Review: Philosophy Time in a Bottle

I've been wanting to pay more attention to my skin for awhile. When I was pregnant with my son five years ago, I was very sensitive to scents, as most women are. They didn't necessarily make me nauseated. Some did, but some scents just gave me a headache or feel itchy and flared up my allergies. I used to be able to use any and all types of cosmetics and creams. All of a sudden, that ended. I was sensitive to fragrances, animal smells, and my moisturizer and hair spray!(Please notice below that I've bolded the ingredients from this product in bold if they are also on the Avoid These list.

I ended up not using any moisturizer on any part of
my body for five years. The only thing that worked was a humidifier. Anyone who has been pregnant knows that your body is working so hard and that dry skin becomes a problem during this time. This is also a time when a lot of women get a bloody nose while

sleeping. At this time, you tend to slather on any and all moisturizers. I had to do something to alleviate my cracking skin and the uncomfortable dryness.

So it's been five years, two kids and I haven't been washing my face in the morning and I haven't been using moisturizer. I know, weird. Even when I was 13 I used a moisturizer. It's the one thing I always did. Wash, tone, moisturize. But here I am. Looking at my skin through the eyes of a 41 year old woman and thinking, "Oh I really let myself go!" I needed some real help. Philosophy's Time in a Bottle is one of the first things I tried.

According to the product information:
Time in a Bottle daily age-defying serum helps defy the appearance of all major signs of aging with a breakthrough dna renewal complex and high-potency vitamin c8 activator. The packaging shows a side by side view of before and after results.
*clinical study, 120 women, ages 25-55, once daily use. measurement of aging not yet visible on the surface using cross-polarized light to reveal sub-surface signs of aging in the epidermal layer.

Features and Benefits:

• transforms your skin inside and out at any age by targeting the source of aging: your skin's dna
• helps skin appear radiant, poreless, even, wrinkle-free, smooth and firm
• fresh-pour system triggers the highest level of activity and potency by mixing the serum and activator prior to first use

My Usage and Rating: ★★★★☆

I did not have to mix the contents for this sample of product. If you purchased the full size, you would mix the two liquids and must use it within a certain amount of time. 

I applied this at night after my evening shower for several nights in a row, about 10 days. I saw visible results. I really liked the product because I saw a smoother texture, looked better rested and saw that other products were proving more effective as well. I can honestly say I look much younger.

This is exactly what I was looking for. One of the problems with this product is that it lists some ingredients that are on my MAY-POSSIBLY-CAUSE-IRRITATION list. See below for the ingredients list. (I have marked in bold the offensive items)  So overall I would give this a Rating of 4 stars for myself. If you are especially sensitive then this might not be for you. I did not have a real problem with it, but I have since found some other items that I like just as well. The other problem with this product is the price point. It's about $74. For me this is a deal breaker. For some of my friends, it isn't. For this mom of two on a budget, this wasn't something I could get used to.

Suggested Usage:

-Prior to first use, pour the entire vial of high-potency vitamin c8 activator into the serum, and fasten pump to the bottle. 
-Shake well for 20 seconds. The serum will turn light pink, indicating it is ready to begin transforming your skin. 
-Use morning and/or evening by applying to clean, dry skin. 
-Follow with moisturizer, if needed. 
-Use within three months after mixing for best results. 

Ingredients:

serum: aqua/water/eau, dimethicone, alcohol denat., bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethylsilane, cyclopentasiloxane, peg-8, butylene glycol, polyethylene, glycerin, dimethiconol, methoxy peg-18, camellia sinensis leaf extract, coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, pongamia pinnata seed extract, angelica archangelica root extract, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) peel extract, punica granatum fruit extract, plankton extract, ptfe, bifida ferment lysate, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, squalane, ascorbyl palmitate, silica dimethyl silylate, tocopherol, polysorbate 60, lecithin, sclerotium gum, hydrolyzed soy flour, retinyl palmitate, propylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, micrococcus lysate, bacillus ferment, magnesium aluminum silicate, maltodextrin, trisodium edta, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, disodium edta, sodium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, sorbic acid, adenosine, sodium benzoate, citric acid, parfum/fragrance, 1,2-hexanediol, silica, xanthan gum, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, sodium chloride, alcohol, acetic acid, phenoxyethanol, bht, mica, titanium dioxide (ci 77891).
activator: butylene glycol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, aqua/water/eau, fd & c red no. 4 (ci 14700), d & c red no. 33 (ci 17200).