My Experiences With StackedSkincare: Are These "Miracle" Products Worth It?

As someone who‘s struggled with adult acne and hyperpigmentation for years, I‘m always on the hunt for products that live up to their dramatic marketing claims. Recently, the Instagram ads and glossy celebrity endorsements drew me into trying StackedSkincare, a trendy skincare brand that promises "aesthetician-approved" serums and tools for spa-like treatments at home. But did StackedSkincare‘s expensive bottles and gadgets really transform my skin? Or did I just get suckered by the hype?

Here‘s my honest review after testing a regimen of this brand‘s most popular products for 6 weeks.

About StackedSkincare: The Brand and Their Products

StackedSkincare launched in 2011 by aesthetician Kerry Benjamin after she wrestled with a severe case of eczema herself. The premise is clean, vegan skincare "that stacks". Which means using serums, peels and devices in tandem at home to solve a myriad of skincare woes like acne, uneven tone, wrinkles and more.

Today, this Los Angeles-based brand ships internationally. And they‘ve amassed glowing testimonials from over 100k Instagram followers alongside glossy magazine features. StackedSkincare definitely portrays the image of an exclusive, luxe skincare line for at-home facialist-level treatments.

The key products driving StackedSkincare’s success include:

• Dermaplaning tools: Single-blade razors to exfoliate dead skin cells and peach fuzz ($75 for 4 uses)
• TCA Peels: Acid solutions to resurface the skin ($149)
• Cryo Globe: An ice-roller type massager for contours and de-puffing ($75)
• EGF Activating Serum: Features trendy epidermal growth factor to stimulate collagen and elastin ($149)

They also carry targeted serums for concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation and eczema plus handy accessories like micro-needle rollers, gua sha tools and more.

My Initial Impressions

From the elegant, blush packaging to the clinical-sounding ingredients, I won‘t lie – StackedSkincare sets very high expectations. Brushing fingers across those glass bottles, I pictured a team of perfectionist formulators crafting each serum formula to absolute excellence.

Admittedly, I got starry-eyed over the dramatic before & after photos of glowing celebrities posted to the brand‘s social channels too.

Could this Instagram-famous brand really replace my clumsy attempts to jam spa-treatments between 9-5 office life? Those enticing promises sparked just enough curiosity and hope to click "Purchase".

The StackedSkincare Regimen I Tested

Eager to mimic the full "professional facial" experience, I picked up 5 bestselling skincare products and tools to stack each morning and evening.

Here‘s the dream team I assembled:

• Dermaplaning Exfoliation Tool
• TCA Resurfacing Peel
• EGF Activating Serum
• Cryo Globe Firming Roller
• Correct + Protect Vitamin C Eye Cream

With my fancy five-piece skincare wardrobe in tow, I followed the brand‘s instructions to begin my 6 week test:

Morning

1. Dermaplane face
2. Apply EGF Activating Serum
3. Use Cryo Roller across contours
4. Pat in Vitamin C Eye Cream

Evening

1. Dermaplane face
2. Apply TCA Resurfacing Peel
3. Slather on EGF Activating Serum
4. Massage face with Cryo Roller
5. Finish with Eye Cream

Could this multi-step system cure my woes with cystic acne and patchy dark spots better than my drugstore skincare go-tos? Time would tell!

My Results After 6 Weeks of StackedSkincare

Now, let‘s get into the nitty gritty. Daily, I documented my skin‘s transformation while using StackedSkincare both with notes in a skincare journal and photos. Here are the higlights:

Week 1 Observation:

• After 3 days of dermaplaning, my skin drank products noticeably faster with smaller pores. Texture looked smoother.
• No adverse effects yet. So far, so good!

Week 2 Observation:

• Consistency with dermaplaning is key! I noticed dead skin and dry patches creep back by day 5 post-shave.
• Annoying cystic beast appeared on chin. But icing daily with the cryo roller helped reduce swelling faster.
• Cheeks felt supple and plump. But no miracle fix for dark marks yet.

Week 3 Observation:

• Had an ugly reaction to the TCA Peel (red, stinging). Had to pause use for a few days.
• With less dead skin since dermaplaning, my old acne spot treatments burned badly. (Ouch!)

Week 4 Observation:

• Acne and cysts continue randomly appearing. EGF serum hasn‘t delivered any decrease in breakouts.
• My skin glows for ~3 days after each TCA Peel. But it fades fast without constant upkeep.
• those pesky dark marks still won‘t budge. Added a Vitamin C serum hoping for acceleration.

Week 5 Observation:

• Consistency and patience is tough. Life got busy this week. I had to skip dermaplaning/peeling and just cleanse + serum.
• When you slack with StackedSkincare for more than 3 days all the "perfect skin" goes down the drain. Damn.

Week 6 Observation:

• Things I‘ll keep in rotation: dermaplaning 1x per week, Cryo on swollen spots.
• Things I‘ve axed completely: TCA Peel, EGF Serum.

