Review: MiamiMD – Age Defying Lift & Firm Cream (For Neck & Face)

Where to purchase: Available at the Miami MD Website: LINK – (Use Code MSR20 – for 20% off Sitewide)

Price: £69 (or £55.2 with the discount)

Volume: 50ml

Made in: The USA.

What is it?: A well-ageing cream meant to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (i.e. helps with elasticity and volume).

What does it do?: This is meant to brighten the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles (plump up the skin), help with scar healing, reduce skin irritation, hydrate and moisturise the skin.

Supposedly Good for: All skin types (especially dull, ageing and sensitive skin).

What I think: I would agree. I think even Oily-Combination Skins could use this cream, as it’s not greasy.

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

Eu-Allergen Suitable?: Yes.

Malassezia suitable: No.

How long does it last after opening?: About 12 months after opening. 

pH: 4.00 – 5.00

Packaging: Glass jar with a screw-top lid. This also came with a hygiene tab which is great (no spatula).

Directions: Massage a quarter size amount of product onto the skin until fully absorbed. This is best applied in the last step of one’s routine x2 a day (From the Website).

How I use it: I apply as instructed. Due to the lightweight texture of this cream, I am able to use this in the AM and even before working out.

Does this sting the eyes?: No.

Does this turn milky if sweating?: No.

What are the well-ageing peptides?: 1. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll): A tripeptide that claims to boost collagen and improve skin texture (like pore size). (References: LINK / LINK).

2. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) 0.5%: This has some ability to smooth out wrinkles (in the short term), so think of it like a quick fix for the day ahead. It pairs well with other collagen stimulants which are below. (References: LINK / LINK).

3. Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 (Progeline) 0.5%: This inhibits the production of a protein that aids in cell-ageing (Progerin), thereby reducing skin-sagging, helping with elasticity and firmness (Reference: LINK / LINK)

4. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 aka Matrixyl 3000 (0.5%): A famous Peptide that’s meant to help stimulate collagen in the skin, therefore reducing wrinkles, improving skin elasticity and helping with the skin’s overall texture (References: LINK / LINK).

Other Key Ingredients: Phytosphingosine (Anti-bacterial + Anti-inflammatory) / Sodium Hyaluronate (Hydrating) / Ceramide NP + Cholesterol + Ceramide EOP (Emollients that provide moisture and skin-barrier reinforcement).

Full Ingredients: Water, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Triethanolamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Diethanolamine, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Tocopherol, Propylparaben, Hexylene Glycol, Dextran, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This has a lightweight, comfortable and wearable balm-like texture that at first, I thought would be quite thick, but no. It spreads very far and easily and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving an oily residue. It feels like a lightweight silicone cream but without the product balling up, and it still feels both hydrating and moisturising on the skin. This immediately gives a sort of cooling effect when massaging onto the skin and leaving it to absorb. See swatch video below.

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: No.

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see, this is a translucent gel-cream that looks and feels smooth when spread along the skin.

Swatch Comparison: No Product (Right) VS Product (Left)

Hopefully you can see the lightweight texture of this cream. It feels somewhat cooling when applied, and almost watery once rubbed in (aka it’s hydrating) and you can see how lightweight it is.

Does this sting the eyes?: No.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No.

Summer or Winter?: This could be used all-year round, with Oily-Combination Skins being able to use this in the Summer (PM) and in the Winter (AM + PM).

Layerable?: Yes.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is almost a gel cream. It has some silicone undertones, but it keeps this product lightweight and fast-absorbing. You can see it’s not sticky or tacky and isn’t oily (my oily-combo skin can wear this).

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free (very slight chemical-scent, but not off-putting).

Good Under Makeup?: Yes.

How long have I been using this?: 3 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another 2 Months (I use this almost daily).

The Effect?: Immediately; soothed and moisturised skin. Long term: A slight reduction in the appearance of fine lines and an improvement in the skin’s texture (and look). Overall: Hydrated, Moisturised and more well-kept skin (This did not worsen my skin’s condition). I am not in the age demographic to see noticeable results in deep wrinkles. However, I personally love to use well-ageing peptides as a preventative, and a supplement to Retinol, to help reduce and slow down skin-ageing.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Lightweight
• Fast absorbing
• Did not sting or irritate my skin
• Inclusion of numerous well-ageing ingredients (great supplement to a well-ageing routine)
• Moisturising
• Not sticky
• Not greasy

What I don’t like:

• Quite pricey (but the discount should help)
• Slight chemical scent (but not off-putting)
• No huge effect on prominent wrinkles. However, I cannot say for those with more mature skins i.e. In the 40-50yr range. (But this is a helpful add-on in helping to reduce the look of them i.e. as a supplement)

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9 (nearly 4) /5 – A genuinely comfortable, peptide moisturising cream that suited my Oily-combination skin just fine. I appreciate that it wasn’t sticky or tacky and also didn’t irritate my skin, even when sensitised (so I can comfortably use this almost daily). I appreciate the added well-ageing ingredients and it makes this cream a great addition to a well-ageing routine, which would include Retinoids, Vitamin C and/or Copper Peptides (as a bonus).

Dupe?: The Aveeno Oat Soothing Gel Moisturiser is very similar in the texture, weight and absorption time of this cream! Although it does not contain the well-ageing peptides and is aimed at sensitised skins (Swatches + Review HERE).

• The Beautystat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream is also very similar in texture. However, like the Aveeno; it does not contain well-ageing peptides.

• In terms of a cocktail of well-ageing peptides, the Inkey list Peptide Moisturiser (Swatches + Review HERE) contains a few, but not as many as the MiamiMD Cream. Also, this cream is very thick (better suited for Normal-Dry Skins).

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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