Tag: Cosmetics

How To Apply Skin Care Cosmetics In The Correct Order And Why It Matters

How To Apply Skin Care Cosmetics In The Correct Order And Why It Matters:

I previously discussed a lot of skin care products and that brought forth questions, mostly about not WHAT to use, but HOW to use them.  One of the questions I am most frequently asked involves the order in which products should be applied.  This seems to be universally confusing to most users.  People seem to wonder about how to apply skin care cosmetics in the correct order and why it matters.  The sequence in which you apply skin care products actually does make a difference and there is a right way and wrong way.

Too Many Products, Too Many Choices:

There are so many products to choose from nowadays, it is no wonder that how to use them all correctly is mind boggling for most.  After all, there used to just be cleanser, toner, day cream and night cream.  Then came eye cream, serum, moisturizer with sunscreen, moisturizer without sunscreen, sunscreen by itself, face primer, eye primer, lip primer, facial oil, micellar water, facial essence and the list just keeps growing.  (As I’ve been typing this, ten new things have probably been invented!)

Develop An Order:

To achieve the maximum benefit from your products, develop an order to your routine and it will be easy to follow.  What follows is a simple breakdown on how to properly coordinate your skin care products.  After all, why spend the money and go to the trouble to use them if you are not going to get the optimum benefit from the products, right?

Do You Need All of This Stuff?

Now, I’m not telling you that you need to use all of these products every day.  I don’t.  But, you can take a look at the list and you can see where your products fall in line with other products.

Skin Care Cosmetics Application Tips and Tricks:

  • Always begin with clean skin. Nothing is going to work well unless you are starting with a clean, fresh surface.
  • Exfoliate regularly. The products cannot penetrate through a layer of dead skin cells.  There is no point in putting skin care products on if they can’t be absorbed well.
  • Begin with the products that are the thinnest like water and then progress to the next thickest, and so on. Why?  Because if you start with a thick product, the thin one won’t be able to penetrate through it, won’t do any good, and you are basically wasting it.
  • Give each product a chance to be absorbed before you move on to the next product. (Depending upon the product this may be 20 seconds or two minutes.)
How To Apply Skin Care Cosmetics In The Correct Order And Why It Matters Cleanse First

Always Begin By Thoroughly Cleansing First

Thinner or Thicker?

Can’t figure out which ones feel thinner or thicker?  Here is a simple trick—Apply a dab of each product along your forearm, then turn your arm sideways and see which ones run or drip down first.  Make a note of that and apply them in that order.  If they all feel the same or don’t drip, then apply them according to how quickly and easily absorbed they are.  Rub  them in one at a time and count how long it takes for them to be absorbed.  Begin with the one that is absorbed the fastest and then progress to the next.  (You can also put them on a plate if you don’t want to put them on your arm, but that won’t tell you anything about the absorption rate.)

How To Apply Skin Care Cosmetics In The Correct Order And Why It Matters Begin With The Thinnest Products

Begin With The Thinnest Products And Work Up To The Thickest Products

How To Apply Skin Care Cosmetics In The Correct Order And Why It Matters Cream Thin Or Thick

Does The Cream Feel Thin Or Thick? How Long Does It Take To Be Absorbed?

Your order may be slightly different than what is listed below because your products may differ in viscosity from what I am using.  The order below is a general guideline, only.

Skin Care Products Application Order:

Daytime:

  • Oil Cleanser
  • Foam Cleanser
  • Micellar Water
  • Toner
  • Facial Essence (Like a watered-down moisturizer-good for dry skin)
  • Serum
  • Acne Spot Treatment
  • Eye Cream (If your eye cream is heavy, put it on after moisturizer or facial oil.)
  • Moisturizer
  • Facial Oil
  • Sunscreen
  • Primer
  • Lip Protection
  • Makeup (A future post will discuss the proper order for makeup.)

Nighttime:

  • Eye Makeup Remover
  • Oil Cleanser
  • Foam Cleanser
  • Exfoliation or Facial scrub
  • Treatment Mask
  • Micellar Water
  • Toner
  • Facial Essence
  • Serum
  • Acne Spot Treatment
  • Eye Cream (If your eye cream is heavy, put it on after moisturizer or facial oil.)
  • Moisturizer
  • Facial Oil
  • Night Cream
  • Lip Protection
How To Apply Skin Care Cosmetics In The Correct Order And Why It Matters Give The Products Time

Give The Products Time To Be Absorbed Before Applying The Next One

Still Confused?  We Can Help.

Still confused?  Don’t know how to how to apply skin care cosmetics in the correct order and why it matters?  Message me with what you are using and I can quickly sort through the products to put them in order for you.

Coming… The Best Order for Applying Makeup:

I’m going to write another post that will demonstrate the best order to apply your makeup products.

Sign Up:

Want to be notified when the makeup application order posts?  Let us know in the Comments section below and we’ll send it to you.

Thanks!

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

Product:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer.  Have imperfections you need to cover?  Dark circles disappear with this heavy-duty full-coverage concealer.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars – Very Good to Excellent.

Cost: $24.00 (.28 oz.) ($85.71 per ounce)  Price Category: Mid-range

Sold By:  IT Cosmetics; QVC; Ulta.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap, outer carton.

Description:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is an opaque, heavy waterproof concealer.  IT Cosmetics, of TV infomercial fame, is now part of the L’Oreal family.  L’Oreal acquired IT Cosmetics last year for 1.2 billion dollars.  (I guess they intend to sell a lot of concealer.)

