Thursday, September 10, 2009

RoC Multi Correxion Products



Lately, I've been hitting the drugstore frequently in search of quality skincare and makeup products. Sometime back during spring, I picked up the RoC Multi Correxion Night Treatment and Eye Treatment. RoC is one of the few drugstore brands that utilizes retinol in almost every product. I've talked about the benefits of retinol before in my review on Skinceuticals 0.5% Retinol, but you can also read more about why retinol is so highly acclaimed here, here, and here. I'm personally a huge fan of retinol, but I can't afford to constantly purchase high end brands like Skinceuticals. Thus, I decided to try RoC.

Prices vary for RoC from drugstore to drugstore, but on my latest visit to CVS, I saw that the Multi Correxion products were priced at $24.99 and below. The Multi Correxion Eye Treatment comes in a 0.5 oz tube, and the Night Treatment comes in a 1.0 oz tube. The products are definitely not cheap despite being from the drugstore, but if you compare RoC to other brands with retinol such as prescription skincare the price is definitely fair.

The Multi Correxion line claims to "diminish the multiple signs of aging." The Eye Treatment is supposed to "visibly diminish dark circles and wrinkles," and the Night Treatment is supposed to reduce "brown spots, wrinkles, and the appearance of pores." Both contain "pure RoC RETINOL to visibly smooth wrinkles and help stimulate sin renewal," "antioxidant vitamins to help neutralize skin-damaging free radicals," and "Vitamin C to help rejuvenate skin tone." The back of the boxes says that testers of the product saw "dark circles visibly diminished, skin tone and luminescence noticeably improved" in 4 weeks, "brown spots and the appearance of pores visibly diminished" in 8 weeks, and "fine lines and wrinkles visibly diminished, skin firmness and elasticity improved" in 12 weeks.

When I first started using the Night and Eye Treatment, I applied them sporadically--sometimes once or twice a week, sometimes even less often, but usually when I had acne or congested skin. (I only use retinol products at night because I don't want to weaken my skin against UV rays during the daytime.) Though they are both called treatments, they are actually face and eye creams. Both creams are white in color and smooth over the skin very easily without feeling greasy. After cleansing and toning my skin, I would skip applying an anti-aging or moisturizing serum (unless it was the Bliss Peeling Groovy Serum) and apply both creams. If my skin was dehydrated, I applied my regular moisturizer over the RoC after at least 20 minutes (allowing time for the retinol to absorb). If my skin was especially congested, I applied another layer of the Night and Eye Treatment again. However, because I used the products sporadically, I didn't see any immediate results. After awhile, I forgot about the products and stopped using them during finals period. Also, what made me shy away from prolonged use of the products was their scent. They contain a perfume-like fragrance that I found entirely too strong and chemical-smelling, especially the Night Treatment. Applying it gave me a headache, and I felt as if I were breathing in chemical fumes. (If anyone at RoC is reading this, I hope you remove the fragrance from your products!)

However, I started using the two again a little over a month ago--starting at once a week, then building the frequency up to as often as three or four times weekly. Sometimes, I applied the Skinceuticals 0.5% Retinol Cream onto my skin first, and then applying the RoC treatments for added moisture. This time, I started to notice a slight difference in my skin. It was looking a bit more bright and even. However, the results weren't anything too spectacular.

Then, on another recent trip to CVS, I decided to pick up the RoC Multi Correxion Skin Renewing Serum as well, which comes in a very sturdy 1.0 fl oz pump bottle. Serums are more potent than creams or moisturizers, so combining a product line's serum and moisturizer or cream should bring you the best results. The Multi Correxion Skin Renewing Serum's texture surprised me. It is a pale beige color and very creamy and silky. It does not feel sticky or greasy and absorbs quickly, but leaves a hydrating barrier on the skin. Perhaps I'm already used to RoC's chemical perfume-y scent, but I didn't notice it as much with the serum. Although the product is not supposed to be used in the eye area, I've been applying it there and I haven't had any eye irritation problems. (But if you have sensitive skin, don't do this!) I apply the Renewing Serum all over my face and neck after cleansing and toning and using an exfoliating serum or tea tree oil spot treatment. Then, I apply the Night and Eye Treatment over everything. (This is part of my new skincare regimen, please see previous post for details.)

I am absolutely impressed and blown away by the results I have seen since I started regularly using RoC the past month. Adding in the serum has made a HUGE difference in how my skin looks. Within just two nights, my pimples, clogged pores, and redness around the nose dramatically reduced, the fine lines under my eyes completely disappeared, and my skin tone became brighter and clearer. The lines on my neck also looked less obvious.

Though I initially was using RoC products infrequently, after purchasing the serum I have since increased the frequency to daily use. If you've read my posts before, you know that I try to rotate my skincare products every now and then so my skin doesn't become tolerant to them. Thus, I did try to skip using RoC one evening, especially because my skin felt a little dry and irritated from all the exfoliation I was doing and needed a break. Sadly, the next day I noticed my skin was looking less bright. The day after that, the tiny hair lines under my eyes had reemerged. Perhaps I haven't been using RoC long enough and my expectations for its anti-aging properties were too high. I've gone back to using the serum and treatment creams every evening, but it took twice as long for the wrinkles under my eyes to disappear this time.

