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Best of Dermstore Prestige Kit Review – January 2020

Jessica Hapak
ByJessica HapakJan 8, 2020 | 7 comments

Dermstore is an online retailer specializing in everything beauty. They recently released the Best of Dermstore Prestige Kit, curated by Dermstore Experts.

FYI - this limited edition kit is still available for purchase!

My Subscription Addiction paid for this kit. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

About this Limited Edition Kit from Dermstore

The Box: Best of Dermstore: Prestige

The Cost: $49.99 + free shipping (a $200 value)

The Products: "A collection of efficacious, results-oriented skincare products curated by Dermstore experts."

Ships to: The US

Best of Dermstore Prestige Kit January 2020 Review

Here is the info sheet for the box.

boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel, 1 fl oz - Estimated Value $5.60 (Buy the 5 oz version for $28)

I am a boscia fan, and while I usually prefer foam cleansers over gel due to my dry skin, this worked well for me. It didn't dry out my skin, and it has amino acids and green tea to help with large pores.

 

Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream, 0.5 fl oz - Retail Value $22

This cream is just alright to me but my best friend actually LOVES it- further proof that your mileage may always vary when it comes to skincare! This contains vitamin C in the form of THD Ascorbate, which is a more gentle form of vitamin C when compared to L-ascorbic acid. This also has turmeric and bisabolol (a chamomile derivative), and the lightweight texture makes this a good morning moisturizer. 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, 28 count – Retail Value $17

The short story: I love these pads and I will take all of them that I can get. The long story: Sephora revamped their point system a year or so ago, and it really incentivized me to save them. Recently, I was able to use 1500 of my points to get a box of full-size First Aid Beauty goodies in their limited edition birthday print, and included was a jar of these bad boys. I have been using them consistently for a few weeks now (at a minimum of once a day, sometimes both in the morning and at night), and I really have noticed a difference both in the radiance of my skin and how my acne marks are clearing up. This is very close to entering into holy grail status for me, and it is absolutely a repurchase for sure.

Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner, 1 fl oz - Retail Value $10

I love this toner, and one day the full-size version will be mine. It’s made with coenzyme Q10, which is a powerful antioxidant that will fight both free radicals and signs of aging. This toner is alcohol-free (yes!) and also has hyaluronic acid, aloe, cucumber, and chamomile extracts for added hydration and skin-soothing. I really do appreciate the mist nozzle, and my skin soaks this up whenever I apply it. 

Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream, 0.5 fl oz - Estimated Value $37.65 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $128)

Elemis is definitely a luxe skincare brand, and this anti-aging moisturizer is lightweight while providing your skin with all of the nourishment it needs. I love how this sinks into my skin, and my only complaint is that we didn’t get the version with SPF (which I love even more than this one!). Actually, scratch that- my second complaint is how absurdly expensive the full-size version of this is.

 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Overnight Cream, 0.5 fl oz - Estimated Value $19.11 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $65)

The first thing that I noticed about this is that even though it is a mini, it’s still packaged in a frosted glass jar that has a nice weight to it and made the experience feel more luxurious. This is made with time-released glycolic acid, so it is designed to work while you sleep and not be too harsh on sensitive skin. I would need to use it for longer to see if this made a noticeable difference in the dark spots on my face, but I did like the rich texture that sank into my skin. My one complaint would be that this seems to be purposefully fragranced (with “notes of bergamot, sweet orange, mandarin and citrus tree bark” according to the product listing page), and that is honestly just not necessary in my skincare. The fragrance wasn’t strong to my nose at all, but my point remains.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, 0.27 fl oz - Estimated Value $18.90 (Buy the 1 oz version for $70)

Before I got more into skincare, I remember using a sample of this that my mom had gotten in a gift with purchase from Dillards as a teenager and being amazed over how much better my skin looked when I woke up. Since then, my skincare routine has changed quite a bit, but I still enjoy using samples of this serum. I never get as dramatic results since I now have an entire arsenal of products fighting for my face, but I love that the second ingredient is a probiotic and that this also contains hyaluronic acid.

100% Pure Bright Eyes Mask, 1 pair - Estimated Value $6 (Buy a set of five pairs for $30)

Eye masks are one of my favorite things to receive in subscription boxes (I would use a pair a day if I had the supply), and these ones, in particular, are packed with superb ingredients- the first three are organic aloe, organic green tea, and organic green coffee. The hydrogel material was cooling to the delicate skin under my eyes, and my eyes felt less tired and looked a touch better once I took these off.