Formula:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is a thick work-horse type of concealer.  If you like light and airy products, this is not the concealer for you.  If you need to conceal scars, blemishes, dark circles or tattoos, this dense cream might just do the trick.  The formula feels a little tacky so you will want to set this with powder if you are not applying foundation over it.  This does not contain light-diffusing agents.  If you prefer that look, IT also makes this concealer with a pearlescent quality from the addition of Mica, called  Bye Bye Undereye Illumination Anti-Aging Concealer.  I like the Illumination one for fair-skinned brides.

Sensitivity:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes, skin, or those who wear contacts.

Company Claims:

 “IT’s your 8 hours of sleep in a tube!™ Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer”
“Why You’ll Love IT™…Developed with plastic surgeons, this best-selling, award-winning, cult-favorite waterproof concealer delivers highly pigmented, long-lasting coverage that won’t crease or crack. Infused with high-performance pigments and anti-aging peptides, vitamins, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, the game-changing formula improves the appearance of wrinkles and effectively conceals the look of skin imperfections including dark circles, bags, redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots and discoloration. Finally, a multitasking, full-coverage concealer that makes your skin look younger!”

Discussion:  As a makeup artist there is probably no more important item in my kit than concealer.  My clients expect me to make them look better and everyone (except that one Swedish girl) has some sort of issues to conceal.  I have put makeup on thousands of faces and I’ve only seen one that had flawless skin.  I have tried hundreds of concealers, and while I don’t use this one every day, Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is the one I reach for when I need some serious coverage.

Colors:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer comes in four colors:  Light, Medium, Tan and Deep.  The Deep is probably not dark enough for truly dark-skinned African Americans.  I use the Light on very fair-skinned clients or for brightening.  If necessary, you can mix two colors.  I included some color swatches and a color shade chart below.

Morning Review:  After cleansing, toning and moisturizing and/or priming, apply Bye Bye Undereye Concealer prior to the application of foundation.  A little goes a long way so start with a small drop of product.  If you need more, apply another layer.  It is better to build this up in thin layers than to start with one thick layer.  I apply this with a small concealer brush.  IT Cosmetics make a nice dual-ended brush that works well.  For a beauty bargain, ELF also makes a good inexpensive concealer brush.  A light dusting of a high definition micronized powder will keep this in place until you take it off.

Evening Review:  After many hours, Bye Bye Undereye Concealer does not budge.  It stays on without fading, creasing, or flaking.  As this product is waterproof, you will need a makeup remover to get it off completely.

Overall Review:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer works very well and covers most imperfections.  It is highly pigmented and very buildable for additional coverage.

Pros:

  • Thick cream covers well
  • Squeeze tube keeps product sanitary
  • Takes very little product to cover imperfections
  • Waterproof
  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Skin-friendly ingredients

Cons:

  • Slightly tacky finish must be set with powder
  • Some users may have difficulty finding the right shade.
  • This will not reduce the look of undereye bags as the manufacturer claims.
  • I have not seen any evidence that use of this will make you look younger over time. (Darn!)

Suitability:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is suitable for the following users:

  • All users.  (This is a very good product for men to use as well as women.  I use this on male models, actors and performers.)
  • I have also used this on severely wrinkled and aged skin with good results.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars = Very Good to Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye ConcealerIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer BoxIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer TipIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer Color SwatchesIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer Color Chart

Before IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

Before IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

After IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

After IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

Ingredients:  Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ozokerite, Phenoxyethanol, Aqua/Water/Eau, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Cholesteryl Chloride, Chrysin, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Steareth-20. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Product:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner.  Does IT perform as well as IT is advertised?

Overall Rating = 2+ stars4.25 Stars for Effectiveness – 2 Stars for Issues = 2.25 Stars – Just Okay

Cost: $22 for .17 oz. ($129.41 per ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  IT Cosmetics; QVC; Ulta.

Container: Plastic automatic twist-up pencil, removable cap, sharpener, outer carton.

Description:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is a waterproof gel eyeliner in a pencil form as opposed to a little pot.  This eyeliner requires an eye makeup remover to effectively take all of it off.

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is a fragrance-free product suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.

Warning:  You have probably seen or heard of this brand from QVC, a TV shopping network, or from the Guthey-Renker infomercial.  A word of advice… if you do decide to give this brand a try, I recommend purchasing from QVC or Ulta.  If you fall for the infomercial like I did, you’ll be in for a rude awakening.  IT Cosmetics advertises a $39.95 (5-piece) or $49.95 (7-piece) offer, but when the shipment arrives, your credit card has been billed $119.00.  Nowhere are you informed that buying the initial offer also signs you up for an automatic shipment program and other membership charges you did not agree to.  Then you have to go through the hassle of refuting charges, you’re out shipping fees, etc.  Okay, you have been warned.

Claims:  The company states, “IT’s eye opening! Waterproof automatic pencil infused with skin loving hydrolyzed silk, collagen, peptides and anti-oxidants.”

Discussion:  Eyeliners come in the following formulas and they each have their pros, cons, and various uses:

  • Dry cake that you add water to
  • Wax-based wooden pencil that you sharpen
  • Wax-based automatic pencil that you twist up
  • Water-based liquid eyeliner
  • Waterproof liquid eyeliner
  • Cream in a pan or a pot
  • Gel in a pot
  • Gel in an automatic pencil that you twist up (IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner )

I immediately became a fan of gels when they were introduced over a decade ago.  A gel goes on like a cream, but then after one to two minutes, it dries and sets making it very long lasting.  At least that is true for dry to consistent skin.  Users with very oily skin may not have such great results.  Sadly, oily skin is not a friend to most types of eye makeup.

