Somme Institute • Serum • Skincare - Face

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*TOP REVIEWER* pinknika on 1/8/2013 12:59:00 AM more reviews by pinknika

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this line for almost 3 months, I can't say that I've seen amazing results like the before and afters on the site which I think are pretty impressive. This serum goes on smooths and feels slightly tacky. I don't know if this or the a-bomb is the culprit but ever since I started using this line I wake up with a couple of white heads around my face. They're not big but small and annoying. I have learned to deal with this, but what kinda frustrates me is the lack of results. I emailed the company and they basically said I'm most likely using it wrong...yeah ok. And if you notice on the site, they don't give you the time it took for those women to see results it just says before and after. Do I have to wait a year to see anything? I'm not going to spend the time or money to find out. Moving on.

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phoebeweatherfield on 12/28/2012 9:04:00 PM more reviews by phoebeweatherfield

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I got this as part of the Somme Mobile kit (seemed like a good way to try the whole line without a huge outlay of cash). So far, I'm liking the serum. It's a little bit more sticky than some, but it absorbs quickly and has a non-offensive scent. It's too soon to tell if it's doing more for me than my previous serum (Estee Lauder ANR), but it's at least as good. Right now, I use it only in the morning--it's not very moisturizing, and my skin dries outing the winter--and use a more moisturizing product at night (Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate).

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*TOP REVIEWER* jen1103 on 12/1/2010 9:41:00 PM more reviews by jen1103

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This was the most money I've ever paid for skincare and what a WASTE it turned out to be. Bought the whole line as recommended and used it religiously for 7 weeks. My acne only continued to erupt and get worse. After that long, I'd had enough and I stopped using it. It claims to help "all skin types," including "severe acne." What a joke. My acne is moderate at most, but this did NOTHING, I mean NOTHING to improve it. My skin was just full of bumps, pimples, blackheads, everything. Awful. After 17 years of dealing with acne I have never felt so scammed by a skin product. Wish I could get my money back. $200 down the toilet.

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ktmalady on 8/26/2010 12:28:00 AM more reviews by ktmalady

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I loved this stuff when I first started using it but at $80 a pop, I just couldn't justify the price. Bottom line is that there are products at a fraction of the cost that work as well or better. It's good, it's just not $80 good.

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Clearskin on 7/22/2010 11:39:00 PM more reviews by Clearskin

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I've been using the Somme Institute line for several months and can't say enough good things about the products, including the Serum. The first weeks are rough, but I spent 2 years trying brand after brand (Murad, La Mer, M Lab, Dr. Sebaugh .. ) and this Serum and the other products in the line are taking care of my cystic acne, blackheads, etc.
I was truly despairing over my face until a facialist at Nordstom spa recommended the line of products. After a two-year search, I'm hopeful again and hooked on Somme.

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Andrea2251 on 9/16/2006 8:26:00 PM more reviews by Andrea2251

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

My facialist recommended the Somme Institute system for my acne prone (and beginning to age) skin. I used the Transport Pads, the A-Bomb and the Serum together for two weeks, morning and night. The products made my skin feel sticky, and a little oily, but the texture looked beautiful. I had super smooth, bright, perfect cheeks. The problem is that it clogged my pores on my upper lip and caused my already blemished skin to have more pimples. It's been four weeks since I've stopped using the Somme system and went back to using my Neutrogena Anti-wrinkle Anti-acne cream and those clogged pores have finally almost all been purged.

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*TOP REVIEWER* rae_rae on 7/21/2006 7:36:00 PM more reviews by rae_rae

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This serum works great to control my acne and smooth out my skin. I stopped using it for a while and tried other serums, and have recently returned to using it cause my jaw/neck started constantly breaking out but was dry at the same time. Its been maybe 2 weeks and its already clearing up with only blackheads but not pimples or cystic bumps. Im soo glad I remembered what worked and went back to it! Pricey but it works.

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msbuttercup on 4/30/2006 3:01:00 AM more reviews by msbuttercup

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I used the system for 6 weeks, hoping to get better skin. But it only got worse and worse. I liked to packaging and the scent. But I finally decided to go back to my DHC mild soap and aspirin mask. Way too espensive, total waste for me.

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Lori54 on 4/11/2006 7:44:00 PM more reviews by Lori54

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

In a moment of complete insanity I spent $75 on this serum. It has done nothing for me. Granted, I am not using the other products like they say you have to. I always think that is just marketing so you will buy more. It doesn't smell bad, not too sticky, but it hasn't changed my skin at all. Looking at the other reviews I had high hopes for this. Not.

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KatieBABY on 3/19/2006 2:26:00 AM more reviews by KatieBABY

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have been using the serum for about a month now. I am 22 with combination skin. I used to have acne, and now I just have some discoloration from acne scars and a bit of uneven texture. I love how this serum is helping to give my skin a healthy glow. I have not seen miracle results, but ultimately I am not looking for miracles- I am looking for a serum that will deliver vitamins for my skin, and give me a healthy glow. It helps I have no major zits now either.(Thanks serum?) Great product, not sure if I will spend $70 again. I am looking into that Juice Beauty anti-oxidant serum for my next purchase.....

