Tag: Free

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin

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Product:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin.  Is this drugstore brand really as gentle as it claims to be?

Overall Rating =  4 stars4 Stars – Excellent

Cost:  $8.46 for 4 oz. ($2.12 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

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

Container:  Plastic bottle with twist-off pump, outer carton.

Description:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is a no-frills water-based moisturizer.  This is a basic fragrance-free moisturizer that is readily available at most retailers.

Formula:  This does not contain any anti-aging antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients or fancy bells and whistles.  It also doesn’t have any alcohol, stinky perfume or dye.  Sometimes, less is better.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is intended to be used twice a day following cleansing and after the application of lighter products such as serums.

Please Note:  Please do not use this product if you have a soy allergy.  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin contains soybean sterols so you will need to stay away from this one.

Company Claims:

“Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin is a lightweight, water-based moisturizer that provides gentle yet effective moisturization for even the most sensitive skin.

This feather-light, dermatologist-tested formula vanishes into skin—without leaving it greasy or shiny. Extra gentle and irritant-free, it is ideal for sensitive skin. And it contains no alcohol, which can dry skin.”

Morning Review:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive is a medium weight white lotion.  A little goes a long way, and for me, a full pump is too much product.  It is almost as thick as a cream but it does not feel heavy.  I don’t like thick creams on my face.  I also don’t normally use or like products with any amount of petrolatum as they usually feel too heavy on my skin and feel tacky and sticky.  I do not have that reaction with this moisturizer.

It is fragrance-free and has almost no detectable scent.  The lotion feels silky and it absorbs quickly into the skin.  My very dry, hypersensitive skin likes this product.  I do not experience any redness, itching, burning, nose running, eyes watering, or other negative reaction.  This moisturizer leaves my face feeling soft, hydrated and velvety smooth.  Makeup goes on very well on top of this moisturizer.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea, this should be mild enough and should be quite safe for you, but please check with your dermatologist.

Please Also Note:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin does not contain any sunscreen.  Please use a good quality sunscreen with this product.  If using a chemical sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first.  If using a physical sunscreen, apply the sunscreen last.  (I’ll discuss this in detail in a future post.)

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin stayed soft and did not get dry or tight.  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin really kept my skin hydrated without any irritation.  Normally, products with any amount of petrolatum make my T-zone oily and cause breakouts.  For some reason, I do not have that reaction with this product.

Overall Review:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is a basic moisturizer that simply does what it claims to do.  This is a good moisturizer for those who use topical products for acne or Retin-A.  If you use too many anti-aging products at once you can create a recipe for disaster.  Sometimes simple is a good thing.  This is the moisturizer that I mix with the AHA products that are too harsh for my skin.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is suitable for men as well as women.  Users with very oily skin may find this too moisturizing for them.  If it makes your skin feel oily, try using less, or mixing it with a little water to dilute it

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Oily (may need to dilute with water);
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating  = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars, Excellent

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

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena Box Front & Bottle

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena Box Back

Ingredients:  Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cyclomethicone, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Sterols , Isopropyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Formulated Without:  Alcohol, Artificial Fragrance, Artificial Color, Oil.

Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation

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Product:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation.  This is an okay tinted moisturizer for users with dry skin.  It is not a foundation.

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good.

Cost: $1.00 (1 fl. oz.) ($1 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Dirt Cheap

Sold By:  Dollar Tree

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap, blister package.

Description:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is marketed as a foundation.  I beg to differ.  This offers nothing in the way of coverage.  I think it should be sold as a tinted moisturizer.

Formula:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is a light weight, water-based liquid foundation.  The formula provides almost no coverage and dries to a dewy finish.  This is moisturizing and is best for users with dry skin.  The formula is free from mineral oil and parabens.  It contains no SPF so you will need to wear a sunscreen under this for sun protection.

Sensitivity:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.  It did not break me out, make my nose run, eyes burn or otherwise cause any allergic reactions.

Company Claims:

On the product package:  None.  To Use:  Apply and blend with fingertips.

On the website:  Hide spots, freckles, and blemishes with easy to apply liquid foundation. Cover and even out skin tone for a flawless-looking, soft natural finish. Plus, it can be easily tucked away in small purses, cosmetic organizers, and make-up bags.

Discussion:  This is my first experience with a foundation from a dollar store.  While I’m open to trying inexpensive eye shadows or nail polishes, when it comes to foundation, I believe that anything that is going to stay on your skin for several hours should have good skin care properties.  I looked at every foundation for sale at Dollar Tree and selected this one because it had the best ingredients and was fragrance free.  I bought this strictly to have a wide range of products in all price ranges for review purposes.  I expected to tell you how awful this stuff is, use it once, and toss it.  I was pleasantly surprised that was not my reaction.

