Olay AquAction Long Lasting Hydration Gel

Skin can be likened to a leaky bucket – it is constantly losing moisture to its surroundings; in fact, without doing much at all, we can lose about 2 glasses of water a day by breathing and evaporation from our skin. Olay scientists have discovered a second key cause of moisture loss - skin fatigue. Skin fatigue leads to many unwanted changes in one's skin, including a loss of skin's ability to hold onto moisture.

Armed with these insights, the new Olay AquAction boutique addresses both causes of moisture loss with the breakthrough new HydraLock technology powered by two ingredients: WSK and Niacinamide.

Cause	Power Ingredient
Skin is like a leaky bucket	WSK - an extract from the White Jelly Leaf, is renowned throughout ancient Chinese history for its beauty-enhancing properties - has been discovered to outperform Hyaluronic Acid, the current gold standard in hydration care.
Skin fatigue	Niacinamide helps address skin fatigue caused by inadequate dietary systems and everyday stressors. It gives skin the energy to renew itself, bringing it back to more youthful levels, which in turn enables skin to hold onto its own moisture more effectively.

Now that I have gotten the blurb out of the way, let us see how the star product, Long Lasting Hydration Gel, performs.

Name: Olay AquAction Long Lasting Hydration Gel
Price: RM 59.90 for 50 g
UrCosme rating: 5.0 ★
Made in: China

Long Lasting Hydration Gel is a lovely product. I have been smoothing it on for a few weeks now and it has not resulted in untoward reactions.

It has a clear, gel like consistency that disappears without a trace into the skin. It serves to encourage me to use more than usual - a good thing it comes in a 50 g jar - and you will most probably see it in an empties post on my Instagram account soonish.

It gives off clean and tranquil vibes (if that makes sense) because of the smell (or the lack of it) and the colour.

I have also been utilising it over makeup to ease dryness as taught by 牛爾老師 on the Taiwanese programme, 女人我最大. Makeup adheres better, skin looks more luminous plus dabbing it on will not mess carefully applied makeup.

Long Lasting Hydration Gel will definitely fulfill the requirements of younger skins in need of a good daily basic while being mindful of budgets - it is simply impossible to go wrong with a product that provides hydration.

The full ingredient list for Long Lasting Hydration Gel:
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Betaine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dimethiconol, DMDM Hydantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, CI 74160, Agarum Cribosum Extract, Copper Gluconate, Ethylparaben, CI 74160.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Olay White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Serum & Eye Roller

All of the sunscreen in the world could not shield me from the glaring sun rays during my recent trip to Thailand. Naturally, I needed to work that tan off once I returned home and coincidentally, in came a parcel from Olay Malaysia (as if the Whitening Gods were smiling down on me!).

In it were two items from the White Radiance boutique:

① Olay White Radiance Spot line:
◆ Olay White Radiance CelLucent Essence Water Hydrating Toner
◆ Olay White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Serum
◆ Olay White Radiance CelLucent White Cream Moisturizer

② Olay White Radiance Tone line:
◆ Olay White Radiance CelLucent White Emulsion
◆ Olay White Radiance CelLucent White Eye Roller

(Source: facebook.com/OlayMalaysia)

ღ White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Serum

Name: Olay White Radiance™ CelLucent™ White Essence Serum
Price: RM 99.90 for 40 ml
UrCosme rating: 3.7 ★
Made in: Thailand

Olay claims this serum reduces the appearance of spots within two weeks. With Niacinamide as the second ingredient alongside other powerhouses (Hexyldecanol, Inositol and N-Undecylenoly-Phenylalanine), I can foresee a bright (a pun!) future ahead of me.

I am very much taken by the formulation. In all my years, I have never encountered a serum that is so attuned to my needs. It sinks in a jiffy - barely any massaging is needed (products tend to absorb slowly when one lives in a country with high temperatures and relative humidities). The milky consistency provides a veil of hydration leaving my face absurdly smooth and cool to the touch.

After two weeks, I noticed that my skin has gained a sense of translucency that was not apparent before. Now if only my skin tone is more even (which I am hoping for with continued usage), I could walk out of my house sans foundation.

My nose was practically plastered to my hand before I managed to identify the aroma - floral - and I think it being so faint will please many that object to fragrances in skincare products.

I have tried every single product in the White Radiance Spot line and while I am also fond of their Hydrating Toner and Cream Moisturizer - it is the Serum that impresses me the most.

The full ingredient list for White Radiance Cellucent White Essence Serum:
Water, Hexyldecanol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Inositol, Nylon-12, Panthenol, Phytostery/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Boron Nitride, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Aceate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Benzyl Alcohol, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Aminomethyl Propanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Souium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Fragrance.