Please Note:  I will be posting an in-depth discussion of the various types of eyeliners and how to select the right type for your needs on the Help page.  Please stay tuned for that post.  If you want to know when updates are posted, please tell us in the  Comments section below.

Morning Review:  This is a difficult product for me to review.  Read on and you’ll understand why.  The first time I used IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner it went on like a dream.  I found the formula to be smooth, the color a nice deep black, and once it dried it seemed to be budge proof.  Before it dries, you can smudge it if you choose for a smoky look, or you can leave the line intact for a sharper look.

Had I only used it once and then written a review, my review would have given it 4 or even 5 stars.  Thankfully, I used this many times (or attempted to), before offering this review.  Otherwise, I would definitely be going back to revise my rating.

Evening Review:  After several hours IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner did not smudge, fade, flake or cause any irritation issues.  I used an eye makeup remover designed for waterproof makeup and it came off easily.  Sounds great, right?

So, what are the problems with IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner?

  • Even though I kept the product tightly capped and even stored it in the original box, after only two weeks it began to dry out and went from a smooth application to dry and tugging on my eyelids.
  • After one month the eyeliner was so dried out that it was unusable.
  • In order to get rid of the dry exterior, the pencil needs to be sharpened after every couple of uses, which wastes a lot of product (that is when you can actually get it to sharpen).
  • The built-in sharpener (in the end) that comes with the eyeliner causes product loss and breakage. As if that isn’t bad enough, the IT Cosmetics website offers conflicting advice to other users who have complained about this same issue.  (I posted actual text from their website below.)

Overall Review:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is great at first and then quickly turns into a dried-out unusable product.  If you use eyeliner every day and are okay with buying a new one every month, then this may be a very  good eyeliner for you.  If you are an occasional user, this will be a waste for you.

It is a shame that this eyeliner did not last longer as it has some beneficial ingredients for the skin and at first it was an impressive product.  With some tweaking of the formula to keep it from drying out so quickly this could be one of the best gel eyeliners in a stick form.

Helpful Tips & Tricks:

  • Always “set” your pencil, cream, or gel eyeliner with an eyeshadow in the same color as the eyeliner.
  • For a glossy extra-dramatic look, apply gel eyeliner, eyeshadow, then liquid eyeliner.
  • Always apply liquid eyeliner after your eyeshadow or the eyeshadow will get on the eyeliner and make it dull.

Users:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is suitable for the following users:

  • All users (provided you don’t mind buying the product frequently)

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars4 Stars for effectiveness – 2 Stars for drying out so quickly = 2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars4 Stars for effectiveness – 2 Stars for drying out so quickly = 2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars (They only used it once.);

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.25 Stars = Just Okay.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Sharpener

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Built-in Sharpener

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Sharpener Issue 1IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Sharpener Issue 2

Ingredients: BLACK: TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, ISOHEXADECANE, ISODODECANE, POLYETHYLENE, SYNTHETIC WAX, SILICA, CERESIN, POLYISOBUTENE, METHICONE, ROSA CANINA FLOWER OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER, PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, PRUNUS AVIUM (SWEET CHERRY) SEED OIL, PRUNUS DOMESTICA SEED OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, CHOLESTEROL, COLLAGEN, HYALURONIC ACID, HYDROLYZED SILK, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHEROL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, OLEA EUROPAEA LEAF EXTRACT, PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT, IRON OXIDE (CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) Vitamin C Skin Conditioner

Product:  Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) Vitamin C Skin Conditioner.  Will this serum make you look younger and more radiant?

Overall Rating =  3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $28.50 for 1 oz. ($28.50 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  Serious Skin Care; HSN

Container:  Classic Formula – Glass bottle with plastic pump; pump does twist off.  New Formula – Plastic bottle with plastic pump; pump does twist off.

Description:  Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) Vitamin C Skin Conditioner is a fragrance-free serum intended to address fine lines and wrinkles.  This serum is intended to be used immediately following cleansing, night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

This review is for the Classic formula of this serum.  The Classic formula is being replaced with “C Serum Vitamin C Ester Skin Conditioner”.  I like the Classic formula.  I have not tried the new formula because the new formula contains fragrance.  If you click on the links above next to “Sold By”, you will note that the Serious Skin Care link is for the Classic formula and the HSN link is for the new formula.  HSN no longer sells the Classic formula and I think Serious Skin Care (SSC) is discontinuing the Classic formula, so if you want to try this one, I don’t know how long it will be offered for sale.  If you don’t mind fragrance, perhaps you will like the new formula.  I won’t be trying it, but I’d be interested in hearing your feedback with either formula.

The company claims:  “Got mature skin? If you are over 40 and already see those fine lines and wrinkles, you may want to give Serious Skincare’s C-Serum Vitamin C Ester Skin Conditioner a try. This dynamic product is designed to help you recapture the look of your youth. Four Vitamin C Esters, an assortment of Vitamin C-containing botanicals, and the additional Rovisome C delivery system combine to help condition, smooth out and soften the visual appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your skin.”

