Their A-Game Retinal did not agree with my skin at all I don’t know if it was Cetearyl Olivate or Citric Acid in their formulation I couldn’t stand the texture It took forever to sink in Woke up with break outs (not purging, used high strength Retinals before) I prefer Avene’s Night Emulsions with Retinal Prior to A-Game I used Medik8 and Avene Have gone back to Avene
Newer products - a lot of people seem to like Mighty Melt, their cleansing balm. In my 40’s I find it a bit drying. But the Happier Barrier face cream is wonderful.
Thanks for the video!! I would like to know your opinion choosing between A game or differin gel for anti-aging and hyperpigmentation. I assume that adapalene formulations have more data behind, since it used to be prescription only, but retinal looks like a good option.
I have asked this question before a few times. Not specific to the retinal from this brand, but in general about otc retinol/retinal vs adapalene for anti aging. I got an answer from Dr. Sam Ellis on one of her videos. Her answer was adapalene would be more effective than the otc retinol/retinal versions. Hope that helps!
I had issues with the A-Game not absorbing into my skin. Fifteen hours after using it I used an alcohol free toner and the pads were yellow from unabsorbed retinaldehyde.
Thank you for making me buy cosrx snail essence...I went and bought cream too. And cerave new salicylic acid cream. My skin is looking better. Redness from acne is gone. AM: just wash with cold water -> cosrx essence -> cerave salicylic acid cream -> blackgirlsunscreen. PM: aveno shaving cream (yes male here) and trim -> vanicream gentle cleanser cleanser -> cosrx essence -> adapalene gel -> cosrx cream -> 10-15mins later vanicream moisturizer. Also cant wait for vbeam laser for redness...hopefully dr would recommend max 2 treatments.
Touch Bright & Clear has been a pretty good azelaic acid treatment for me. It’s oil based to it gives a bit of a shine compared to the more matte finish of the ordinary Azelaic acid suspension. But I’ve loved both so far.
I disagree on basically everything you said to skip 😂 The vitamin c is stable waaaay longer than they say, I think they are being deliberately conservative with their recommendations. Mine arrived completely clear, I store it in the fridge and it is still completely clear 4 months later. I really like their liquid hydration because its so weightless, great for dampening the skin before moisturiser and so nice in summer when my skin is dry but I hate the idea of heavy creams. But I’m also someone who really likes and does well with lightweight hydrating toners layered on rather than one thick cream. I also really like the stress less serum, it’s soothing and calming and I really notice a difference when it runs out. I really like their A-game serums, it’s way cheaper than even Avene where I live and I’ve had great results with it, I also notice a difference in redness and acne with the Apad serum, I find a lot of other azelaic products to be annoying to use and this might not be as effective, but I actually use it so it wins on that front.
Thank you Dr Dray, I was swithering with ordering the APad, saved my bucks, sticking with The Ordinary. Glad you liked their Retinal, as will be trying❤️❤️
Happy Friday Dr Dray and everyone! I'm always happy to learn about a new fragrance free and affordable line! I'm currently making the switch from adapalene to tretinoin (got great results with differin) on advice from my health care provider so I'm not in the market for any new actives, but it's always nice to learn!
Thanks for this review, Dr Dray. I was waiting for your honest review as always. I'm using the vitamin C serum, retinal 0.05 and liquid hydration for my kids, and have not had any problem with it. Happy Friday 😊
I have had many health concerns in my life so I really want clean products. I was using Skinceuticals...but im not paying around $200. Was about to buy Geek & Gorgeous Vit C but is has some questionable ingredients. What do you think?
I just purchased their cleansing balm instead of Cliniques Take The Day Off and trying their A Game instead of Avenes. Much better price point! The balm is great haven’t use the AGame yet but hoping its a keeper.
I wouldn't skip their Vitamin C product like suggested. I've been using it for 8 months and it's by far the best and most affordable Vitamin C I used. I keep it in the fridge and I refill the little bottle they sell every few weeks and it literally takes 1 minute. I only noticed a slight yellowish discoloration towards the end of those few weeks (in the little bottle) but my stock in the fridge never oxidised (it lasts for 3-4 months). I saw a big difference on my skin with this product, and considering how cheap it is compared with super expensive equivalent products like the skinceuticals one, it's definitely worth trying.
Thank you for this. I have their Vit C too and also have thought it was giving me good results, but considered replacing it with something else when it runs out after seeing this video. But I think you're right that it if isn't turning yellow, it isn't oxidizing. So it's stable enough the way we're handling it.
Its a fantastic Vitamin C and considering the company makes it fresh every week, it means whenever you buy it you are getting a fresh product and not something thats been sitting in a warehouse for months on end.
I agree and have found the same!! I love what it does for my skin.
Yea have to agree C Glow is absolutely the best Ascorbic Acid Vit C I've used.. its never oxidised on me whilst keeping in the fridge and I even made the mistake once of buying 2 and the one I had in the fridge as back up was perfect when I finished the first bottle. It has 0 smell compared to others it is watery textured so it just sinks right into the skin in minutes and leaves no sticky residue on the skin. It's been a total game changer for me I have a lot of facial scarring on my chin area and I can literally see it reducing and fading its so effective and I've never had any irritation at all even at the 15% it really is just an outstanding product ❤
Hello ladies, please how you use it? Do you apply it only in the morning before sunscreen? Im asking because you tried It before, thank you❤️
Thank you for reviewing a brand avaliable in Europe 💚
Thanks for watching
@Karma Consciousness They ship via DHL from Budapest, Hungary. I'm in Switzerland and usually receive my G&G orders in a few days.
