Fab Find of the Week: And Begin Serum-in-a-Cream
Admission: we’re spoilt product-wise. That means wonderful (sometimes not so) skincare is gifted to us all the time. So it’s a real testament that Sarah, after trialing this nightly skin treatment for four weeks, was so impressed by the noticeable improvements – plumper, smoother, brighter skin – that she would happily to dig into her beauty piggybank for more. (In fact, full transparency, she was lucky enough to be sent another batch.)
Sarah says: ‘I can’t remember my skin ever looking so good so quickly; I used the second batch after a horrible virus when my face was dull, drawn and lifeless looking. Very, very not a good look. This really did work a small miracle; within a few days my skin was glowing and visibly plumper.’
The somewhat curiously named prescription brand, founded by the dermatologists behind Skin + Me, is targeted at midlife plus skin. In other words, women who are noticing drier, duller, less smooth and less firm complexions, prone to lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. Ring a bell? Yep, most women we know.
As we said, the Serum-in-a-Cream is a personalised prescription formulation so the first thing is to fill in an online consultation and then upload four make-up free photos. Then, according to the brand, ‘Your designated And Begin prescriber works to develop your personalised Serum-in-a-Cream’, which should be with you inside a week. (We can practically see the beauty elves beavering away…)
Each 18ml ‘dose’ provides four weeks supply, enough for the recommended three to four pumps a night for face and neck. If you need, you can tweak your monthly prescription online to reflect your skin’s needs and shifts such as the effect of hormonal flurries around menopause.
So what’s in this award-winning product, which you can follow on Instagram @andbeginexperts? The core prescription ingredients are different strengths of tretinoin, a potent vitamin A derivative only available on prescription. ‘Evidence supports its efficacy in tackling multiples aspects of midlife skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation,’ according to consultant dermatologist Dr. Malvina Cunningham, a longtime member of team And Begin. Multi-tasking azelaic acid reduces the brown patches of pigmentation, regulates the melanin production that causes them, and increases cell turnover.
Those two frontline warriors are supported by a phalanx of well-proven cosmeceutical actives, including peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, plus a soothing hydrating blend of calming nutrients and plant extracts.
A huge bonus is that this is super simple beauty. Once you’ve cleansed your face and patted dry (and yes, there’s an And Begin cleanser too), just stroke the Serum-in-a-Cream, avoiding eyes and lips. We strongly advise reading the Patient Information Leaflet. And please – pretty please – do use an SPF30 (minimum) in the daytime because of the tretinoin; there’s a matching Moisturiser-in-an-SPF50 by the brand, should you wish to know.
And Begin Serum-in-a-Cream /£29.99 for 18ml monthly subscription, £49.99 one-off purchase - buy here
