In partnership with KaramMD. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
As an avid beauty product lover, I’m the first to get all giddy when a brand promises to eliminate a few steps of my skincare routine and simplify the process for me. (Because who wouldn’t want a simpler, easier way to get clear, soft, luminous skin in half the time?) When the offer to test out KaramMD Trifecta, a 3 step anti-aging skincare routine, came my way, I jumped at the chance. Not only because I need a little ease in my life right now, but because it was created by a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Amir Karam.
Over a few weeks, I tested out the brand’s renowned Trifecta that’s been used by 35,000+ customers worldwide. The brand promises healthier and more youthful skin in just one month and helps consolidate over 20+ proven ingredients into an easy-to-use, 3-step regimen. Read on to see my honest opinion about the products and if they delivered.
We like
- Simplifies skincare routine into 3 easy steps
- Easy to use
- Created by a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon
- Products are safe for sensitive skin and not super sticky
- You see results with consistent use
We don't like
- Pricey for 3 products (but you have to take into consideration that it’s consolidating over 20+ actives you are typically using in your daily skincare routine)
The Story Behind the Dr. Karam and Starting the Brand
In a prior interview with TQE, Dr. Karam revealed that it was his mother’s heart transplant that made him realize he wanted to enter medicine, and more specifically, surgery. “I actually thought I was going to be a heart surgeon, but after being on this path for about four years, I serendipitously had a lecture given by a facial plastic surgeon who truly wowed me with the variety of facial plastic surgery procedures, ranging from trauma to cosmetic… When somebody has their face disfigured as part of trauma or is born with something that they're not happy with, the quality-of-life impact is tremendous. People really hope and expect that the surgeon can correct this, so being there for patients in that capacity was really inspiring.”
Having been a board-certified facial plastic surgeon now for over 20 years, it made sense that Dr. Karam’s learnings from plastic surgery made their way into skincare. “I began to fall in love with the subspecialty of treating aging faces and facial rejuvenation,” he told TQE.
“The magic combination to create a youthful look is a youthful facial shape, which can be addressed surgically, and youthful skin, which requires more of a commitment than going in for a three-to-five-hour surgery and coming out the other side 20 years younger.” As he started to dive deeper into skin aging and taking into consideration the complicated skincare routines of his patients, he created KaramMD’s Trifecta: a solution to simplify your skincare with a clinically effective three-step routine.
The Trifecta includes a total of three products: Rinse, a daily cleanser; Quench, a Vitamin C Serum; and Illuminate, an anti-aging cream. It combines over 20+ activities that we all need in our routines like Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, into one simple system. I know how confusing it can be to figure out what products you should use, combine, or avoid in your skincare routine, so I appreciated that it had everything my skin needed.
Putting It to the Test
I started with the Rinse face wash first thing in the morning. It’s packed with soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera, Arnica (which is one of my all-time favorite ingredients to help redness), Allantoin, which helps naturally exfoliate your skin, and more. I applied it onto wet skin and massaged it in circular motions before rinsing. My skin didn’t feel super dry or experience any tightness after using the wash, and it still felt very clean.
I then went into the second step of the routine by applying two pumps of Quench to my face. Key ingredients include a Triple Vitamin C that helps with dark spots, green tea, which has antioxidant protection, and Vitamin E that helps against premature aging. I’ve tested out plenty of Vitamin C serums in my life, and I have to say that this one just melted into my skin. There was no sticky residue (which is very common with a Vitamin C product), and after a week, I could see a difference in my skin, glowing more. I have sensitive skin, and this particular Vitamin C wasn’t super harsh either.
The last step was the Illuminate Anti-Aging Cream. I applied three pumps to my face, eye area, and neck. Key ingredients include Encapsulated Slow-release Retinol, which is supposed to be less harsh than typical Retinol but just as effective, Niacinamide to help texture, a peptide complex that aids with your skin’s natural repair process, and botanical lighteners that help reduce pigmentation.
The Verdict
I really loved all three of the products in this system so much that I’ll be continuing to use the system for beyond my initial testing phase. Starting strong with the face wash, I loved that it didn’t strip away all my natural oils but still left my skin feeling clean and hydrated at the end. It had just the right amount of slip, even with it being non-foaming. My skin felt very soothed after using it, thanks to calming ingredients Aloe and Arnica.
Of all the products, I might be the biggest fan of Quench. I struggle with finding a Vitamin C serum that’s not harsh on my skin and doesn’t leave me with redness, and this one checked off all of the boxes. It didn’t leave an annoying sticky residue, went on well underneath my makeup, and didn’t pill. Over the two weeks, I noticed that some of my newer dark spots were starting to slowly fade, which is a major win for such a short period of time.
For the Illuminate cream, I did notice that some of the fine lines I had around my forehead were slowly diminishing after the two-week mark as well. While I don’t have any wrinkles, I’m a strong believer in preventive care, and this anti-aging cream includes some heavy-hitting ingredients neatly packed into one potent product. I strongly believe that with consistent use, I will see even more results at the 8-week mark, like the brand promises.
TLDR: If you’re looking to simplify your skincare routine with powerful active ingredients that pack a punch, this clinically-backed and doctor-created skincare system is for you. It not only will make your life a lot easier but leave you with soft, glowing skin in just a few weeks time.
Ready to try it for yourself? Start here.
