(Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream)
Happy new year everyone! I wish all of you a healthy and happy 2008!
Today I am talking about my current nighttime moisturizer. In my post on my daily skincare routine, I mentioned Lancôme’s Hydra Zen was my chosen moisturizer for nighttime. But, about six months ago, Hydra Zen changed its formulation for the fourth time. Unlike the last three times, when there were only minor changes, the 4th-generation Hydra Zen’s ingredient list looks very different. It is still a suitable moisturizer for me (I used a couple of samples), but it was apparent to me that my skin didn’t like it as much.
I decided to look for a replacement. Usually, finding a replacement skincare product can be painful and can involve wasted money. (Opened and used cosmetics products are not returnable and refundable in the UK.) But, since, at that time, I had just started to like Olay Complete Care Daily Illuminating UV Fluid SPF 15, I thought I’d tried another moisturizer from Olay.
The one I got is Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream. It sounds like it is really dense and possibly greasy. But, when I tried the in-store tester, it seemed clear that it was not. It seemed light but still emollient, and it appeared to be suitable for my oily-dry skin. With Olay being a relatively affordable brand, I thought I’d try it out.
I really liked it the first time I used it. Even though it has a cream consistency, it is surprisingly lightweight and has a good slip. It is moisturizing and absorbs well, but it doesn’t feel heavy or look greasy at all. For me, it is a competent moisturizer for all seasons. Obviously, this is the first winter when I am using it. All I need is just to use a bit more of it than I do in warmer months, and I don’t need to layer on any other product.
One thing worth mentioning is that one of the major ingredients in this moisturizer is niacinamide. Paula Begoun describes ingredients like niacinamide and retinol as “cell-communicating ingredients“, which are able to work effectively at the cellular level to help improve the conditions and appearance of skin. (Read more about niacinamide and cell-communicating ingredients on Paula Begoun’s website.)
It contains benzyl alcohol, which can be a skin irritant. But it is not among the major ingredients and I have not had negative reactions to the product.
Overall this is a well-formulated moisturizer that happens to have the texture and the degree of emolliency that really suit me. I am quite positive that, as long as it remains available in the UK, I will continue to use it.
Related Posts:
10 Golden Skincare Rules
(Let’s try to follow all of them in 2008!)
A Touch of Blusher’s Anti-Aging Week
(my week-long series on facts and thoughts on anti-aging skincare)
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Lucky you to be able to use Olay. I’ve always loved their products as they work perfect for black skin. My mum said she used it when she was about my age but unfortunately i’ve given up trying to use any of their products as my face tends to react to them with a terribly painful rash for about a week before it actually gets used to it. I’m on the prowl for a new skincare regime and products because i’m planning on relocating to Australia and i ain’t looking forward to my skin getting destroyed by the sun. Goodluck with the night cream.
i use a cream by ni24 which is a niacinamide enriched cream, it was my first time to dabble in creams as i have oily skin and prefer mists or light lotions. also i did not even have the “sun damage” issues that the cream was meant to treat. well i am very surprised by my positive results and have been using day and night ever since. it is quite expensive, at $80 for 50ml tube and only available through US derms/physicians. it is definitely work checking out if your skin likes niacinamide.
Happy New Year!!!!!
I actually bought that moisturizer last winter, and loved it so much that I bought like 2 or 3 extra ones to stock up from drugstore.com. Then it got hot and the moisturizer became a bit too heavy for me, so I gave away what I haven’t used/open to my sister with dry skin, and haven’t restocked since.
I like it for the same reason as you. The texture, the way it absorbs into my skin, and how it keeps me moisturized. The cost is also fantastic!
I’ve been hesitant about purchasing it because I just bought a oil-control matte lotion from Paula’s Choice, and I normally don’t like having 2 of the same skincare products opened at once. But I think I’ll order some from drugstore.com.. =D
I love this moisturizer! I’ve even started using a touch of it in the daytime since my skin gets extra dry in the winter.
Hello Allysia-May,
I believe my mother uses some Olay products as well…:)
If you do have a negative reaction to any skincare product, I think, in most cases, it is indeed better to discontinue using it right away and not to wait for the skin to get used to it.
Definitely use optimal sun protection when you relocate in Australia. I do love the sun but I always make sure I am well protected. I am sure you will be too.
Thank you for leaving your comment again!
Hello Miranets,
Thank you for telling me about ni24. I have not heard about this before, so I’ve learned something new today.
Hope niacinamide will continue to have a positive impact on your skin! I will certainly be using my two Olay items as well.
Thank you for leaving your comment on my blog! Hope to hear from you again! :)
Hello Gloria,
Happy New Year to you too!
I am glad you enjoy using this moisturizer (at least in some months of the year). I can imagine that it can be slightly too emollient in hotter months for some people. But, in the UK, where the weather is never really very warm for very long, this moisturizer has been working very well for me.
I am also pleasantly surprised that this is the first winter in the last few years when I didn’t have dry patches as the seasons change from fall to winter. I can’t say it is totally down to this moisturizer or the Olay daytime one, but they have certainly been taking good care of my skin.
Thank you for your comment again! :)
Hello Beautytalk,
I am glad you enjoy using it. I do think this is a well-formulated moisturizer, and it is great that it is doing positive things to your skin.
Thank you for leaving your comment!
I use Olay’s Complete Defence Moisturing Lotion and it keeps my skin really supple. Works wonders this one. Plus I got the full bottle as a sample. How awesome is that! :P
Check out my blog, its kind of new though.
http://www.fashion-unplug.blogspot.com
Hello Andrea.N,
Good to hear from another Olay lover.
Some time ago, I checked the ingredient lists of several Olay moisturizers available in the UK, and most of them are quite well-formulated. I am glad you are enjoying your Olay product.
Thank you for letting me know about your blog. Enjoy blogging, and I will definitely check back every so often!
your moisturizer doesnt seem to be available in singapore. :( bought Olay total effects (7-in-1 antiageing cream) instead and it contains ingredients like niacinamide. so i guess it’s the same but with different packaging. hope it works on me as i have the same skin type as you do. keeping my fingers crossed..btw, thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts in your blog. i find it very insightful and useful!
Hi Heng Wei,
I see. It seems that many western drugstore lines have different products available in different countries. (The Garnier hand cream that I love is not sold in the US.)
I have tried a sample of a Total Effects moisturizer several years ago. The consistency is richer than that of the Night Enriched Cream (which has a light-cream texture). But, yes, I do remember that the Total Effects moisturizers have niacinamide and they are generally well-formulated as well. I hope it works for you!
Thank you for your comment again! :)