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Image: Courtesy of SickScienceTesting beauty products is part of my job description, and after 17 years in the industry, few formulas truly impress me. But this one—SickScience ShapeShift V-Line Jaw Defining Serum ($58)—certainly did.
Let’s take a step back: A few months ago, I had a Zoom meeting with the cofounders of SickScience, a new biotech brand. Merve Yildirim-Canpolat, PhD, and Polen Koçak-Denizci, PhD, met in college chemistry class over a decade ago. With backgrounds in genetics, bio-engineering, and PhDs in biotechnology, they were working on research to cure a rare type of cancer when they stumbled upon the incredible potential of plant-derived exosomes. They decided to incorporate this technology ("NX35") into beauty products, leading to the creation of SickScience. Their game-changing approach—patent-pending exosome technology using pineapple-derived enzymes—supposedly sends precise instructions to cells, prompting a targeted and effective response.
Their debut product, a vegan gel-serum, claims to sculpt the skin by 'retargeting lipid droplets without harming fat cells.' The outcome: a firmer, more defined jawline and neckline with consistent use twice a day for just four weeks. Though it’s designed to target the stubborn fat under the chin, those in clinical trials also applied it to their thighs and abdomen with positive results. Of course, I had the same skepticism you’re probably feeling: it seems too good to be true. But as a newer mom of two about to turn 40, it’s not my post-pregnancy belly that’s been bugging me—it’s the fuller chin and neck area. After consulting with my trusted dermatologists about my concerns, they all shared the same advice: targeting the jawline and under-chin area is especially tricky, even with at-home products. So, naturally, I tossed the purple and silver capsule into my bag, brought it home, and applied it that very night.
IMAGE: SickScienceWhile testing it, I also sent bottles to a few Mytour enthusiasts to evaluate for our Beauty Awards. The serum is lightweight, fragrance-free, and dye-free. Unlike most tightening products that rely on caffeine and peptides, this formula is claimed to target fat at a molecular level. I applied it in an upward motion on my neck and jawline twice daily. As I noticed results, so did others. Cathy Vix, a 65-year-old reader from Goodyear, Arizona, emailed me to share her experience: 'This gel is brilliant. I don’t have many wrinkles, but my jawline had sagged. After using it twice a day, I’ve noticed fewer wrinkles and less sagging.' We were all so impressed that the serum won the 2024 Mytour Smart Beauty Award. I featured it on a TV segment, which led to the brand’s inventory selling out in just hours, creating a 4,000-person waitlist. (Good news: they’ve restocked.)
I don't think I've ever recommended a product to as many friends and family as I have with this one. What I love is that it’s affordable, effortless, and pain-free to use (I've tried some painful in-office jaw and neck-lifting treatments, and wow, those hurt). With regular use, you can really notice a difference. To be fully transparent, since the first photo I took back in February, I did lose some weight, but the noticeable tightening along my jawline and neck is impressive, which speaks volumes about how well this serum works. Weight loss can sometimes lead to sagging in that area, and I feel like this serum helped prevent that. I still have a few horizontal neck lines (thanks to tech neck), but I truly believe this serum helped shape and define my jaw and neckline, giving me a much-needed boost. The brand’s second launch, PowerCycle Scalp Treatment Serum, promises to aid hair growth, and you can bet I'll be applying it to my scalp soon.
