Peptides, retinol, and vitamin c: Nuvane’s lineup packs a punch

If I had to list my top 5 anti-aging ingredients, peptides, retinol, and vitamin c would definitely be on there. It’s always baffled me that there aren’t more peptide + retinol or peptide + vitamin c formulas out there because for my skin, those combinations have always been chef’s kiss

Clearly Nuvane felt the same, because they’ve released a whole skincare line featuring their patent-pending triple peptide complex: SenoP3™.

I’ve been testing their entire range for the past 5 weeks so let’s dive into what makes Nuvane special, my thoughts on the products, and some before & after pics!

The SenoP3 Triple-Peptide Complex

You might not have heard of SenoP3, but you definitely have heard of the 3 peptides featured in this patent-pending complex:

Matrixyl Synthe’6

• Officially known as palmitoyl tripeptide-38.
• Manufacturer study found it improved the appearance of forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet after 2 months of use, as well as increased the production of hyaluronic acid.¹ A separate study found similar results using a serum containing Matrixyl Synthe’6.²
• A peer-reviewed human study found it improved multiple visible signs of aging such as texture, tone, and fine lines with a 15% vitamin c + vitamin e + Matrixyl Synthe’6 serum.³
• Not to be confused with Matrixyl®, which is palmitoyl pentapeptide-4.

Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu)

• A human clinical trial found it helped reduce facial wrinkle volume and depth after 8 weeks. An in-vitro study found it helped increase collagen and elastin production (both of which decrease significantly into our 30’s).⁴
• Helps support wound healing and provides anti-inflammatory benefits.⁵
• Can also help improve the appearances of aging and photo damaged skin.⁶

Argireline

• Officially known as acetyl hexapeptide-8 but also acetyl hexapeptide-3 in the past.
• Peer reviewed human study found it to reduce the appearances of crow’s feet and expression lines after 30 days.⁷
• Another study found it to help reduce the appearances of wrinkles and fine lines in general.⁸

Now there are no available studies on the combined benefits of these 3 peptides, though Nuvane claims they work in synergy which can amplify their results. On the other hand, I appreciate that of all the available peptides, the brand selected those with well researched benefits that targets multiple signs of aging.

Biomimetic Retinol Cream

Packaging
Plastic pump bottle with a matte finish (no fingerprints!). However it’s not airtight.

Texture
A medium-weight gel cream that spreads easily and quickly absorbs into the skin.

Featured Ingredients
0.3 – 0.6% retinol, marine algae extract, camellia seed oil, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, trehalose, acetyl glucosamine

Price
$79 for 15ml from Nuvane. The 0.6% and 0.3% are the same price. Buying 3 saves 25% and buying 6 saves 34%. Or get up to 66% off when you take their personalized routine quiz and subscribe!

Retinoids are a must have in any anti-aging routine, and while I typically prefer the stronger tretinoin or retinal, I understand how retinol can be more appealing to beginners.

Nuvane provides 2 strengths, which are identical in formula and texture except for the retinol %. As a seasoned retinoid user, I immediately started with the 0.6% and am happy to report 0 irritations or even hints of redness with daily use!

The texture is the thickest of the entire Nuvane lineup but still suitable for all skin types and not heavy at all. If you have oily skin or live somewhere humid, you can 100% getaway with skipping moisturizer thanks to the humectants (hyaluronic acid) and emollients (beneficial plant oils) in the formula.

My only issue is the tiny size of the bottle. Mine is almost empty, which is a record for me using any kind of full-sized skincare. I wish this came in 30ml so I could use it on my neck as well.

Biomimetic Bakuchiol Cream

Packaging
Same packaging as the retinol cream.

Texture
Very similar to the retinol cream but feels even lighter despite the addition of shea butter.

Featured Ingredients
Bakuchiol, vitamin c, niacinamide, centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, marine algae extract, shea butter

Price
$79 for 15ml from Nuvane. Buying 3 saves 25% and buying 6 saves 34%. Or get up to 66% off when you take their personalized routine quiz and subscribe!

