We Tried Lyma’s New Power Youth Duo – Here’s Our Report

When the company behind the ground-breaking Lyma Laser, favoured by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Carey Mulligan, launches a new skincare range, the beauty industry sits up and takes notice. British longevity and wellness brand Lyma is at pains to point out that its skincare system did not originate in a beauty lab, however. Rather, it was conceived in an operating theatre, involving years of research by a global network of plastic surgeons, geneticists and longevity scientists. The brief? To create the first skincare system designed to intervene across the five mechanisms of skin ageing, simultaneously.

In contrast, other premium products generally address one, perhaps two axes along which skin visibly ages. Lyma is calling its patented technology the difference between a moisturiser and a re-engineering system, launching with two hero formulations. And boy, do they pack a punch. The Power Youth Serum delivers next-gen hyaluronic systems, a dual-peptide complex, microalgae-derived, exosome-inspired technology and probiotic proteins for plumping and hydration. The Power Youth Cream combines eight hard-working actives, along with hyaluronic acids and expression-line peptides, to nourish and protect the skin’s moisture barrier.

As someone who admits to suffering from all five ageing markers, Juliet Herd was more than keen to put this category-defining epigenetic skincare regime to the test.

C&TH Beauty Lab: Lyma Power Youth Duo (Serum & Cream)

The Product

The first thing you notice about this science-led power duo is how decadently stylish it is. Both the serum and cream come encased in handsome hammered copper bottles, which also happen to be refillable. You’ll want to display these beauties on your dressing table, alongside your most fancy fragrances. But don’t be fooled; they’re more than just pretty vessels. As the first formulation bio-engineered with an 80:20 ratio of active ingredients to water, you can expect to see notable improvement in skin hydration, firmness and elasticity, and a reduction in redness within 28 days.

Powered by Genolytic™ technology, both the serum and cream are designed to work together to directly interrupt the biological ageing loop, where one deficiency triggers another. The serum is built around two hyaluronic systems that flood the skin across multiple depths, plumping fine lines and stopping moisture loss. These operate alongside a dual-peptide complex and antioxidant actives. The result is a calmer, more even-looking complexion, increased elasticity and strengthened skin barrier. The cream pairs bio-mimetic lipids with peptides, multi-weight hyaluronic acid and probiotic proteins to enable the dermis to hold on to water naturally and super hydrate the skin. For best results, the B Corp certified company recommends combining the duo with its Lyma Laser or Lyma Laser Pro, clinical-grade, at-home devices for targeting pigmentation and skin laxity at a cellular level.

The Clinical Bit

It’s worth noting that the serum and cream are specifically formulated to work together exclusively. In an independent clinical study of 30 women aged 35-65, using both products together increased skin hydration by up to 71 percent over 28 days, measured by Corneometer. The same study found that the skin barrier improved by up to 49.7 percent over 28 days, measured as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) by Tewameter. Skin elasticity was boosted by up to 50.2 percent, measured by Cutometer, while the appearance of redness was reduced by up to 44.9 percent over 28 days. A total of 91 percent saw an improved-looking barrier and 85 percent felt more hydrated within 25 hours. In a consumer study of 30 women, 100 percent agreed the serum and cream together visibly improved their skin; 97 percent found their skin felt more hydrated, smoother and more even in tone, and 97 percent agreed their skin looked brighter and more radiant after 28 days.

The Test Drive

I’m a big fan of any skincare that attempts to reverse ageing from the inside out (and the outside in), and according to John Bell & Croydon, Lyma skincare sets a new standard in anti-ageing potential. What I instantly liked about this twice-daily system was its simplified routine: the strict two-step protocol meant there was no need to juggle multiple complex acids, retinols or vitamin C layers. Double cleansing is recommended before applying the serum – massaging just a couple of pumps into my skin was sufficient to give even coverage across the face and neck. Silky and fast absorbing, it proved the perfect base for the cream, which I found to be slightly sticky and almost too rich, particularly during our seemingly never-ending summer heatwaves. Although I didn’t experience a white film forming, this can occur with some skin types, and is a sign, apparently, that the formula is working its magic. As advised, I allowed the cream to penetrate my skin for a full minute before adding SPF. My sun tan might have had something to do with it, but I suddenly found myself fielding compliments about my dewy, extra smooth complexion. My daughter even asked if I’d had any work done. I particularly noticed a softening of fine lines and dark circles around my eyes, and my skin felt bouncier and more hydrated.

The Verdict

Unsurprisingly, this next-level skincare re-engineering system doesn’t come cheap. At £390 for the starter kit duo, including the refillable bottles, think of it as an investment in your future skin health. You can also take advantage of savings if you subscribe. Due to the high potency actives, including peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and, in the cream, retinyl palmitate, the scent-free products are not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Both are suitable for all skin types, although given that the serum is slightly more active, a patch test is advisable. I, for one, am excited to see what the pioneering brand comes up with next.

SHOP

Lyma Power Youth Duo (Serum + Cream), both 50ml, including refillable copper bottles, £390. lyma.life