@@DrDrayzday hi , have you tried the new moisturizers they launched? Can you review them if you have , thank you
It took me about 4 months to get through one of their vitamin C serums. It arrived crystal clear, and didn’t turn yellow in colour even slightly the whole time I was using it.
I can confirm this. Mine has been opened for 2 months and it's still the exact same color as it was when I opened it, completely clear.
Have you seen any benefits in your skin?
@@tatianaa.3694 Hard to say really, so much else going on
Same. At around the 4 month mark it gets slightly straw coloured for me but am finished the bottle by then anyway. Best most affordable vit C I've used.
@@tatianaa.3694 I have. My skin is brighter and fresher and has softened some fine lines. HG product for me.
I love that their vit C is made in a weekly basis. Can't get much fresher than that. A million times better than Drunk Elephants vit C which has all kinds of issues.
Drunk elephant now makes you mix your own 🤣
@@DrDrayzday 😂
Drunk Elephant had issues before but now that Shiseido owns them, I sense even more trouble ahead.
This vitamin C is a game changer. I love it.
For me their C-glow and Apad made wonders on my skin, so I do think they are underrated.
Having been a user of Skinceuticals CEFerulic serum I was used to the serum changing colour before I finished the bottle. I continued to throw out half bottles but gave up on them when they sent a bottle that was orange on arrival. Then when I complained they tried to tell me it was still effective. I really appreciate the freshness of the G&G Vit C serum. The bottles I have used so far have stayed fresh and effective throughout the entire bottle.
I read skinceuticals had made the ce ferulic formula in such a way that it would not oxidize. ? 🤔
I assumed based on that & the extensive testing on the product, is why it's so expensive.
@@Lucky13888 I wish that had been the case.
Yesss, I kept mine in the fridge and it only started to oxidise after about 6 months
@@Lala47362 I used it for more than 5 years. Some of my bottles lasted longer than others. It was not at all consistent.
@@diamoo8021 I was talking about the g&g vit c
I’m on the second bottle of their vitamin C serum and I’m 💜-ing it!!! I do decant it as they suggest and keep the original bottle in the fridge.
Honestly I would much rather “knock on wood however-many-times needed“ 😂for a solid product than pay „an arm and a leg“ for the Skinceauticals Vit c serum.
Thanks for the review Dr Dray! 💜
Skinseauticals is ridiculously expensive, at least here in Europe. Oxidizes, like La Roche Posey' one (pricey as well), in a month, where ever and however you keep it: fridge, in the dark, less hot rooms during, either hot months or winter time with heating
I was shocked to see they were hungarian. I'm in Romania, so I hope this means I'd get vitamin c as fresh as it gets. I'm thrilled. And their vitamin a and c prices can't be beat here. I'm definitely buying from them
I compared the stability of the skinceutical and the G&again Vit C Serum. The stability is actually the same. The G&G seems even more stable. I think is fresher. The difference lays in the claims of the two companies. Skinceutical claims that you can use the serum even when it’s yellow to brown, while G&G do not recommend using such oxidized products.
A quick call out for the liquid hydration.. its really great for my oily skin. Almost all moisturisers give me spots, but this one is perfect for me. The retinal is a really nice creamy product to use and the azaleic acid is easy and gentle.
I wouldn't just skip liquid hydration! :) It's one of my favourite G&G products. Some may not need it, I do. The simple combination of cleanser, tretinoin, moisturizer, and sunscreen is not enough for my skin and, while I appreciate Dr Dray's content and still watch and enjoy every single video she posts, I no longer blindly follow her advice. My skin is finally the way I've always wanted it to be since I've started incorporating more actives, products, and treatments into my skincare routine. Everyone's skin is different I guess :)
Yes I have oily skin and one supposed benefit of apad Is oil control, not mentioned here. Re hydration - Feather light, fragrance free hydration (which can be sprayed on) has a place for those who are having to layer on acne products and moisturisers which might not be as easy as dry skin when you can just slather and are mainly just using waves of products to moisturise without worrying about reaction and that one layer extra causing a grease ball. I appreciate her generous expert feedback (loads) but I do appreciate that her lens is her lens
Agreed. I personally LOVE the liquid hydration! Able to layer a few times by pressing into my skin and applies soooooo much hydration without being over the top for my combo skin. An absolute must in my routine. Same with Stress Less serum. Amazing at really settling and soothing my skin or acting as a buffer before Agame retinol. Actually I pretty much love all the products she said to skip pass hahaha
Maybe the reason she is advising against most of the products is because this video is exceptionally unsponsored. Dermatologist I doubt it now, UA-cam saleswoman more true.
At this point we're not talking about doctor's advice anymore we're talking about percentage paid sales.
It's quite normal that each person's skin has different needs and reactions. Even my longtime dermatologist shifts my routines since my skin, like everybody else's, changes due to numerous factors: hormones, aging, time of the year, the climate we live in, etc, etc. I listen to these videos on You Tube so that I can do my own research and ask my dermatologist about it. However, I def appreciate more Dr Dray's (and a select few other online dermatologists) than all the craze all over the net. The point being: "No one knows your skin better than you. Just listen to it."
@@jasminateodorovic1248 This is the only dermatology channel I still follow.
