I recently challenged skincare brands to send me their top rated products in order for me to put them through their paces. I like to think I have one of the fiercest reputations when it comes to skincare blogging and am known for slamming under-performing and overpriced products. So when Steve Ottewell (an ASEA distributor) got in touch to tell me about his products, I treated it with the same skepticism I would any new trial.

He sent me his flagship product, the RENU 28.

So what is it?

It’s a gel-based firming moisturiser that has been formulated by top scientific bods in the US. They sought to reverse the effects of aging skin by boasting the performance of our body’s mitochondria. Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cells. They generate the energy that our cells need to do their jobs and produce byproducts that need to be neutralised by antioxidants. If old age and environmental pressures interfere with this complex relationship, the natural rejuvenation of our skin slows down and causes visible signs of aging.

I won’t bog you down with science, I’ll let these guys do it instead, but the main thrust is that RENU 28 will help aid the Redox signalling function that calls the antioxidants to action. This process of molecular restructuring allows our cells to perform at peak efficiency.

ASEA primarily makes supplements that will target our entire body at a cellular level, but they also make RENU 28. RENU 28 claims to (funnily enough) provide critical communication between cells to ensure optimum renewal and replenishment, therefore allowing the skin to rejuvenate itself more effectively.

First thoughts

It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. It’s American, it’s had hundreds of dollars thrust into its making, and the scientists behind it will dazzle you with jargon in order to shift it.

Yet what I really appreciated were the case studies of real people. These weren’t celebrities, and nor were the “after photos” a result of a good make-up artist and photoshop. Check out DoYouRenu.com for tons of images, but these are some of my favourites:

There’s also a ton of independent studies that support ASEA’s claims, and its ingredients are simplicity itself.

1. Aqua/Water/Eu - a.k.a water
2. Sodium Magnesium Silicate - a synthetic silicate clay compromised primarily of magnesium and sodium silicate. It’s used as a bulking agent and binder, and to preserve the composition of cosmetic products (prevent them darkening or smelling).
3. Disodium Phosphate - primarily a buffering agent, although it is has additional uses as a corrosion inhibitor, fragrance ingredient, and pH adjuster
4. Sodium Chloride - a.k.a salt

Everything is zero toxicity and entirely safe to use. Although there isn’t a hard-hitting ingredient to hang your boots on, apparently it’s all in the balance and purity of the ingredients used.

So how did it perform?

Introducing a gel to my skincare regime was strange. Once shaken, it’s a nice consistency, there’s no smell, and it sinks into the skin leaving a matt finish on which to apply make-up. This means you can use it in tandem with other moisturisers which suits me perfectly. From Day 1, I also used this on my neck, breasts and tummy.

The firming action was almost instant and I could feel my skin was tighter when I applied my BB Creme on top. Yet for the first few weeks, my skin did dry out considerably. This was great for oily areas such as my nose, chin and forehead, but an unwelcome side effect for my cheeks which are typically very dry anyway.

Yet, having been sent a usage video that forewarned me of initial dryness, I persevered for a full month - After all, it’s called Renu 28 for a reason.

I’m so glad I stuck with it. This is a little bit special and really does work. My skin looks and feels a million times better.

In week 2, my skin began to balance itself out. Nuisance pores shrank, the skin around my eyes tightened, and my whole complexion was lifted. My skin was left brighter, more even in tone and much plumper.

I have no idea what within this product works. I find it really hard to reconcile all these results with the ingredients list above, but in the end, who cares. It’s firmed the skin (and reduced the stretchmarks) on my breasts, it’s faded my c-section scar considerably and it’s made my face look even younger than it does (I still get ID’ed for cigarettes at age 32, so clearly aging skin isn’t something I needed to worry about anyway).

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If you’d like to experience this product for yourself, you can contact Steve through his website http://www.redoxhelp.co.uk/ - prices are dependent upon the quantity you buy.

If you’re also looking for a work from home opportunity, ASEA might fit the bill. Steve Ottewell has plans to introduce RENU 28 Parties where you can earn an extra income through sharing the product with friends. Such parties aren’t for everyone, but do suit many because of their flexible hours. If you try RENU 28 and it works for you, it just might be an option. Follow @SteveOttewell on Twitter or like his Facebook page if you’d like more information.