I am very excited to share the results of my Somme Institute 5-step Skincare regime with you.
First off to give you an idea of how much I loved these products I will let you know that I finished the bottles. I used up every last drop. This speaks volumes as normally, with a backlog of skincare items to review, I usually only test out a product for a period of about 3-4 weeks. Long enough to determine whether I am seeing benefits from the products or not. Typically, regardless of whether I am happy with the products and their results or not, I move on to the next product as soon as I can eager to find my miracle product. Now while I won’t deem the Somme Institute products my “miracle” products just yet I was extremely happy with them.
Let me introduce you to the primary active in their products MDT5®:
What IS Molecular Dispersion Technology 5® (MDT5®)?
Proprietary breakthrough MDT5® allows 5 highly engineered essential vitamins (A, B3, B5, C and E) to penetrate the inner skin layers in their active forms at high concentrations. These free-radical fighting vitamins are bound in a scientific matrix of polypeptides that target specific skin cell receptors permitting Somme Institute to benefit the skin by:
- Diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Eliminating blemishes and helping prevent their occurrence
- Repairing skin’s past UV and environmental damage that appears as premature aging
- Visibly lightening discoloration
Improving skin’s tone, texture and clarity
The Somme Institute 5-step regimen and targeted treatment products, travel regimes and luxurious and efficacious spa treatment protocols all credit patented MDT5® as the primary active.
I tested out the full 5 step regime and used it exclusively (with the addition of an eye cream) for several months. The 5 steps/products are:
- Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser: A non-foaming cleanser containing patented MDT5®. Deep cleans skin without irritation or over-drying and dissolves dirt and oils without clogging pores. $40
- Step 2: Transport: Soft cotton pads infused with MDT5® and AHA exfoliate dead cells on the skin’s surface, unclogging blocked pores while delivering highly-engineered vitamins thus improving resiliency, hydration and encouraging cell renewal. $58
- Step 3: Serum: advanced technology that combines a potent, stabilized form of Vitamin C along with a high concentration of MDT5® to strengthen skin elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines. $82
- Step 4: A-Bomb: a lightweight cream containing MDT5® and high levels of Vitamins A & E help soften fine lines and wrinkles while targeting problem areas. $70
- Step 5: Double Defense (SPF 30+): lightweight, water-resistant lotion with SPF 30+ and Parsol 1789 to help protect your skin from premature aging while locking in vital moisture. $48
I wanted to show you pics of the products to give you an idea of consistency, colour, etc. but I ended up using them right up before I ever got around to taking photos!
Somme Institute suggests using the full 5 step program to ensure maintaining the healthy pH balance of your skin. If the full lineup is not within your budget I would suggest skipping the Nourishing Cleanser and Double Defense. I am a proponent of gentle cream cleansers but I am happy using Cetaphil or CereVe cream cleansers in place of the Somme version now that I have run out. The Double Defense daily moisturizer with SPF 30+ is a lovely moisturizer and I had great success using it for the months of testing but it is a touch on the greasy side which I know can be a turnoff to a lot of people. I continued to use it though and found it still performed really well under makeup.
The three core products in the line are exceptional and I do recommend trying all three. I have already re-ordered the Transport pads as I have determined I can not live without them. I don’t experience much in the way of breakouts but I do frequently have small pimples on my chin and nose area. Usually there is always something there of some sort and I periodically experience larger eruptions on my chin. I had zero, yes ZERO, breakouts while using the Somme Institute products. I am thinking the Transport pads are most likely primarily responsible for that but I can’t be sure. I also have red, somewhat dry patches of skin on my chin and around my nose and into my one smile line. I believe this is some sort of eczema as it is always contained to the same areas. After using the Somme products this cleared up. Now that I have run out of the products and have moved on to other skincare for several weeks these patches have re-appeared much to my dismay. I am hoping once I receive the new Transport pads I can banish them once again! I also experience a reduction in clogged pores. I was hoping I would see an elimination of the clogged pores and a reduction in pore size but I believe with continued use I would have continued to see improvement in this area.
The serum is a clear, somewhat sticky, fast drying serum. I was very unsure about even testing out the serum as it contained alcohol quite high up on the list of ingredients and I have always been careful to avoid alcohol in my skincare as I suffer from dry and dehydrated skin. I contacted my rep at Somme and she was kind enough to really look into my concerns about alcohol in the serum and my inquiries as to why it was included. She obtained the following information for me which I will pass on to you in case any of you experience the same concerns as I had:
Our lead researcher and founder, Simon Erani, just gave me some more information to pass along to you:
The alcohol we are using is infused with our patented MDT5 technology and vitamins which neutralize any of the drying or harsh properties that it could potentially have on the skin. In fact, many of the before and after images that you see on our website show a complete reversal of the dry and “leathery” sun-damaged skin. From those photos, you can see that the skin has a much softer texture, is dewy with a visible new clarity, as opposed to regular alcohol that is used in many other skin care products on the market.
I suppose you could read that statement and be tempted to say “oh baloney” but I will confirm that I used the serum twice daily for months and the condition of my skin continually improved. I experience dno increase in dryness of my skin but rather an increase in suppleness.
The A-Bomb cream was one of my favourite products. I was continually amazed at how far just a little bit of this product seemed to go. It just spread on so well. My little jar just seemed to go on and on. I was in love with the light citrusy scent and it did a wonderful job of hydrating and protecting my skin. I am regretting not ordering a replacement for this as well when I placed my Hautelook order for the Transport Pads. Really I wish I had reordered all 3 core products but I was trying to be frugal knowing I had more products awaiting testing for review.
Here is a before (left) and after (right) photo for you but I don’t feel it does the products any justice. Sorry! After using the full regime my skin was clearer, more radiant, less crepey, discolourations faded a bit. The only reason I won’t deem this holy grail yet is that I feel I still need something to address the more aggressive signs of aging like my deeper lines. I think using this system in conjunction with an additional anti-aging product may be the solution. I’m just still waiting to find something that actually makes a difference with my deeper lines!
OK I think I have been long winded enough for one review! I am sorry this has been so long but in all honesty I still feel there is so much I am leaving out! For more detailed information on the products I encourage you to visit http://www.sommeinstitute.com.
Somme Institute products are available through their website to US residents. It is also available at Nordstrom, Skinstore.com, Beautybar.com, Beauty.com, and Ariva.com.
Products sent for my consideration. All reviews are always my own honest and unbiased opinions.
I’ve been waiting for your review, even though I knew you liked it. I’ve been using this since October and I continue to buy more as needed. I love this line and even if I stop to test something else I constantly come back to it. I’m so glad you like it as much as I do.
Wow, this is so timely– I was literally JUST doing research to find out more about Somme this morning!!! I have been so curious about this line– particularly since my HG skincare line (Sunday Riley) is being reformulated- so it will no longer be the same line that I have used for so long. Now that I am in the market to find the next best thing for my skin- you have addressed one of the lines on my radar!! THANK YOU!!!!!!
I have been lusting after the complete Somme Institute skincare system for quite a while now…to hear that it works so well–arrrghgh I want it!!! Especially that serum (I’m absolutely obsessed with antioxidant serums!)