Boots Laboratories Optiva Skincare Range Review

I am beyond tired and still recovering from my week in Singapore and 2am flight back. Unfortunately I have sacrificed my Saturday to attend work related training so I am feeling a little bit restless. Nonetheless the training was on environmental modification (i.e., when health professional come together with builders and architects to design a suitable home/public environment for those is a disability) was extremely informative and worthwhile. Even though my mental and physical state is completed exhausted. My skin is looking pretty darn good!

I was lucky to receive Boots Laboratorie's Optiva range to trial, I've been using this for a few weeks now and I'm ready to deliver my verdict! Oh and I recently purchased the little blue giraffe clip (see above), it is just too cute not to be in photos!!

Optiva Radiance Renew Foaming Wash $14 for 150ml

A gentle foaming wash that leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and invigorated with a healthy glow.

I am sure that I have mentioned this in my previous posts, that I am not a massive fan of foam cleansers (unless I use my Shiseido cleansing brush) simply because it spreads very easily and get caught in my hair sometimes. I also find it difficult to breath with the foam around my nose. But if I am in the shower, foam is great as it reminds me of the bubble baths I use to have as a child.  I usually find foam cleansers quite drying, but this particular cleansing foam was surprisingly moisturising. As for makeup removal, the best way to get bits off your face is with a cleansing brush. 

Optiva Radiance Refresh Tonic $14 for 150ml

A refreshing toner to comfort and hydrate the skin.

It's been a very long time since I've used a toner that is not a spray or a mist. I've been using this toner day and night (although I have skipped a few mornings, it's hard to keep up the skincare routine during work days!). I like to pour some of the toner onto my hands and apply it on my face as if I'm a man patting aftershave on. I dislike using cotton pads because I don't feel it's economical! A lot of product wastage in terms of the toner and cotton pads.

I found this particular toner to be really quite pleasant, it has a floral-ish scent and did not irritate my skin. The toner is quickly absorbed into my skin after application to provide an instant boost of hydration.

Optiva Aqua-Capture Serum $24 for 30ml

A concentrated skin hydrating serum with a light weight formulation, easy to apply and works deep into the skin.

A lovely light weight serum with a subtle sweet scent that dries fairly quickly. I use this after my tonic and the pair works together wonderfully, my skin feels amazing and incredibly hydrated! The serum does not roll off my face nor does it irritate my skin. I have been using it slightly under my eyes just around the orbital bones, this works for me, however if you have sensitivities, stick to your eye cream! This serum also works really well with Optiva's night cream!

Optiva Daily Protection Cream $22 for 40ml

A hydrating lightweight formula suitable for oily skin and combination skin.

This is a light weight day cream with SPF 15+. I usually opt for SPF 30-50 +, however this day cream had come in especially handy in the past week. I've been doing more time in the office than on the road, so I felt that SPF 15 was sufficient. Otherwise I often put another layer of SPF on top of this day cream.

There is a nice subtle scent to this day cream, which is again relatively floral and quite pleasant. I honestly don't have anything bad to say about this product other than the fact that I personally need more than SPF15 because I spend a lot of time outdoors for work.

Optiva Nourishing Night Cream $22 for 40ml

A rich moisturising cream that absorbs easily to help restore skin overnight.

Has anyone tried this night cream? I have never tried anything like this before, the consistency is fairly thick and heavier than the other Optiva products, although still easy to blend. Less is more with this product, if you put too much on it'll slip off. The product has a rather medicinal (?) scent, I really can't describe it but I'm not a big fan of the scent (I did get accustom to the scent over time). BUT, once applied, the night creams gives off a fantastic cooling sensation. I am notorious for using pimple cream on large areas of my face for that reason, it helps calm my skin down, or that's what my inner voice tells me.

I love the cooling sensation, I noticed a lot less redness around my nose (which is usually red, I also pick my face.. oops). Prior to using this night cream the redness on my face would last for months on end, but I personally feel that the redness is easing a lot faster with Optiva's night cream.

In addition, I have dry skin, so I found the consistency to be perfect. I do love heavy night creams. A part from the scent, I think this is a very unique product!