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MarilynMalibu on 2/24/2006 2:07:00 AM more reviews by MarilynMalibu

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This review is for the first four products in the Somme Treatment Line: I've been using the Somme line (the first 4 products, I have a sunscreen already) for 2 months already. It isn't a magical line, but this is the only line I have found to help my troublesome skin. I was using step 2 and 3 only for a time, but an esthetician recommended I use steps 1-4 to not disturb the pH balance. Upon taking her advice, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my skin. I used to break out ALL the time, and they were horrible breakouts, especially around that certain time of the month. I still break out, but nothing like before, and even around that time of the month, it's not half as bad as it used to be. The cleanser is a non-foaming creamy type of cleanser. I find that if I makeup remover first, then cleanse, rinse, and then cleanse again, that it does the trick in removing the day's grime. Be sure to massage the cleanser in well; that will help break up the dirt, makeup, etc. Second, I use the pads only at night. I found my skin was acting all sensitve when I used them twice daily, so one at night is good. The pads help exfoliate your skin. It's still good to use a mechanical scrub at least once a week to help slough off the dead skin cells. Third, I use about 2-3 pumps worth of the serum. The packaging on this could be better, especially when you get to the bottom of the bottle. The serum has helped smooth out my skin tone - it has become less bumpy. It has also helped fade past acne scars. Lastly, I apply the A-Bomb which is a moisturizer that contains Vitamins A and E, which are good to smooth the skin further, fight acne, etc. It does leave kind of a tacky feeling to the skin, but it's bearable. I do not like scooping out of a jar to get my moisturizer. Now, I'm using the line for acne, but I have noticed that it does smooth out some fine lines. After looking at the before and after pictures of people using the product (to treat acne, wrinkles, etc), I was even more impressed. The prices are steep, no doubt about that. Luckily, I work in a spa that sells them, so I get a discount. (I plan on quitting soon, so I'm gonna stock up!). I'm so impressed with the results I've had after 2 months, I can't wait to see how my skin looks after 4! Even people I work with have noticed a dramatic improvement in my skin and tone. I'm so happy with these products, and I hope you will be, too! PS - sorry for the novel of a review! I just had to share!!

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icit on 12/1/2005 10:15:00 AM more reviews by icit

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I really like the 3 core products. I've tried many vitamin C serums including skinceuticals, professional solutions, cellularrx and others. This is the only one that feel nice and not drying. It has a great fresh smell and a pump to keep the product stablized.
nov 2009 - i'm back to using these products and loving them. I go off and on. i was using environ for quite a while. Beauty.com has some great package deals.

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nrome on 4/2/2005 5:21:00 PM more reviews by nrome

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Have been using this from April to November for three years in a row, this will be the 4th. I can't say enough great things about it... I've even abandoned my beloved Dr. Haushka after 20 years. I still change in the winter, don't seem to be able to use it 12 months of the year, but it's extraordinary stuff. I have very fussy skin, am almost 49, have some sun-damage, but luckily (thanks Mom) it's still in good shape with almost no lines or discoloration. A little loss of firmness, but not bad for an old bag... So HIGHLY recommended.

Have used everything out there... Sisleya (which I use in the winter still), La Prarie, La Mer (which I keep around for emergencies), Organic Pharmacy in London, Sjal, Bobbi Brown (which I also love in the winter), usual drug store & derm's office stuff like DML Forte, MD Forte Cleanser II, Cetaphil Cream. Plus have also used (and in some cases still do) Active C from La Roche-Posay, Retin A Micro (which I use 2X a week), Chantecaille, Chanel, Clarins, Decleor, Erno Laszlo, Mario Badescu, Lancome, Sundari, Darphin, Dom Ivana (from Calif., brilliant but discontinued), Peter Thomas Roth, DDF, Babor, Borlind, Thalgo, Eve Lom, Fresh, ReVive, Skinceuticals, Esthederme, Skinmedica, Kanebo (a big favorite, but too many products), Shiseido, Amore Pacific, Arbonne, Aubrey Organics, Dr. Brandt, Elizabeth Arden, Clinique, Awake, Prada, SKII, Guerlin, Roc, Anne Semonin (my favorite for years until it became a pain in the ___ to find), Astara (some of which I love), you name it, I've tried it... This continues to be the best and most reliable I've found.

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lipbalmaddict on 3/28/2005 10:37:00 PM more reviews by lipbalmaddict

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I tried the Somme Institute line at the recommendation of my facialist - she said she uses it herself. After a few weeks I am a devoted fan. I have not had a single blemish since I started using this line and my skin is refined, toned and my acne scars are fading. The serum is light, not sticky and has a nice citrus scent. Take it from someone who has tried everything - La Mer, Cle de Peau, MD Forte, Jan Marini, Dr. Hauschka etc. - go out and buy this line!