For those that can’t tolerate retinol or are looking for a product to alternate with, this is a beautiful option. You still get the fantastic SenoP3 peptide complex and a whole slew of brightening, soothing, and moisturizing ingredients, but with zero risk of irritations.

While I haven’t found the need to alternate the Nuvane Retinol 0.6%, if I were to use tretinoin or even a strong exfoliant, I think this is a great cream to pair with.

The same issue as the retinol though, the bottle is surprisingly small, lasting just long enough for you to figure out if the product is actually working (about 4-5 weeks). On the plus you get a nice discount if you subscribe or buy in bulk which helps offsets the size issue.

Advanced Firming Eye Cream

Packaging
A plastic squeeze tube with a cooling zinc alloy applicator that can be used to massage product into the eye area.

Texture
A light gel that feels moisturizing yet absorbs quickly into the skin

Featured Ingredients
0.2% retinol, marine algae extract, caffeine, arnica montana extract, licorice extract, niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid

Price
$59 for 15ml from Nuvane. Buying 3 saves 25% and buying 6 saves 29%.

This one I particularly enjoyed using. I love that it includes just enough retinol to boost anti-aging results but not so much as to irritate the delicate skin around the eyes. The inclusion of arnica on top of caffeine is also fantastic and has helped reduce puffiness around my eyes. The rest of the formula is well rounded with brightening and barrier strengthening ingredients which are much needed to help with dark circles and dryness around that area.

The product itself also layers very well under makeup and keeps my under eyes well moisturized without causing issues with concealer. And like the Biometric Retinol Cream 0.6%, no irritations whatsoever, even with twice a day daily use.

Result wise it’s been comparable to when I alternate my usual prescription tretinoin eye cream with a non-retinol eye cream. No noticeable increase nor decrease in the fine lines around my eyes.

Vitamin C Serum

Packaging
An opaque drop bottle with the 0.5ml clearly marked so you can use the correct amount.

Texture
A clear, water-like essence that absorbs quickly with minimal stickiness.

Featured Ingredients
10% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD), niacinamide, bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, marine algae extract, ceramides, centella asiatica, green tea, and licorice root extract

Price
$69 for 15ml from Nuvane. Buying 3 saves 24% and buying 6 saves 30%. Or get up to 66% off when you take their personalized routine quiz and subscribe!

Of all the different forms of vitamin c, THD is one of my personal favorites due to its gentleness and efficacy. However it also tends to feel oily, which can make it frustrating to use during the day. No issues with oiliness here, it feels more like an ascorbic acid serum, and is boosted with a ton of other brightening and barrier supporting ingredients.

The watery texture can make application a bit difficult, so I find it easier to dispense directly into my palms and pat into my face like a toner. No issues with stickiness or irritations, making it safe for even sensitive skin.

I do feel like this has helped with making my skin brighter, but that could also be due to the Dark Spot Corrector which also contains brightening ingredients. Also note that this is only product in the lineup that doesn’t feature SenoP3, just Copper Tripeptide-1.

Regenerative Dark Spot Corrector

Packaging
A plastic squeeze tube with a fine tip applicator to help control how much product you dispense.

Texture
A light lotion texture that blends like a dream with no stickiness.

Featured Ingredients
2% arbutin, 0.3% retinol, bakuchiol, niacinamide, licorice root extract, hyaluronic acid, and marine algae extract

Price
$72 for 30ml from Nuvane. Buying 3 saves 25% and buying 6 saves 31%.

My favorite and the best valued product in the lineup with a fantastic formula that covers all major skin concerns: fine lines, sun damage, dullness, and texture. It’s also 30ml at a very similar price point.

Despite it containing retinol, I’ve had no issues layering this on top of the 0.6% Biometric Retinol Cream. In fact I love that this gives my skin an extra dose of retinol (and SenoP3!) while still being very gentle.

As with all otc dark spot correcting products, you shouldn’t expect drastic changes quickly, but this is one of the few that actually helped fade some of my stubborn spots, which is impressive since it’s only been 5 weeks!

