Exuviance Mini Set Review

The Exuviance mini set is a couple of years old, I bought it at the end of 2019. I am procrastinator and just a while ago started to use the products. Nothing seems to be expired however. I still haven't tried everything from the set! I'll add things when I get to it...

Exuviance has already renamed the products and renewed the packaging, but they say the formulas are unchanged. I think they also discontinued some products. 

I have already repurchased Evening Restorative Complex/Overnight Transformation Complex and Vespera Bionic Serum/Radiance Serum. They are really good and my skin loves them!

Exuviance Soothing Toning Lotion

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI 14700).

Description: This gentle alcohol-free toner contains a PHA/botanical blend to tone, moisturize and soothe.

* Yellow liquid

* Light scent, not sweet or pungent, pleasant enough so that I barely notice it

* At the same time a bit hydrating and a bit purifying, but also not very much hydrating or very purifying - I know, weird!

* Doesn't feel drying for me though

* No tingling or irritation

Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Creme

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Gluconolactone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Triundecanoin, Polyacrylamide, Octyldodecanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Dimethyl Heptenal, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal.

Description: Soap free formula gently dissolves makeup and impurities.

* Very creamy, lotion-y, white

* Light scent, barely noticeable for me

* No foaming

* Ok for morning cleanser, but not effective otherwise, doesn't remove makeup or much anything

* Leaves a creamy film on skin, I am not huge fan of cream cleansers because of this

* Definitely not drying, definitely moisturizing, but would not recommend for oily skin

* I prefer Kate Somerville's Goat Milk Cleanser, it doesn't leave the film, if I had to choose a cream cleanser

Exuviance Deep Hydration Treatment Discontinued?

Ingredients: AQUA (WATER), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, GLUCONOLACTONE, GLYCERIN, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, LACTOBIONIC ACID, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) OIL, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, SYRINGA VULGARIS (LILAC) LEAF CELL CULTURE EXTRACT, BETAINE, SODIUM PCA, SORBITOL, SERINE, GLYCINE, GLUTAMIC ACID, ALANINE, LYSINE, ARGININE, THREONINE, PROLINE, BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1, BATYL ALCOHOL, DIMETHICONOL, AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE, MALTODEXTRIN, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYSORBATE 20, POLYGLYCERYL-3 METHYLGLUCOSE DISTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BHT, SODIUM SULFITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), CI 19140 (YELLOW 5), CI 42090 (BLUE 1).

Description: PHA/Bionics strengthen skin barrier, Prodew refills deep moisture reserves.

* Thick gel consistency

* Surprisingly strong scent

* Leaves skin a bit sticky, but is easy to slather on

* It is hydrating, but somehow the description made it sound even more amazing than what it is

* Discontinued?

* Maybe breaking me out, I'm not sure

Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Gluconolactone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, C13-15 Alkane, PEG-100 Stearate, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethoxydiglycol, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phospholipids, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Phosphatidylcholine, Octyldodecanol, Myristic Acid, Ceteareth-20, Steareth-2, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Disteareth-100 IPDI, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Hexyl Cinnamal, Blue 1 (Cl 42090), Yellow 5 (Cl 19140).

Description: Contains a high-performance complex of Vitamins A, C and E, Botanicals and a PHA/Bionic blend, to transform skin.

* Green-ish color, light cream

* A bit weird, fresh scent I didn't originally care for, but I have gotten used to it already

* Absorbs well

* I like this as all-in-one in the evening! Fast skincare routine, but still extremely gentle and effective

* Not very moisturizing so dry skin people will probably have to use another cream on top/serum underneath

* Must say this is a bit magical cream, when my skin plays tricks this one seems to calm it immediately

Exuviance Vespera Serum Sample Packet

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Lactobionic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Mandelic Acid, Arginine, Tocopheryl Acetate,Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool, Citral.

Description: Concentrated, powerful serum dramatically diminishes visible signs of ageing, bringing new life to dull stressed skin

* Yellowish, thick serum

* Probably not much scent, I can't remember any! (I haven't opened the repurchased full bottle yet.)

* One sample packet was enough for 4-6 applications

* Absorbs well, but leaves skin tacky

* Doesn't disrupt other products on top

* Maybe a bit drying, even, not badly though and ok for oily skin

* Feels gentle and effective on my skin! But this observation was made during one week only, very short time

Exuviance Sheer Refining Fluid SPF35 Discontinued?

