Opinions & Justification?

Oct 4, 2015

Alexis C.

I've been looking into a few more skincare products to help get my skin clearer from both blemishes and dark spots.

I've been looking into the Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel for blemishes. Any opinions or reviews on this product? I love Origins products so I'm sure I'd love this too but I'd still like some other opinions on it!

The other thing I've been looking into I've been eyeing for months but can't justify spending the $48 on it is the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. I've heard nothing but good things about it fading dark spots and generally brightening the skin but the price just seems so high and I can't justify spending the money on it. For those of you that have it how did you justify spending the money on it? I know it's for my skin and it'll help but I just don't know.

Any thoughts, opinions, and reviews would be greatly appreciated!

Oct 4, 2015

Diana T.

That truth serum is just a vitamin c serum - you can get it from anywhere for a lot cheaper - Paula's choice has one for like $25 on sale and garnier has one for like $12 - the results will be the same no matter what you use as long as it's ascorbic acid then it will do the job - same with acne products just look at the active ingredient and you will see the same ingredient in much cheaper products - they will work exactly the same

Oct 4, 2015

Alexis C.

I'm not worried about the price of the Origins product, just the Ole Henriksen, but thank you (:

Oct 4, 2015

Sabrina K.

I tried the Ole Henriksen vitamin C serum and it burned my skin! I sont know why it burned me - but I didnt use it for more then 2 weeks.
Ole Henriksen is all the rave in denmark and has been for many many years (because he is danish him self) and I have never heard anyone not liking or loving his products - I'm sure it was just bad luck on my side that I didnt like it :)

Oct 4, 2015

Shelley W.

I agree with Diana. I'm not a fan of Paula's philosophy on certain matters regarding skin care but her product range is pretty decent and affordably priced. The ingredients list is also very telling as well...if the actives are placed at the far bottom then it's really not worthy of its claims in my opinion but if it sits in the top half (the top ten) then you are getting a worthy product that will give you results within a decent amount of time (6-8 weeks). All that being said depending on how deep your skin scarring goes will also determine the level of results you will see. Take sun spots for example. Very hard to lighten up with topical products and the last resort is usually laser therapy of some kind and that isn't even a 100%. I tried the Truth Serum a few years ago and it was not a great experience for me. It was sticky and it didn't do much in the skin brightening department for me but cause breakouts. Some beauties can tolerate it and report positive results but for me it just wasn't the greatest. As far as the justification of spending gobs of money on high-end skincare...I can only speak for myself but I see it as this...I only get one solid chance with my skin and I want to use the very best products on it. Regardless of the price point I will first look at the ingredients and the science behind it all. I find that spending top dollar for medical grade and cosmetic grade skincare for my core items is where I get the most bang for my money. Core products being the serums, night time moisturizers and at home peels.

You mentioned wanting to clear your skin from both the blemishes and the dark spots...have you thought about trying to clear the blemishes first and then going in with getting rid of the dark spots? The reason why I ask is because whenever I experience an outbreak of some kind...my most recent being a about with heat rash on my forehead and chin...I find that if I target fighting one thing first and getting it under control it helps address the secondary issue without exposing my skin to so much product at one time.

Sorry for the long winded response.

Oct 4, 2015

Ashley D.

I love the Ole Henriksen truth serum, it's worked wonders for my skin. For me I can justify the price because I know how much it helps my skin, and I've never paid full price, you can always find it in a kit or in deluxe sample sizes that last a long time but cost less than the full size.

Oct 4, 2015

Alexis C.

Thank you, everyone!

Shelley, anytime a blemish clears up on my skin it leaves a dark spot, even if I don't pop it and just let it run its course. I've only been getting blemishes here and there once in awhile but I still have dark spots from breakouts I've had months and months ago, which is why I'm looking into the Truth Serum.

Oct 4, 2015

Kitty K.

Being in the same boat as you are.. dealing with acne and dealing with spots. I have to say, this serum is something I only grab for when my skin is a bit parched and just like Shelley, it breaks me out. It didn't do much for my actual spots/complexion.