Marine Collagen Powder

Packaging
A plastic jar with a scoop included inside.

Texture & Flavor
A super fine powder that blends extremely well in even cold drinks. There is a noticeable taste so I would recommend blending in juice, coffee, or something strong to mask it.

Featured Ingredients
5000mg of hydrolyzed marine collagen (types I and III), 100mg of hyaluronic acid, 60mg of vitamin c

Price
$54 for 30 servings from Nuvane. Buying 3 saves 25% and buying 6 saves 29%. Or get up to 66% off when you take their personalized routine quiz and subscribe!

This is the first time I’ve seen collagen supplements included as part of a skincare regimen and I’m all for it! I personally believe in the benefits of collagen supplements, and I’m a firm believer that anti-aging requires a holistic approach.

Not all collagens are made equal though. Nuvane chose marine collagen, which is richer in type I (the type that benefits the skin) and easier to absorb ⁹, and they included vitamin c to help! Also love that they included hyaluronic acid, which when taken as supplements, can also increase skin moisture and make skin appear smoother! ¹⁰

Despite the noticeable taste, I appreciate how easy it is to blend into any drink at any temperature. Just a couple stirs and it disappears completely, no clumping at all. Definitely the easiest to blend of all the collagen powders I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot!).

While I do love the formula it’s hard to isolate how much of the results I’m seeing is due to this collagen supplement and if I’d see similar results with other brands of collagen.

Before & After

To fully test this range, I stopped all skincare devices and didn’t use anything else in my routine other than cleansers and sunscreen.

Disclaimer: I did get a MINT thread lift to address sagging and loss of firmness, neither of which I expected these products to fix in 4 weeks. According to Nuvane, I can expect to see softer and more hydrated skin and subtle improvement in texture and radiance after 4-6 weeks of using their products.

For me the most noticeable improvement was overall radiance and the fading of some dark spots. The latter shook me as I’ve been battling these spots for years (dare I say decades?) and this is the second product that actually did anything for them.

However I haven’t noticed any significant differences in texture nor hydration. I think this speaks more to the fact that my previous routine already addressed those issues, and let’s be honest, these are also fairly easy to fix imo.

Overall I’m thrilled with the results and am definitely going to make the Nuvane Regenerative Dark Spot Corrector a permanent part of my routine!

Products Demo

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A Personalized Skincare Routine

When I first browsed the Nuvane website, I thought they were another personalized skincare brand: fill out a detailed questionnaire, get custom formulated products.

Turns out what they offer is a personalized skincare routine, which imo is actually much more helpful. You still fill out a questionnaire about your current skin state and goals, then you get not only a recommendation of which products to use, but why.

The why is so important because knowledge is truly power when it comes to skincare, and even if you decide to shop for other products in the future, you can take what you’ve learned to make more informed decisions. In fact their website as a whole is just a wealth of knowledge, from clinical studies of the 3 featured peptides to the effects on sleep on skin aging (which I’ve also talked about), with references to research journals to back up their claims.

Another interesting part of the process is their use of AI. Totally optional step, but you can upload a photo of your skin and their AI will run an analysis which helps provide an even more accurate response. You also get access to a board certified dermatologist if you have any questions about your skin or routine!

Final Thoughts on Nuvane

I was actually out of the country for the majority of the time while testing Nuvane, and let me tell you, it’s never been easier to pack my skincare. Nuvane lineup + sunscreen + cleanser + makeup remover and I was ready to go!

But as someone who enjoys researching and trying new products too much to commit, I can only see myself definitely repurchasing their Regenerative Dark Spot Corrector, though I truly enjoyed using every product.

On the other hand, if you just want science-based and effective skincare without having to do hours of research and comparison, I highly encourage you to take their free quiz. Not only do you get 3 great products at a incredible price, but it can also help you better understand your skin and what it truly needs.

Or if you’ve had great results with peptides in the past and want something more potent but still not irritating, Nuvane is one of the best peptide-based skincare brands I’ve tried so far, and I hope they’ll expand their range to include more products or even supplements!