I’ve finally found something cooler than the other side of the pillow, and it’s Kate Somerville Tight’N Cryogenic Tightening Gel.
And it literally might be the coolest thing I’ve ever used, ever, because it’s like sticking your face into an industrial strength freezer… But it’s also $125, and I’m still deciding whether it’s a necessary step, or one of those skip-able skin care bells and whistles.
Like carrot cake, this new skin tightening foam is weird and wonderful at the same time. You’re supposed to use it as the last step in your skin care routine, both in the morning and at night.
When you push the pump, a white fluffy foam shoots out, which then starts crackling loudly, like crinkling paper or a bowl of Rice Crispies when you pour milk into it.
You apply it with your fingers to your face and neck, avoiding your eyes, nose and mouth.
That’s when the cooling begins, and you feel your skin getting colder and colder and colder…
It’s not painful or anything, but it feels *cold*, and numbing, like somebody’s rubbing ice cubes on your face after the dentist injected you with Novocaine.
And your skin stays like that — really, really cold — for a long time. Thirty minutes or so. It’s fascinating! And so, so, weird.
Ultimately, Tight’N is supposed to do what putting your hair into a severe high ponytail does. It temporarily tightens your skin and makes it look and feel firmer, more lifted and youthful.
It contains glycoproteins, which are proteins with sugars attached, that hang out on the outside, and around the membranes, of the cells.
I’ve been seeing glycoproteins pop up here and there in skin care products lately, but I’ve yet to find any big studies that actually support the claims that they do what skin care brands say they do.
Ingredients
Tetrafluoropropene, Water/Aqua/Eau, Alcohol Denat, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Adenosine, Inositol, Panthenol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Salicylic Acid, Isododecane, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Dimethicone, Pullulan, Betaine, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Coco-Caprylate/ Caprate, Hydroxyethylcellulose/Phosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool.
Anywho, I don’t notice any permanent tightening or lifting after the cold wears off, but I wish I did, because it would be nice to see 35-year-old Karen in the mirror again (I miss her).
One thing I do really like about this is the way my makeup sits on top of my skin after I use it. When you first apply the foam, it feels gooey and sticky, but it dries smooth, like a lightweight primer. Foundations, tinted moisturizers and concealers gracefully glide on top of it. So, this can basically work as a makeup primer, too.
For $125, it doesn’t have enough of an anti-aging lifting kick for me, but it sure feels damn good. I think it’s one of those products that you have to try at least once — like if you see it at Sephora — just to experience it.
If you’re the ultimate “more is more!” skin care junkie when it comes to adding steps to your routine, you might want to splurge. For me, I think it’s cool (like, literally!), but perhaps unnecessary.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!!!!!! 🙂
I’m going to be a real “Negative Nancy”. This is all about marketing and consumer gullibility. The product is just a new take on the old standby of submerging your face in ice water or applying cold compresses. Athletes, dancers, medical professional, estheticians, as well as beauty mavens from around the world all know the wonders of cold therapy when it comes to reducing inflammation and swelling which then causes the skin to look more refined and features to look more sculpted. The question is whether or not you need to spend $125 for a product to achieve that effect. Short answer: No.
Does the product do what it claims to do—temporarily tighten the skin? Yes, according to your review. Is it worth spending that much money to achieve an effect that can just as easily be achieved by less costly means? For me, the answer is No. The effect is only temporary and will vary in how long it lasts depending on things like how warm/hot the weather is, your level of physical activity, whether or not you’re drinking alcoholic beverages, etc.—things that increase blood flow. If you want something for a couple hours of smooth beauty (let’s say a special photo session of some kind), you don’t want to dunk your face in a sink full of ice water (lol), and price is not a factor, this would probably work for you. If you’re looking for something long term or anti-aging, forget about it!
I could go on and on about products like this because they’ve been around forever. They never last because most consumers quickly realize the upkeep is simply too much trouble and inconvenience.
Well said, Eileen! I immediately knew that this was a gimmick as well. This might be something nice to use during the hot summer months, but $125 is a steep price to pay when, as you mentioned, there are a myriad other ways to achieve the same effect.
Also, I just wanted to say a big friendly hello to you, since it’s been a while since I’ve seen your posts (haven’t been online quite as much as I used to be). I recognize your name and writing style from other sites and always loved your input!
Hi Christina,
And a big friendly “Hi!” right back at you ? I know what you mean about the time factor. Sometimes there are just too many other things to do besides reading blogs. Anyway, happy holidays!
This is one of the reasons why I love doing MBB so much — people making friends in the comments. 🙂
Eileen, you’re making me want to plunge my face into a sink full of ice water now.