With the total cost of fancy serums and exfoliants I ended up just going with Chemical Peels. I do a Salicylic Acid Chemical Peel (About 40%) every month. It helps tremendously with acne and the spots, but it is something you have to do continuously.
Chemical Peels + SPF like there's no tomorrow, and my spots are clearing up fast.
Peels are pricey but if you think about how much you'll invest with products and trial/error it can pretty much be the same thing.

You can also check Groupons for good deals on Chemical Peels, I just type in 'Chemical Peel and my zipcode' and it should bring up good results.
One result being $38 for one peel and microdermabrasion, $52 for two for a peels and microdermabrasions, $104 for six peels and microdermabrasion.
Of course I'd follow with checking out Yelp for reviews and some research on the Derm who may perform it.

Oct 4, 2015

Alexis C.

Thank you, Kitty (:

Oct 4, 2015

Fifi D.

It's Skin a Korean brand has dark spot fading serums for $10-15 online. It's in a white or dark blue bottle. They have similar effects, the white one has arbutin and the dark blue one has licorice extract. You can find it on Amazon or MemeBox, try looking it up and deciding if you want to get it. Also chemical peels are really helpful just be sure to space them out and wear sunscreen afterwards.

Oct 4, 2015

Shelley W.

My skin does the same exact thing...no matter if I leave it alone it always leaves a scar. I hate that with a passion. And Kitty offered some awesome advice as well. Chemical peels are awesome...especially if you can go the pro route. I try and get a facial done every 6 weeks and a chemical peel whenever my gal says it's time but once you get your skin on track you will definitely see the savings because you be less opt to reach for a lot of foundation and you won't be wasting good money on trial and error products that get thrown under the bathroom sink.

Oct 4, 2015

Kaitlin M.

I love the Ole Henriksen serum. It honestly made my skin a thousand times better. The texture of my skin improved and I had zero breakouts. It also lightened up any dark spots and overall, made my complexion brighter. I can agree that it is pretty expensive, so I usually purchase it around Christmas or when Sephora is having their 20% sales.

Oct 4, 2015

Alexis C.

Thank you, everyone (:

Oct 5, 2015

Sarah N.

I agree with Shelley & Kitty. It's definitely worth it to invest in good skincare. I have had a few clients who will spend thousands of dollars on makeup or services but are shocked at the price of the skincare products suggested to use after their treatment ( we use eminence and image, both sold at professional stores). Luckily most of my clients understand the importance, but I definitely have the ones that I have to explain to how important it is to not be 'cheap' when it comes to their home care for their skin. Are the most expensive products always the best? No. However, it's extremely important for your skins health to only use good products with good ingredients & splurge on beneficial treatments.. as Shelley said you'll definitely save money in the end. Chemical peels are amazing, I suggest getting on a good routine of facials every 4 to 6 weeks as well as a chemical peel best suited for what you're trying to accomplish. Then discuss what products are needed at home to continue those results. Receiving a facial & peel every 4 to 6 weeks but not using good products at home will make it very difficult to see results.

Oct 5, 2015

Alexis C.

Thank you, Sarah (:

Oct 6, 2015

Haley S.

Ascorbic acid is like an eggshell with vitamin c being the actual egg. I know if you're taking a vitamin c supplement and it says ascorbic acid you're not getting the actual vitamin. I'm not certain if it's the same if it's placed on the skin, but I'm just throwing that out there from what I've learned from my health professor. Maybe the more informed ladies on here can help clarify.

Oct 6, 2015

Alexis C.

Thanks, Haley (:

Oct 8, 2015

Lin F.

Have any of you ladies tried using lemon juice on age spots?? Some of my Indian (east Asian Indians) swear by it but I suspect it takes ages to show any difference. I have been using lemon juice after cleansing & toning but I can't see that it has done one jot of difference, oh well, back to the drawing board!

Oct 8, 2015

Alexis C.

Lin, lemon juice is actually damaging to the skin so I highly suggest not using it.