Ultraceuticals skin challenge – 90 day progress report: Uneven skin-tone

bh member - alanaburns

The number of at-home products has increased in the last four weeks. I’m now using a vitamin C product, so in total I’m using around four products in the morning and at night. It can be hard to get out of the routine of going to bed wearing your make-up or just giving your face a quick wash in the shower (I know, I was one of those people!). But now I am a dedicated user and the difference is clear to me. The in-salon treatments have been really good. Having them so frequently isn’t something you would be able to maintain in your regular routine, but I will be going once a month because they really do make a big difference.

I’m not seeing any more dramatic changes from the last month. Rather, I’m seeing an overall retention of the changes that had [already been] made, which is great. My skin was already feeling and looking great so I can’t really complain!

From when I first started having the treatments, my skin has a lot more [of a] natural glow to it – I don’t need to use a highlighter anymore to pick up the light because my skin is already doing this naturally (bonus!). My make-up is going on much smoother as well because the overall texture of my skin has improved so dramatically. I’ve never been one to wear a lot of make-up but now I feel the need even less because the tone of my skin is more even and I don’t feel the need to hide any of the imperfections I once spent time worrying about. People are still commenting on how great my skin looks too – always a good feeling.

Overall, I’m really satisfied with the results from the products. The good thing is not just that the in-salon treatments work, but that mainly the at-home treatments [also work]. The night-time mask is fantastic – I use it a couple of times a week and it really gives bounce and volume into the skin. Would I recommend Ultraceuticals to my friends? Absolutely. I’m confident the team at Ultraceuticals can find the right products to make a change in anyone’s skin. Give it a go!

bh member - GildedButterflies

In the morning I use the Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser to wash away the oils my pores produce, as well as the serums and creams I applied before bed. The cleanser leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean without a tight, taut feeling. I gently pat it on and work in the Even Skintone Serum all over my face, avoiding the eye area. The serum has AHAs and BHAs to help keep my pores clean, exfoliate dead skin cells and balance out the oil production in my T-zone. I wait a few minutes before applying the Ultra UV Protective Moisturiser SPF30 Mattifying. The moisturiser keeps my skin hydrated with niacinamide and other anti-ageing and hydrating ingredients, while providing broad spectrum protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

In the evening, I wash my face with the Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser to cleanse away make-up, oil, dirt and grime. I like that this cleanser cleanses and removes make-up in one go, eliminating the need for an extra step. Next, I apply the Ultra A Serum Concentrate, which is the highest concentration of retinol that Ultraceuticals sells. I bumped up to this level after using the medium level (Ultra A Serum) for the first couple of months. While this serum has high levels of retinol which can irritate skin, it also has ingredients that minimise irritation such as pro-vitamin C. I wait a few minutes for the serum to sink in before moisturising with the Ultra Moisturising Cream. Packed with cell-communicating ingredients and antioxidants, the cream is hydrating and anti-aging at the same time.

Twice a week I apply the Ultra Purifying Mask to keep breakouts and congestion at bay. Formulated with kaolin, this mask also lists mandelic and salicylic acids among other fantastic ingredients. I also use the Ultra Clear Spot Treatment whenever I see a breakout. It nukes the sucker overnight.

Ultraceuticals have formulated their products so well… they pair active ingredients with soothing ingredients to minimise irritation. I’m pleased with the products because none of them have caused any irritation, peeling or flaking which [are things] I struggle with when using similar products.

The in-salon treatments I have received in the last month are the mandelic acid peel, followed by micro-needling in my first visit and an A-Zyme peel in my second visit.

During my first visit, I received my first micro-needling, so this appointment was my second time receiving this treatment. A 40 per cent mandelic acid was applied for three to four minutes before we started with the micro-needling. Even though numbing cream was applied half an hour before the micro-needling, it was still painful, especially in areas of the face that aren’t so fleshy, such as the forehead and jawline. To tolerate the pain, I had to get into the right mind-set. It’s all about mind over matter. If you want the results bad enough (in my case to get rid of my acne scars and pitted skin), you will tolerate the intense treatment. My Ultraceuticals therapist was very supportive and it's important to have that trust with someone who is basically making tiny micro-channels into your skin to stimulate collagen growth.

During my most recent appointment, I received the A-Zyme treatment again. This time around my therapist applied the 1 per cent retinol and 6 per cent Bromelain peel [to my skin] and made circular motions with a device over the peel. The device gives off sound to stimulate the enzyme peel to penetrate better. It feels like a warm vibration on the skin but it's actually the sound creating the feeling. Post-peel, my face was pink and felt slightly raw but it all subsided in 24 hours.

My skin has changed for the better from using the Ultraceuticals products and receiving the in-salon treatments. My skin’s clarity and texture has visibly improved. The pores on my nose have shrunk and aren’t as visible anymore. The overall tone has evened out now and my acne scars have softened in appearance. The minimal fine lines I had are all pretty much gone and my skin looks smoother and youthful.

I’m really pleased with the overall results and can’t help but talk about it with family and friends till their eyes glaze over. The results of the challenge have inspired me to continue seeking medical grade micro-needling to diminish my acne scars/pitting while using the Ultraceuticals at-home products to maintain the results. It takes over six months to see results from micro-needling so I’m still waiting to see how my skin improves further from the professional treatments.

The products are beautifully formulated with scientifically-proven ingredients and it's especially gratifying to get unprovoked compliments from other people because it means the products are working. I suffered from cystic acne for years and finally have [it] under control, but I was feeling self-conscious about my acne scars so it was really nice to have been chosen for this 90-day challenge. The trauma my skin went through when I was getting cystic acne left me feeling down and sometimes made me burst into tears. Add to that, the suckers left permanent scars and pitting on cheeks and I felt like there was no hope until I started this challenge. The therapists at Ultraceuticals are knowledgeable experts whose opinion I trust. The products and treatments they have recommended have proven effective in addressing my skin issues but my journey is not over yet. I will continue to use the products and seek professional micro-needling to stimulate collagen growth.

To watch more experiences of the 90 Day Skin Challenge, click HERE.

Do you have any of these skin concerns?