I have been using the C Glow form Geek & Gorgeous for about 3 months now. I order it on a Monday (it is freshly made, weekly) and it arrives by Wednesday. Once I open it, I store it in the fridge and usually finish the bottle within a month. I love it! It has never oxidised (I use the Dr. Sam Bunting technique to see if the vitamin C has oxidised), and I’m so happy to finally have found a good and affordable vitamin C serum that doesn’t irritate my skin.
I got one for my mom as well and she doesn’t store hers in the fridge. Almost 2 months later, the vitamin C still hasn’t oxidised for her either. I highly recommend this product!!!
Can you share the Dr Sam technique?
I ordered their Retinal & Vit C serums at night and those arrived the next day???? I live in Finland which usually means it takes longer than other EU countries to arrive. Absolutely love their customer service and them being so transparent ❤
Many brands claim their vit C serums last 12 months even if the bottle is clear etc (Klairs, looking at you). So I was happy they were so honest about how to preserve it and keep it’s potency the best! 😊
G&C vit C is amazing I'm in their fist bottle since the beggining of June, I keep it in the fridge and it's still clear.
OMG its my favourite brand (Im from Hungary and I love that I can purchase locally made products to decrease carbon footprint) and love that you published their review on the national day of Hungary❤😂
Happy hungarian national day from your neighbour in Slovenia🙂🇭🇺🇸🇮💜
Btw I have the g&g c glow and ha rich☺
Hey Bianka, another hungarian! Now we can have a Hungarian Fan Club 🤗 with 2 members 😄
@@tinapearlsound7611 thanks friend❤
@@LadyGeming im happy that skincare is getting more popular in Hungary too! And that G&G gets more international recognition❤
@@bianka94825 I do agree🤝❤
I absolutely adore this brand and their customer service and speed of delivery is unreal, they really are the best. I used to order from different websites, many based in the UK, but after Brexit I started looking elsewhere and found this brand and I am so glad I did, I'm on my fourth order now and cannot recommend them more.
I'm sure their speedy online business model is great for the environment 😢
I use the Jelly Joker cleanser as the second step of a double cleanse next to the inkey list cleansing balm. I really like the liquid hydration while using tretinoin . I use it in the morning before serum. Their glycolic acid liquid is awesome for the KP on the back of my arms.
Thank you for your review! I think this small company deserves some credit for the affordable formulations they are offering.
I love aGame10, C-glow and I actually love and have seen improvements to my skin since I introduced aPAD, I tried different azelaic acid products at 10% before and it always seemed to irritate my skin, so I tried aPAD, it's the only active I have introduced in the last 3 months and I have seen improvements on the texture, redness and even in my hyperpigmentation... I was already using FT Exaglow so maybe as you mentioned in your video, the combination of tranexamic acid and the azelaic derivate has been a good combo to reduce my darkspots!
I also use jelly Joker as 2nd cleansing step, and the H5 rich is a serum that I have enjoyed using.
I'm still to try their exfoliators but ATM I'm very happy with my TO lactic acid 10%
In general I really like this brand and I will continue using it.
Have a great weekend!
Did you use the A game and the Face Theory Exaglow? Maybe not on the same day but on different days? If so, how did that go for you? And how many times did you use the Exaglow?
I'm only using AGame 10 instead of the Avene one and I like it, no irritation what so ever. I'm glad to hear your thoughts on this brand.
Thanks for sharing
The Avene is so pricey compared to it, but I understand there are other ingredients, and the brand name ofcourse basically where the sum of the money goes
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this brand. I use the A-game 10 as a dupe for the Avene RetrinAl and love it.
Uh oh, she’s gone and reviewed it. Now I have to hurry up and reorder all my stuff before it sells out. Their Vit. C is the only one that doesn’t break me out, does last super long in the fridge. Their Retinal is the best, non irritating, their small bottle seems to last forever. I use APAD during the day and FaceTheory Azelaic acid At night. I do love their toner and would not skip it. Jelly joker is a good simple cleanser that I use after my Jordan Samuel gel to oil Sensitive skin cleanser, what a great combo. Their liquid exfoliants I get in the travel size and use now and again depending where I feel my skin is at. I think I’m still going to try out their brand new Stress Less for myself, but appreciate the review on it.
Oh thank you so much! I’m happy to hear this about their vit C! I have sensitive skin and was considering theirs! May I ask, have did you try the timeless 10% vitamin C ? Did that cause irritation?
@@PaigeEscapes I haven’t tried anything from that line yet.
Where do we order?
Trust the customers, the x glow is super stable. Lasted months in the fridge and it remained crystal clear until the very last drop. Amazing product. The aPAD serum did nothing for my skin. The jelly joker cleanser is very good, nothing outstanding but it spreads easily.
I really like their vit c! The first time I ordered it I didn’t put in the fridge and it started to oxidize after 3 months, next time I putted it in the fridge and it stayed perfectly clear for more than 4 months, maybe 5👌🏻🙌🏻
Really? Although it said will only last 6 weeks at room temperature? I really hope so. Because it is such a hassle to go back and forth to the fridge. Or decant it to a smaller 10ml bottle 😴... Im just lazy. 3 months at room temperature is pretty good. Did you use it as usual without decanting into a smaller bottle?
Overall is a great brand. I've used many of their products, the textures are amazingly simple and play so well with other stuff. Their retinal as far as I know is IconicA, a blend with retinal, cyclodextrine and cloudberry seed oil, that's also used by other imo unnecessarily expensive brands like medik8 and allies of skin. I believe though that they should make one serum/moisturizer from ha5, b bomb, stress less and liquid hydration instead of having 4 different product, all that complicated layering is annoying.
