Formerly EFL teacher and IT consultant, now relocated to Marseille, France. Final year biochemistry ...
Formerly EFL teacher and IT consultant, now relocated to Marseille, France. Final year biochemistry student, my passions are perfumery and making my own natural cosmetics / body care products.
Member since:12.12.2007
Reviews:149
Members who trust:151
Introduction
Back in the summer of 2007 I had the worst case of rosacea and eczema on my skin including my face. I started becoming really seletive about what creams and exfoliators I used. I decided to chuck the Garnier Ultralift cream and peeling kit in the bin as they were too harsh and only made my complexion worse.
I was browsing in Tesco's beauty isle to locate a hypoallergenic exfoliator that even I can use. All the exfoliators I've seen (Neutrogena, Clear & Clean) had warnings on them saying they aren't suitable for sensitive skin. The L'Oreal ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion didn't have this warning on it so I assumed it will probably not cause irritations if I used it gently.
What it claims it does
Visible and immediate results on fine lines, quality of skin and radiance
Polishes and smoothes the surface of the skin
Apperance and applicationThe kit that comes in a silver coloured box contains to small tubes. The bigger, silver tube is Step 1, the exfoliator itself you apply to wet skin and massage gently for a minute. The exfoliator is a white cream containing exfoliating crystals. The crystals themselves are harsh to the touch and have the consistency of sandpaper. Therefore, never apply it on dry skin! Very little amount is needed, normally 4 - 5 small dots on key areas dabbed onto your skin.
The smaller, cream coloured tube is Step 2, the Post-Treatment Moisturiser that you apply on dry skin and is meant to protect your newly exposed cells from sun damage. It is a light cream that has a strong alcohol smell. A little goes a long way again, 4 - 5 small dots are sufficient..
Microdermabrasion
The ReFinish exfoliator isn't a gentle one that contains plant ingredients. It contains aluminium-oxide micro-crystals and basically does the same job you'd get in a salon as part of your micro-dermabrasiontreatment that is, it removes the dead and damaged cells from the outer layer of the epidermis.
Results
To start with, I used the exfoliation as per the instructions but only once a week. While the treatment never irritated my skin, I noticed some reddening wherever I applied the exfoliator that stayed on for about an hour. This has stopped since my skin is no longer sensitive and I use the kit twice a week with the following results:
* Visible and immediate results on fine lines, quality of skin and radiance: 4 / 5
The results are impressive, immediate and can last up to 4 days when it's time for your next exfoliation. I noticed that right after the first use, my face looked like I'd taken two years off it! As the crystals get rid of dead skin cells that dull the skin, the complexion is rosy and refreshed.
* Polishes and smoothes the surface of the skin: 5 / 5
Not only is it rosy and refreshed, but smoothed out too. Having a polished skin surface will also give your creams better absorption. It won't make you any younger, but it certainly helps slowing down the aging process.
Conclusion
I've been using this product in the past two years and even my skin is normal now, I still wouldn't change it for anything else. Especially not one that says: not for sensitive skin. It's partly to be on the safe side and partly because ReFinish does what I expect from it without harmful effects.
Price / Availability
The full RRP is around £15 but you can get it for about half price on Ebay.
Thanks for reading.
İpowered by lillybee also posted on Ciao US / dooyoo.co.uk
Summary: Quick results which last if used twice a week as recommended
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Gorgeous healthy looking skin, smoother texture, costs less than professional with same results Disadvantages: breakouts after first few treatments, redness
exceptional by (1%):
very helpful by (99%):
