Sparkled Beauty

My first experience with Reversa skin care, and an interesting one at that!

I have seen the brand at Shoppers but never taken the plunge to try any particular product. Count me excited when my beloved PR maven introduced me to Reversa and a few products catered to my current skin concerns.

Let's getting our feet wet together, shall we? I have a "toner" and lotions for face and eyes, with beautiful flower patterns and bright colours on the packaging.

First is the 8% glycolic acid solution for oily and acne-prone skin. It means to help dissolve and eliminate excess oils and clear pores, great for teens or adults still struggling with acne breakouts (i.e. me!).

The formula:
- Glycolic acid: an exfoliator to promote skin cell renewal
- Arigine (an amino acid) and Allantoin (skin protectant): reduce the stinging sensation sometimes experienced by people with sensitive skin using glycolic acid for the first time.

Yes, it will sting a bit, depending on your tolerance. And with glycolic acid (and alcohol to maximize its antibacterial action) in the formula, it is best to avoid applying the solution on top of open pimples.

The flip top is easy enough to get the light clear liquid on to a cotton pad or a Qtip (for precise application).

The brand suggests to apply the solution to affected area (morning and night), following by sun protection of at least SPF15.

I use it as a toner since my breakout has been quite bad and it works very well for that, but I use up half of the bottle only after a few weeks :) My skin calms down quite a bit, less irritated, less oily but not drying either.

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Arginine, Ammonium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate.

The solution is paraben/ fragrance/ mineral oil free, 120ml, $37.

Next step, a Multi-tasking care for the face.

The formula has Teprenone (Renovage), an active ingredient that helps delay the appearance of marks of time on the skin and reduces the marks already present (i.e. also me!).

The product claims to act simultaneously on all signs of aging (lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, large pores, lack of hydration and firmness, etc.) to visibly reduce their appearance.

Apply morning and night on the face, eye contour, neck and decollete - alone or under makeup.

On me, with about a month use, the product sure helps with hydration and fine lines at the corners of my mouth but not my pores, not by itself at least. I expect to see more effects with time and will continue using it.

Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Steareth-2, Tocopherol, Teprenone, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide.

Multi-tasking care is paraben/ fragrance/ oil/ volatile silicone/ mineral oil free, 40ml bottle with airless pump, $53.

Lastly, the Eye care for puffiness and dark circles.

With 3 active ingredients:
- Ash tree bark extract (with high level of esculin and fraxin): decrease the permeability of blood capillaries and fight against the degradation of haemoglobin (cause of the grey/ yellow color of dark circles)
-  Organic silicon (found in collagen and elastin): provides strength, flexibility and resilience to connective tissues
- Vitamin B3: helps restore a normal blood flow in capillaries via its vasculoprotective action.

Additionally, vegetable squalane (save the sharks!) and glycerin also make skin smooth and soft, while protecting against dehydration.

The thin tube with airless pump that manages to discharge a tiny amount for each undereye area is much preferable than a tub that you have to dig your finger in.

The verdict: I think it does what it says it does. I had some doubt with the thin texture it has (see below) but it somehow works its magic below the surface. I need less concealer in the morning, sometimes just foundation will do. Craziness!

Ingredients: Water, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Ethylcellulose, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Squalane, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Silanetriol, Potassium Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzonic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide.

The Eye care is paraben/ fragrance/ oil free, 15ml, $36.

A quick texture comparison shot with Multi-tasking care (left, more creamy) and eye care (right, more translucent and runny), both are light and absorb quickly.

All in all, the Reversa products I tried work for me, some more than the other, at the moment. My favorite for acne skin is the glycolic solution. Once you can get pass the sensation, it is love :)

I do realize the higher price tag, but the brand does go on sale at Shoppers often. Maybe grab a sample next time you are near the isle?