Morning Review:  This Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) is yellow and has a light citrus scent from the botanical ingredients.  The scent does not bother me or make my nose run.  The consistency is heavier than most serums.  This one does not feel like water; it feels more like glycerin or a thick liquid.  This serum does not have the typical silicone derivatives, so it also does not have that slippery primer feel.  It glides on smoothly onto my skin and is absorbed quickly.  This serum feels very gentle and I don’t experience any irritation.  My skin doesn’t actually feel any different after I apply this, which I kind of like.  I don’t care for the feeling of heavy products on my skin.  My makeup goes on nicely on top of this serum without any sticky feeling.  As this product does not contain any sunscreen, please apply sunscreen before your makeup or use a makeup with a high SPF.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin does not feel dry, tight, or itchy.  SSC C Serum (Classic) helps my makeup to wear well, my face stays soft and smooth, and I do not experience any sensitivity or irritation issues.  This serum helps to keep my skin feeling soft and hydrated.  I have not seen any evidence of elimination or improvement of fine lines or wrinkles.  But then, I haven’t found that to be true with any other product, either.  I’m still waiting to discover the product that turns back time.  When I do, I’ll be sure to share it!

Overall Review: Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) Vitamin C Skin Conditioner is an excellent serum for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities. This is suitable for both women and men.  My male tester did not mind the fragrance and said he would use it.  He said it made his skin feel softer.  This is a good serum for oily skin and anyone who does not like the feeling of silicone on their skin.

I messaged the company about this product.  I hope Serious Skin Care does not discontinue this formula and I have not heard back from the company as to whether or not this product is being eliminated from their line.  I suspect it is because it has disappeared from the HSN line up and it is now appearing on the “Farewell Favorites” page on the SSC site.

Please note:  This serum contains ingredients that are air sensitive.  Keep the container tightly sealed when not in use.

Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) Vitamin C Skin Conditioner is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic) Vitamin C Skin Conditioner

Serious Skin Care C Serum (Classic)

Serious Skin Care C Serum Vitamin C Ester Skin Conditioner

Serious Skin Care C Serum (New)

Ingredients (Classic): Water, Butylene Glycol, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Fruit Extract, Kiwi (Actinidia Chinensis) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia) Fruit Extract, Mandarin Orange (Citrus Nobilis) Fruit Extract, Mango (Mangifera Indica) Fruit Extract, Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Fruit Extract, Passion Fruit (Passiflora Incarnata) Fruit Extract, Pineapple (Ananas Sativus) Fruit Extract, Rosehips (Rosa Canina) Fruit Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Potassium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tetrahexaldecyl Ascorbate, Lecithin, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, PPG-14 Palmeth-60 Hexyl Dicarbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.

Ingredients (New Formula): Water, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Lecithin, Citrus Grandis Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citrus Noblis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Colloidal Platinum, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Potassium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Zinc Aspartate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Alcohol, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, PPG-14 Palmeth-60 Hexyl Dicarbamate, Sodium Citrate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, DMDM Hydantoin, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Fragrance.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Product:  First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.  Does your skin need serious help?

Overall Rating =  3+ stars3.25 Stars – Good

Cost: $30.00 for 6 oz. ($5.00 per ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  FirstAidBeauty; QVC; Sephora; Ulta

Container:  Larger Sizes – Plastic jar with twist-off lid; Smaller Sizes – Plastic tube with twist-off flip-top cap

Description:  First Aid Beauty is a line many of you may not be familiar with.  This is a relatively new brand of cosmetics and has only been around since 2009.  This brand first caught my attention because the entire line is fragrance free and all of the products say they are safe for sensitive skin.  The brand really took off when they got their products into Sephora stores, on QVC, and starting getting buzz from beauty editors.  First Aid Beauty (FAB) has received quite a lot of media attention in recent years, most of it positive as far as I can tell.

FAB Ultra Repair Cream is a fragrance-free cream that is best for consistent, dry, combination or sensitive skin.  This cream may be too intense for oily skin.  This cream is intended to be used both on the face any anywhere on the body.  Since this is a thick and heavy cream, this should be used after other products, if applying it to the face.

My skin has been taking a beating the past few weeks with all of the testing I have been doing so I was happy to try out a cream with “ultra repair” in the name.

Please Note:  This product contains Eucalyptus Globulus (next to last ingredient).  Many individuals are sensitive to eucalyptus and this may cause irritation if you don’t tolerate eucalyptus well.  If you experience burning or itching, please discontinue use.

The company claims:  “DELIVERS EXCEPTIONAL HYDRATION AND PROTECTION WITH NO GREASY PETROLEUM – FAB Ultra Repair® Cream is a thick, rich, emollient product that hydrates deep down with exceptional penetration. With the help of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, soothing eucalyptus oil and ceramides, FAB Ultra Repair® Cream provides immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin. FAB Antioxidant Booster is there to defend skin from free radical damage. Ultra Repair® Cream can be used all over the body and on the face. “

Regarding the skin types this cream is intended for the company further states, “WHO SHOULD USE IT?  FAB Ultra Repair® Cream is for anyone with severely dry, scaly skin due to harsh winter weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments or any of the following conditions: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris.”

Please Note:  This product is not intended to treat any medical condition.  Before using this or any product, please consult your dermatologist.

Reviewing the ingredients, this cream is not going to provide any real anti-aging benefits or cutting-edge ingredients.  It is a nice basic cream that will provide hydration and moisture from colloidal oatmeal, glycerin and shea butter.