 

REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30, 0.34 fl oz - Estimated Value $7.60 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $38)

I am a big fan of REN products, and this sunscreen did not disappoint. It is made with zinc oxide along with rice starch and passion fruit seed extract, so along with providing a sun protection factor of 30 it absorbs excess oil and provides a boost of antioxidants. This didn't leave a white cast on me, and it wore really well under makeup.

Skin Inc Soothe-n-Purify Black Gold Mask, 1 full mask - Estimated Value $11 (Buy a pack of three for $33)

At first, I thought that this was two separate masks due to the packaging, but it is actually one full mask- one pouch contains the top half (forehead, cheeks, and T-zone) of the hydrogel mask and the other pouch contains the bottom half (mouth and jawline). I don't love the excess packaging (it is a bit wasteful), but I like the idea that you can only target the areas you need at that particular time by only using the top or bottom half. This is made with charcoal, vitamin C, and artichoke extract (just to name a few), and it definitely lived up to its name by being soothing to my skin.

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask, 0.5 fl oz - Estimated Value $6 (Buy the 5 oz version for $60)

This is one of the more hydrating mud masks I have ever used, so I love reaching for it when my skin feels dry but I am still dealing with breakouts. It has a thick, sticky consistency that can be a bit difficult to wash off, so I usually apply it before I'll be taking a bath or shower. 

Verso Eye Cream Extra Nourish, 0.24 fl oz - Estimated Value $23.28 (Buy the 0.67 oz version for $65)

This is the eye cream for those who really struggle with dry skin around their eyes- to quote my mom, who I gave this to when I found out she wasn't using any sort of eye cream, it is "creamy and moisturizing" thanks to ingredients like ceramides, probiotics, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. I am not prone to milia around my eyes, but if you are this may be a touch too heavy for you due to the shea butter.

Verdict: I am who I am, and if a kit is labeled "prestige" I am going to want it. I thought this kit was great! I got to try some new-to-me products while also getting restocks of my favorite First Aid Beauty pads, and I really enjoyed both the eye and sheet mask. Value-wise, this kit has a total value of $184.14, which is over three times the cost of the box but comes up a touch short of the promised $200 value.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you order today? Yes, as of publication, this limited edition box is still available for purchase!

Value Breakdown: This box cost $49.99 which means you are paying approximately the following per item:

  • boscia: $1.52
  • Sunday Riley: $5.98
  • First Aid Beauty: $4.61
  • Indie Lee:  $2.71
  • Elemis:  $10.22
  • Caudalie: $5.19
  • Estée Lauder: $5.13
  • 100% Pure: $1.63
  • Ren: $2.06
  • Skin Inc.: $2.98
  • Peter Thomas Roth: $1.63
  • Verso: $6.32

Check out all of our other favorite beauty box subscriptions!

Are you going to grab the Best of Dermstore: Prestige kit?

Jessica Hapak
Jessica Hapak
I am a staunch believer that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza and when I’m not working as a family law attorney I enjoy hiking the Louisiana trails (alligator sightings are a favorite!) or relaxing with Duchess, my cat. I’m a sucker for anything labeled a mystery box and I’ve never met a bath bomb I didn’t like.

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7 comments

carol

This is now available in their store for $39.99…

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Anne

I had a whole bunch of Dermstore points saved up, and deliberated for a while between getting this or the professional box. Even though I was sorely tempted by the Verso eye cream, Caudalie Glycolic, and Esteè Lauder, what tipped the scales was getting 3 full-sized items in the pro kit (Lancer oil, Elta sunscreen, and IS cleanser). The other was all samples, and didn’t feel like a splurge as much as a good month of BeautyFix. I like most of the smaller stuff in this kit, too: Skinceuticals ferulic, TNS eye, and PCA hyalouronic booster, among others, so calling it a win – even though I do wish I could somehow have swapped stuff fore the Verso and Caudalie. 😛

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Linda

Not when I have Laurel & Reed coming up soon…. <3

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Alice

This is a terrific kit of super high quality items. I don’t find it the least bit boring! The retail value is fabulous for $50. Dermstore always delivers great value. Look Fantastic is the same…ultra high quality products for a great price. I love it.

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katy

I’ve tried 6 of these products. All we pretty good but it makes for a boring box. And $50 for a box of samples? Need I say more?

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pb

thought they did this for $20 last christmas but perhaps it was a sale or they changed it up! loved last year’s!

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k

If you include the bag itself, which is $19.99, it puts the estimated value at over $200 🙂

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