No pain, no gain! (L'Oréal ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion Kit)

Member Name: kirstymack80

Product:	L'Oréal ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion Kit
Date:	24/07/05 (1360 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: smooth, soft skin

Disadvantages: painful on the face, as well as the wallet !

Ever since I saw Natalie Imbruglia advertising this product, it was a must in KM’s essential beauty items. What can I say? I'm the Advertiser's Dream. As I’d just turned *cough cough* thirty something plus a few, my skin was starting to look a little jaded after years of waking up at 6am for my lovely job. Ahem!

I picked this up just after Christmas in Boots as I saw that this particular kit had a small amount of money off the usual price (a fiver) and took it to the till and paid with the points that had mounted up over the whole year. I was going to start 2005 with a healthy skin!

* What is it? *

It’s a two step kit, in a pretty silver box containing:

The Micro-Dermabrasion resurfacing exfoliator (60 ml)
and
The Post Treatment Optimising Moisturizer SPF 15 (40 ml)

Before I go any further, it says quite plainly on the box that it’s suitable for all skin types, *except* sensitive. I have fairly normal skin which doesn’t flare up easily and is neither oily or dry, so I felt confident this wouldn’t have an adverse effect.

* What it claims to do *

Visibly reduce fine lines
Refines skin texture
Skin becomes immediately more radiant
Incredibly soft skin

And if that wasn’t enough - the kit also contains enough for 30 sessions! Woo.

* Frequency of use *

This only takes a couple of minutes and should only be used twice a week at most. So it easily fits into most people's lifestyle - even the insanely busy!

* Mack’s instructions *

* Step 1 *

Firstly get that hair out of your eyes! This is gonna be messy. Either tie it up, or for KM she finds herself a fetching hair band (like an Italian footballer)! Make sure your face is completely clear of make up. Next step is to moisten your face with a splash of water.

Now remove the larger, silver tube. For the science bit this is ‘aluminium oxide mico-crystals’ which roughly translates to bloomin’ painful grainy cream. The tube’s got a flip top lid which reveals a fairly thick, white cream that doesn’t seem to have any fragrance. Dot the cream on five main areas of your face:

Forehead
Nose
Chin
Each cheek

The diagram then tells you to start at your cheeks and work up towards your temples, using circular movements. A note – avoid your eye and lip areas. However at this point I shall mention that however much I keep my mouth closed, it does *not* work and I always end up eating some of the grainy stuff. Not recommended! ;-)

Starting at the middle of your forehead work across, again rubbing in a circular motion and finish off with the nose and chin, working outwards. Don’t over massage the same area and do this for a maximum of 2 minutes.

I’m pretty sure I don’t do this for 2 mins – frankly it’s not a particularly pleasant experience so the sooner this bit is over the better! However, you can feel the grains working into your skin so you feel the product is actually working. Wash the excess off with cold water and pat dry with a towel.

* Result *

I’m normally rather pale but this certainly gets some colour in yer cheeks! I find my skin literally ‘glows’ but then with all that rubbing I’m not surprised. My skin feels smooth to the touch, even if it is a little flushed!

* Step 2 *

Use both hands to distribute the moisturizer, starting on your nose and spreading outwards towards your hairline, covering both cheeks. Then dot onto your chin, moving upwards and finally onto your forehead. Massage lightly which will soothe the redness. The cream is fairly runny as opposed to Step 1 but it’s non greasy and easily absorbed. It comes in a rather irritating screw top tube, which you may want to remove before you start the whole procedure just in case your hands are covered in either cream! Things could get messy!

Step 2 is *very* important as the exfoliator does make your skin more sensitive to the sun, due to renovating the upper layers of the epidermis. The moisturizer does contain an SPF 15 which will help protect you, especially if you use the kit first thing in the morning (as they encourage you to do) and then go outside. Remember those harmful rays can still get you even when Mr Sun is hiding! The cream also contains vitamin E and will keep your skin hydrated.

* Result *

This cools the skin down somewhat, it soothes the redness and you are left with slighty shiny, glowy skin. And it feels like velvet!

* My experience *

The first time I used this, it was painful. The instructions tell you to use it for the first time at night so that you ‘really see a difference’ – I can’t say that it made a big impression on me. I wasn’t sure about continuing to use it but persevered and boy am I glad I did! Four weeks on I did see a difference. My ‘fine lines’ which are more like deep etchings are still there (shame), but I do see a change in my skin tone and my friends have commented. However I will admit to having fairly ‘good’ skin inherited from my mother and grandmother and (so people tell me) look younger than my age anyway!

The kit lasts around 5-6 months, therefore it is fairly good value although on first inspection at over £18 at full price it is an extravagant purchase (for me, anyway!). After using it for a month, both tubes were still fairly full. The texture of my skin is silky smooth and that’s worth its weight in gold!

Without make up, my skin has a more even tone. When applying my make up, it seems to go on smoother and looks brighter. Even if I feel tired, I don't look quite as shattered! So overall I’m happy to have made the purchase and will continue to use it.

Four stars – one away for the price and the pain you have to endure coz I’m a wuss!

* Other things to note *

Do not apply to damaged or broken skin and if any irritation occurs stop using the product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Use a maximum of twice a week.

* Other info *

Dermatologically tested
Fragrance free
Colourant free

Product available in Boots and I've also spotted it in Superdrug, Savers and larger Sainsbury’s. Price around £15 but shop around as it's quite often reduced.

* Website *

www.lorealparis.com

For further skincare advice:

L’Oreal Consumer Advisory Department
UK 0845 399 1949
ROI 1850 399 949

While I don’t think that this product alone will give you the extra brilliant skin we all crave, drinking lots of water, eating healthily and getting a decent night’s sleep will help to keep you looking halfway decent!

Finally if you take one piece of advice from me, please make sure you read the instructions to this two step kit carefully. I didn’t the first time I tried it out – and used the product on clean, dry skin without wetting it. Painful? What do you reckon …!

I know, I’m stoopid! Make sure you aren’t.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: A two step kit to improve skin tone