Ingredients:Active: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), Ethylhexyl Salicylate (Octisalate), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone), Inactive: Aqua (Water), Acetyl Glucosamine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, C12-C15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Lecithin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, PEG-75 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ceteth- 20, Steareth-20, Carbomer, Ammonium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Bisulfite.

Description: Controls oiliness, Reduces signs of aging

* Discontinued, I believe, there is now a product called Sheer Refining Fluid SPF 40

* Quite greasy if you ask me

* Very moisturizing, no need for a separate moisturizer 

* No white cast

* Didn't seem to break me out

* Used during winter, didn't notice that my eyes would water, but I sweat a lot more during summer

* Exuviance has a different daily moisturizer/sunscreen now, SPF50

* I am not against trying their new formula but it is very expensive

Exuviance Retexturing Treatment

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ammonium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 33 (CI 17200).

Description: Resurface dull, rough skin and restore silky softness to arms and legs with this potent treatment.

* White cream

* Barely any scent

* PHA/Glycolic Acid

* Used on my feet and elbows, I wouldn't say that my skin was especially rough, but after a few days I did notice my skin was smoother - not silky soft like it says on the packaging, but maybe it takes a bit more time

* Felt gentle

* Absorbed nicely, overall felt pleasant

* I could purchase a full size to be used as a full body cream for myself, I am not into body moisturizers because I find them usually icky, disgustingly scented and I have oily/normal body skin so I never feel dry unless I scrub myself to death or wax my legs - but I did not find this cream disgusting (doesn't sound like a compliment but it is!)

Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish

Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Mini 5 ml Review

Ingredients:

Water⁠, Azelaic Acid⁠, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate⁠, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride⁠, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate⁠, Glycerin⁠, Cetearyl Alcohol⁠, Glyceryl Stearate⁠, Dimethicone⁠, Salicylic Acid⁠, Adenosine⁠, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract⁠, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract⁠, Allantoin⁠, Bisabolol⁠, Cyclopentasiloxane⁠, Xanthan Gum⁠, Sclerotium Gum⁠, Propanediol⁠, Butylene Glycol⁠, Phenoxyethanol⁠.

azelaic acid 10% and 0,5% salicylic acid

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- Probably too low Azelaic Acid/Salicylic Acid percentage to actually do anything significant, at least fast

- Pricy

- My eye contour really seemed to hate the booster, if I accidentally put it too close to eye, the next day I had small bumps



+ No scent

+ Plays well with other products and make up, never had pilling no matter if I layered the booster first, last or somewhere between the products

+ Not as drying as Skinoren, still slightly drying but nothing dramatic

+ Dries fast, easy to spread, light white lotion

+ I think it helped my acne prone jaw and chin to stay manageable, but I only used the mini for two weeks or so

+ No irritation or more acne

+ Azelaic Acid without prescription

+ Mattifies skin somewhat (if oiliness is a problem)

* The 5ml mini sample size lasted me about two weeks with once a day use (but I tend to use so little at a time that products last for a while). Obviously this is quite a short time. But enough for first impressions. That were good on my case. With similar usage the regular size of 30 ml should last 3 months.

* In some ways, I feel the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster is even better than Skinoren, the prescription treatment that has become the golden standard. Paula's Choice product is more elegant, doesn't have the funky scent, doesn't feel as drying, has a bit of the same mattifying quality as Skinoren (for under make up as a primer) and generally feels more gentle so it is possible to use it everyday without special moisturizers and without any irritation, yet still I think the results are similar as from Skinoren (which is not a miracle worker either, by the way). Obviously, this is just my opinion and my skin.

Price: 

33-42 € / 30 ml regular size

7-9 € / 5 ml mini

Bought from: 

Got from Skincity Advent Calendar

Buy again? 

Yes- (Maybe). But only after I've finished some products from my current stash, this is not an immediate must have for me.

Worth the money? 

From my experience, Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster (with 0,5% Salicylic Acid) is a good all arounder for acne prone skin, maybe even for a slightly drier one. Tentatively I say, it is worth a shot, at least to try the mini if it sounds good for your skin, even though it is on the pricier side.