******** WARNING - A FEW SWEAR WORDS (COMPLETELY NECESSARY OF COURSE, LOL) *************
I have a large organ! You really wanted to know that, didn’t you?!! Actually, I’m not bragging – we all have a large one, it’s called SKIN.
Last week I celebrated my 21st Birthday (*ahem* for the 14th time) and I approached the mirror with trepidation in the belief that overnight my face would have collapsed and gone south for the duration of my remaining years on this planet!
The first quick inspection revealed no dramatic changes (phew) but on closer inspection I noticed the odd laughter line (Oi! What do you mean NOTHING'S that funny??) and my pores seemed to be gaping caverns instead of tightly shut.
With this stark realisation I armed my self with my purse and set out on my mission - I would not return without a bottle of the alixir of life, or at the very least a bloody good anti-wrinkle cream.
On staring agog at the vast array of creams, lotions and potions it suddenly struck me that I had several hours of package reading ahead of me. I hadn’t a clue what I was really looking for – apart from something to fill the wrinkles which in my minds eye were becoming more Mars-canal-like by the minute on my frowning face (made mental note - "stop frowning as causes MORE wrinkles").
Dismayed at not having found any pollyfilla-like substances I decided to try looking for the products which were made from
the most technically-sounding ingredients – Vitamin E - Pro-Vitamin B5 – panthenol – niacinamide - Vitamin B3.??????????????? BLOODY HELL, I want to slap it on my face, not live off it, for goodness sake - Tsk!
Then I spotted the one for me - and the subject of my opinion .....
OIL OF OLAY (I liked the old name, Ulay, but still ......) Total Effects + VitaNiacin Intensive OvernightTreatment - and, boy, do I need intensive treatment or what! (*ahem* the antiwrinkle-cream variety NOT mental healthcare).
CRASHING ON .....
PACKAGING
The packaging is all dark & mysterious with the gold & white Oil of Olay product trademark – it has a blue quarter-moon NIGHT insignia and the words that clinched the sale for me .......
..... helps reverse 7 signs of ageing (whatever they are – see below)
The little outer box tells you that the bottle contains 50mls and there is a picture of the product that is within. It states that this treatment is a “Wakeup call for younger looking skin.” Still believing that my skin needed something reminiscent of a nuclear bomb to awaken it, I dubiously read on about this product’s claims.
There is also a list of ingredients which I shall not bore you with but suffice to say there doesn’t seem to be anything untoward in there (or perhaps there is? I can't read or understand half of the words anyway)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I love the little dispenser – it is black and gold with an ingenious pump-action top – I think it looks a bit like a penguin – although I don’t know what my therapist would make of this comparison (teehee).
With the pump action of this container you are able to administer the exact amount of cream necessary for your needs, thus eliminating waste - which at this price it needs to do!
The cream is thick and white (not watery like other creams). It has a velvety texture as you apply it to the skin and it is quickly absorbed. It leaves no greasiness on the skin either. It has a lovely subtle peachy-fresh smell too.
PRICE
Ahhhhh! At first I assumed that for the price the pack contained a complete Kylie Minogue body cast – I was very much mistaken. This is not a cheap product, in fact it is reassuringly expensive. Olay are a tried & trusted company and the 13.98 GBP (and this was a special offer) it cost me was worth every penny!
I have spent hundreds of GBP on various products over the years and nothing I have ever purchased has made my skin fell as good as this product does.
THE TECHNICAL BIT!
Until recently, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, retinol and ubiquinone were the top of the technologies in the anti-aging skin care race. That was until VitaNiacin (TM) appeared to offer a breakthrough in skin health (according to data presented to the 2000 American Academy of Dermatology).
BUT WHAT IS VITANIACIN?
I had asked myself this same question when I first saw the term so for the benefit of this opinion I did some research (despite the yawningly witty comments us ‘blondes’ tend to generate - I DO have a brain and I’m not afraid to use it, LOL). Here is what my research unearthed.
VitaNiacin is a unique blend of Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin B5 (panthenol) and niacinamide (Vitamin B3). It fights the 7 signs of ageing (see below) by maintining the skin’s moisure content to deliver skin health and offer powerful exfoliation to produce beautiful skin.
CLINICAL STUDIES
In a clinical study with patients who had a skin condition called ROSACAE (which causes hypersensitive skin) it was discovered that those patients using a complex with VitaNiacin experienced a 36% increase in skin hydration.
A vast majority of the patients noted many improvements:-
91% Overall skin appearance 80% Firmness 82% Texture and the change in appearance of redness 74% Improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
A second study demonstrated its outstanding exfoliation and hydration capabilities. This can significantly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin dullness and texture, as well as reduce the appearance of dryness.
Oil of Olay go on to say that during the development of Total Effects, they have worked with women (why not men, too???) worldwide to try and understand what concerns them about their skin as it ages. This has revealed to them that there is far more to facial ageing than just lines and wrinkles.
SEVEN SIGNS OF AGEING
There seem to be seven major signs of ageing that have been identified, as follows:-
1 Lines and wrinkles 2 Uneven skin texture 3 Uneven skin tone 4 Dull skin appearance 5 Visible pores 6 Age spots and blotches 7 Increased dryness
ALL these signs are of concern because it is the combination of these that leads to the overall perception of ageing.
The Total Effects Intensive Overnight Treatment contains a higher concentration of VitaNiacin than Olay’s Time Resist Moisturiser. The formula is absorbed into your skin and continually works throughout the night to reduce the appearance of the seven signs of ageing.
BUT, DOES IT WORK?
Well, Olay has a Total Effects GUARANTEE which reads:-
“It really works, or your money back. Guaranteed. Call our freephone number for details (UK 0800 917 7197 Ireland 1800 409 235)) .....”
- My face does feel less tight and more hydrated. - Disappearance of of fine lines? Well, I think so personally but it would be impossible to prove that it either had or hadn’t made any difference, to tell the truth. - I don’t think my skin had an uneven tone before so cannot comment on this - I think my skin probably does look a little more radiant and healthy, yes. - Smoother skin texture – yes, definitely. - I would say that my pores have become more ‘ajar’ now than cavernous - I’m not quite at the age-spot stage so cannot comment on this bit.
sigh. wrinkles. i keep telling myself it characterful so i won't flip out when i get to 40 hehe (Im 26 BTW) Can't use Olay products, but ta :) Jo
Sootica.P.Monster 14.06.2002 20:33
I really did celebrate my 21st birthday not too long ago, and I'm sure I'm getting wrinkles already... Been obsessively slapping my No7 Multi-Vitamin night cream all over my face for what it's worth. *sigh* Brilliant op! Sootica XXX
- The 7-in-1 age-fighting solution for younger looking hands. - It provides 7 powerful ... more
anti-ageing benefits in 1 essential product Smooth over your hands several times a day, paying particular attention to your nails and cuticles. - Line Minimization: Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles - Nourishing Moisturisation: intensively hydrates the skin
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:In Stock
Jun 12th, 2002
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