If you’re into skin care, we know you’ve heard of glycolic acid, the multi-tasking alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that fights acne, smooths fine lines, eliminates dullness, and more! But did you know that Jan Marini — founder and CEO of Jan Marini Skin Research Inc. (JMSR) — was an early glycolic acid pioneer back in the 90s? Her research inspired her to start her own skin care line with glycolic acid as one of the key ingredients.
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| - | Jan Marini |
Today, JMSR is a recognized leader and innovator in skin care that is committed to continually expanding and improving the professional skin care market. You can find glycolic acid in some of the brand’s best selling products, such as Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser and Bioclear Face Lotion. We’ll tell you more about these best sellers and the key ingredients in Jan Marini skin care products below. We’ll also share some Jan Marini reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
Is Jan Marini Skincare Worth The Money?
A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.
In our opinion, Jan Marini products are worth the money, but there are other brands that deliver greater value.
One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.
Carrot & Stick intro bundles deliver great value for money because you can bundle 3 full-size products worth up to $240 for $88.
What’s Inside Jan Marini Skin Care Products?
As mentioned above, Jan Marini was an early glycolic acid pioneer, so it makes sense that glycolic acid can be found in many Jan Marini skin care products. We’ve already touched on some of the benefits of glycolic acid, but let’s talk about this AHA in more detail.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is unique because it has the smallest molecular size out of all the AHAs. So why should you care about molecular size? Molecular size matters because the smaller a molecule, the more easily it gets into the skin. Thus, glycolic acid penetrates the skin better and faster than all of the others. This is why glycolic acid is considered to be the strongest AHA.
After being absorbed into the skin, glycolic acid gets to work, providing numerous benefits to the skin. For example, it exerts anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, and antioxidant effects, and acts as both an exfoliator and a moisturizer.
Furthermore, research published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology found that glycolic acid can increase collagen production and thicken the outer layer of the skin. The result? A plumper, more youthful complexion.
One AHA product we recommend is The Brightening Pads by Carrot & Stick. These pre-saturated pads contain a concentrated blend of salicylic, lactic and mandelic acids that sweep away the build-up of dead skin cells, gently exfoliating to promote clarity, refine texture and rid pores of impurities.
Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.
It’s in Jan Marini C Esta Face Serum.
But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness.
While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.
This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size.
Jan Marini Regeneration Booster is a patented peptide face lotion that combines anti-aging peptides with antioxidants. If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin.
What Are The Top 10 Best Jan Marini Skin Care Products?
Jan Marini offers an extensive selection of skin care products, including cleansers, exfoliators, retinols, restorative moisturizers, sunscreens, masks, and more. So you may be wondering: what are the best selling Jan Marini products? Don’t worry, you don’t have to scour the internet to find the best sellers! Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best Jan Marini skin care products.
Jan Marini Transformation Face Cream
Growth factors and peptides are the key ingredients in Jan Marini Transformation Face Cream, a silky moisturizer that hydrates while also providing anti-aging benefits. While each of the growth factors and peptides in this formula have their own unique mechanism of action, the ultimate goal is to signal fibroblasts (skin cells that make collagen) to start producing more collagen. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm and youthful, so stimulating new collagen synthesis is one way to reduce signs of aging. These growth factors and peptides are combined with antioxidants, like vitamins A, C, and E. The only thing we don’t love about Jan Marini Transformation Face Cream is the inclusion of fragrance ingredients!
Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser
Just as the name suggests, glycolic acid is the key ingredient in Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser. As an AHA, glycolic acid has the ability to exfoliate the skin, stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration process, and help the skin to retain moisture. It exfoliates the skin by targeting corneocytes (dead skin cells) 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, more radiant skin. Plus, glycolic acid is formulated into a cream based in order to reduce any irritation.
Jan Marini Bioclear Face Lotion
Glycolic acid is combined with salicylic acid and azelaic acid in the Jan Marini Bioclear Face Lotion. Putting all of these different acid ingredients on your skin may sound intimidating, but they are actually all excellent skin care ingredients that work in unique ways to keep skin clear, smooth, and youthful.
We already talked about the benefits of glycolic acid. But what about salicylic acid acid? Salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) is an excellent ingredient for tackling dullness, acne, and clogged pores. It works by exfoliating the pore lining, which loosens clogged dirt and oil. It also has the ability to dissolve keratin, the protein that acts as a “glue” to keep dead skin cells together in the stratum corneum. This is effective because dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving it looking dull and also possibly clogging pores.
And here’s the details on azelaic acid: this ingredient normalizes the shedding of dead skin cells and opens the follicle, resulting in fewer comedones (pimples). It has also been shown to prevent the growth of acne bacteria. According to a publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, both in vitro and in vivo it has an antimicrobial effect on both aerobic and anaerobic (Propionibacterium acnes) microorganisms. This dual purpose makes azelaic acid one of the more effective acne ingredients.
Jan Marini C Esta Face Serum
The brand calls their C Esta Serum a “powerful antioxidant cocktail” due to the mix of antioxidant vitamins C and E, ergothioneine, and DMAE. DMAE is an analog of the B vitamin choline and is a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. DMAE works by helping the underlying facial muscles to contract, thus tightening the skin and increasing skin firmness. However, research has shown that these results are only temporary, and eventually give way to destruction of the substances in skin that help keep it firm. Yikes! Another drawback to this serum: there’s a pretty high concentration of fragrance, which certainly isn’t doing your skin any good!
Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF 45
This Jan Marini sunscreen utilizes purely physical filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) for broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection to decrease the risk of premature skin aging. The formula has a silky texture that feels weightless on the skin due to inclusion of several different silicones in the formula. It also features a universal tint and microscopic oil absorbing particles for additional oil control with a sheer, matte finish.