Morning Review:  The FAB Ultra Repair Cream is a bright white thick cream.  This does not contain any SPF or sunscreen ingredients.  Apply this after your serum or primer and sunscreen. It has a velvety texture and a dollop about the size of a raspberry (1/4 teaspoon) is enough for just the face.  You will probably use a full tablespoon or more if you are going to apply this to your entire body.  The scent is difficult to describe.  It smells like a eucalyptus candle to me.  It is very subtle and does not linger once applied to the skin.  I did not experience any negative side effects from the scent.  The cream feels very hydrating and soothing to my irritated, sensitive skin.  Because this cream is so dense, I do not think users with oily skin will like this one, despite the claims from the company that this cream is suitable for all skin types.  It takes a while for this to fully absorb into the skin, so if you are planning on putting makeup on top of it, you may need to allow for an extra five minutes.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel dry, tight or oily.  I did not experience any irritation, redness or sensitivity issues.  The FAB cream really helped to calm my skin down and kept it feeling soft and smooth for several hours.

Overall Review:  First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream seems to be an excellent heavy cream for all skin types except oily, especially those with fragrance allergies.  This is suitable for both women and men.  My male tester did not find the scent displeasing and could barely smell anything.  This would be an excellent hand cream for men who have rough skin.  I would say I like this better as a hand or body cream than a face cream.  It simply feels too heavy and smothering to me.  I don’t like to feel like there is anything on my skin.  Also, I don’t like to use separate creams and sunscreens, so I would only use this at night or if I were staying in for the day.

The cream is available in tubes in smaller sizes and jars in larger sizes.  Even though the cost per ounce is less in the jar, I would buy the smaller tubes to protect the contents from contamination.  Even though the concentration of anti-oxidants in this creams is quite small, what little there is will be sensitive to air and light and rendered ineffective over time if you buy the jar.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is suitable for the following skin types:  (All but oily)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive (not if sensitive to eucalyptus);
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.25 Stars – Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair CreamFirst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Open JarFirst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream in Hand

Ingredients:  Colloidal Oatmeal, Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Squalane, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Ceramide 3.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Colorants, Parabens.

Please Note:  There has been some controversy regarding whether Feverfew Extract is good or bad for your skin.  The Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract that First Aid Beauty uses is free of the potentially sensitizing component Parthenolide (technically known as Sesquiterpene Lactone).  Feverfew itself, when Parthenolide-free, has a calming effect on the skin.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Product:  First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser.  Is this the facial wash your skin needs to stay clean and healthy?

Overall Rating =  3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good to Excellent

Cost: $20.00 for 5 oz. ($4.00 per ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  FirstAidBeauty; QVC; Sephora; Ulta

Container:  Plastic tube with flip-top cap; cap does screw off

Description:  First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a fragrance-free cream facial wash that you mix with water and then rinse off.  This cleanser is intended to be used night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

I am always on a quest for a gentle cleanser that will work effectively and not wreak havoc with my extremely sensitive skin.  If you don’t do anything but keep your skin clean without stripping it, keep it exfoliated, and wear sunscreen every day, you’ll probably age beautifully and have nice skin.  It sounds simple enough but finding products to accomplish that can prove difficult.

I am new to this brand but I will be trying many of their products to see how well they really perform.  The entire line is fragrance free.  I have read the ingredients labels of every single product and there is not a hint of fragrance anywhere.  Whoo hoo!

The company claims: “FAB Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin, removes surface oils, make up, dirt and grime. Its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It is infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals.”  There are additional claims on their website.

Morning Review:  The First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a bright white, thick cream.  This does not contain any exfoliating ingredients.  It has a pretty pearlescent quality and a dollop about the size of a blueberry is enough to clean your entire face.  I wet my face first and then massaged the cleanser onto my face.  It does not lather or produce bubbles but it does have a very slight foaming property.  It has almost no scent and just smells clean.  There is a very slight inoffensive chemical component to the scent.  The scent does not make my nose run, eyes water, or produce any negative side effects whatsoever.  The thick cleanser feels gentle and soothing to my skin.  It rinsed off completely and did not leave any oily residue.  My skin did not feel tight or stripped.  My first impression was, “Wow, very nice!”  Let’s see how my skin actually reacts to this after several hours.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight or oily.  I did not experience any irritation or redness, but something is making my face break out (see note below).  The FAB cleanser effectively removes makeup and my wipes did not find any traces of makeup when using this with just my hands. The cleanser did not make my face feel anything other than clean.  Imagine that!  This would be a very good cleanser to use with a cleansing brush.

Note:  After several hours my skin began to break out and I ended up with six blemishes on my face.  I suspect the blemishes may have been due to a product I used the previous day.  I am going to give my skin a few days to completely clear and then I will re-test this cleanser and revise my review.

Overall Review: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser seems to be an excellent facial wash for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities.  This is suitable for both women and men.  I think men could also shave with this product and I will report back on that aspect.

This is a preliminary review.  I will re-test this product once my skin clears and also get a report from other testers.

This cleanser is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = ? Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol,Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Dyes, Parabens.

Please Note:  There has been some controversy regarding whether Feverfew Extract is good or bad for your skin.  The Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract that First Aid Beauty uses is free of the potentially sensitizing component Parthenolide (technically known as Sesquiterpene Lactone).  Feverfew itself, when Parthenolide-free, has a calming effect on the skin.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects

Product:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects.  Does this serum really produce dramatic results?

