Neostrata’s Exuviance line of products always worked well for my skin, so when I was offered an opportunity to sample their newest Illumination Duo, I happily accepted. Unfortunately, the company must have had more bloggers than samples, so instead of full-sized duo, I received deluxe samples of Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex and OptiLight Essential 6 Serum, each one containing about 10 days worth of product.
Neostrata describes Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex as a “potent complex of anti-aging ingredients and beneficial botanicals in a powerful solution that cares for photo-damaged, aging skin as you sleep”. I don’t tan anymore, but I got plenty of sun damage in my early years, and that’s something I’m still dealing with to this day. It’s quite an uphill battle, but I’m slowly getting the results I want with the right combination of glycolic acid, Vitamin C, and retinol.
Since I only had about 10 days worth of Evening Restorative Complex, I can only speak from short term experience, so this is more like a first impressions post rather than a real review. The cream is thick and balmy, and played well with all of my serums and toners that I usually slather on underneath. It doesn’t have an offensive fragrance, which is something I’m happy about, considering my sensitivity to strong chemical scents. I saw the difference after the very first night: my skin felt very soft and looked well-rested, and the effect was consistent every single day of using this moisturizer. I would have loved to be able to give it a nice month-long test drive, but even after 10 days my skin texture visibly improved.
Exuviance OptiLight Essential 6 Serum is described as “an essential serum that concentrates eleven potent brighteners to target six pigment control systems, helping break up and reduce the visible intensity of existing darker pigmented areas, and discourages new spots from forming”. Considering that hyperpigmentation is always present in sun-damaged skin, this serum and Evening Restorative Complex would make perfect companions, complementing and enhancing each other’s strengths.
I already have a night treatment that I love, so I decided to use OptiLight Essential 6 Serum during the day under my usual moisturizer with SPF, and after 10 days of diligent daily applications I didn’t notice much difference to my skin’s appearance or feel. Either this serum takes longer to start showing results, or my skin simply didn’t react to it, positively or negatively.
Do you need it? Honestly, skincare is a very individual thing, and I can’t say I strongly recommend either product, simply because I only had a 10-day supply of each one. I will, however, mention that despite the short trial time, Evening Restorative Complex started showing some positive signs after the very first use. Not sure if that was a fluke, or my skin really responded well to the ingredients, but after 10 days I really like what I see in the mirror.
Other Exuviance products I absolutely adore and highly recommend trying are Rejuvenating Treatment Masque and Performance Peel AP25. They both deliver instant results, and I hope Neostrata never discontinues them.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
Evening Restorative Complex – $48 USD for 1.75 oz. Available at Ulta, Neostrata.
OptiLight Essential 6 Serum – $72 USD for 1 oz. Available at Ulta, Neostrata.
Ingredients:
Evening Restorative Complex – Aqua (Water), Gluconolactone, Propylene Glycol USP, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin USP, PEG-100 Stearate, Lactobionic Acid, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Sterarate, Ethoxydiglycol, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Ascorbyl (Vitamin C) Palmitate, Retinyl (Vitamin A) Palmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Algae Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea (Coneflower) Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric/Stearic Triglyceride, Glycosphingolipids, Phospholipids, Xanthan Gum NF, Steareth-2, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ammonium Hydroxide, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phosphatidyl Choline, Polyacrylamide, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Laureth-7, Disteareth-100 IPDI, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl-3-Cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, Butyl Phenyl Methylpropional, CI 42090 (Blue #1), CI 19140 (Yellow #5).
OptiLight Essential 6 Serum – Aqua (Water), Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Glycerin, Oligopeptide-34, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Eucommia Ulmoides Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lavandula Angustfolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/ Leaf Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ammonium Hydroxide, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Oleate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol.
