Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss has earned the title of “influencer” as she amassed a following of over 800,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | Pillowtalk Derm |
Why is this dermatologist so popular, you ask? Because of her “pillow talks” aka her no-BS product reviews and dermatology insights all casually recorded right from the comfort of her bed. And that’s how the name Pillowtalk Derm was born.
In 2022, Pillowtalk Derm evolved into a product line, which we’ve reviewed below. We’ll cover the formulation details, including the key ingredients and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare.
We’ll also share some Pillowtalk Derm reviews from real customers so that you can get their take on how well these products work.
What Are The Best Pillowtalk Derm Skincare Products?
Pillowtalk Derm currently offers four skincare products: a mask, two serums, and a moisturizer. Let’s get into the details.
Pillowtalk Derm The Depuffer Arnica Roll On Serum
One of the brand’s most buzzed about products is The Depuffer, a serum with a roll-on applicator that helps to reduce redness and depuff with ingredients like Arnica and Centella Asiatica.
According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Arnica has been shown to alleviate inflammation, pain and swelling associated with trauma, and post-operative clinical conditions, yet the mechanism of action is not well understood.
Centella Asiatica, also known as “cica” and “tiger grass”, is a perennial plant native to the wetlands in Asia. It’s been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine to speed wound healing and reduce inflammation. Thus, the use of this ingredient in Pillowtalk Derm The Depuffer helps to calm and repair the skin.
ALTERNATIVES: If you are concerned about aging around the eyes including bags, one product we recommend is Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream.
Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Flash Mask
A combination of two AHAs (15% glycolic acid and 3% lactic acid) make this resurfacing mask the perfect way to exfoliate skin and promote a more even skin tone. There’s also tranexamic acid to help reduce the appearance of dark spots. We’ll give you all the details on these acids in the Key Ingredients section below.
Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Hyper Serum
This Pillowtalk Derm serum is formulated to help fade stubborn dark spots and improve uneven skin tone with a blend of skin-brightening ingredients, such as alpha arbutin, kojic acid, niacinamide, and diglucosyl gallic acid.
We’re happy to see that there’s also plenty of moisturizing ingredients in this formula, such as squalane, shea butter, and caprylic/capric triglyceride.
ALTERNATIVE: If you are concerned about aging skin and looking for professional grade products that are also clean, Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains a peptide complex to target multiple signs of aging.
Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer
Unlike standard moisturizers, this Pillowtalk Derm products function as a 2-in-1 vitamin C serum and moisturizer that provides multiple benefits, such as hydrating skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots, and protecting the skin with antioxidants.
In addition to skin-brightening vitamin C, the formula includes ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and hexapeptide-2 to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
ALTERNATIVES: Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer. It’s overflowing with potent plant proteins, vitamins, peptides and amino-collagen.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Pillowtalk Derm Skincare Products?
After reviewing the Pillowtalk Derm skincare products, we noticed there’s a few categories of ingredients that are used throughout the lineup, which include: antioxidants, acids, and botanical extracts.
Antioxidants
The two most potent antioxidants used in Pillowtalk Derm products include vitamin C and niacinamide.
Vitamin C
According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, clinical studies have shown that the topical use of vitamin C increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin.
Moreover, vitamin C is well known for its ability to promote a brighter complexion and reduce dark spots by inhibiting melanin synthesis. Melanin is a pigment that gives our skin color, but too much of this pigment can lead to undesirable dark spots called hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C decreases melanin formation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that is required for melanin synthesis.
Thus, the vitamin C used in Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer helps to brighten skin, fade dark spots, and reduce signs of aging.
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Niacinamide
In a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, niacinamide was found to significantly decrease hyperpigmentation and increase skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use.
Another benefit of niacinamide is its ability to help with acne because of its antimicrobial and sebostatic effects, meaning it can help protect against the bacteria that cause acne while also helping to reduce oil production.
Niacinamide is used in Pillowtalk Term The Depuffer Arnica Roll On Serum, as well as Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Hyper Serum.
Acids
Pillowtalk Derm products include a variety of acids, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), tranexamic acid, and kojic acid.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
AHAs are used in Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Flash Mask. The primary benefit of AHAs is their ability to exfoliate the skin by targeting corneocytes (dead skin cells that make up the stratum corneum) in a process called corneocyte desquamation.
By enhancing their breakdown and increasing the separation of skin cells, the rate of cell turnover is increased, leading to smoother, brighter skin and a more even complexion.
Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic acid (also used in Major Fade Flash Mask) is a synthetic analog of the amino acid lysine that functions as a skin-lightening agent for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. It is believed to work by inhibiting plasmin, which means that it helps to break down proteins in the skin that contribute to melanin (skin pigment) production.
Kojic acid
Major Fade Hyper Serum features kojic acid, an ingredient that inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which in turn helps to reduce the formation of dark spots.
Botanical Extracts
Pillowtalk Derm focuses on incorporating the power of numerous botanical extracts in the formulations, for instance, arnica, centella asiatica, ash bark, tremella mushroom, and more.
While all of these extracts have unique constituents, many of them work by exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ultimately, this helps to calm and soothe skin in most people.
However, as you’ll see in the Pillowtalk Derm reviews below, several customers have experienced irritation from these products, which may be due to the botanical extracts.
How Much Do Pillowtalk Derm Skincare Products Cost?
Pillowtalk Derm skincare products are mid-range in terms of cost; they aren’t cheap but they aren’t ridiculously expensive.
As an example, Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Hyper Serum costs $68 USD for 0.96 oz (28 mL).
Where to Buy Pillowtalk Derm Skincare Products?
Pillowtalk Derm skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as on Amazon.com.
Is Pillowtalk Derm Cruelty Free?
Yes, Pillowtalk Derm is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Pillowtalk Derm products are formulated well with evidence-based ingredients and we appreciate that the formulas are fragrance free!
Pros
- Formulated with evidence-based ingredients
- Products are fragrance free
- Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free
- Many positive Pillowtalk Derm reviews
Cons
- Some reviews mention that the products caused skin irritation
What Are The Best Alternatives?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum followed by The Moisturizer.
References:
J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Jan 10;318(Pt B):117064.
Nutrients. 2017 Aug; 9(8): 866.
Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
