Complexion, Skin Care, Sun Care - April 9th, 2012
I recently got the opportunity to try out a new product from Olay®. It’s the Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer. It’s supposed to fight seven signs of aging, all in one product! Olay has a long history in the skincare market. It started in the 1950′s with Oil of Olay Beauty Fluid. Today, Olay offers quite an array of skincare products, especially products aimed at anti-aging. For the Total Effects line Olay’s website says:
“Total Effects combines 7 anti-aging skin care therapies into 1 formula for visibly younger-looking skin. With an exclusive VitaNiacin formula,Total Effects out-moisturizes several leading department store products and is also proven effective in fighting 7 signs of aging — the look of fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture, uneven skin tone, surface dullness, appearance of prominent pores noticeability of age spots and dryness.”
Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer is supposed to moisturize, treat the signs of aging and provide a sheer tint to the skin as well. To me, it’s basically a tinted moisturizer, slightly more sheer than some I’ve used — so more on the skincare, less on the make-up side of the spectrum. The bottle is 1.7 oz and retails for around $22 ($21.99 at drugstore.com, $23.89 at Target, under $20 at Ulta — shop around for the best price).
Let’s talk about ingredients. Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer contains niacinamide. What is niacinamide? Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide is a great anti-aging ingredient that will improve the skin’s moisture barrier when applied topically. It also increases the rate of skin surface renewal, which helps to reverse the appearance of discoloration and large pores. Niacinamide is the third ingredient in the ingredient list. You always want to see the active ingredients high up on an ingredient list, as this means there’s more than just a sprinkling of it in the product for show. The moisturizer also contains both UVA and UVB sunscreens, providing broad spectrum protection.
I like the bottle. It’s an airless pump, which means that no product is wasted and that it isn’t exposed to the air, which can break down active ingredients.
There are several things I like about the product. First, with regular use, you will probably notice improvements in your skin because of the active ingredients. I haven’t been using it long enough to really speak to long-term improvements, but I did notice right away the exfoliating effect (I had a lot of blackheads come to the surface and go away) and my skin feels smoother. I really like the all-in-one nature of the product. I tend to be a product junkie and have no issue with using multiple skincare products on my face (serums AND a moisturizer) but if that’s too much for you, getting a lot of bang for your buck (and time) out of your moisturizer is the way to go. I like that it contains sunscreen and I don’t have to use a separate sunscreen. It’s only SPF 15 so if you’re going to be out in the sunshine for a long time, you’ll still want something stronger. But for my regular day-to-day activities that are mostly indoor, SPF 15 is fine for me.
The tint is on the sheer side. If you wear foundation, it’s probably not going to replace that. If you wear tinted moisturizer, it might. To me, it’s similar in coverage to Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer and slightly less coverage than Stila’s Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer. It’s perfect for no-makeup days when you just want to put something on your face and go. Most days, I brush a little bit of mineral powder foundation on top and the resulting coverage is perfect. I use less foundation with this product, which is nice.
There are just two drawbacks to the product, for me. The first is the lightest shade is almost-but-not-quite too dark for me. It’s probably going to be too dark for the fairest of the fair complexions, which is too bad. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to oxidize darker, so the fair-to-light shade works fine for me all day long. The other is the texture. It leaves an almost tacky feel to the skin after you apply — that takes a few minutes to go away. I’m not crazy about it. It’s problematic because I can’t apply my powder foundation on top unless I let it really dry first or it won’t apply evenly. It’s mostly not a problem, because I do my eye makeup before I do foundation and it dries sufficiently in the time I use for eye makeup. This texture thing also means some of my serums don’t like to play nicely with it — it sort of balls up a bit on top of certain serums. Through trial and error, I’ve moved the problem products to nighttime and avoid the issue.
Overall, I’m quite pleased with Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer. It’s a quality product at a great price for anti-aging skincare. It’s aimed at women who want a single product to do a lot of things, and I feel like it fits that need very well. I give it two thumbs up.
How do you save time on your skin-care routine? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by email. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/9 – 5/16
Be sure to visit the Olay TE page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win! While we’re on the subject of looking good, you might want to check out the “Looking Your Best” posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great tips and expert posts!
I was compensated and provided free product for this post. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
I moisturize my skin at night before bed, when I have the most time.
tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/189515257218215937
I always use a heavy moisturizer at night, and a sun block during the day.
https://twitter.com/#!/roso1946/status/189526352783880193
I save time by using 2-in-1 skin care products
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/189529979464327171
I keep my facial soap in the shower so I can wash my face & remove any makeup while showering. This saves time.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/kellydsaver/status/189536529369145345
i use tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, it speeds up the process
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/189538526872870912
I wash my face with a face wash lotion when in the shower to save time in the morning, and use a moisturizer with a minimum 15SPF .
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/Dealsfan32/status/191370924652642305
I save time on my beauty routine by using a tinted moisturizer so I don’t have to use a foundation and moisturizer
https://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/191713979603755008
I use serum (before bed) and facial mask (during shower) to take care of my skin.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/191769791864905728
I wash my face in the shower to save time
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/191906608899571712
My morning beauty routine is quite a rush. I try to save time on my skin care routine by choosing products that have dual/multiple functions. Such as SPF-ed moisturizer or moisturized body wash, etc. The Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer sounds amazing and I need to give it a try! Thanks for the detailed review!
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Tweeted about this giveaway:
https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/192153497750343680
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
to save time, i use all in one products! Thanks for a super giveaway!
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/192192328839086080
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
put lotion on right after I get out of the shower and I put on a moisturizer with sunscreen everyday…and I don’t wear makeup which saves a lot of time.
In the morning I use an anti-aging tinted moisturizer that also has spf that way I don’t have to worry about applying different serums and waiting for them to dry inbetween applications.
moisturize right before bed
I use 3 in 1 cream
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/192723495766077441
I use Olay Regenerist skincare day and night to keep my skin moist and healthy, thank you.
tianhapsari(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweet about this giveaway
https://twitter.com/#!/tiankinasih/status/193113313570340864
I just wash and lotion with a moisturizer with spf15+. olay is my favorite moisturizer, I’ve been using olay complete for a long time. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
songyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/193233301622894592
songyueyu at gmail
I save time by using makeup remover towelettes at night instead of the whole washing routine, when I’m really tired!
[mckinneymommas at yahoo dot com]
I save time by doing some skincare while I am working at my home computer. I keep cleansing wipes, serum and moisturizers by my computer.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
@chrisdeglen tweeted:
twitter.com/#!/chrisdeglen/status/193479167503892480
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
i skip makeup
thepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/193771033491279872
thepryfamily@gmail.com
i use coconut oil to remove makeup and moisturize at the same time.
i always use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it
i make it a point to wash my face and moisturize it everyday as part of my normal routine
i save time by washing my face in the shower!
https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/195255429431959552
When I have extra moisturizer on my hands, I apply it to my arms and help take care of the rough elbows and age spots there.
amwiden at aol dot com
I put on my lotion before bed
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/kj20082006/status/196291266831585280
One thing I do to save time is apply a mask 2 or 3 times a week first thing in the morning. Then it has time to work and dry while I make coffee, get clothes ready, etc. By the time I take my shower, I just wash it off in the shower and my skin feels so soft!
https://twitter.com/#!/tnshadylady/status/196369974800027648
I save time by using 2 in 1 products
https://twitter.com/#!/ajoy1332/status/196404073661079552
I use makeup with sunscreen.
I heavy moisturize at night before bed. A lot of times I use my Biore pore strips while I’m blow-drying my hair and I always use a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen. Sometimes its tough to find the time to take care of my skin like I should.