My aging skin needs all the help I can give it, so I was attracted by the hype for Olay Total Effects Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex.

Here's what Olay claims for this product:

"It fights seven signs of aging:

~ Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
~ Smoothes skin texture - visibly and to the touch
~ Evens skin tone for younger looking, more balanced color
~ Improves surface dullness, giving skin a radiant, healthy glow
~ Minimizes the appearance of pores
~ Visibly reduces the appearance of blotches and age spots
~ Soothes dry skin, hydrating with Olay moisture"

Olay Total Effects contains VitaNiacin, which is an exclusive formula of vitamin B3, (a niacin derivative), vitamin E, and pro-vitamin B5, and is infused with Olay moisture.

This product is designed to replace your regular moisturizer and specialty skin care products.

Well, if it can do all that, then whoo hoo! - I had to give it a try.

~ Packaging

Olay Total Effects Vitamin Complex comes in a 1.7 fl. oz. plastic bottle with an interestingly shaped, but totally cool, pump top dispenser. I'm very attracted to the shape of the dispenser. Can't really say why, but I'll bet there's a marketing director out there somewhere who can tell me. But then again, I've always been a sucker for packaging. In any case, this eerily attractive dispenser works perfectly, dispensing a very controlled amount of product with one pump.

~ My Olay Total Effects Experience

The package directs us to "apply liberally on face and neck as often as necessary each day to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays while keeping skin smooth." The Olay Total Effects product I chose has SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection, and is fragrance free, although they also carry a version with no SPF protection, and with fragrance.

After cleansing my face, I dispensed a small amount and applied to my face and neck. The consistency is rather thick and creamy, and it glides on easily while being absorbed quickly. A small amount will cover a large area. Although it claims to be fragrance free, I detected a very slight, but pleasant scent. My skin immediately felt quite moisturized, with no stickiness or greasy feeling. A really great moisturizer, which I continue to use daily under makeup.

I've been using Olay Total Effects Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex for over a year now. How has it performed according to Olay's claims? Let's take a look at each of those seven signs of aging it claims to "fight" and compare them with my results:

Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles - Well, I believe I have noticed a very slight easing of lines and wrinkles. But then again it could just be my imagination.

Smoothes skin texture visibly and to the touch - Yes, absolutely! I noticed much smoother skin after just a couple of days. A rather dramatic improvement, in fact.

Evens skin tone - Umm...nope. I haven't noticed any difference in skin tone.

Improves surface dullness - Yes, I would say my skin has a more healthy glow.

Minimizes the appearance of pores - No, not really. I have larger pores around my nose area, and I don't see any difference.

Visibly reduces the appearance of blotches and age spots - Well, maybe just the slightest improvement, but barely.

Soothes dry skin - Yes, absolutely! An excellent moisturizer.

~ Other Things to Note

Olay Total Effects Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex with UV Protection is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV sunscreen to help prevent sun damage.
In addition, this product is dermatologist tested, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), color and fragrance free, and oil free. Note, however, that I am able to detect a very slight scent, even though it is supposed to be fragrance free.

There is a caution that children under six months of age should consult a doctor before using.

The ingredients are:

Active Ingredients: 4% Octyl Salicylate, 2% Avobenzone, 1% Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, 1% Octocrylene
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Isopropyl Isostearate, Polyacrylamide, Triethanolamine, Titanium Dioxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetearyl Glucoside, PTFE, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, PEG-100 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Laureth 7, Stearic Acid

~ Final Thoughts

Olay Total Effects Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex is a wonderful moisturizer. And I must say the improvement in the look and feel of my skin's texture is quite dramatic - much smoother and softer. And I definitely like the SPF with UVA/UVB protection option, as I do have some sun damage. And even though I haven't noticed any difference in skin tone, or minimizing of pores, I am still recommending this product. I continue to use this after more than a year, and I'm very picky about my moisturizer. The dramatic change in my skin's texture is worth it, and the moisturizing effects are wonderful and long-lasting. Maybe it will give you even better results!

Can be found at most drug stores, K-Mart, Wal-Mart.

Questions? 800-285-5170
www.olay.com
Distributed by Procter & Gamble








Recommended: Yes