ღ White Radiance CelLucent White Eye Roller

Name: Olay White Radiance™ CelLucent™ White Eye Roller
Price: RM 44.90 for 6 ml
UrCosme rating: 3.2 ★
Made in: China

If I am not mistaken, Garnier was one of the first brand to popularise the roller ball eye serums. These metal rollers tend to be cool and will purportedly alleviate puffiness and signs of fatigue.

In order to stand apart from its competitors, Olay came out with this tri-roller applicator. Distressingly enough, it fails to provide much of a cooling effect. I think I had too high an expectation for it, so leave me a comment if you think this level of coolness (or the lack of it) is normal...

Nonetheless, I enjoyed using this pen. It is light and slim and the click end works well in dispensing the formula evenly. One click doles out the perfect amount for one eye. Rolling the applicator alone is not sufficient for the eye serum to completely absorb; some light patting motions with my finger is needed as well.

Now, on to the question everyone has been burning to ask: does it work? I hate to be a party pooper but this eye serum did nothing for me; it has no effect on my puffy eyes and extremely dark circles. My eye area looks exactly the way it did when I first began to use it.

I say skip the eye roller and go for the serum!

The full ingredient list for White Radiance Cellucent White Essence Eye Roller:
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Polyethylene, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, DMDM Hydantoin, Laureth-7, Dimethiconol, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Laureth-4, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine.

The new White Radiance boutique is readily available in all leading pharmacies with prices ranging from RM 44.90 to RM 99.90.

Disclosure: Press samples.

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Olay Review: White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Water, Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream

Updated on August 5, 2012.

Olay recently expanded their premium skincare ranges with White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Water and Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream. Read on to find whether they justify the high price tag!

Before I review them in further detail, here is a bit of background on my skin: I have combination dehydrated skin, oily in the T-zone and prone to comedones. I have fine lines on my forehead and undereye areas.

ღ White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Water

Activates visible fairness in just 1 application: A breakthrough whitening formula that can be instantly absorbed into skin after cleansing, penetrating moisture into skin cells along with the powerful whitening actives (CelLucent™ Complex). It also helps to significantly lighten dark spots in 2 weeks and lighten skin tone in 8 weeks. (Source: olay.com.sg/)

Name: Olay White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Water
Price: RM 99.90 for 150 ml
Made in: Thailand

The White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Water is a miracle in a bottle and it is worth every single penny. It has a watery consistency (as with all toners) with a subtle floral scent. Even though it is merely a toner, it makes my skin feel really moisturised.

First of all, I did not notice immediate results but after two weeks I started receiving compliments from family members. After all they are the ones who see the bare faced me hahaha~

My overall complexion is more radiant and luminous. I immediately knew that it was due to this toner as I did not include other whitening products in my skincare regimen.

Before you rush off to the nearest pharmacy, this toner did not improve the appearance of my hyperpigmentation. They are still as obvious as ever.

Still, I would give this toner double thumbs up. I have yet to encounter any other toner that brightens as effectively. Highly recommended!!

The full ingredient list for White Radiance CelLucent White Essence Water:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Ethylparaben, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Fragrance, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Triethanolamine, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Morus Alba Root Extract.

ღ Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream

Reduces the appearance of wrinkles in just 1 application: A revolutionary wrinkle fighter that combines advanced light manipulation technology and a chronic anti-wrinkle complex with intense hydrators which smoothens skin's surface and relaxes the appearance of wrinkles instantly. Formulated with new key ingredient Peptamide Y6, the new formula hydrates the skin to reduce the appearance of even deep eye lines in 14 days. (Source: olay.com.sg/)

Name: Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream
Price: RM 99.90 for 50 ml
Made in: Thailand

The texture - hybrid gel cream consistency - is lovely. It is not tacky and glides on perfectly. The floral fragrance is nice and subtle.

The problem begins once I start massaging it into my skin. It pills. Every. Single. Time. I have no idea whether it ticks off its claims as I stopped using it as a moisturiser after a week of frustration.

After some experimenting, I managed to find a way to utilise Wrinkle Relaxing Cream. I mix it with a drop of hydrating serum, and voila, no more pilling! It helps to firm and moisturise my skin. However, it does not reduce the appearance of wrinkles in one application or a hundred applications.

I received positive feedback the last time I did the oil blotting film test, so here is it again. This moisturiser does not oil up much!

After three hours

I am a huge Olay fan and it not fully living up to its claims saddens me.

The full ingredient list for Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream:
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Polyethylene, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopneryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, DMDM Hydantoin, Allantoin, Carnosine, Laureth-4, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Yeast Extract, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4.

Olay is sold at pharmacies and hypermarkets nationwide. I look forward to hearing from those who have tried these products!

Disclosure: Press samples.

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