It did nothing for my skin and the packaging looks cheap, light plastic n no carton box
@@pentiuminside1234 Mine arrived in a cardboard box along with other products. I don't care about packaging or what the container is made of, the only thing that's important to me is if it works and the 0.1% A-game works well on my ageing skin, I can see results. Bear in mind any kind of retinoids are a marathon, not a sprint. It's taken about 5 months of daily application for me to really see results.
@@leilaniroach1680 From their website. I'm in Ireland and it took 2 days to arrive.
@@greenknitter one of the big plus sides on top of great products is the amazing delivery time. have ordered multiple times and always comes in 2 days
Except Stress Less serum and HA I have tried everything from G&G and I am very impressed. Even strongest exfoliant is not stinging my quite sensitive skin, they must have great formulations. I cannot handle 7% glycolic acid from TO, but here I can use Smooth Out. With C-glow you forgot to mention that they are doing every week fresh ones and I had to wait few times for my delivery because of that. Also you can easily spot when this serum oxides, once I forgot about it and had it turn yellow (3 months). Niacinamide- I cannot use The Ordinary one, but B-Bomb is not stinging. I love cleanser for 2nd cleanse, it is so gentle and I appreciate on Liquid Hydration that it does not have HA in it. A-game is great for my neck, I use tret on face. Plus, since I am located next to Hungary in Europe, I order one day and I have next day delivery home :) so my Vitamin C is always fresh and in good price level.
"stress less" is my holy grail to combine with retinol or literally any time my moisture barrier is compromised. I have very sensitive, very dry skin, it gets irritated when I look at it, let alone try crazy exfoliation stuff or even the mildest over the counter Retinol. Since I started using "stress less" as a base before using retinol, I don't experience that whole retinization process to the extent I used to anytime I went a little higher. "APad" indeed is not my favorite, it pills no matter how small of the amount I'm using, it's just not compatible with any moisturizer, so I'm just using it up for my body as a mild overnight exfoliation, but "A-Game" is fantastic dupe for "Avene"! I am also still waiting to be in awe about "C-glow", so far it's just fine, but not bad either.
A year later, but I 100٪ agree, I love stress less! I don't use it for hydration, I use a panthenol moisturiser after, but I use it for the madecassoside and calming between retinal (a-game 5) applications and after vit C, while keeping the ingredients list super light and simple for my acne-prone skin. If you already have hydrated healthy skin (like I presume Dr Dray does) you wouldn't notice a difference or a boost of hydration, but it's not a product that really exists to make a visible difference, it's there to reduce any stress and keep your skin calm per the name. It's a silent helper.
In my case I store the C-glow in the fridge and fill up the mini bottle to put on my shelves.
the C-Glow remains perfectly clear for 6 months! So yes it's not as convenient as the C E Ferulic which is more stable but I don't find it difficult or disturbing to do it that way. Actually I like skincare steps no matter what 😅😂.
according to me, this is the best vitamin C serum ever.(price, components, efficacy etc ❤️
I quite like their vitamin C and it’s really affordable. Unfortunately their aPad was a miss, after finishing 3 bottles of that honestly doesn’t have nowhere near the brightening effect of a normal 10% Azelaic acid cream.
G&G did have an issue with their PAD supplier's label claim. G&G sold APad as a 20% PAD, but it turned out their supplier was not selling them 100% PAD. Thus, it actually only contains 6% PAD. They issued an apology that included a picture of the misleading label on the raw material bottle. However, the product is still sold as 20% "Azeclair" which does not make it clear that the finished product is only 6% PAD. If you are used to a 10% product, you have dropped in concentration by almost 50%. The details page does explain this issue on their website (if you look for it), but they should change the name to 6% aPAD. I prefer PAD to regular azelaic, but I am using 10% - 15% PAD.
@@debSGSS Thank you for bringing this to our attention! I was certainly unaware. Can you provide us with a link to the source of this information?
Happy to see your review on G&G! It's a great brand and I've been using a few of their products for almost a year now. For me, their best products are the acids; I also appreciate that you can order the small bottles to test them out before committing to the bigger bottles. Really like the PHA & Mandelic ones, the 12% AHA is too strong for me. Also like the C-Glow, it really does last about 3-4 months and it's a nice watery texture. Only thing is that it tans my skin, which I don't like, but I wonder if I'm just applying it wrong. The PAD didn't do anything for me. Will try the retinals next to see how they perform. Overall, I'd say it's still a great, simple, affordable, transparent brand and a good option to those in Europe.
Liquid hydratation has actually changed the game for me. I never really liked toners but I gave a shot to this one. Did not regret it! For dehydrated skin it is the perfect base.
Do I need to use it on damp or dry skin?
I’m using C glow and Retinal 0.05. So far, they work for me. I’ll try to incorporate any of their acids next time.
i have been waiting for this one! I've been using the retinal 0,1% for a while now and i love it.
I used the skinceuticals CE ferulic for a while and had to skip it due to financial reasons. I use the c glow now quite a time and like it very much. It's made fresh every week by the company and I didn't have a problem with oxidation. Nothing different as with the CE ferulic.
Even If I could afford it, I personally wouldn't change back. But that's just my personal expierience and opinion.
Have a nice time y'all!
Avene is constantly reformulating so when their retinaldehyde products disappeared from the shelves I started using G&G A-Game 10. I have rosascea, so I use it every other evening and experience no irritation, just occasional dryness in winter. It truly has made a noticeable difference in my skins's texture, firmness, and micro wrinkles. When I run out, I may switch to the milder version so I can use it every day. I like Jelly Joker for the second step of my double cleanse. A bottle of that lasts FOREVER. I'm going to try Calm Down next.