Overall Rating = 3+ stars 3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $49.50 for 1 oz. ($49.50 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Expensive

Sold By:  Clinique; Dillard’s; Macys; Sephora; Major Department Stores

Container:  Glass bottle with glass or plastic dropper

Description:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum is a fragrance-free serum intended to address fine lines and wrinkles.  This serum is designed to be used immediately following cleansing, night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

I have been familiar with this brand for decades.  Once upon a time, they were the only company with an entire fragrance-free line that was readily available at retail.

The company claims: “Delivers 63% of the visible wrinkle improvement of a dermatological laser procedure at 12 weeks. Not a laser, of course. But impressive results. New ingredients deliver twice the smoothing as before, remarkably refining skin’s texture.”  These are some pretty lofty claims, right?  I don’t necessarily agree with these statements, but I always take marketing claims with a grain of salt.

Please note, nothing that comes out of a bottle or jar is going to give you results that can in any way compare to the dramatic changes your skin will see if you undergo laser treatments from a physician.  Lasers can penetrate the epidermis down into deeper layers and will stimulate collagen production greater than any serum.  Lasers can tighten and tone skin.  Lasers can eliminate skin issues that no topical product can achieve.

 As we age, our skin gets thinner, collagen production slows, and skin regeneration and sloughing decreases.  Thinner skin also becomes less flexible which leads to the formation of lines and wrinkles.  Light skinned individuals typically first show aging as lines around their eyes and dark skinned individuals typically experience discoloration as they age followed by lines and wrinkles.  Because serums are so light and thin, they are readily absorbed into the skin to deliver anti-aging antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients.

Morning Review:  This Clinique fragrance-free serum is clear and has almost no scent other than those from the botanical ingredients.  The consistency is light and the texture is silky.  Due to the high concentration of silicone derivatives, it glides on smoothly onto my skin.  This serum feels very gentle and I don’t experience any irritation.  Due to the lightness, it is quickly absorbed.  Although not specifically designed for it, this serum can be applied to your décolletage.  My makeup goes on top of this product beautifully without any stickiness or tackiness.  As this product does not contain any sunscreen, please apply sunscreen before your makeup or use a makeup with a high SPF.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight.  This serum helps my makeup to wear well, my face stays soft and smooth, and I do not experience any sensitivity or irritation issues.  This serum helps to improve the tone and texture of my skin.  I have not seen any evidence of elimination or improvement of fine lines or wrinkles.

Overall Review:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum is an excellent serum for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities. This is suitable for both women and men.

Please note:  This serum contains ingredients that are air and light sensitive.  Do not store this near a sunny window sill and keep the container tightly sealed when not in use.  This product comes in larger sizes, but the ingredients begin to lose effectiveness once exposed to air and light.  Unless you are going to use the contents within 90 days, it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to buy the large bottle just because it costs less.  If you still have a lot of product left after 90 days you’ll essentially just have a nice light weight primer without any anti-aging benefits.  If you like to use a lot of serum twice a day and also apply it to your décolletage, then the larger bottle may be a good choice for you.

This serum is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects Serum

Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysilicone-11, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Plankton Extract, Whey Protein, Sea Whip Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Sodium Hyaluronate, Micrococcus Lysate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Ergothioneine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Carbomer, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Dyes, Parabens.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer

2 Comments

Product:  Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer.  This used to be known as Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Peel.  (Photos of both products are shown below.)  This is a two-step fragrance-free exfoliating product.

Overall Rating: = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.

Cost: $48.50 for 4 oz. total (2 products, 2 oz. each) ($12.13 per ounce) Price Category: Mid-range

Sold By:  Serious Skin Care; HSN; Kohl’s (limited products)

Container:  Two tubes with screw-off caps

Description:  I first became familiar with this line of products while channel surfing in the middle of the night.  Jennifer Flavin-Stallone and Cecilia Lewis were on HSN and I stopped to listen as they touted the benefits of this line.  I ordered a kit with many different products, most I didn’t care for due to fragrances, but this one was interesting.

Here is the description from the Serious Skin Care website:

“Doesn’t your skin deserve a very special beauty treatment? “C” a wonderful difference in the way your skin looks and feels with C-Extreme Results from Serious Skincare. This at-home skin resurfacing kit is a 2-part beauty treatment that helps rapidly exfoliate your skin while delivering Vitamin C.”

“What It Does: Helps skin feel incredibly soft and silky. Helps improve the appearance of mature, over-40 skin.”

The funny thing about this line of products is that when I first tried them about a decade ago the packaging looked like someone was making this stuff in their garage.  The jars and bottles were the generic plastic kind you would buy if you were making your own cosmetics and the paper labels looked like they were printed with a home computer.  Since I don’t like fancy containers anyway, this was both amusing and appealing to me.  Also, their website is a no-fuss site without a lot of information.  Recently, they have gone to fancier, more expensive packaging and they are giving you less product as a result.  Such is progress, right?

Warning:  Please do not use this product, or any physically abrasive product, if you have Rosacea without consulting your dermatologist first.

Morning Review:  This is not intended to be a daily cleanser.  This is an exfoliating product designed to be used 2-3 times per week after cleansing.  Highly sensitive skin may want to begin with once per week.  Both products are fragrance free and the scent occurs from the ingredients. Step 1 has a light generic chemical scent and step 2 has a light citrus scent.  Neither scent is offensive to me nor makes my nose run.

