DDF Amplifying Elixir - Warning!

I'm not going to rant and rave and complain about this product. There is a warning right on the box that says, "If irritation occurs, discontinue use." I've done some research online and clearly there are a number of people who react to this stuff or a label wouldn't be necessary. I'm merely posting this here to share my experience with you and possibly caution you from spending nearly $100 on a product that may not work for you. Get a sample first!

I started using this elixir on my face day and night, as instructed on the label, after washing but before moisturizing. Right away it tingled, but I assumed that was normal. Over the course of four or five days, my skin grew increasingly sensitive. Even my regular, ordinarily quite soothing, moisturizer started to sting. Then six days after I started using this elixir I woke up and my face was peeling. Not like a sunburn peel, more like a retinol peel. All over my entire face in little flaky pieces my skin was peeling. 

I went into panic mode and did three days of exfoliating and deep hydrating treatments before the peeling went away. This product was the only thing new in my lineup, so I quit using it immediately and started researching. 

One of the ingredients is niacinamide, a known irritant to a number of people. The funny thing is that niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is usually ingested. So it's interesting that they have it as a topical ingredient. I'm not a chemist, so I digress. My best guess is that I am mildly allergic to this ingredient's derivative when used topically, as are a number of other people, and it led to irritation and peeling. So much for their claims of "strengthening the skin's moisture barrier." 

I've included the product info for this elixir exactly as it's written on the Sephora site in case others are curious. Basically it's intended to enhance the performance of the other beauty products in your regime. I can understand the usefulness of such a product and am disappointed that this product and my skin are not compatible.

As I've already stated, I'm posting this merely as a caution for other people to try a sample before spending so much money on this elixir.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FROM SEPHORA'S SITE:

What it is:
An antiaging treatment formulated to improve hydration and boost the effectiveness of other skincare products. 

What it is formulated to do:
Clinical studies have shown that DDF's Amplifying Elixir strengthens skin's moisture barrier by up to 50-percent, transforming skin's appearance for lasting change. It also enhances the effectiveness of routines from the three top professional skincare brands. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
This product contains a potent blend of three botanical extracts, including banyan tree, lotus flower, and red clover extracts. Another ingredient, niacinamide, has been proven to strengthen skin's moisture barrier.

1.7 oz

Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ficus Indica Flower/Leaf/Stem/Juice, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Serine, Alanine, Arginine, Lysine, Threonine, Proline, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkylacrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 10, Sodium Metabisulfite, Allantoin, Methylparaben, Betaine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Disodium Edta, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylparaben, Sodium Pca, Xanthan Gum.