Overview
Shu Uemura began his career as a Hollywood makeup artist in the 1950's. In 1960, Uemura created his first skin care product, and by 1983, he opened his first cosmetics boutique. Today, Shu Uemura is a top quality, high end company, known particularly for makeup and makeup brushes. This company also offers a number of skin care lines, including the anti-aging products sold in the Phyto Black line. Phyto Black includes a radiance boosting lotion, anti-wrinkle essence, anti-wrinkle emulsion and anti-wrinkle cream.
The Shu Uemura products are expensive, with the anti-wrinkle cream selling for $125 on the company website at the time of this review. The products claim to moisturize, reduce the appearance of lines and firm the skin. Each product consists of a different formula, and makes slightly different claims as to the benefits it is associated with. The products can be purchased from the company website or high end online retailers and stores across the globe. If you purchase your products from the company, there is a 30-day return policy. If you join Shu Uemura, you are eligible to receive special discounts and free shipping on orders over $75.
Product Details
We were unable to find complete ingredient lists for any of the Phyto Black products. This is always a concern for those with skin allergies or sensitivity. The Phyto Black Lifting Anti-Wrinkle Essence by Shu Uemura is a serum that contains Pro-Xylane. This ingredient has recently come into focus in a handful of skin care products, and claims to be the next great substance for turning back the clock on the skin by rebuilding and hydrating skin tissue. While the initial reports on Pro-Xylane sound somewhat promising, the jury is definitely still out on just how effective this substance might be.
The other Shu Uemura Phyto Black products seem to focus on antioxidants and hydrating ingredients. While these substances are all good for the skin, there is no good evidence to suggest that this is the best method for diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Proven ingredients in this area include argireline, matrixyl and collagen. None of these substances are found in the Shu Uemura Phyto Black line.
The Good
- Shu Uemura is a high quality company with an excellent reputation.
- The company does offer a return policy on items.
The Bad
- None of the anti-aging products contain proven anti-wrinkle peptides.
- The products are expensive.
- We were unable to find customer testimonials at the time of this review.
- The company does not provide a complete ingredient list for any of its products.
The Bottom Line
Those loyal to Shu Uemura may want to give the Phyto Black line a go. However, there are cheaper and more effective products on the market that promise to give you a bigger bang for your anti-aging buck. Shu Uemura may produce a reliable line of general skin care products, but we’d probably turn elsewhere for an anti-wrinkle treatment.