At the risk of dating myself (lol), that’s what Paul Newman credited for his beautiful complexion and even we’ll into his golden years, he was one handsome man. He said he did it every single day. Was it the ice water or good genes? I suspect it was the genes ?
I couldn’t agree more. Really expensive and only exciting for the “newness” factor, yet I bet you’ll see reviews on other, less reliable sites than Karens pop up and try to sell it as the next big thing you can’t live without.
It does seem gimmick-y 🙁
Sounds fun to try, but if the effect doesn’t last that long I can’t see myself shelling out the $125 for it!
Blush & Pearls by Angela
Oh this actually sounds very interesting! The cold might help to calm my swollen under-eye area! I’m gonna ask them for a sample since $125 isn’t exactly cheap lol! BTW: You won’t believe it, but we had snow last weekend! It stayed for 2 days and then it was gone! So sorry for not coming over! Christmas is getting me and stealing my time! ??
Hi Sissi,
The foam probably won’t stay foamy in a sample jar so you’ll have to try it in stores. I believe you can put it on top of your makeup, too.
Oh wow, snow! Do you think there will be more? The weather has been nuts here in Northern California. Warm and dry, which is unusual for this time of year.
Happy Friday!
Hmm, so in plain english the ingredient list in order is refrigerant/ accelerator agent for foam or aerosol applications, water, and alcohol. While I would sometimes like a cooling feeling, not sure I want to put a gas used in automobile a/c systems on my face. Alcohol is a no-go for me, as well as lavender oil which is listed further down.
The idea sounds interesting, if fleeting and temporary.
Hi Tatiana,
It’s interesting and unlike anything I’ve ever seen, I’ll give it that. Off to go dunk my face into a sink full of ice cubes now…
There are also medical grade refrigerants that are sprayed on to numb an area before doing very minor surgery, etc. I remember my mom (she was an RN) spraying my earlobes before piercing them because back in the day (1940’s) we didn’t have those awesome piercing guns. She sprayed a lobe and frosty actually appeared. Then she pushed a large needle through. I suspect the product by KS uses a chemical approved for use on skin.
Hmm I would like to try this just to experience it but definitely won’t be purchasing! In non-fancy lady things news, Old Navy is having an awesome sale right now, FYI! I did get some Christmas gifts at an adjacent store, in my defense!
I never got those cat pajamas. 🙁 Please tell me you picked up a pair!
Yes I did, plus another black and white plaid pair because they are all $5 right now! My store had plenty of colors/sizes left too.
Oh, this is such a giant no for me. It’s been very cold here and I couldn’t bear the thought of putting something icy on my face. Now, if it heated for 30 minutes (and had some anti-aging benefit), I’d be all over it. HAHA! Seriously, though, it was like -5 F yesterday when we were driving home. I’m practically lying on my space heater at work. 🙂
I didn’t even think about that… Who would want to put something cold on their face in middle of winter? LOL
You know Karen, as I get older I keep thinking I want that tight skin again, I wouldn’t mind seeing 35 year old Cheryl in the mirror either! Lol! However I’m thinking, (although I don’t even know how much a shot of botox is) BUT, $125- here $70- there another $90- again. I began to think that getting botox in just the places that I really need them to look like I’m 35 would be much more cheaper in the long run. Don’t you think so, or am I just being an idiot?
I was thinking of Tight Eyes and Tight Lips Serum but what do you think about botox? I do NOT want it to look fake, so I would need to find a great plastic surgeon who knows what they are doing and to see if I can even afford it.
I love your Blog and have been reading it for years. I’m 52 but am going to be 53 in March (on. St. Pats Day). However, I am told that I look much younger than I am (thank you Mom & Dad). This is the first time I ever commented on a blog. Go figure.
All My Best & Happy Holidays!!!!
XOXO,
Cheryl <3
You know Karen, as I get older I keep thinking I want that tight skin again, I wouldn’t mind seeing 35 year old Cheryl in the mirror either! Lol! However I’m thinking, (although I don’t even know how much a shot of botox is) BUT, $125- here $70- there another $90- again. I began to think that getting botox in just the places that I really need them to look like I’m 35 would be much more cheaper in the long run. Don’t you think so, or am I just being an idiot?
I was thinking of Tight Eyes and Tight Lips Serum but what do you think about botox? I do NOT want it to look fake, so I would need to find a great plastic surgeon who knows what they are doing and to see if I can even afford it.
I love your Blog and have been reading it for years. I’m 52 but am going to be 53 in March (on. St. Pats Day). However, I am told that I look much younger than I am (thank you Mom & Dad). This is the first time I ever commented on a blog. Go figure.
All My Best & Happy Holidays!!!!
XOXO,
Cheryl Lanner