You may not have heard of Cell Forte before. They were a new brand to me when they first reached out to me about their products. But after exchanging a few emails with one of the founders and looking over their ingredient lists, I became intrigued and agreed to try out the products. They are a luxury Korean skincare brand that is just beginning to expand into the US market. They only just launched their English website in late 2020, but it is now up and running and you can check it out here for more information on them and their products. Read on my my Cell Forte review!
Currently, Cell Forte has two products available: a serum and a cream. These products are meant to be used together and can be used as a simple two-step skincare routine if you are looking for a minimal routine. You will just need to purchase a cleanser and sunscreen elsewhere. Both the serum and the cream have some similar ingredients, although I believe that the serum is a bit more potent (and it’s also more expensive). Both products claim to provide brightening, hydrating, and various anti-aging benefits. I’ve been using the serum and cream on and off for several months now so I’m more than ready to share my experience and an in-depth review.
I should also mention that this is a sponsored post! I want to be upfront and share that I am being paid to write this review on my blog. However, I also want you to know that I only agreed to do this after testing out the products and forming my opinion about them. Thus, all thoughts shared in this post are completely my own honest opinions.
Cell Forte Serum Review
Ingredients List:
Water, Sericin, Arbutin, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-22, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Nonapeptide-1, Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sh-oligopeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, 1,2-hexanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Red Ginseng Extract, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Conditioned Media, Velvet Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Actaea Heracleifolia Root Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Rhizome Extract, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Agastache Rugosa Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Scrophularia Buergeriana Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carbomer, Allantoin, Betaine, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, Adenosine, Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Fragrance.
Ingredients Analysis:
This product has a pretty extensive ingredients list, containing a bunch of well-researched ingredients, as well as some that may potentially have benefits but still require more research. For example, this serum contains Arbutin, a well-known ingredient that works as a tyrosinase inhibitor to brighten and even out skin tone. Like many Korean skincare brands, Cell Forte also uses a large number of plant extracts in their products. Many of these plant extracts seem promising and may have great benefits for the skin. They’re just not usually as well researched, so that’s something to keep in mind. For example, this serum also contains white peony extract for brightening. I was only able to find one study on the use of white peony for skin brightening, so it would seem that more research is certainly still needed to validate these results.
Many of the ingredients in this serum are focused on anti-aging and brightening. Some of the best ingredients are the nine different peptides, including a copper peptide and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (aka Matrixyl). These two peptides in particular have shown promising results in recent studies and may help boost the skin’s collagen production. Another interesting in this product is sericin, or silk protein. There is some research that shows that sericin may have topical antioxidant properties. I haven’t heard much about this ingredient before I’m curious to learn more about it now!
Overall, I think this ingredients list is still pretty impressive. It seems to target many different concerns, making this a multi-tasking product. It’s good to note that this serum does contain fragrance, I’d say it’s medium-strength, and I find it to be quite pleasant. It’s an herbal ginseng scent that I’ve grown to enjoy.
Texture:
I was actually somewhat surprised by the texture of this serum. Many of the luxury serums I’ve tried before have a very thick texture, but this one is relatively lightweight. It’s not exactly watery, but it’s a bit thinner than your average serum. It doesn’t seem like it would be very hydrating, but it does actually pack a nice dose of hydration. Because it is relatively thin, it also doesn’t feel heavy or tacky on this skin.
Packaging:
This serum comes in a beautiful pump bottle. The cap is shiny and gold and really does look as luxurious. The bottle is also opaque, which is great because it helps protect the contents by preventing them from exposure to sunlight. One thing I will say is that from looking at the bottle, which is quite large, I expected it to feel a bit heavier, but it’s actually rather light.
How to Use:
If you want a minimal routine, you can apply this to clean dry skin. On Cell Forte’s website, it says that you do not need to pat the serum in to promote absorption. The website also recommends applying a second layer of the serum to extra dry areas before following up with the Cell Forte cream. Personally, I don’t follow a minimalist routine, so I apply this serum after my toner and/or essence. I usually apply two pumps and spread it all over my face and neck in one layer. Then, I might apply another heavier serum (or two) afterwards, and finally I would apply my moisturizer. You can use this serum in both the AM and PM, though I like to use it just in the PM to make it last longer.
Performance:
I must say that my skin just looks good when I use this serum. Like it looks healthier, brighter, and more hydrated. I tend to use the serum with the cream, so I can’t really say how the serum works without the cream, but together they really do make my skin look extra nice. In particular, the serum does help my skin to look and feel more hydrated and supple. However, I also think that some of the main benefits of this product are probably not visible yet. Ingredients such as peptides and various antioxidants offer preventative anti-aging benefits that I will hopefully notice more in the years to come.
Overall Thoughts:
First of all, this is an expensive product that I cannot actually afford myself. But I still really enjoy this and would recommend it if it is within your budget. While I’m not completely sold on the benefits of every ingredient in the product, my results have been good and there are enough amazing ingredients in it to keep me happy. I would recommend this for all skin types, especially mature skin types. Cell Forte does claim that this product can even work for sensitive skin, which may be true, but you should still look over the ingredients list to make sure there’s nothing that you know will irritate your skin!