I can't use normal Azelaic Acid because it makes my skin itch really bad. But PAD never irritates my skin. I've heard the same thing from other people who are sensitive to Azelaic Acid but can use PAD. So it's interesting how everyone's skin is different.
Will this help dry skin too or will it dry it out the apad
@@lisagardner4814 Usually PAD is not drying. It can be slightly irritating or have a mild exfoliating effect. But generally it's really gently, unlike pure Azelaic Acid.
Geek and Gorgeoius is without a doubt my favorite affordable skincare brand and I pretty much disagree with everything you said to pass on. Hahaha. Sorry they didnt work for you. I would stick with it. I personally pass on the hyaluronic acid and the niacinamide serum products just because I personally dont need them individually in my routine but everything else has literally been AMAZING for my skin and my wallet. Between G&G and some Kbeauty brands I use, my skin is looking fantastic and much cheaper then most other products
I love G&G! :) The main difference between HA serums is that Light is for combo-oily skin, Rich is for normal-dry skin :)
I quite like G&G. At least the products I use from them. I use their Jelly Joker cleanser. Yes, it doesn't remove sunscreen or makeup so I use a micellar makeup remover (from Garden of Wisdom) first. No, it's not going to do anything AMAZING for your skin, such as cure your acne (though it may help if your current cleanser is too harsh and breaking you out) or age you backwards 10 years but it's just a gentle ph balanced cleanser. Which, IMO, is all you need for a product that you're just going to be rinsing off soon after applying. I prefer serums to get the most benefit out of my skincare.
Their retinal is the only one I've been able to find that has a formulation that doesn't irritate my skin, aggravate my rosacea, or break me out. I'm Canadian and since they are sold in Shopper's Drug Mart (Canadian drugstore) a lot of people here swear by Avene, but for me... Their products are crap. If you aren't sensitive or acne-prone they might work for you. I honestly think they are more of a hit with the over 50 crowd (my mom uses some of their products). I'll stick with G&G even if I do have to pay stupid custom fees haha.
Also, as a rosacea sufferer, it's great to see a professional saying you don't need vitamin c serum. I've never used one and I'm not planning to.
I personally like to use liquid hydration on my scalp after I shampoo and condition. I hold my head upside down and pour some of the product on my fingers, then quickly massage it into my scalp. My scalp tends to be dry and this is a great way to help calm it and keep it hydrated. I also use liquid hydration on my lips before my lip balm, I'm not sure if I should do that but it seems to work 😬 that said I never notice any difference using it on my face or body. Other people say it gives them a massive hydration boost and instantly calms redness, to me it's the same as water. Except it seems to help my lips and scalp 🤔
I love their azelaic acid serum!
It helped my acne and texture tremendously!
Your advise on niacinamide has changed my routine and face for the better...
I used to use the 10% niacinamide serum of OT, but that didn’t do anything for my face. So I started to search for a face moisturiser with this ingredient in a less percentage, couldn’t find any...
Then I realised your other very helpful tip, to use body lotion as a moisturiser, found one with niacinamide and petrolatum... The improvements are much more visible than what the niacinamide serum could ever achieve! Thank you so much for your guidance, my hyperpigmentation has never looked this good
i have used c-glow and definitely would recommend, i have time to use the entire bottle and for the price i will happily store it in the fridge and get a cool serum on my skin in the morning. also love jelly joker for my morning cleanse, and evening cleanse as a second step in double cleansing. i have used a-game and do like it a lot, but with my acne history and it apparently starting to come up again, i have plans to go see a dermatologist to ask for a tretinoin to take care of my skin. however, amazing delivery time, only 2 days from hungary to finland and the price is amazing for the quality
i've gotten the liquid hydration in a spray bottle as a gift with my last order and I really love it actually. I've been using it instead of a moisturizer on many nights because it's more than enough, so lightweight, feels nice and really helps my skin calm down. I never would've bought it myself but now I'm a big fan honestly.
I also got the 0.05 A-game and didn't notice anything (been using it for more than a month) so I'm still waiting to see an effect. I'll definitely try the stronger one after, as this one also causes zero irritation. The vitamin C I think made my face a bit brighter but no big change to write home about either. I hope it's accumulative tho and overall worth it. All are easy to apply and I love how cheap they are
I Love all the Geek and Gorgeous. Actually have all the products you reviewed. They all work beautifully for various purposes.
Hi all! By now, I am using almost all G&G products, my fave is the cleanser and C-Glow. I wish they had a moisturizer, I loooove all their products. I do use azelaic acid but the prescription .
I’m on my first bottles of the C Glow and A Game 5. I like both of them. Good to know I don’t need to move up to the A Game 10. The company has really fast shipping…I ordered on a Monday and received my products on Friday.
My order came fast too 👍🏼
@Siret Ojala no mistake, I am neighbouring with Hungary, but in all honesty I never expected to receive my order next day when I ordered 5 pm day before! Crazy quick shipping, not even 20 hours :) this never happened to me, even with local eshops. And whenewer I order I receive my goods latest within 2 days, only once I had to wait 4 because they were making fresh Vitamin C.
Wow. I think you’ve done videos all the popular affordable brands now. Thank you. A couple of video requests include: skincare for diabetics, skincare for elderly/bedridden, skincare for obese, 1 video that goes over off brand uses of OTC and prescriptions meds for skin diseases.