This is amusing to me.  Yesterday I reviewed a product that was called a tinted moisturizer that turned out to be a drying foundation.  Today I’m reviewing a foundation that turned out to be a tinted moisturizer.  What is going on with these manufacturers?  Their mislabeling of products is really confusing to their consumers.  Don’t these companies get any feedback from makeup professionals before they sell this stuff?  If not, why not?

Colors:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation comes in three colors:  Light (a light neutral ivory), Medium (a warm medium), and Dark (a warm medium dark).  The Tan is no longer available.  Surprisingly, these three colors will work for most people because the formula is so thin.  You could easily mix two colors if you wanted to.  The Light is exactly the same color as my ivory-toned fair skin.  This was a big shock to me.  Usually, when a product only comes in a few colors, the Light is way too dark for me.  The Light appeared to be pinker than my skin in the tube, but once it was applied, it was a perfect match.

Morning Review:  After cleansing, I applied Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation.  On one side of my face I applied it to bare skin.  On the other side I applied it over primer.  Frankly, it did not make much difference.  The side without primer did not look or feel any different than the side with primer.  This foundation has a tacky finish.  It took about five minutes for it to be fully absorbed into my skin.  Once absorbed, it was basically undetectable on my skin.  It offers very little to nothing in the way of coverage.  I tried applying it with my fingers, a brush and a sponge.  It went on the best with a brush.  It did not work at all with the sponge.  The formula is so thin the sponge just kept absorbing it.

Helpful Tips/Tricks:

  • To avoid squeezing out too much product, simply hold the tube with the nozzle pointing upward, not downward.
  • Apply with a foundation brush for a light smooth finish.
  • Pat on, don’t rub, with fingers for heavier coverage.

Evening Review:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation did not stay on well at all.  It pretty much faded away after a few hours.  It washed off easily with just plain water.

Overall Review:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is NOT a foundation and should not be called such.  It is a tinted moisturizer that should only be used by those with dry skin.

Pros:

  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Very Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Does not offer any actual coverage
  • Hydrating formula is not suited to oily skin
  • Takes several minutes to be absorbed
  • No water resistance

Suitability:  Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation is suitable for the following users:

  • Those with dry skin
  • Those who don’t need coverage
  • Those who like a very light weight feeling product on their skin

This would be a very good makeup to give to a young girl who is just beginning to wear makeup for her to practice with.  I could also use this to teach with for demonstrations or classrooms when I don’t want to waste expensive products.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 2 stars2 Stars;

Value Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.75 Stars = Just Okay to Good.

Would Buy Again?  No.  (Not even for $1.00, how sad.)

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

Sassy Chic Moisturizing FoundationSassy Chic Moisturizing FoundationSassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation

Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation Light Swatch

Sassy Chic Moisturizing Foundation Light Swatch

Ingredients:  Water, Ethyl-Hexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Dimethicone, Methylisothiazolinone.

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

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Product:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.  Will this moisturizer leave your skin soft or slick?  Is the dupe, Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique, a steal or a waste?

Overall Rating (Clinique) =  2+ stars2.25 Stars – Just Okay
Overall Rating (Equate Beauty) = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good

Cost (Clinique): $26.00 for 4.2 oz. ($6.19 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range
Cost (Equate Beauty): $6.84 for 4.2 oz. ($1.63 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Dirt Cheap

Sold By (Clinique):  Clinique; Dillard’s; Sephora; Major Department Stores
Sold By (Equate Beauty):  Wal-mart

Containers:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – Plastic bottle with pump or twist-off cap (your choice), outer carton.  Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion – Plastic bottle with pump, outer carton.

Description:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is intended for skin types (1) and (2) for those of you that are Clinique customers.  For those who have no idea what that means, Skin Type 1 is Very Dry to Dry; and Skin Type 2 is Dry Combination.   Clinique makes a gel formula of this product for skin types (3) (Oily Combination) and (4) (Oily).  As with all products from the Clinique line, this moisturizer is fragrance free.  However, it is not free of some pore-clogging and disturbing ingredients such as mineral oil, petrolatum and artificial color.  The same can be said for the Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion.

Clinique states, “Dermatologist-developed formula combines all-day hydration with skin-strengthening ingredients to help skin look younger, longer. Helps strengthen skin’s own moisture barrier by 54%, so more moisture stays in.”