Rating:
4/5 – I really enjoy this serum and have seen really good results, but I have to knock it down a bit for the price.
Where to Buy:
Cell Forte ($180)
Cell Forte Cream Review
Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Panthenol, 1,2-hexanediol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-22, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Nonapeptide-1, Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sh-oligopeptide-1, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Red Ginseng Extract, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Conditioned Media, Velvet Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Tripeptide-1, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Actaea Heracleifolia Root Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Rhizome Extract, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Agastache Rugosa Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Scrophularia Buergeriana Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Peg-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Beeswax, Allantoin, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance.
Ingredients Analysis:
One thing that you will probably immediately notice is that the ingredients list of the serum and the cream are really very similar. Both products are multi-taskers that focus mainly on anti-aging and brightening. Both contain the nine peptides, as well as all the same plant extracts, including the ginseng and white peony extracts. The cream also has the same ginseng fragrance as the serum. One notable difference is that the cream does not contain Arbutin or Sericin like the serum does.
Instead, the cream contains some of the ingredients you would expect to find in a moisturizer, such as shea butter and a couple of silicones. Shea butter is rich in fatty acids as well as antioxidants and is known to be a great ingredient for dry skin. As an emollient, it has some softening and smoothing properties. Although silicones sometimes get a bad rap, they are actually very useful ingredients in skincare formulations. For example, cyclopentasiloxane helps to give products a smooth texture without feeling sticky and deliver active ingredients to the skin.
Because of the similarities between the serum and the cream, I won’t get into the ingredients much more. Overall, my conclusions about the ingredients remain mostly the same. Like the serum, the cream contains some great well-researched ingredients as well as some that could be effective, but need more research.
Texture:
This is advertised as a “serum infused gel-cream,” which is pretty accurate. This cream is relatively lightweight compared to many other luxury creams, but it’s still highly moisturizing. It is very slightly gel-like, thought it is also quite creamy. Even though this contains shea butter, the texture isn’t too rich or buttery. For me, this product actually has the perfect texture! It applies smoothly and absorbs quite quickly, but still offers long-lasting moisture to my skin.
Packaging:
This product comes in an almost spherical tub that looks quite unique. The lid is gold and shiny and very beautiful. While I generally prefer pumps or tubes for my creams, I don’t really mind a tub, especially if the product is properly preserved. As with the serum, I expected the packaging to feel a bit heavier and more luxurious based on its appearance, but it is actually quite light. Still, it is beautiful and functional, so I don’t really have any complaints!
How to Use:
The Cell Forte website recommends applying this cream right after the serum. It suggests dotting it all over the face and then gently spreading it across the skin, and as with the serum, it says that you do not need to pat it in. You also do not need to use an eye cream with this. Rather, the website recommends applying a second layer of the cream under your eyes or on other extra dry areas. Personally, I apply this in a single layer at the end of my routine after my toner and/or essence, and serum(s). I usually just use this in the PM but you could use it in the AM as well. I don’t really feel that an eye cream is necessary but I sometimes apply one anyway — I say do whatever you want when it comes to eye creams!
Performance:
Like the serum, this cream makes my skin look good. I also find this to be a very effective moisturizer for my skin type (dry and slightly sensitive). As I already mentioned, I absolutely love the texture. Even though my skin is dry, I still really enjoy lighter creams, so I really appreciate it when I find a cream that is really moisturizing but also not too heavy. It also has a beautiful slightly dewy finish. When I wake up in the morning, my skin doesn’t feel dry and tight like it sometimes does. Rather, it looks brighter and healthier than usual, even if I just used the cream without the serum. At the same time, I probably cannot see all the preventative anti-aging benefits of this product yet, but hopefully, with continued use, they will be noticeable in the future.
Overall Thoughts:
Of the two products, I actually prefer this one! Even though the serum is supposed to be more potent, and the cream is missing a couple of the ingredients that are in the serum. I just really enjoy the texture of the cream and the experience of using it. It still contains the nine peptides which are the ingredients that I’m most interested in. Furthermore, I have noticed similar benefits from just using the cream as compared to using both the serum and the cream together. Oh and lastly, the cream is less expensive than the serum! It’s still out of my price range, but if I were to splurge on one of these two products, it would be the cream. I would recommend this cream primarily for normal to dry skin but even oily skin might be able to use this, especially in colder weather.
Rating:
4.5/5 – I really love this cream and hope to repurchase it someday when/if it’s in my budget.
Where to Buy:
Cell Forte ($120)
If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out some of my End of the Year Empties post, which includes some more luxury skincare reviews! Also, make sure to subscribe down below to stay updated on my most recent posts and you can follow me on Instagram @balancingproject for more frequent posts and mini reviews!
Disclaimer: This Site contains both non-affiliate and affiliate links, and I may receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Some products marked by (*) were gifted to me for review purposes, but all thoughts are my own honest opinions. I am not an expert, these are just my personal experiences, and what works for me might not work for you.