P.S. 20% azelaic acid can be purchased OTC from Australian shopping sites. The product is called Azclear. Very affordable and much cheaper that prescription prices in the USA.
As someone with family members with diabetes, diabetics need to be concerned about keeping their skin moisturized and that doesn't mean having to buy diabetic skin products.
Thanks for your review!
That's one of my favorite brands. I tried it for the c-glow which is one of only two Vit C Serums that showed some improvement on my skin (Paula's Choice was fine but oxidised much quicker and is more expensive). But I was really impressed with their Retinal products. I didn't really tolerate Retinol well but Retinal doesn't irritate my skin at all and I've seen it clear up with their aGame. Love it.
Thanks for sharing!!
@Karma Consciousness Retinaldehyde, yes.
The A-game retinaldehyde is a staple in my routine, I have seen great results and zero irritation.
Happy Friday 🍀💚
Thanks for sharing 👍🏼 Happy Friday
Greetings Tess T hope u r well n Happy Friday😀👍💜....
Greetings@@whitneybrown4067 💛☀️
Hope you are well, happy weekend!
@@whitneybrown4067 Hi, Whitney, I hope you are well! Happy Friday, have a great weekend!💚🦋🌻🌷🐶
Greetings VE Tsai hope u r well n Happy Friday😀👍💜....
Skinceuticals doesn't have to be stored in the fridge perhaps, but it turns brown very quickly. Haven't seen any change in color with the Geek&Gorgeous one after 2 months of use, still crystal clear. Duke patent also describes skinceuticals as being clear and pale yellow after the stability test, but skinceuticals is often yellow to beige already after purchase. PAO also doesnt say much bc standard stability tests for PAO only include bacterial growth, shifting, pH changes etc, stability assays are not mandatory, and even when its done it doesn't have to be taken into account when determining the PAO, thats up to the company. Shelf life and PAO don't say everything regarding degradationof specific actives.
THANK YOU for this review, Dr. Dray! I really appreciate what Geek & Gorgegous has done as living in Denmark there is so much stuff out and over there - difficult to get ones hands on. And Brexit is NOT helping! ;-)
I'm in Germany...were you able to find geek & gorgeous? I'd like to order some.
@@Lucky13888 No trouble ordering Geek & Gorgeous it being a European brand. It's all those enticing brands from the US (and now UK) which UA-camrs mesmerise us with that can be impossible - or too expensive - to get one's hands on. ;-)
@@rebekkas.sterup9909 thanks!
I have been using the Avene 0.1% but at $74 for 30 ml. It's just crazy. I just purchased the geek and gorgeous and I bought 2 (30 ml each) and with $9 shipping still cheaper than Avene. 60 ml for less than one 30ml from Avene. I'm glad I skipped the other stuff
I've been using A-Game 5 for a while and really enjoyed it. Recently I've upgraded to A-Game 10.
I actually like a lot the C-Glow serum and keep rotating it with the SKINTRA Light your skin, one bottle at a time. I know ascorbic acid is tricky but it doesn't irritate me so, even if it is just a "make up" optical illusion and does nothing in deeper layers, I like how my face looks when I apply it.
The Jelly Joker cleanser is good too and I buy it sometimes.
is A-Game for acne too or just for fine lines and wrinkles?
@@AK-do9jw It isn't a specific acne treatment (as adapalene would be) but it will help. Its main active it's retinaldehyde so you can expect similar acne benefits to other retinoids: cell turnover, pore uncloging and hyperpigmentation (probably at a different pace than other retinoids, in theory slower than retinoic acid but faster than retinol).
I don't really have acne apart from a couple hormonal pimples from time to time so I can't really tell if A-Game works well in that area, but it definitely should. Also I love its texture on my combination skin.
I hope this helps.
Finally!! I was looking forward to your review of G&G! After finishing A-game 5 I moved to A-game 10 which I'm currently using and I love them both, they never caused any irritation to my super sensitive skin (I use the sandwich method though). Instead, their vitamin c increased redness, probably it just wasn't good for my skin type. Anyway I'll stick to their A-game 10, it's just a great product! Thanks for your review, Dr. Dray! ♥
Though I've never had issues with vitamin C products before I get irritation and dryness (!) from the C-Glow as well. Can't work out why since there's nothing odd in the ingredient list. Strange. And annoying since Timeless currently doesn't ship to Europe, and I really want to support this continental game changer brand. Looking forward to give aPad another go as a daytime azelaic acid (using Facetheory at night) and trying out A-game 10.
@@rebekkas.sterup9909 I thought the reason has been the percentage of ascorbic acid was too high for my sensitive skin. Anyway I’m currently using Klairs vitamin c and I love it! It’s probably not “good” enough for people used to stronger vitamin c serums like the Timeless one but it’s helping with my redness and hyperpigmentation. 😉
Timeless ship to Europe. I live in Norway and bought their new c serum yesterday.
@@ranveiglie5768 Twice the price as the G&G though and I actually saw more improvement with that than the Timeless. Arrived fresher too.
Finally !! Thank you Dr. Dray for reviewing and appreciate your honesty I know geek and gorgeous uses the same company as avene idk if that's true they formulate geek and gorgeous
Thanks for sharing!!
The jelly joker cleanser and the cheer up exfoliant are wonderful.
Big big recommendation for A-Game 5, gave my combo acne prone skin with PIE better results with no irritation than Adapalene. Plus amazing texture that leaves smooth skin hours upon application and is enjoyable to use, airless packaging and wonderful price. I have no intention chasing other retinal products now i found it, only maybe upgrade to 10 after some time 😊
I have used most products but love the Vitamin C the most!!