Now that you‘ve heard about my rollercoaster ride, let‘s analyze if the hefty investment ultimately paid off.

Analyzing if StackedSkincare‘s Products Work

While the clinical names and elegant packaging suckered me in at first, by week 3 of testing StackedSkincare, the skeptic in me roared.

Were these products actually delivering dramatic skin transformation? Or just superficial, temporary effects that required constant upkeep to maintain?

Forehead fine lines never improved, nor did my dark marks fade completely. And consistency felt burdensome when juggling work, parenting and simply…life.

Maybe my hopes for fast, monumental change were unrealistic. But for $600+ worth of skincare, I expected more. Let‘s inspect the claims versus realities a bit closer.

Product	Brand Claims	Ingredient Evidence	My Results
Dermaplaning Tool	Gently removes dead skin cells, vellus hair and debris for brighter, softer skin. Improves product absorption.	Dermaplaning is a proven method to exfoliate. But tool requires regular use for sustained benefits.	True – when used 1x/week, my skin better absorbed serums with less flaking. But skipping even a few days meant the rough spots returned fast.
TCA Peel	"Achieve gorgeous, smooth skin with this powerhouse TCA peel, formulated to reduce the appearance of acne, pores, pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles"	Glycolic, lactic and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) scientifically proven to refinesm Boosts collagen.	The acid blend definitely made my face smoother and glowier short-term after each use. But the 30% concentration was almost too strong for my sensitive skin.
EGF Activating Serum	"Visibly minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, pores, uneven skin tone, texture & loss of firmness"	Some research shows topical EGF can improve skin thickness. But no data on StackedSkincare‘s actual % efficacy.	This $149 serum made zero difference in my acne breakouts or dark marks. Saw no noticeable change in fine lines or firmness either.
Correct + Protect Eye Cream	"Brightens dark circles while smoothing fine lines and hydrating."	Relies on Vitamin C and peptides like most eye creams. No unique edge.	This lightweight gel cream felt nice under makeup with no milky residue. But I noticed no real change in my hereditary dark circles or crows feet.

So in summary – while certain StackedSkincare products (like the Cryo roller and dermaplaning blade) feel pampering to use, the "miracle in a bottle" transformation elixirs didn‘t deliver. And the HexilEGF and TCA Peel actually irritated my sensitive skin after repeated use.

Perhaps StackedSkincare works wonders for those blessed with resilient skin. But for finnicky types, buyer beware.

Helpful Tips If You Do Try StackedSkincare

While I can‘t fully recommend StackedSkincare given the sky-high pricing and skin sensitivity I experienced, some products showed temporary benefits when used consistently.

If you insist on trying this brand despite my review, here are some tips to maximize results:

Pick 1-2 star products suited for your skin type. Don‘t attempt the 5 step Stack I did out the gate if you‘re acne-prone. The heavy exfoliation may do more harm than good.

Know TCA Peels pack a punch. Wheel 25-30% TCA peel newbies should start with lower levels like The Ordinary‘s $6 peel first. Or you might torch your face like I did!

Prep skin properly. Buffer acids and serums with gentle creamy cleansers – not 10-step regimens with alcohol-based toners. And wear SPF religiously every morning.

Work from outer edges inward when dermaplaning. Shave lightly in direction of hair growth. Never press extremely hard.

Invest in quality metal tools. Dermaplane razors, cryo globes and microneedling devices last longer when solid stainless steel versus flimsy material that corrodes fast. You‘ll use them longer without needing replacement.

Maintain consistency for best results. Like exercise for the body – you must keep up steady skincare workouts. Once or twice won‘t cut it. Skip just a few days and skin returns to baseline fast.

The Final Verdict: Should You Buy StackedSkincare?

I admire StackedSkincare‘s ambition to bring clinical skincare home. Their social media and influencer game is impressive. The branding definitely looks high-end.

But after analyzing ingredients and assessing my uneven experiences, I must levy criticism. Specifically regarding the lack of published studies backing those lofty product claims.

If you struggle with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, I cannot recommend StackedSkincare. Their harsh acids and active ingredients like EGF often caused flares, stinging and redness for my sensitive complexion despite their marketing as clean, nourishing formulas.

Those seeking anti-aging magic in a bottle may also leave disappointed. These expensive serums and creams simply didn‘t move the needle for deeper concerns like sagging skin or deep set wrinkles. And upkeep feels like a full time job.

Instead, my top recommendation if you want spa-like facials at home is to invest in quality tools first – like the Ziip Oxo Microcurrent device or even a simple jade roller from Amazon. Then complement device treatments with budget-friendly serums from The Inkey List or Good Molecules tailored to your skin type.

That combination ultimately gives the beautiful, balanced skin we all crave at a fraction of the price of StackedSkincare. So save your dollars – the less costly road leads to better long term results for non-celebrities.

Have you tried StackedSkincare or are curious about the brand? Ask me any other questions in the comments! I‘m happy to chat more about my experiences.