In early June, I was invited to attend the Elizabeth Arden Global Symposium in New York City (travel blogpost coming soon), where I not only had the opportunity to sit down and pick the brains of some of the beauty industry’s finest, but learned that there’s much more to the Stratum Corneum – our skin’s surface layer – than previously imagined.

During the symposium, we were introduced to Arden’s new skincare philosophy called Arden Active Skincare, whose aim (with the benefit of the brand’s extensive portfolio of skincare products) is to assist us in optimizing and actively improving our skin’s overall healthy appearance. Our skin is, after all, our body’s largest organ and while the focus of late has been on products designed to work from the inside out, Elizabeth Arden has gone back to the drawing board to look at things from another perspective: start at the beginning. Here’s where Superstart comes in, a product created to be used first in your skincare regimen (after cleansing) to set the defence perimeter up, so to speak.

This breakthrough product is marking the beginning of a whole new beauty category, one which addresses the health of the skin’s surface layer; when used before your serum or moisturizer, the ultra-light and fast-absorbing formula of Superstart Skin Renewal Booster will help provide ‘daily support to the surface layer of the skin, boost its natural defences & ability to renew itself, while ultimately optimizing the results of your entire skincare regimen‘.

Some of the key ingredients include:

• Probiotic Complex – a complex that provides the skin with complimentary pre-probiotic action that not only triggers an improvement in the appearance of the skin with a nourishing and smoothing effect, but also optimizes skin’s microflora and natural defenses
• Sea Fennel – this rare Mediterranean coastal plant with its unique ability to survive on rocks despite regular exposure to intense waves, enhances skin cell renewal and epidermal differentiation to help increase luminosity, skin smoothness, and the complexion. It also contains antioxidant properties that help to scavenge and fight off free radicals that lead to skin damage and signs of aging
• Flaxseed Extract – this plant see extract helps to reinforce skin’s barrier and encourages skin to sustain optimal lipid levels
• Glasswort Extract – derived from a coastal succulent, it helps boost skin’s natural moisturization by optimizing Aquaporins, skin’s hydrating channels, and reducing water loss within the skin

Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking that the last thing you need to add to your already overloaded skincare regimen, is yet ANOTHER step (ye GODS), and while I confess to that being my initial thought, after testing Superstart since my return from that media trip, consider me a believer. A devoted believer, in fact. Possibly even a Superstart fanatic.

And for crying out loud, it’s just one small pearl size drop I’ve added to my skincare routine, not an entire vat … doesn’t get easier than that.

I have to also add here, that upon arrival back to my hotel room after the Symposium, I was greeted with an amazing press package: the new Superstart Skin Renewal Booster, housed in a box that when opened up, began playing the latest video campaign from Elizabeth Arden featuring the new face of the brand, supermodel Karlina Caune (who’s just the nicest and most down-to-earth young woman … plus kick-ass gorgeous). How cool is that? (Yeah, I’m like a child and can be amused for hours with pretty pictures, lol)

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

With Karlina Caune, the new face of Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

Superstart Skin Renewal Booster (CAN $88.00) | Housed in a futuristic-looking slim silver bottle with gold banding & lettering that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, the product is dispensed from a nozzle in front, and locks securely closed via a toggle switch on the back. The milky fluid is of a medium consistency that feels initially cool to the touch (a sensation that quickly dissipates), spreads effortlessly and becomes fully absorbed into the skin within seconds, leaving absolutely no filmy feeling behind. Superstart does contain fragrance – a fresh, green-floral scent that I personally find very pleasing – but worth noting for those with sensitivities. Application is very easy: I dispense one pearl-size drop (1 pump) onto my fingertips and then place my other hand on top to spread the product out; using a ‘press/pat’ motion, I apply it to my entire face, with any leftover going to the neck and earlobes, then lightly smoothening it all into my skin.

As much as I adore colour cosmetics, the past few years have seen my obsession with skincare on a meteoric rise – most likely induced by the fact that I myself am getting older (duh) and understand that the better care I take of my skin, the bigger the rewards (i.e.: smoother skin, which translates into more youthful-looking skin, which means I’ll need less makeup to look good, which means my makeup will look better, in general. Win-Win). When I was at the Symposium learning about Superstart, I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first; apart from the fact that using this meant adding an extra product to my daily/nightly skincare routine, why would I need it anyway? Wasn’t my regular regimen enough?

The answer, surprisingly, was no. The concept is interesting: think of the stratum corneum as a brick wall; cells filled with proteins (the ‘bricks’) are embedded in essential lips (the ‘mortar’). The extracts found in Superstart act as a support system to help bolster and reinforce the integrity of this all-important surface layer, or ‘brick wall’, and when skin has a healthy stratum corneum, it can better protect itself from the environment, toxins and irritants. In other words, you’re basically letting your skin do the work for you. How’s that for a lazy girl’s guide to better skin? Of course, Superstart is designed to be the first line of defense – you shouldn’t skip the rest of your regimen.

Within just a few days of consistent application of Superstart, I noticed a difference; my skin did in fact feel smoother, which resulted in a more even-toned overall appearance, with the other benefit being that I in turn then needed less of my skincare products to do the same job as before, all of which then translates to getting more for my money’s worth in general … along with the supreme perk of gorgeous skin. Not bad for 1 pearl sized drop, huh? Another bonus? Superstart works with all other skincare brands/regimens, making it a simple and welcome addition to whatever it is you’re currently using.

Verdict: after 2 entire months of twice-daily use (and the bottle is still not showing signs of being empty), I love the effect Superstart has had on my skin and will definitely continue to use it. Just try and take it away from me.

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster (dispenser nozzle)

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster (safety toggle closure)

Elizabeth Arden | Superstart Skin Renewal Booster (ingredients list)

Elizabeth Arden continues to be a pioneer in the area of skincare innovation, and first out of the gate with this latest breakthrough, is Superstart. Seems almost too simple to be true, right? Or, better still, why hasn’t anyone thought of this before? I mean, doesn’t it stand to reason that if we help our surface layer of skin to protect itself, it will enable us to better manage the rest? Imagine that … the poor stratum corneum – so obvious, and yet so overlooked. But never fear, Superstart‘s got your back. And front.

Available beginning of September in department stores nationwide (Canada) and on ElizabethArden.com