Thanks for sharing
I've been using the A-Game on my neck for several months, since I can't use my tretinoin there (too sensitive). I started out with the lower strength and graduated to the higher strength. I can't say I see a visible difference in the skin on my neck but at least it's not irritating.
I was on the fence about their new serum "Stress less" too but I had a terrible irritation from benzoperoxide wash (I left it on for too long) and the serum brought down the redness within 5-10minutes. It could be a dupe for NIOD's modulating serum maybe?!
Yeah, she passed on it because it wasn't hydrating or didn't produce visible results, but it's more of a calming/soothing serum. If your skin isn't irritated or in need of calming, you wouldn't see much effect, but it's great paired with retinal or other actives to soothe your skin.
C-Glow states on the website that it's shelf stable for 7-8 months and longer in fridge. Also each batch is done fresh and about 2-4 weeks old when it arrives. Not sure if this has changed since this video was posted 2 years ago but I appreciate the transparency and just ordered my 2nd bottle. My 1st bottle didn't irritate my rosacea and hand a minor yellowish tone only as the bottle was almost empty. By far the best product I've used to date for vitamin c and I have used skin ceuticals in the past. I find G&G less sticky with longer shelf life
Love using Jelly Joker so much, I have 3 bottles of it!! I find that it will wash off almost everything I use, but if I’m wearing a full face of mineral sunscreen it won’t touch that, so I have to use my foaming LRP cleanser!! ♥️❤️😍🥰👍🎉🙏
Always sure to find all we need on your channel! Love you, Dr.! 🤗
Thanks for this review. You can't get the Avene Retinal here in NZ and no one will ship it here. Just ordered the G&G - all up $60 NZD and that includes shipping which is pretty darn good.
I’ve been using all their products for 3 years now, never found anything better. My main “concern” is smart aging. People think I’m 25 and I’m 37, if this counts as a review 😅 C glow is a product I’ve tried not using, but every time I returned to it because there was a certain dullness about my skin non wig the AHAs made better without the Cglow. So I keep it in the box and in the fridge, use it on face and neck and it stays completely colorless for me and it lasts about 2-3 months I reckon. I like the Hydration Station before applying C-glow as it helps absorption, even though I lean a little dry on the cheeks it is still a vital part of my routine and then I just use a rich cream before sunscreen during daytime. A-game I use the stronger one, I alternate between their acids, all works for me. No problems whatsoever.
Their vitamin C comes crystal clear every time I order it. And has been clear for a 2 months now of constant use. However, I think their recommendations for the shelf life are not suspicious in this case- their recommendations for shelf life extension are just that, recommendations that would work to increase the shelf life a quick to oxidize ingredient. It’s a finicky ingredient that even a top tier serums like the C E Skinceuticals(which often comes in yellow after paying $150+) one would benefit from such tips also
I've been using C-glow for about a month now and, eventhough it is crystal clear in the bottle, it oxidases on my face..my skin literally gets an orangey yellow tint after approx. 5 hours of wear. I tried multiple SPF creams with it, but still I get the same result..I'm curious, did anybody else experience this also?
I use the A game 10 and I’ve been using it for a year now and it switched up my skin incredibly but funny enough I had a bit of irritation yesterday so I’ve laid off it a bit. But it’s still a fav and hardly causes irritation in my opinion.
So glad for the review. I've been using for a while Agame5 and had no irritation. Is it worth trying Agame 10 or should I keep using the Agame5 for the same results?
Im from Hungary, i glad u rewived this brand! In here we have limited acces for this brand that are easy to by in the U.S. or bigger country. It is getting better nowdays but this brand G&G is make the way. For example in the whole county there are only ONE store where u can buy the ordinary staff off the shelfs (off course we can order online but we have 27% tax on it...)
I love their C Glow! It doesn’t help my hyperpigmentation but when I use it I notice an improvement in fine lines.
I also used some of their other products but had no results or they just didn’t suit my needs. But even just ordering 5 bottles of vitamin C (to get the free shipping) is worth it for me. Cheaper than the CE Ferulic and same results. I just use it on all exposed body parts, not just my face, to use it within 6 months.
Their vit C plus A-game 0.1% has made a difference in wrinkles and fine lines and improved skin brightness. Love them.
Try using the C-Glow with th aPad (azelaic acid). Both can work together against hyperpigmentation! did work on m e
I am using their Vitaminc C in the morning and really like it as it does not irritate me :)
I've used both A-Game 5 and 10! I liked both of them but enjoyed A-Game 5 more bc I felt it went on the skin easier, so that's the one I use now since using a higher percentage isn't necessary. Of course with the added bonus of A-Game 5 being more affordable!
I was actually debating which one to get so I think I will purchase the A 5, thank you
I don't understand why people are complaining...this is a very fair and balanced review; i had mixed results with this brand, for many of the reasons Dr Dray lists here. Its a fair review; Dr Dray's opinions, you don't have to agree
As for the C, maybe not the most stable but worth it for the bucks.
Made my face dark orange and it turns yellow very fast
@@daherdrawshe5470 You keep it in the fridge all the time as suggested? mine only turns light straw colour on the last few weeks of use.
@@greenknitter I kept the big bottle in the fridge and I would refill the small one every week in a matter of two days it turns yellow, maybe because i live in hot climate in the middle east and the product is from hungry
Hi Dr Dray. Thank you for educating us on ingredients. Would you be able to do a video with the best products to use for anti aging... aside from retinol and vitamin A...which I understand the gold standard .