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is a moisturizer intended to be used night and day, after cleansing, toning, and the application of any other lighter products such as serums.  Always apply your products following cleansing in the order from the most watery consistency to the thickest consistency.

Wal-mart also makes a version of the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion called Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion.  Today, not only are we going to review the Clinique product, but we are also going to compare it to the Equate Beauty version.  These two products are, once again, very similar.  Wal-mart Equate Beauty only has the lotion version of this product.  They do not have the gel version or any other duplicates or copies.

I must admit, in my youth I rarely used any type of moisturizer.  As I have aged, it is something I seem to need more and more.  I have never been able to find a good one that does not irritate my hypersensitive skin or make my nose run like a proverbial faucet.  I first tried this one decades ago before I knew a great deal about cosmetic ingredients.  Back in those days, ingredients were not even disclosed to consumers.  I began using Clinique strictly because it was fragrance free and markets itself as having stringent research and gentle ingredients.  I decided to re-visit this line when I began this blog because I assumed the Clinique products would have changed and improved over the years with all of the advancements and research into the anti-aging benefits of cutting-edge botanicals and other skin-care ingredients.  I am disappointed to say that this Clinque formula is an old and tired one that should be retired.

Morning Review:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is an okay looking and smelling lotion except for the yellow dye.  It has an ever-so-faint-citrus scent that is pleasant.  The lotion feels silky to my fingertips and when I first applied it, my skin felt velvety.  I’m used to my moisturizers being completed absorbed into my skin within a few minutes.  I waited for this lotion to be absorbed, but it never did.  And when I say never, I do mean never.  It just sat on top of my skin and every time I touched my skin it just felt sticky and greasy.  Makeup does not apply well on top of this product at all.  I used this on a separate day from the Equate Beauty dupe.

My morning review for the Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion is also disappointing.  The Equate Beauty moisturizer smells, looks, feels, and performs the same.  This stuff just sits on top of my skin and feels heavy.

Please Note:  Neither Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion nor Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion contain any SPF or sunscreen ingredients.  If you use this as a daytime moisturizer, you will also need a separate sunscreen.  Since I only like to use one moisturizer with an SPF in the daytime, this is not the best for me.  I would advise you only use this at night if you don’t want to wear two products.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea or any form of acne, please check with your dermatologist before using this.   Mineral oil and petrolatum may clog your pores and make your condition worse.

Morning Rating (Clinique) = 2 stars2 Stars;
Morning Rating (Equate Beauty) =2 stars 2 Stars;

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin felt the same as when I initially applied the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, greasy.  I have to say that I was happy to wash it off and have my face feel clean again.

My evening review for the Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion is, once again, so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between the two products, neither of which impressed me in the least.  In my opinion the Equate Beauty moisturizer is indeed comparable to the Clinique moisturizer for a lot less money.  If you are a die-hard Clinique customer and you like this product, the Equate Beauty copy may delight you.

Overall Review:  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is not much better than any other lotion with mineral oil and petrolatum.   It does have some nice soothing cucumber and skin-plumping sodium hyaluronate, but those don’t make up for the other outdated ingredients.  If you have really dry skin this will make it feel softer and it will impart hydration as long as you don’t mind the heavy feel of the oil and petrolatum on your skin.  Personally, I don’t want those ingredients on my face.  This is definitely not an appropriate product for anyone with oily skin.  My male tester with dry skin also said this moisturizer made his face feel greasy and he did not care for it.  It is fine as a hand or body lotion, but way too expensive for that purpose.

Comparing the two products, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion, are much more strikingly similar than dramatically different. (pun intended)  If you read the ingredients lists below you will see just how similar.  This is one of the most similar dupes I have seen in terms of ingredients, as well as performance.

I have not tried the gel version of this product from Clinique so I cannot comment on the difference.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion are suitable for the following skin types:  (Not for oily or combination)

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

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating (Clinique) = 2 stars2 Stars;
Morning Rating (Equate Beauty) =2 stars 2 Stars;

Evening Rating (Clinique) = 2 stars2 Stars;
Evening Rating (Equate Beauty) =2 stars 2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 2 stars2 Stars;

Value Rating (Clinique) = 3 stars3 Stars;
Value Rating (Equate Beauty) = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating (Clinique) = 2+ stars2.25 Stars – Just Okay.
Overall Rating (Equate Beauty)  = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good.
(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion

Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion

Ingredients (Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion): Water, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil, Urea, Lanolin Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 33.

Ingredients (Equate Beauty Strikingly Unique Moisturizing Lotion): Water, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Lanolin Alcohol, Saccaride Isomerate, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 33 (CI 17200).

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

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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.

Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Product:  Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream.  Today’s product is another Lancôme product that fell short of my expectations.

Overall Rating: 1+ stars  1.13 Stars = Terrible

Cost: $89.00 for 1.7 oz. ($52.35 per ounce)  Price Category:  Expensive

Sold By:  Lancôme; Sephora; Dillard’s; Major Department Stores

Container:  Plastic jar with screw off lid;  (This is my least favorite type of container.  Each time you unscrew the lid and remove it you are exposing the contents to air, bacteria, lessening the effectiveness of the ingredients, and unless you sterilize your fingers each time before you touch the contents, even more bacteria.  If you are going to use products from jars, please remove the contents with a tiny spatula, not your fingers.  If you can’t find the spatulas in stores, message me and I’ll tell you where to buy them for cheap.)

Description:   For those of you that love Lancôme, I hope you don’t feel like I am bashing this company.  I am a huge fan of L’Oreal and when we get into makeup reviews, you will see just how big of a fan I am.  Since L’Oreal is the parent company of Lancôme, you would think I would like this line, too.  The problem is that Lancôme began as a perfume company, so it is no wonder that all of their products are so filled with fragrance, the main ingredient I am allergic to.

Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream is another heavily perfumed Lancôme product with some pretty impressive claims.  The website states, “This staple formula, featuring the Refill-3X complex, helps reduce the number, depth and size of wrinkles for visibly renewed smoothness.”  The first benefit listed is “Visible anti-wrinkle results*” and then the asterisk states, “*results may vary, wrinkles may not appear eliminated”.  It is interesting that the text in the asterisk is a different font.  Maybe it was listed as an afterthought or perhaps to comply with the FDA’s warning letter to Lancôme about false claims.

Please Note:  This formula was changed a couple of years ago and the sunscreen was removed.  If you purchase this product from Sephora, the product shown on their website does not exist any longer.  Sephora has not updated their website and they are still showing this product with an SPF of 15.  The current formula does not contain any SPF ingredients. Dillard’s has updated their product photo, but not their description.  Dillard’s is still showing SPF also.  I have posted photos of containers showing both the old and new formulas.

Morning Review:  When I first unscrewed the jar I was overwhelmed with the amount of strong fragrance in this product.  I immediately went to the ingredients to review where fragrance occurred in the list as ingredients are listed in order of content in the product.  I expected fragrance to be high up in the order.  It was listed as the last ingredient.  This tells me that the amount of anti-aging ingredients in this product is very small.  The cream is ivory in color and has a silky texture.  It feels good on your face if you don’t mind smelling like a bottle of musky perfume.

The cream feels smooth and made my skin feel soft.  The second ingredient, dimethicone, is a silicone derivative that makes for a nice primer so makeup goes on well on top of this.  The downside is that my eyes and nose were watering from the scent and after a few minutes I developed a serious headache from the fragrance.

Warning:  this product does not contain any sunscreen.  Sunscreen was removed from this formula a couple of years ago.  You must apply a separate sunscreen if you are going to use this as a day moisturizer.  Also, due to the heavy perfume, I would not advise getting this in or near your eyes.  You should use a separate eye cream with this product.

Morning Rating: 1 star1 Star

Evening Review:  To be honest, I tried several times to keep this on all day to see how my skin would react, but the heavy fragrance had such awful side effects for me that the longest I could stand it before washing it off was two hours.  The scent was physically making me ill.  One of my testers refused to apply it due to the scent.  One of my testers washed it off after a few minutes.  One of my testers who likes perfumes said it was even too strong for her but she liked the feel of the cream.  I have to agree that is does feel nice, but I couldn’t leave it on long enough to find out if there are any other benefits.

Overall Review:  Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream has a nice silky texture and it feels lovely.  The silicone and glycerin will make your skin feel soft and give you the perception that this is doing something good for your skin.  In reality, any good moisturizing cream will do the same thing at a fraction of the cost.  This cream offers nothing in the way of cutting-edge anti-aging properties or ingredients.

Most men would not like the scent of this product.

