StriVectin

Freaking Fabulous! If you are of a certain age and experiencing texture issues inflicted upon you by post-menopausal skin — no, 20 and 30-somethings, you don’t have texture issues like these (yet!) — this product can be a great help in alleviating these issues effectively. Plus it is a delight to use and helps makeup look its best.

I can't believe this only has two reviews. I've used it on and off for a few years now and I give it a thumbs up. I use it on my face only so can't attest to it's effectiveness on stretch marks, but it does seem to greatly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Light in texture, no breakouts or irritation and despite being expensive, can usually find it for less at TJ Maxx. I'll always have it on hand in my regimen.

Ok, I’ll be the first. Sigh. I already have a great routine with actives from The Ordinary. I suppose I don’t have to explain to any of you why I just felt like trying something else. I’m a sucker for “resets,” as well. This is a four week system of four separate serums to be used twice per day for a week each. The main components seem to be peptides. When I looked for reviews a few weeks ago, it seemed odd that the company’s webpage reviews were the same as those on Ulta. Maybe that was all that was available to Ulta, but it seemed odd to me. When I leave a review, it’s for a specific seller; I find it hard to believe that the exact same number of people, all with glowing reviews, copied to both sites. I digress.

I purchased this from the Strivectin site; it’s regularly $139, but I had a generous promotion.

The packaging leaves much to be desired; numbers one and two don’t really pump out. There also wasn’t enough of product three for a pumps twice per day.

Week one: silicone and micro shimmer. Feels a bit greasy. I followed this product with my regular moisturizer; and these were the only things I used. No changes in skin.

Week two: Yikes. The content of this one is primarily silicones. It feels unpleasantly filmy and heavy. I did develop a deep, painful lesion in a nasolabial fold which took a week to heal. I had to only go four days with this one, due to chapping around my mouth. I began to use the remainder on my chest and got painful lumps there.

Week three: this one I’d the least siliconey. It’s more of a creamy, opaque white serum. It was fine to use, but no standout in terms of transformation. The directions on the box say 2-3 pumps twice per day; this one ran out in 5 days.

Week four (I’m in the middle of this now.) this is a pale green, clearish, heavily silicone-serum. I’m fed up at this point, and am only using this during the day. This one actually seems to work the best; no breakouts and the skin looks smooth after application. Edit* I had to discontinue this after two days due to breakouts.

Was I transformed or rest? No. I think this one is a pass. I could never really find enough info about the science behind it, and I suspect there’s a reason for that. I’m 51 with good skin, living in a very dry climate, for reference. I think you save the money on this one and get better results from proven actives like retinol or vitamin C.

I think this is a well formulated, cosmetically elegant product that is versatile in its use and never balls. I can use as serum, moisturiser or mixed with other lotions and potions which I tend to do. The only reason why I would not repurchase but I would recommend to beginner retinol users is that it is weak. It is very gentle, I would say less that 0.5% so won't get any burns from this. Give this a go if this is in your price range but if you are after something more effacious, I would give this a miss. Other retinol creams I like is Green Cream at the 0.9%, Dr Brandt retinol at 2%, the ordinary at 2% & 5%, all of which give quicker and stronger results than this, but may not be as cosmetically elegant. The packaging is a bit cheap, at this price, a pump is a must.

I should know that there is no solution for neck skin sagging except plastic surgery procedures. However, I bought this at Costco and got 2 for one, and it is an adequate moisturizing cream. It does nothing for my neck, but is not irritating and makes it feel moisturized. It you want REAL results, choose Ultherapy or a neck lift.