Their A-Game Retinal did not agree with my skin at all I don’t know if it was Cetearyl Olivate or Citric Acid in their formulation I couldn’t stand the texture It took forever to sink in Woke up with break outs (not purging, used high strength Retinals before) I prefer Avene’s Night Emulsions with Retinal Prior to A-Game I used Medik8 and Avene Have gone back to Avene
20 years ago I had breast cancer , got told not to use serums. Is that still the case?
From Face theory I'm using Exaglow and I like it so far maybe it's my nerves but I see my melasma calming down, still there but less dark.
👍🏼
“If you knock three times…” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You neighbor will yell at you
". . . .twice on the pipe . . ." OMG Tony Orlando, that was a while ago!
Newer products - a lot of people seem to like Mighty Melt, their cleansing balm. In my 40’s I find it a bit drying. But the Happier Barrier face cream is wonderful.
Thanks for the video!! I would like to know your opinion choosing between A game or differin gel for anti-aging and hyperpigmentation. I assume that adapalene formulations have more data behind, since it used to be prescription only, but retinal looks like a good option.
I have asked this question before a few times. Not specific to the retinal from this brand, but in general about otc retinol/retinal vs adapalene for anti aging. I got an answer from Dr. Sam Ellis on one of her videos. Her answer was adapalene would be more effective than the otc retinol/retinal versions. Hope that helps!
My dermy recommended I use adapalene for anti aging. I have difficulty using it regularly due to illness but it doesn’t irritate my skin! ☺️
As always, great video with great information! You're the Bomb, Dr. Dray! We appreciate you!
I had issues with the A-Game not absorbing into my skin. Fifteen hours after using it I used an alcohol free toner and the pads were yellow from unabsorbed retinaldehyde.
Thank you for making me buy cosrx snail essence...I went and bought cream too. And cerave new salicylic acid cream.
My skin is looking better. Redness from acne is gone.
AM: just wash with cold water -> cosrx essence -> cerave salicylic acid cream -> blackgirlsunscreen.
PM: aveno shaving cream (yes male here) and trim -> vanicream gentle cleanser cleanser -> cosrx essence -> adapalene gel -> cosrx cream -> 10-15mins later vanicream moisturizer.
Also cant wait for vbeam laser for redness...hopefully dr would recommend max 2 treatments.
Touch Bright & Clear has been a pretty good azelaic acid treatment for me. It’s oil based to it gives a bit of a shine compared to the more matte finish of the ordinary Azelaic acid suspension. But I’ve loved both so far.
I think that's the one Penn Smith Skincare has recommended. It has azelaic acid, niacinamide, kojic and tranexamic.
I disagree on basically everything you said to skip 😂 The vitamin c is stable waaaay longer than they say, I think they are being deliberately conservative with their recommendations. Mine arrived completely clear, I store it in the fridge and it is still completely clear 4 months later. I really like their liquid hydration because its so weightless, great for dampening the skin before moisturiser and so nice in summer when my skin is dry but I hate the idea of heavy creams. But I’m also someone who really likes and does well with lightweight hydrating toners layered on rather than one thick cream. I also really like the stress less serum, it’s soothing and calming and I really notice a difference when it runs out. I really like their A-game serums, it’s way cheaper than even Avene where I live and I’ve had great results with it, I also notice a difference in redness and acne with the Apad serum, I find a lot of other azelaic products to be annoying to use and this might not be as effective, but I actually use it so it wins on that front.
I live in hungary , this brand is so popular , I'm using Salycilic acid version and I'm super happy !
Love your consistent posting schedule, thanks for all the great content! :)
Thanks for watching
Dr. dray looking glowy on this video
Thank you Dr Dray, I was swithering with ordering the APad, saved my bucks, sticking with The Ordinary. Glad you liked their Retinal, as will be trying❤️❤️
Happy Friday Dr Dray and everyone! I'm always happy to learn about a new fragrance free and affordable line! I'm currently making the switch from adapalene to tretinoin (got great results with differin) on advice from my health care provider so I'm not in the market for any new actives, but it's always nice to learn!
Thanks for watching
Been waiting for this!
Happy Friday everyone! 🤩
Greetings Krypton Quero hope u r well n Happy Friday😀👍💜....
@@whitneybrown4067 . You as well! ⚡
Happy Friday
The C glow is amazing and seems super stabel. ❤
Thanks for this review, Dr Dray. I was waiting for your honest review as always. I'm using the vitamin C serum, retinal 0.05 and liquid hydration for my kids, and have not had any problem with it. Happy Friday 😊
Hey Dr dray. Can you look at the dermatologist created brand Riversol and share your thoughts?
Have a great weekend. 🥰
I have had many health concerns in my life so I really want clean products. I was using Skinceuticals...but im not paying around $200. Was about to buy Geek & Gorgeous Vit C but is has some questionable ingredients. What do you think?
OMG this is just what I was waiting for. I knew you would do this at some point. Thanks for the wonderful review.
Glad you liked it!
I just purchased their cleansing balm instead of Cliniques Take The Day Off and trying their A Game instead of Avenes. Much better price point! The balm is great haven’t use the AGame yet but hoping its a keeper.
If i used micelar water to take off my make up and “clean my face” would the jelly joker cleanser be more effective to use after that?
LP's vitamin C oxidizes in matters of 2, weeks and it's at least triple the price