This cream is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for those with fragrance allergies)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • Women who like heavy perfumes;
  • Oily;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive (not if you are sensitive to fragrances);
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Evening Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Average from Other Testers = 1+ stars1.5 Stars;

Value Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.13 Stars – Terrible.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream-2

Lancôme Current Formula Without SPF

Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream-1

Lancôme Old Formula With SPF No Longer Available

Ingredients:  WATER, DIMETHICONE, GLYCERIN, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, MINERAL OIL, AMMONIUM POLYACRYLDIMETHYLTAURAMIDE / AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONIC ACID, CETYL ALCOHOL, TRIETHANOLAMINE, METHYLSILANOL/SILICATE CROSSPOLYMER, OCTYLDODECANOL, TOCOPHEROL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, MEDICAGO SATIVA EXTRACT / ALFALFA EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, ACETYL TRIFLUOROMETHYLPHENYL VALYLGLYCINE, ADENOSINE, PEG-8 ISOSTEARATE, ETHYLPARABEN, POLYGLYCERYL-3 METHYLGLUCOSE DISTEARATE, POLY C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE, NYLON-66, TALC, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, DIMETHICONOL, LIMONENE, XANTHAN GUM, MANGANESE GLUCONATE, LINALOOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CHOLESTEROL, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, SORBITAN PALMITATE, GERANIOL, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, DISODIUM EDTA, METHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, CITRONELLOL, COUMARIN, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE.

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

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

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Product:  Today we are reviewing Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser.  Please share your experiences with this product.

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.75 Stars – Terrible to Just Okay

Cost: $6.99 for 5oz. ($1.40 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Aveeno and retailers everywhere; This product has been discontinued, perhaps due to a controversial ingredient.  There are still retailers with this on their shelves until the last of it is gone.

Container:  Plastic pump bottle with locking pump; Pump screws off

Description:  The Aveeno brand is readily available at retailers everywhere.  I have been using the Aveeno brand for decades and like some of their products.  This is not one of them.  I’m providing this review to shed some light on this cleanser, particularly one of its key ingredients, which I do not recommend or support.

Aveeno states on their website, “Our products feature exclusive ACTIVE NATURALS® ingredients, carefully selected from nature and uniquely formulated to deliver effective skin and hair care benefits. These ACTIVE NATURALS® ingredients undergo rigorous scientific testing to prove their safety and efficacy, so it’s no wonder our products are recommended by leading professionals.”

The company states this product, “visibly reduces the signs of aging” “with natural shiitake complex”, “Helps speed up the skin’s natural renewing process”.  There are other lofty claims as well.

Morning Review:  First off, I bought this cleanser by mistake.  I was traveling and needed something so I quickly ran into a drug store and picked up this cleanser.  I did not realize it was not fragrance free as the ingredients were hidden under a back label.  As soon as I pushed the pump for the first time, I sneezed and my nose began running like a faucet.  The amount of fragrance in this cleanser is so excessive it is overwhelming.  This has a very strong floral scent, so much so that you feel as if you’re being smothered by flowers while it is on your face.  I could not rinse this enough to get rid of the scent.  I also found this cleanser to be drying to my skin.

As far as the cleansing components, this is a typical cleanser with water, glycerin to make it feel silky, sodium laureth sulfate (surfactant), etc.  It is the fourth ingredient, polyethylene, that I take issue with.  This cleanser has microplastic beads in it to exfoliate your skin.  While the plastic in itself is not harmful to you, it is very damaging to the marine ecosystem and environment.  In December of 2013 the Marine Pollution Bulletin discussed the impact of these plastics.  During this research, “two national brands of facial cleansers containing polyethylene microbeads were sieved and analyzed using the SEM/EDS system to evaluate their texture and composition” and the damaging effects were discussed.

There are natural substances we can use to exfoliate our faces that don’t pollute our waterways and kill marine life in the process.  Regarding benefits from shiitake, the mushroom complex is the very last ingredient.  There is so little in this product I suspect it is just included for marketing purposes.  The concentration is not high enough to produce any visible change in your skin.  Considering the small amount of time a cleanser is on your skin, even at a higher concentration there would be little benefit.

Morning Rating=   1 star1 Star

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin felt dry, tight and itchy.   This cleanser effectively removes most makeup.   My makeup wipes only found small traces of makeup using just my hands.  (Apparently, the beads do work.)  You cannot get this product near your eyes so you will need to use a separate cleanser to remove eye makeup.  This is not a good cleanser to use with a cleansing brush.  The brush, in combination with the microplastic beads, may prove to be too harsh.

Overall Review:  Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser is not a good cleanser for anyone, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities. Men definitely would not like this scent.  If you really like stinky products and don’t care about the environment, you may love this.

This cleanser is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for Dry or Sensitive skin)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • Women who like heavy perfumes;
  • Oily;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Evening Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Average from Other Testers = 1 star1 Star;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.75 Stars – Terrible to Just Okay.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

Ingredients:  Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polyethylene, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycol Distearate, Laureth-4, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tetrasodium Edta, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Stem Extract, May Also Contain: Sodium Hydroxide.

Formulated Without:  Oil, Soap.

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