Overall, Optiva's range worked quite well for me, especially since I have dry skin - I can see how the entire routine may feel a bit heavy for those with oily skin, however when products are used individually, it suits all skin types. The only thing I'd change is the scent of the night cream. My skin felt pump and extremely hydrated following my use in the past month. This is a great and affordable range, I've seen Optiva advertised in a few pharmacies, have a look if you are passing by!

Website

http://www.amcal.com.au/

Disclaimer: These products were provided for editorial purposes, all opinions are my own.

Importance of Night Cream ft. Boots Laboratories

Alongside eye creams, cleansers and SPF, night creams are considered to be one of the most important skincare element. While working at Shiseido many moons ago, our trainer advised that beauty sleep is between 11-3pm, that's when our cells regenerate the most. I wasn't sure whether it's scientifically proven, but I believed it. When it comes to skincare, I don't play around, sunscreen, eye cream and night creams are a MUST. I've been using night cream every night since I was 20 and I have noticed significant improvements in my skin's overall appearance when compared to my cousins of the same ago or younger family members who do not use night creams!

I personally feel night creams are significantly important and acts as a preventative method for me. Like they always say, prevention not cure! Once those wrinkles start to form, it'll be a pain to rid.


According to Australian Natural Health Magazine skin cell regeneration doubles at night and 11pm-4am is the prime time where cell regeneration peaks. Whether it's been 11pm-3pm or 11pm - 4am.. ideally, we should all be sound asleep during those hours.

• Day creams are used to protect our skin which is why most day creams are lighter in texture with SPF. While night creams are used to assist with resoration and regeneration. Hence, night creams are often thicker.
• As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin undergoes significant changes, our skin begins to lose elasticity. These structural changes allows the birth of wrinkles.
• Skin changes and increase in wrinkles can be caused by general aging, sun damage and overall health/diet.
• During cell regeneration, night creams are believed to support your skin through the process, a good night cream may stimulate collagen production and provide deep moisture.
• Most night creams are jam packed with antioxidants to help prevent the development of wrinkles
• In order for night creams to take effect and maintain it's effect, ensure to incorporate the method into your nightly routine.
• Nightly and prolonged use can lead to improvements in texture, fine lines, delay in new lines and an increased collagen production.

 For the past 3.5 weeks I've been using Boots Laboratories Serum 7 Regenerating Night Cream for Dry Skin every single night. My skin is quite dry, so I usually layer on serum, night cream and oil in order to achieve the desired level of hydration. This night cream is rich, creamy and highly moisturising with subtle floral scents that doesn't linger. I absolutely love the texture of this night cream, it's rich but it's not oily or greasy and easily absorbed. However, my skin will remain moist and supply throughout the night.

It is difficult to determine the level of effectiveness after 3.5 weeks of use. However, I've used night creams that were not suitable for me and after just 1 week of use, my skin would feel coarse and dehydrated as I begin to develop fine lines. This baby kept my lines at bay, I'd wake up with my skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Highly recommended for anyone with dry skin!

Boots Laboratories has a range of anti-aging night creams specifically formulated for targeted age groups. Different age requires different skin, I remember using my mum's night cream and eye cream when I was 16, under eye milia occured and my skin broke out, since then I stuck to using skincare products assigned for my age bracket.

Boots Laboratories Serum 7 Regenerating Night Cream $34

- Ideal for those in their 20s-40s

- Alleviates first signs of ageing

- Available for Normal and Dry Skin

- Provides intense hydration over night leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and radiant

- Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced after 4 weeks

Boots Laboratories Serum7 Lift Rejuvenating Night Cream - $36

- Ideal for those in their 40s - mid 50s

- Combats deeper lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity

- Lifts, tightens, firms

- Reduce appearance of deeper lines, wrinkes and even skin tone

 Boots Laboratories Serum 7 Renew Restoring Night Cream - $42

- Formulated for 55 + years

- Designed to target and improve signs of mature skin ageing

- Reactivates skin, helps accelerate surface cell turn over

- Reduce appearance of brown spots

- Age-Defence complex will assist with lines and wrinkle reduction

- Provides intense hydration and moisturisation

- Nightly use for firmer skin

To Buy..

Shop online at www.amcal.com.au
Also available at Guardian Pharmacy

*These products were provided for my consideration, all opinions are my own

Is night cream a part of your nightly routine?