Does the word, 'Retinol' strike fear into your heart? Do you immediately think of the harsh, doctor-prescribed formulas of yore that made your skin turn red and peel off before finally healing? Skincare science has advanced, thank goodness, and now you can get the skin-clearing benefits of Retin-A, but in a non-prescription form of Retinol. It takes longer, but is so much gentler, and it's become a staple, not only in my skincare, but that of my husband, as well.
Yesterday, I wrote about how I've been waking up with great skin, and today, I want to share with you one of the ways I keep that glow going all day long.
I have another Valentia product review for you today. I can't help it - I'm really a big fan! Even my husband has asked me to repurchase their Scrub For Men, and I have to admit, his skin has never looked better. If you have sensitive skin, I tested out their Royal Rose Hydrating Serum, and I'd love to tell you about my experience with it.
I'm pretty excited to be sharing another Valentia product review with you today! But, but, you may be thinking, I've read your Valentia reviews before... something's different! There's something darker, mysterious, maybe even ...forbidden... about this product. Yes, I say. It's for MEN. *gasp*
I've been a fan of Valentia skincare for a while, now, and I'm excited to tell you about this new Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum (and stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for a review of their Rose serum for sensitive skin, and a Mr. LitFromWithin's views of their exfoliator from their new line for men!)
If you've been here a while, you've seen my love of masks develop from 'eh? what's a mask?' to 'OMG. Can you SEE my skin? I feel amazing!" And, you might even have noticed a trend - clay, clay, clay, maybe an oxygen mask here and there - but mostly masks designed to pull all the oil and debris from my pores. I'd never even though about a hydration mask. Wouldn't it make my oily skin a total grease ball? Would it be wet and (ugh) moist (shudder) and tacky?
Have you got the dull skin blues? Ready for a little spa experience at home, with an emollient scrub that turns over dead skin cells while nourishing the skin, and a clay mask that smells amazing, clears up excess oil and makes the skin feel so soft?
Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but I'm kinda glad all the hoopla of the holidays is over. Don't get me wrong - I love seeing all the holiday lights, and getting and giving presents, and seeing my family and friends. But, it's also a stressful time. Traveling takes a toll on me, all the rich holiday foods mean I'll have a breakout or two, and I don't sleep as well or as much, so my eyes are carrying around as much baggage as I am. Well, they would have been, if I hadn't been using my new Valentia True Glow Eye Cream!
I've taken Vitamin C pills almost my whole life. I believe in the restorative and health benefits of Vitamin C - but I've never applied it as a serum to my face before! When I got a chance to try Valentia Even Glow Serum with 20% Vitamin C, I was definitely interested.
Valentia claims that their EvenGlow serum will, "repair, refresh, and renew your skin; restoring evenness to your complexion." Though it can take 4 weeks to see results, I was happy with what I saw after applying it twice a day for one week.
Vitamin C has shown to reduce the effects of sun exposure, as well as strengthening and smoothing out the skin. The ingredients in this serum were chosen because they support Vitamin C's benefit to the skin. Rosehip and Sea Buckthorn oil contain antioxidants and help lock-in moisture. Resistem helps detoxify skin and promotes faster skin regeneration. Hyaluronic Acid draws moisture out of the air and into your skin. Green Tea Extract is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
I would prefer a pump dispenser, but the eyedropper method works fine, dispensing one drop of the slightly thick serum at a time. The serum is a light golden color and smells ever so faintly of oranges, but the smell is subtle and short-lived. It absorbs super-quickly and leaves no color behind.
Unlike other serums I've tried, this one doesn't glide all over the place. You can't really rub it in like a lotion. It is best applied in a dabbing motion, quickly, and all over the face and neck. I used about 3 drops each time. My face was slightly tacky for a moment, and then *poof* it's absorbed.
Valentia sent some information that, because of the detoxifying effect, some users might see an increase in acne right at first when they start using this serum, and being acne-prone, I was not looking forward to that. Despite having an awful week personally, with lots of stress (and stress eating!) I only had one pimple give me a problem, and it's already healing up, with the help of this serum and a little bit of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.
I'll be honest - I wish I had a month or two before I had to write my review. I'd like to tell you what the longer-term effects of using this serum are. I'm liking it a lot so far, and I credit it for my skin not going to heck this week. I mean, even if I didn't wash my face, I still put on some of the serum, and my face felt better and smoother. I'm going to keep using it, and I'll probably buy it again.
If you're interested in checking out this serum with Vitamin C, organic oils and antioxidants, Valentia has a website, and you can also find them on Amazon.com.
What has been your experience with Vitamin C serums? Would you try on like Even Glow?