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Resurgam on 1/12/2005 8:53:00 PM more reviews by Resurgam

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

i...am...a...serum...junkie... it all started when my friend K introduced me to the world of source therapie from biotherm. i've loved loved loved it but i decided to venture forth and try other serums. i've tried quite a bit of them and i liked many of them but of all the serums that i've tried, there's only one that i want to buy again, and it's somme institute. i was running out of my serum at the time when i walked into fred segal LA and a great salesperson at apothia (sandy) introduced me to this line. at $68 for 1 oz, it was more than what i was used to forking over. (source therapie was like $50 for 2oz, no?) but she said it's really a great product and their vitamin c really works and it's very potent blah blah blah. i figured, eh, why not, and got it. let me just tell you... within a week, i was getting rave reviews from intimate friends and family to complete strangers asking me what i was using on my skin. for the first and only time in my life, i saw pore reduction on my skin. definately less break outs and my skin had a consistent glowy quality to it that wasn't oily. yes, it's sticky but it helped both my heavy moisturizer at night and oil-free moisturizer (chanel rectifiance) to adhere to my skin. i used less of the other products. my skin suddenly had a mind of its own and it was telling me, "i love this! buy more! use more! great stuff!!" the first and only time, i tell you, that i was so completely won over by a product. it was the single most important product in my skincare regime. but the price point is a bitch since i had to get one every 2 months and what i really disliked was that (like another complaint of a former reviewer), it was hard to get all the product out. and if airborne, the color changes a bit as well as the smell. i think the reason that the serum is in a opaque painted glass bottle is because of the potency of the product. so please make a pump that'll go ALL THE WAY to the bottom so we can get everything from the product!! anyhow, i've bought another bottle (second bottle purchased on beauty.com for slightly cheaper and free shipping - driving out to LA is really annoying) and the color was more translucent pale yellow rather than the orange. (different batches, i presume.) still the outcome was great. but after that, i decided to use the olay regenerist with my husband ($27 for 3.4 oz at costco!!), which is okay but my skin lacks the luster and the glow and the flawlessness it had achieved with somme institute. and i break out more. and now i'm using the kiehl's abyssine serum, which isn't half as good at the somme institute. (it just goes on like lotion and doesn't really *do* anything for my skin.) so i'm returning back to somme institute. hey, when you find a good thing, why mess with it? is it worth the $68? after trying all others, yes. yes yes yes.

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bekahjoy on 12/15/2004 3:11:00 AM more reviews by bekahjoy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

After having a Somme facial at a great spa, the facialist showed the products to me. After much deliberation, I decided to go ahead and buy the entire line. I have been dealing with my acne-prone skin since I was about 7- have been on Accutane twice, every antibiotic imaginable, and lots of retin-a. As I have gotten older, my skin has gotten better, but I have still always felt like I had "problem" skin. In the past few months, I had started using Glygolic acid products, which my skin had some response to, but I am always on the lookout for something better. I AM SO GLAD I FOUND SOMME INSTITUTE PRODUCTS. I have seen such a difference in the texture and clarity of my skin. I no longer have any issue with oiliness and breakouts are getting fewer and farther between. These are truly the best skin products I have used, prescription or otherwise. Specifically, the three "middle" steps in the line. The transport pads, Vitamin C Serum and the A-bomb (vitamin and herb infused lightweight cream) are brilliant. There is a slight tingle with the Transport pads, much like a toner or astringent. I use only two drops of the Serum- this covers my entire face and neck. This product is a light gel that smells citrus-y and dries very quickly. The A-bomb is a lightweight, fresh smelling cream. Again, a very small amount covers the entire face and neck. I also really like the Somme cleanser, the first step in the five step process. Two pumps is enough. The fifth step, a combination moisturizer and sunscreen, is high quality- light, smells fine. I like this product, but find I don't need extra moisturization and have sunscreen in my foundation. As mentioned in other Somme reviews, you may prefer to use another cleanser or moisturizer with the line, but the three middle products are unparalelled.

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Apt3r on 10/28/2004 11:53:00 PM more reviews by Apt3r

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I've praised Somme in the other product descriptions. This serum is a good thing, in my opinion. I haven't tried Vit. C stuff before, so I can't really compare, but I know that Somme has improved my skin and my self confidence like no other product line has.

The only thing is I wish they could come up w/ packaging that made it easier to get out every drop since it's so pricey! (Especially on a student budget...)

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Lani on 3/14/2004 10:54:00 PM more reviews by Lani

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Orange gel in a glass, opaque white pump-bottle. Pretty standard vitamin-c serum, but very effective when used with the Transport Pads and the A-Bomb cream. By itself, I can't really notice a difference. It's a thin liquidy gel, it goes on sticky and smells kind of sweet, like alcohol. Pricy at $68, but comprable to other vitamin-c products.

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