Dr KaramMD Trifecta Review: Journalist Alice Puts the Skincare System to the Test
I asked fellow journalist and skincare enthusiast Alice Hinds to put the Karam MD Trifecta skincare system to the test.
Dr Karam is a prominent plastic surgeon and designed the three-step system with his patients in mind to help them maintain their surgical results without having to use multiple products.
Alice tried the Karam MD Trifecta products over a five-month-period and this is her review.
What Alice Had Been Using Before
Unlike the Gen Z of today, who seem to have learned their vitamin ABCs as us 90s kids did our times tables, my skincare routine has always veered more towards soap and water than a seven-step regime.
Throughout my teens and twenties, I would lazily rub a Simple cleansing wipe over my face before bed, and maybe add a St. Ives Apricot Scrub into the mix if I was experiencing a breakout.
I rarely bothered with moisturizer – a thick layer of Dream Matte Mousse seemed to do the trick – and serums and sheet masks weren’t in anyone’s vocabulary. In short, you could probably describe my ‘routine’ as skin-harm.
It wasn’t until I hit my 30s that I started to realise that prevention is, indeed, better than cure, and I should have started paying attention to my skin a lot sooner.
So, now 35, although I still don’t adhere to a religious routine, a few years ago, I started to introduce the skincare basics; cleanse, serum, moisturise, and SPF every day under my make-up.
For cleanser, I switch between Q&A’s Grapefruit Cleansing Balm and Revolution’s Pro Miracle Vegan Collagen Cleansing Balm – both affordable but very effective – before following-up with the Vitaskin Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Serum and Weleda’s Skin Food Light.
A few times a week, I’ll also add The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, which works wonders for tired under eyes, and I swear by the INKEY Dewy Sunscreen, as it protects and primes in one step.
Although I’ve found this routine keeps my skin fairly happy and healthy (save for the odd hormonal breakout) I have noticed more fine lines developing around my eyes lately, as well as a general loss of plumpness and vibrance.
Additionally, I have some light acne scarring on one side of my face, and generally don’t feel confident enough about my complexion to go without a light foundation, or the Trinny London BFF De-Stress tinted serum.
The Appeal of the KaramMD System
I’m always searching for a product that will improve my overall skin tone and texture – enter the KaramMD Trifecta, developed by facial plastic surgeon Dr. Amir Karam.
Advertised as a “simple skincare system” Trifecta comprises the Rinse cleanser, Quench serum and Illuminate anti-aging cream, and promises “healthier, younger-looking skin in three easy steps” by targeting all aspects of aging skin simultaneously.
As someone who doesn’t want to spend time layering different creams and lotions, the straightforward approach appealed straight away, and I was impressed by the understated yet stylish packaging, which definitely adds to the luxury feel of the product. What’s more, each of the bottles has a pump lid, ensuring you use the same amount of product every time, taking away any guess work.
What’s Included in the Trifecta?
Rinse Daily Cleanser
The cleanser has a light, gel-like consistency, which glides nicely onto the skin, and a subtle fragrance that reminded me of spa facials. I found it removed make-up very effectively, with no need to double-cleanse, and was gentle enough to use around my eyes.
The bottle says to apply to wet skin, but I found it worked better to wet my hands and apply the lather to my dry face, removing after with a hot, damp cloth.
After a few weeks of using in the morning and evening, I found I had to stick with only night-time cleansing, as my skin was starting to react badly – although, this is something I’ve found with most cleansers, and is probably specific to my skin.
Quench Vitamin C Serum
With a very silky texture, the unfragranced serum was my favorite step. It absorbed quickly, didn’t leave the sticky residue I’ve experienced with other vitamin C serums, and the one-to-two pumps recommended on the bottle was enough to cover my whole face.
Editor’s note: The concentration of vitamin C in this serum is unknown. KaramMD say it is “a combination of three different formulations of Vitamin C and other supporting ingredients designed to increase the effectiveness of the product”.
Illuminate Anti-Aging Cream
Although my skin tends to be more oily than dry, I usually opt for a thicker moisturiser, as a long day exposed to the elements here in Scotland can leave my skin extra thirsty.
The Illuminate anti-aging cream is much lighter than I’m used to, and I felt the need to use four pumps, rather than the recommended two to three to get my preferred hydration.
However, I did enjoy the light and fresh scent, and I didn’t experience any reactions to the retinol in the formula. What’s more, it sat well under make-up.
Other ingredients include nice-to-haves squalane, niacinamide, peptides and a lipid complex for skin barrier protection.
Alice’s Verdict
The marketing states that users can expect significant improvements in texture, tone, and radiance after three to six months of consistent use of all three products.
After around five months of use, I would say my skin has a subtle, brighter glow, and although not as noticeable in photos, the texture feels smoother and softer.
However, I haven’t yet noticed a vast improvement to fine lines or general firmness.
Overall, the KaramMD Trifecta has a luxury feel, and gentle, pleasant formulas that my skin enjoyed – but at £309/$330 (£247.20/$264 with subscription) I would have liked to see more improvement to justify the ongoing cost.
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Products can be purchased individually too and there is 20% off any KaramMD product using the link in the carousel with code HONEST20.
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