Jan Marini Skin Zyme
Create your own spa experience at home with Jan Marini Skin Zyme, a papaya enzyme mask that promises to give skin an immediate polished look. The key enzyme found in papaya fruit is papain. Papain works on the surface of the skin to dissolve keratin, a protein that acts as a “glue” to keep skin cells together. By dissolving keratin, papain helps to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving skin looking brighter with a more even tone. Exfoliating the skin also helps to prevent acne since the build up of dead skin cells can clog pores.
Jan Marini Luminate Face Lotion
“Luminate” is an excellent name for this face lotion due to the plethora of brightening ingredients in the formula, such as alpha-arbutin, dipotassium glycyrrhizate (from licorice), epigallocatechin gallate (from green tea), hexylresorcinol, and more. Plus, the formula also includes pure retinol, one of the best anti-aging ingredients. Retinol is clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.
Jan Marini Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads
If you’re into at-home peels, you’ve probably heard of the iconic Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads. But get this: Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads mostly consist of denatured alcohol, a type of alcohol that provides short term benefits with long term consequences (think skin dryness, irritation, and breakouts).
Fortunately, the Jan Marini Resurfacing Pads provide you with similar key ingredients — without the drying alcohol. These key ingredients include a mix of AHAs (glycolic, salicylic, mandelic and lactic acid), as well as soothing ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, and chamomile. Used a few days per week, these resurfacing pads should help to promote a more refined texture, and reduced appearance of pore size, fine lines and wrinkles.
Jan Marini Regeneration Booster
Regeneration Booster is a patented peptide face lotion that combines anti-aging peptides with antioxidants (coenzyme Q10, green tea extract, etc.), Epidermal Growth Factor (sh-Oligopeptide-1), Keratinocyte Growth Factor (sh-Polypeptide-3), TGF Beta-1 (Transforming Growth Factor/rh-Polypeptide-22), and hyaluronic acid.
This advanced formula was evaluated in a 3-month independent physician study. The study involved 20 subjects (ages 35 to 75) using exclusively Jan Marini Regeneration Booster, a gentle cleanser, and sunscreen. The study results noted statistically significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, texture, pore size, elasticity, skin clarity/uniformity, and hydration.
Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33
This Jan Marini sunscreen combines water-resistant, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with oil control and advanced hydration for the skin. There are four chemical sunscreen ingredients in this formula (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, oxybenzone). While these chemical sunscreen ingredients won’t leave a white cast like mineral sunscreens, research has shown that they do absorb through the skin and into the bloodstream.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Jan Marini Skin Care Products?
As mentioned above, Jan Marini was an early glycolic acid pioneer, so it makes sense that glycolic acid can be found in many Jan Marini skin care products. We’ve already touched on some of the benefits of glycolic acid, but let’s talk about this AHA in more detail.
Glycolic acid is unique because it has the smallest molecular size out of all the AHAs. So why should you care about molecular size? Molecular size matters because the smaller a molecule, the more easily it gets into the skin. Thus, glycolic acid penetrates the skin better and faster than all of the others. This is why glycolic acid is considered to be the strongest AHA.
After being absorbed into the skin, glycolic acid gets to work, providing numerous benefits to the skin. For example, it exerts anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, and antioxidant effects, and acts as both an exfoliator and a moisturizer.
Furthermore, research published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology found that glycolic acid can increase collagen production and thicken the outer layer of the skin. The result? A plumper, more youthful complexion.
How Much Do Jan Marini Skin Care Products Cost?
Jan Marini skin care products are pricey, for example, Regeneration Booster costs $215 for 1 fl oz, and Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser is $42 for 8 fl oz.
Where to Buy Jan Marini Skin Care Products?
Jan Marini skin care products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third party online retailers, such as Dermstore, SkinStore, LovelySkin, and more. In addition, Jan Marini professional skin care products are sold through licensed physicians, spas, and salons around the globe.
What is The Jan Marini Return Policy?
The Jan Marini return policy states, “Jan Marini Skin Research is committed to skincare excellence. If you experience any problems, you may return the product within 30 days of purchase.”
Is Jan Marini Skin Care Cruelty Free?
Yes, Jan Marini skin care is cruelty free.
Jan Marini Reviews
Jan Marini reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser.
The positive reviews for the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser mention how well it helps to keep the skin clear, smooth, and blemish-free.
For example, one review says, “I’m convinced the reason my skin looks so smooth is this cleanser! Combined with the whole system and the Skin Zyme mask weekly I have never been so impressed with a system before.”
And another very positive Jan Marini review says, “Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this face wash! My esthetician recommended it, and making this change alone, I’ve seen less hormonal acne and it’s helped keep my milia at bay, almost getting rid of most on one side of my face!”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser, which are mostly concerning the smell of this product.
For example, one review says, “Smells horrible but a good product.” And a similar review says, “It works but doesn’t smell great.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Jan Marini skin care products are formulated well with a combination of innovative ingredients and tried-and-true ingredients, although we wish the brand would leave the fragrance out of all their products!
Pros
- Products contain evidence-based ingredients (AHAs, BHAs, vitamins C and E, retinoids, etc.)
- Many positive Jan Marini reviews
- Jan Marini is cruelty free
Cons
- High cost
- Most Jan Marini products contain fragrance
What Are Some Alternatives to Jan Marini Skin Care Products?
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 The Repair Serum, followed by The Moisturizer.
References:
J Am Acad Dermatol 1987 Dec;17(6):1033-41.
JAMA. 2019;321(21):2082-2091.
Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013; 6: 281–288.
Helga Original review: Oct 01, 2020.
Jan Marinii skin care line is the best ever with potent ingredients I have been using Jan Marini for 15 years , after using so many useless products. My Skin is glowing and does not have any wrinkles at all. I will never use another skin care product again.