The story behind Garnier dates back to over a century ago in 1904 when Alfred Amour Garnier patented the first ever hair lotion made from natural plant ingredients. In the 1930s, Garnier was an early producer of sun-care products, and in 1960 Garnier became the first brand to make a permanent home hair color. The company was acquired by L’Oréal in the 1970s. Today, Garnier creates hair and skin care products created with mostly natural ingredients, like fruit, seed, and flower extracts. In this review, we’ll focus specifically on the Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream. We’ll cover who this serum is for, how to use it, key ingredients, Garnier Serum Cream reviews from real customers, and more.
What is Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream?
Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream is a face serum, a face cream, and a sunscreen, all in one lightweight formula. The serum quickly absorbs into the skin and provides 24-hour hydration without leaving a white residue on skin. It is said to improve dull, uneven skin and promote a brighter, more even complexion. In fact, this serum is said to help skin look glowing and healthier in just 3 days, while helping to fade dark spots over time. Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types and skin tones.
What Are The Key Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream Ingredients?
The active sunscreen ingredients in Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream include avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. Together, these ingredients provide broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. All four of these ingredients are classified as chemical sunscreens, meaning they work by first absorbing UV light, then transforming that light energy into some other form of energy, such as heat. A benefit of chemical sunscreens — as compared to mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — is their ability to defend the deeper layers of skin, including collagen fibers and other tissue, against the aging effects of UVA rays while also protecting against UVB rays that cause sunburn.
Another ingredient in the Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream that will help protect the skin against oxidative damage from UV light is the vitamin C derivative ascorbyl glucoside. Ascorbyl glucoside has a structure in which the C2-hydroxyl group of ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C) is masked with glucose. Ascorbyl glucoside has been found to have greater stability in the presence of air, heat, light, and pH changes than ascorbic acid. After being absorbed into the skin, ascorbyl glucoside is broken down into ascorbic acid. Therefore, ascorbyl glucoside has many of the same benefits as ascorbic acid.
So what are the benefits of ascorbic acid? Perhaps the most well-known benefit is its ability to protect the skin from free radicals due to its potent antioxidant activity. Specifically, ascorbic acid donates electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as the superoxide ion and peroxide that are generated when the skin is exposed to UV light. This is important because the harmful effects of ROS occur as direct chemical alterations of the cellular DNA, the cell membrane, and cellular proteins, including collagen. Damaged collagen manifests as signs of premature skin aging, including wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin. Since ascorbic acid can protect collagen, the Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream can help prevent signs of aging.
Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream may also be able to correct signs of aging since vitamin C promotes new collagen synthesis. Specifically, ascorbic acid serves as a cofactor for enzymes that are responsible for stabilizing and cross-linking the collagen molecules. According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, clinical studies have shown that the topical use of L-ascorbic acid increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin. Once again, by increasing the amount of collagen in the skin, signs of aging will be diminished and the skin will appear more firm.
Lastly, the use of vitamin C in the Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve uneven skin tone. This is accomplished through inhibition of 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. Ascorbic acid decreases melanin formation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that is required for melanin synthesis. This is why Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream should help the skin to appear brighter with fewer dark spots and a more even skin tone.
Another antioxidant in the Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream is vitamin E (tocopherol). Did you know that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E is more powerful when combined with vitamin C? This is because vitamins C and E are “network antioxidants”. A publication in the journal Dermatologic Therapy explains, “because vitamin C regenerates oxidized vitamin E, the combination in a cosmeceutical formulation is synergistic – particularly in UV protection.” Lastly, vitamin E is known to strengthen the skin’s barrier function and helps to reduce transepidermal water loss.
The final key ingredient in Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream is pineapple fruit extract. Pineapple is rich in antioxidant vitamins, but the main component in pineapple that can benefit the skin is the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme that softens skin by breaking up keratin and exfoliating dead skin cells. Bromelain will unclog the pores and can help reduce irritation caused by the accumulation of surface skin cells. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory properties.
How to Use Garnier Pinea-C Serum Cream
In the morning, apply Garnier Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream all over the face and neck. This serum functions as your daily moisturizer, serum, and sunscreen.
Where is Garnier Pinea-C Serum Cream Sold?
Garnier skin care products are not sold on the brand’s website. Rather, you must purchase Garnier Pinea-C Serum Cream through third party online retailers such as Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Ulta.com, and many others. You can also find Garnier skin care products in physical locations, such as Walmart, Target, and drug stores.
What is The Garnier Return Policy?
Garnier does not have a return policy on their website since they do not sell products on their website and, therefore, don’t accept returns.
Is Garnier Cruelty Free?
Garnier is not cruelty free because Garnier is owned by L’Oreal, a company that tests on animals. L’Oréal does not conduct animal testing on their products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law. Since L’Oréal products are sold in China, they must test their products on animals by law. The good news is that L’Oreal has invested more than $1 billion over the last 25 years to develop innovative, alternative methods to animal testing, particularly in the area of reconstructed tissue development.
References:
Dermatol Ther. Sep-Oct 2007;20(5):314-21.
Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
