Afirm Review

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Overview

Afirm is one of the TxSystems anti-aging skin care lines offered by CCI Pharmacy. This company was founded in 1994, and focuses on the international distribution of US-based pharmaceutical products. CCI provides a wide range of products that go far beyond skin care and cosmetics. TxSystems appears to be the brand that focuses on the skin care market, and more specifically, those looking for anti-aging benefits. Afirm is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and create smoother, firmer skin. The product also claims to be non-irritating and comes in three different strengths to accommodate every skin type.

The Afirm line is available through a number of online retailers at the time of this review. Unfortunately, we were unable to find customer testimonials or money back guarantee policies for this product. This is a concern to us, because we believe this information is essential to allow consumers to shop with confidence for their skin care needs. We were pleased to find that many online retailers do make the complete ingredient list for the Afirm products readily available, since this is also essential information that will alert consumers to the effectiveness and safety of a product.

Product Details

According to many online retailers that offer the Afirm products for sale, ingredients include Purified Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerin, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Retinol (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Cyclomethicone, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Stearic Acid, Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine.

Retinol is the primary active ingredient used in the Afirm products. The difference in strength of each formula is based on the amount of retinol that is included. The 1x Afirm contains .15% retinol, and is designed for use on sensitive skin and around the eyes and upper lip. The 2x Afirm, for normal skin, contains .30% retinol and the 3x Afirm, for "more tolerant" skin contains .6% retinol. While we agree that retinol, which is a type of vitamin A, can be beneficial to the skin, we are highly skeptical that this ingredient alone will reduce the visible signs of aging. We prefer ingredients like argireline, matrixyl and hyaluronic acid that have been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in numerous clinical studies. None of these ingredients are included in the Afirm formula.

The Good

  • The Afirm products are readily available for a reasonable price.

The Bad

  • We were unable to find any proven anti-wrinkle ingredients in the Afirm formula.
  • We did not locate customer testimonials or a money back guarantee on the products.

The Bottom Line

While we appreciate that the Afirm products offer a variety of strengths for different skin types, we do not believe that the ingredients included will be the most effective in reducing visible signs of aging. We believe that there are effective formulas with proven ingredients that will offer consumers a much better value for their anti-aging dollar.

Our Top Pick For 2009:  Dermapril-SP

Dermapril-SP was rated the best-in-class performer, with a cutting-edge formula and results visible immediately after use. Matrixyl 3000™, the primary active ingredient in Dermapril-SP, is backed by clinical research that showed reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles of as much as 33% after two months of use. Additionally, the formula contains the European miracle ingredient Argatensyl™, which creates an immediate tightening effect on applied areas, making results visible within minutes of use.

The treatment helps the skin regain a more youthful biochemical makeup by supporting the natural production of three building blocks – Collagen, Fibronectin and Hyaluronic Acid. The result is a rapid rejuvenation, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and other cosmetic signs of age caused by sun exposure, smoking, stress, and other common factors.

In clinical trials, Matrixyl 3000™ decreased the appearance of wrinkles by as much as 33% over a six week period. With the immediate tightening benefits of Argatensyl™, this formula has a completely unique combination of short-term cosmetic results as well as sustained, cumulative benefits to the skin. Common reported results include smoothing and firming; softer skin; diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and healthier looking, glowing skin. Based on the high cost and quality of the ingredients, Dermapril-SP is reasonably priced. Customer satisfaction seems high and Dermapril-SP offers a risk-free trial, so users can evaluate the product prior to paying the full retail price.

>>Read more about Dermapril