This product reminds me of chemistry class.  Remember when you poured vinegar or a soft drink (acids) onto a pile of baking soda (an alkali) and watched it bubble?  Such is the effect of this two-step chemical activation product.  Step 1 is gritty feeling from the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) which is the second ingredient.  You squeeze out the off-white paste from the tube and put that all over your face.  It takes about a teaspoon of product.  You then squirt out the clear lactic acid liquid from step 2 and rub it on top of step 1.  Squirt it into the palm of your hand or it will go all over the place.  Also, you’ll need about a teaspoon of the liquid.  (For some reason I always run out of the paste before the liquid even though I try to use equal amounts.)  This product used to come with step 1 in a jar and step 2 in a squirt bottle.  That packaging made a lot more sense than this current configuration.  It is difficult to get all of the paste out of the tube and the liquid runs out too fast.

As you might expect, when these two compounds combine, they bubble up on your face and this chemical reaction exfoliates your skin.  Some people report a gentle warming sensation, others do not.  I do feel the warming sensation when I use these two products together.  The current formula is not as dramatic as when I first used the product years ago.  After gently massaging the products, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.  As with any exfoliating product, avoid the eye area.  My skin feels baby soft after using this combo and my makeup goes on flawlessly.

Morning Rating = 4 Stars for the Product, 3 Stars for the Packaging = 3.5 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin stayed smooth and I did not have any allergic reactions.  I have used this many times without any negative side effects.

Overall Review:  I prefer chemical exfoliants to physical exfoliants, and this product is unusual as it is both a chemical and physical exfoliant.  Using this product 1-2 times per week should be fine for most people.  I would say that every other day would be too frequent.  Sensitive skin should begin with once per week.  This is not a good product to use in conjunction with a cleansing brush.  The combination would prove too severe.  As with any physical exfoliant, the key is to be gentle, and don’t rub vigorously, or you will irritate your skin.

Those of you who follow me know that I am a huge fan of exfoliating and discuss the topic frequently.  Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer is a very good exfoliant at a mid-range price.  It definitely removes dead skin and leaves my face feeling smoother.  The scent is not offensive.  The products do not dry out my skin and my sensitive skin tolerates it well.

This product is appropriate for use by men as well as women.

This exfoliant is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for those with Rosacea)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Sensitive (but not Rosacea);
  • Oily;
  • Dry;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars;

Average from Other Testers =4 stars 4 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer

Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer Current Packaging

Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Peel

Serious Skin Care C Extreme Results Peel Former Packaging

Ingredients (Step 1) C-Resurface: PEG-6, Sodium Bicarbonate, Oleth-20, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Dimethicone, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl, Butylparaben, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.

Ingredients (Step 2) C-Potion: Water, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polyquaternium-10, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Beta Carotene, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Olay Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering Cleansing Cloths

Product:  Olay Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering Cleansing Cloths.  This product used to be known as Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths.  Today’s product is a lathering cleansing cloth that you use with water like a washcloth.

Overall Rating: 2+ stars2.5 Stars = Okay to Good

Cost: $9.89 for 30 cloths ($.33 each)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Sold By:  Wal-mart; Walgreen’s

Container:  Either paper box (new formula) or plastic box (old formula)

Description:  These are a two-sided (textured/smooth) cleansing cloth intended to be used once and then disposed.  You add water, they lather, you scrub, you toss.  These are intended to be used as a daily facial cleanser both morning and night.  This product is not fragrance free and does contain fragrance (parfum).  The textured side is a physical exfoliant.

The company states, “Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering cloths gently cleanse, exfoliate and revive skin in one simple step. At the same time, they infuse moisturization to soften skin and enhance brightness.”  Olay further claims this product “Fights 7 Signs of Aging: 1. Cleans deep; 2. Instantly refines the appearance of pores; 3. Gently exfoliates; 4. Instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines; 5. Enhances brightness; 6. Softens skin; 7. Replenishes moisture.

Cosmetic companies are notorious for slightly altering ingredients, changing packaging and changing names of essentially the same products so they can market something new.  Since most people always want the newest, most innovative products, this keeps consumers motivated to buy.  This product has been around for many years under different names and formulations.  The new cloths are thinner and smaller than the previous cleansing cloths.

Warning:  Please do not use the textured side of these cloths, or any physically abrasive scrubbing product, if you have Rosacea without consulting your dermatologist first.

Morning Review:  When I first opened the container I could smell the perfume-type fragrance.  One of my testers described the scent as “baby powder”.  It doesn’t smell like baby powder to me.  It is a floral type of scent.  These are a thick two-layer cleansing cloth.  One side is solid and smooth and the other side has holes and is textured.  I cut one into fourths and separated the layers to show you.  (See photos below)  As soon as you get this cloth wet and begin rubbing in on your face it begins to lather like soap.  One cloth is large enough to almost wash your entire body.  I was able to wash just my face with one quarter of a cloth.  I began with the textured side on my nose.  The textured side was too rough for my sensitive skin and I only used the smooth side on my face.  I used the textured side for elbows, knees, feet, etc.  Please rub gently, not vigorously, with any exfoliating product.  Please do not rub this on your eyes.  This is not a product for removing eye makeup.  You could wash your face with this after you have removed your eye makeup.  My face did feel very clean after using this and my skin felt soft.  The fragrance was too strong for me though.

Morning Rating: = 2 stars2 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin stayed smooth and I did not have any allergic reactions other than my runny nose due to the fragrance.  The skin on my nose became oily after using the cleansing cloth.  I think this was due to the textured side being too harsh and the lathering ingredients being too drying for my skin which caused my oily area to compensate by producing more oil.  My skin does not react favorably to any product with lathering agents.

