MBB Dailies
Okay, Olay
January 21st, 2009
Contributing writer Eve Marx shares her experience.
Take years away with Olay!
It only took 17 minutes for Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-aging Starter Protocols to sell out in a much publicized pre-inventory sale prior to the national launch this month. And here's why: it's no hype. These products deliver on their promise to make your skin not only look younger and healthier, but on a molecular level, get it to actually be more like younger skin. Inspired by genomics research, scientists have captured the complete gene profile of younger skin and are now deploying cutting edge dermatological technology to develop facial products that are truly anti-aging. The result is a system of moisturizers designed to protect and strengthen the stratum corneum of aging skin. The secret is palmitoyl-peptides, retinyl propionates, glucosamines, and vitamin B3, C and E, carnosine, and even caffeine, all of which activate surface skin renewal and ramp up the moisture barrier.
Having rendered decades of damage to my face, neck and upper chest, I was skeptical that 28 days of ritualistic daily use of 4 products ( I gave the tube of Pro-X nighttime Wrinkle Smoothing Cream to a friend –-more on that in a moment) could realistically make a difference in my 50 + year old skin. Boy was I in for a surprise!
Here's what I tried (and not necessarily as specifically directed): Eye Restoration Complex, Discoloration Fighting Concentrate, Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Discoloration Fighting Concentrate, Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30 and Hydra Firming Cream.
The first thing I noticed was my skin feeling tingly. Tingly in a good way, like magic was happening. I dabbed Eye Restoration Complex to the corners, lids and all around my eyes. In 3 days, a certain amount of puffiness disappeared and I may have been hallucinating, but even my dark circles didn't look so vampirish. I treated the fine lines around my upper lip and the deeper creases on either side of my nose with Deep Wrinkle Treatment and within a week discerned that the tiny wrinkles were far less noticeable and in fact invisible sans eyeglasses. Age Repair Lotion became my daily friend and was seriously put it to the test because I ride a horse outside every day unless it's 22 degrees. I am pleased to say this is the first winter in a decade that I did not develop dry, flaking winter chin, and the rich but not greasy formula absorbed into my skin completely. It must be hypo-allergenic, too, as 99% of sunscreens cause me to erupt in break outs. Not so for Olay!
I elected to use the Hydra Firming Cream as my night product which was probably a waste of its potential as it really does firm and plump. I was most interested in its effects around my jaw, which despite vigorous yoga facial exercise could be a bit more firm. Happily, it looks less jowly after a month of diligent use and I fear I'm about to become addicted to the product. It was, alas, less successful in shoring up my neck or the cutting down on the creeping crepe developing in my decolletage.
My BFF who tried the night cream reported excellent results. She said she "loves" the product and told me to say it's so greaseless and she wears it in the daytime under her makeup.
The product I had the highest hopes for was the Discoloration Fighting Concentrate. For years I've suffered from a condition dermatologists call overactive pigmentation; i.e. brown spots. A gal pal with deep pockets spent $800 on laser treatments to correct the problem and I am thrilled to report that Olay's suggested retail price of $42 for a .4 fl. ounces is a better investment. We compared results after 4 weeks and I think my spots went bye-bye just as well as hers. Of course the laser treatment is fini in one afternoon and you must be diligent in your use of Olay, but hey, who wouldn't love to save $750?
I have been a fan of Olay products since 1973 when I began using their basic moisturizer after a handsome gay man in college revealed the secret of his equally beautiful mother's awesome skin, which was smooth as velvet and firm and toned. It was her devotion to Oil of Olay. Too bad I didn't slather it on my neck starting then. If like me, the scalpel or the needle or lasers freak you out, or you're just trying to save bucks, you're constantly on the prowl for new products to help you fight the good fight against looking old. Thanks to Olay's Pro-X Professional line, when I get up in the morning and look in the mirror, I feel pretty good about myself.
For more info, check out the website: www.olayprofessional.com
~Eve Marx.