This might be one of the downsides to using RoC, or any retinol products--when I run out of product, or I cease using RoC after the trial 12 weeks, will my skin lose its new clarity? Will my fine lines come back? What about other testers who have wrinkles and deeper fine lines? I haven't figured this out yet, but I will definitely give an update when I finish the products and let you all know whether or not RoC enabled any long term benefits. But, although my skin hasn't reaped any permanent results yet, I can definitely assure you that this product line is extremely effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes or redness. Whether you're in your early twenties like me, or in your fifties, you should give RoC Multi Correxion a try.

One thing that I would not recommend purchasing for anti-aging purposes is the cleanser. I didn't purchase it myself, and if you have a cleanser you're happy with, there is no need to waste your money on a product that is only meant to cleanse and not treat your skin. Save it for the serum or treatments instead.

Lastly, I believe that these products are designed for normal to oily skin, so if you have dry skin, you may want to limit application to once a week, three times at most. Let me know if you have any other questions or anti-aging recommendations!


RoC Multi Correxion Night Treatment Ingredients:
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Steareth-2, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetyl Palmitate, PEG-8, Sorbitan Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Retinol, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sucrose Cocoate, Squalane, BHT, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Polysorbate 60, Lactoferrin. May also contain Sodium Hydroxide.

RoC Multi Correxion Skin Renewing Serum Ingredients:
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethyllenediamine, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Nylon-12, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Retinol, Tocopherol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Bisabolol, Laureth-4, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, BHT, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Laureth-7, Mica, Fragrance

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Summer / Fall Skincare Routine

I haven't posted a routine since the beginning of the year since I've been dealing with constant skin issues. Now, my skin has finally calmed down in what feels like ages, and I can get away with wearing little to no foundation or powder. I thought I'd post a routine for those of you who suffer from hormonal or genetic acne and are still struggling with choosing the right products. This has always been a challenge for me because I risk dehydrating and irritating my skin while treating the acne, and then causing more acne and oil when treating the dryness and flakes.

I've heard from many sources that birth control is an excellent way of managing acne, but I'd prefer to ingest hormones as a last resort. So far, this routine is helping aplenty.

My skin type: Normal-Combination, sometimes dehydrated and flakey, slightly oily on T-zone area by mid-day.
Prone to deep cystic acne, blackheads, enlarged pores, and comedones

MORNING:

1. Wash with DHC Mild Soap (any light, non-drying soap will do) or rinse with only warm water to take off the impurities and oils from during the night.
2. (Optional) Dab tea tree oil or acne medication on blemishes. I personally do not dilute my tea tree oil before applying, but most people prefer to.
3. A moisturizer that contains SPF. I've been rotating high-end and drugstore brands; anything will do as long as it is moisturizing. I prefer to use only products with SPF during the day, but you are welcome to use a moisturizer that doesn't contain sun protection properties.
4. High coverage sunscreen for face and eyes. My current favorites are Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55 PA+++ and Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 PA+++. Wait a few minutes for everything to dry before applying makeup.

Because my morning routine is very simple, I cram in all the treatment and renewing steps at night.

NIGHT:

1. Wash off all the day's dirt, pollution, makeup, and oils from the face and neck with a cleansing oil. I use DHC Deep Cleansing Oil.
2. Cleanse with a tough duty cleanser to clean off any remaining dirt or makeup and residue from the cleansing oil. I recommend using liquid facial soap, cleansing pad/cloths, or foaming facial cleanser formulas. I am currently rotating between Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub and Dove Daily Hydrating Cleansing Cloths.
3. A couple times a week, exfoliate with a salicylic acid scrub. A good sign you need to exfoliate is when blackheads appear. I recommend using an aspirin mask (instructions easily found through Google) or St. Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub for Oily/Acne Prone Skin.
4. Tone with a gentle toner. Try not to use toners with alcohol. Any brand will do, even one from the drugstore.
5. (Optional) Use an exfoliant serum like Bliss Peeling Groovy, Clinique Turnaround Concentrate, or Estee Lauder Idealist Skin Refinisher. This helps your skin absorb the other skincare products as well as slough off dead cells.
6. Wait a couple minutes, then apply a moisturizing, anti-aging, or renewing serum. I like to use Jurlique's serums for brightening the skin.
7. Apply tea tree oil on any blemishes or pimples. Dilute with water if pure tea tree oil is too strong.
8. Apply a face and eye cream containing retinol. A great drugstore choice is Roc.
9. (Optional) Apply an additional moisturizer over the retinol cream. I am currently rotating between Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Egyptian Magic Cream, and DHC Virgin Olive Oil.


You do not have to use a retinol moisturizer every night. I started out with using retinol maybe once or twice a week, and then increased the frequency to 3 or 4 times a week. However, the combination of tea tree oil and retinol along with salicylic acid exfoliation is what helps really bring the acne down, so be sure to stick to it!
Of course, also pay attention to your health. Drink plenty of water, get enough exercise and sleep, and eat as many fruits and veggies as possible.
Hope this helps! Let me know if it works for you!

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