Overall Review:  Olay Total Effects Deep Pore (Age Defying) Lathering Cleansing Cloths are a good cleansing cloth if you like a product that lathers and you don’t have any fragrance allergies.  It definitely scrubbed my pores clean and left my skin feeling smoother.  However, the textured side was too harsh for my sensitive skin and I did not tolerate the fragrance well.  I would stay away from this one if you have sensitive skin or Rosacea.

The cloths do contain some nice vitamins, but they are not going to be on your face long enough to prove beneficial and the lathering agents are going to wash them away.

Most men would not like the floral perfume in this product.  My male tester sniffed it and did not even want to try it.

These cloths are suitable for the following skin types: (Not for sensitive or those with Rosacea)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • Women who like fragrance;
  • Oily;
  • Dry;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 2 stars2 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.5 Stars – Okay to Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Olay Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering Cleansing ClothsOlay Cloth Section Both Sides

Olay Cloth Section Textured SideOlay Cloth Section Smooth Side

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths 1

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths Old Name and Photo 1

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths 2

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths Old Name and Photo 2

Current Formula Ingredients:  Water, Niacinamide*, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Panthenol**, Tocopheryl Acetate***, Ascorbic Acid+, Dimethiconol, Butylene Glycol, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance. *Vitamin B3, **Pro-VitaminB5, ***Vitamin E, +Vitamin C.

Old Formula Ingredients: PEG 100, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, C10 30 Cholesterol/Lanesterol Esters, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Polyethylene, PEG 14M, Tribehenin, Fragrance, Polyquaternium 10, Synthetic Beeswax, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, L Menthol.

Old Formula Ingredients: Petrolatum, PEG-100, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocoamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-14M, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Polyquarternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylparaben, Disodium-EDTA, Methylparaben, Sodium Magnesium/Diisobutylene Copolymer, Silica, BHT, Sodium Laurate.

Old Formula Ingredients: Petrolatum, Peg-100, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Peg-14M, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance/Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol*, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium Edta, Salicylic Acid***, Sodium Ma/Diisobutylene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate**, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract. *Provitamin/Provitamine B5, **Vitamin/Vitamine E , ***Beta Hydroxy/Be?Ta-Hydroxy.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

 

Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub

Product:  Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub.  Today’s product is a good exfoliating scrub that won’t “break the bank”.

Overall Rating: 3+ stars3.5 Stars = Very Good

Cost: $5.35 for 5 oz. ($1.07 per ounce)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Sold By:  Wal-mart; Walgreen’s; Retailers everywhere

Container:  Plastic tube with non-removable flip-top lid

Description:  Simple (Sensitive Skin Experts) Smoothing Facial Scrub is a fragrance-free exfoliant without any perfume, dye or harsh chemicals.  The company states, “Our Smoothing Facial Scrub gently lifts dry, dead skin cells to help your skin look brighter and more even textured, plus it’s a perfect blend of our purest possible skin loving ingredients with added vitamins.”

This is not a daily cleanser.  This scrub is intended to be used in conjunction with a daily facial wash, not in place of one.  This is a physical exfoliant, which means it contains ingredients that literally rub off the dead skin cells just like sandpaper removes varnish.  Those of you who follow this blog or my former beauty newsletter know that I can’t stress enough how important exfoliating is to your skin.

Warning:  Please do not use this, or any physically abrasive scrubbing product, if you have Rosacea without consulting your dermatologist first.

Please Note:  This formula was changed a couple of years ago and no longer contains plastic microbeads.  The exfoliating ingredients are now rice powder and silica, which are much better for the environment and marine life.

Morning Review:  Due to my fragrance allergies, the first thing I do with any new product is smell it.  If I immediately sneeze or my nose starts running, I know I’m in trouble.  I flipped open the cap and this scrub definitely has an odor to it.  Since it is a fragrance-free product the scent is due to the ingredients and not added perfume.  Reviewing the contents, there are two different acrylates, which is why this scrub smells like plastic.  One of my testers described the scent as “a new plastic shower curtain”.  I have to say that description nailed the scent.

This is a white creamy cleansing scrub.  You will definitely feel the abrasive rice powder and silica.  Please rub gently, not vigorously, with any exfoliating scrub.  Please do not rub this on your eyes.  This is not a product for removing eye makeup.  You should always avoid getting any type of exfoliating product into your eyes.  A dollop the size of a blueberry would have been enough for my entire face.  I only used it on one side of my face the first time for comparison sake, and to gauge any negative reactions.  I used this day and night two days in a row.

Morning Rating:  = 3 stars3 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin stayed smooth and I did not have any allergic reactions.  The second time I put it on my entire face.  Using it twice in the same day proved to be a little too harsh for my sensitive skin.  The company recommends using this product 2-3 times per week.  I would say that every other day would be fine for most people.  This is not a good product to use in conjunction with a cleansing brush.  The combination would prove too severe.

Overall Review:  I prefer chemical exfoliants to physical exfoliants, but if you like an abrasive scrub, Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub is a good one at a very affordable price.  It definitely scrubbed my pores clean and left my skin feeling smoother.  I did not like the scent, but it was not offensive.  The scrub did not dry out my skin and my sensitive skin tolerated it well.

My male tester liked this product a lot and did not mind the plastic scent.

This scrub is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for those with Rosacea)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Sensitive (but not hypersensitive);
  • Oily;
  • Dry;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub

Ingredients:  Water, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Hydrated Silica, Vegetable Oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, BHT.

Formulated Without:  Fragrance, Dye, Parabens.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.