REVIEW: OLAY Pro-X anti-aging starter protocol

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REVIEW: OLAY Pro-X anti-aging starter protocol

October 28, 2009 - Follow me on Twitter

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Review submitted by our product reviewer Eleni

Launched with a lot of fanfare and press earlier this year, the new Olay Pro-X line was something I wanted to get my hands on for a few months.

Olay does make some very good products. They do a lot of research and testing before determining whether or not a new product is ready for the world.

This new Pro-X line was introduced in sexy, deep red packaging. It looks quite different from other Olay products on the drugstore shelf, such as the Regenerist and Definity lines.

Pro-X also is priced higher than other Olay products, but still falls within drugstore pricing levels as opposed to luxury brands. I’m a big fan of popular-priced products that work.

My testing experience for the purposes of this review is limited to the anti-aging starter protocol kit which consists of 3 products and retails for $61.95 USD/$89.95 CAD
:

* Age Protection Lotion with SPF 30

* Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

* Eye Restoration Complex

The main active ingredient in all three products in the kit is Vitamin B3 or niacinamide.

The recommended AM Regimen consists of

*Eye Restoration Complex

* Age Protection Lotion with SPF 30

The recommended PM Regimen consists of

* Eye Restoration Complex

* Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

The Pro-X line also contains 3 additional products that were not tested here:

* Deep Wrinkle Treatment

* Discolouration Fighting Concentrate

* Hydra-Firming Cream

I used the anti-aging starter protocol kit for 4 weeks, thus doing my own 28-day challenge just like the commercial for Pro-X. Olay makes a strong guarantee on this new line; “younger looking, younger acting skin in 28 days or your money back.” The following report is what I found during the test period.

1) Testing Age Protection Lotion with SPF 30

This is a light, scent-free sunscreen and daily moisturizer. I applied it to clean skin every morning. A small amount was enough to cover my face and neck. Just two pumps was a sufficient amount. It absorbed nicely and didn’t leave my skin greasy at all. I was able to apply my mineral powder foundation a few minutes later and it went on well.

Did I see any results?

My skin felt soft and smooth with no greasy residue. The formula contains SPF 30 yet there was no white undercoat of sun blocking formulation to show through the lotion or my make-up. My make-up also stayed on all day without sliding off the way that some sunscreen-moisturizers can do. I also walk to work and home every day and didn’t pick up any unwanted sun exposure on my face during my time outdoors. This lotion protected my skin against the sun flawlessly and it deserves a perfect score.

Would I buy it? YES – who needs more sun damage? Not me!

Would I replace my current sunscreen? I think this is the best sunscreen I’ve ever used. It protects against UVA and UVB exposure. I’ll be buying some more very soon.

OVERALL REVIEW:

2) Testing Wrinkle Smoothing Cream:

Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is thicker than the Age Protection Lotion with SPF 30 as it is intended for nighttime use. It comes in a jar instead of a pump bottle. It is also a lot more emollient than the daytime formula, but it still absorbs well. There was no unpleasant odour. I smoothed it on my neck and face every night after cleansing. The cream felt nice on – no stickiness or discomfort. My face still felt soft in the morning.

Did I see any results?

Not really. There were no earth-shattering results to write home about other than my skin feeling soft. None of my fines lines or wrinkles looked smoother after the 28-day trial.

Would I buy it? NO, but I’m considering trying the Hydra-Firming Cream which promises to improve elasticity and firmness of the skin. I think that Wrinkle Smoothing Cream might be targeted more to the 35-45 year old age group, while my 50-year old aging concerns might benefit more from the additional anti-aging benefits of Hydra-Firming Cream. I’ll keep you informed if I get a chance to try it.

Would I replace my current night cream? I’m currently using a night serum and I think I’ll just stick with it for now.

OVERALL REVIEW:

3) Testing Eye Restoration Complex

I just love trying out new eye creams because I’m always on the lookout for the next big thing in this class of treatment product. I guess it’s because I’m so conscious of the ever-increasing age lines around my eyes these days. It’s so unfair that men can look distinguished with a few lines while women look tired, haggard and even angry.

The claim for Eye Restoration Complex is that the hydrating formula improves the look of dark circles, puffiness and crow’s feet.

I applied this formulation morning and night to clean skin and massaged it lightly under my eyes, eye corners, eyelids and suborbal eye areas using my ring finger until it was all absorbed. It’s a good tip to always use the ring finger around the eyes because it’s the weakest finger and likely to do the least damage in pulling or stretching the gentle skin around the eyes.

There was no discernible scent and the cream absorbed nicely into the skin.

Did I see any results?

No miracle here. I was not too impressed with the Olay Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex. I have tried many eye creams and this one offered very light hydration and quick absorption, but absolutely no softening of lines or diminished dark circles. I was quite concerned that none of the fine lines around my eyes looked any better week after week so I went back to one of my regular eye creams and it worked for me, while the Eye Restoration Complex continued to showcase every line, wrinkle and dark circle under my eyes.

Would I buy it? NO – I was quite underwhelmed with the way this product worked on me. Having said that, I think that I may be more of a candidate for the Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment. I hope to get a chance to try that product too. It may be more appropriate for my ages and deeper lines.

Would I replace my current eye cream? Not this time, sorry.

OVERALL REVIEW: