1. Thalgo Brightening Regulating Essence, 1.0 oz for $78.00
I used Thalgo Brightening Regulating Essence over the summer and this was definitely a disappointment for my very oily, acne-prone skin. Starting around june through most of september, my skin was experiencing a very bad case of hormonal and stress acne all around my cheeks, chin, and jaw line. The worst in a few years. I was throwing anything and everything at it. This was one of the products I used and I find the description for this product off.
This was supposed to be an exfoliating essence that regulates the oil in the skin leaving a matte feel, reducing the appearance of pores, and regulating pigmentation. The “essence” felt like pure glycerin, which makes sense, since one of the top ingredients is glycerin (it shows up in multiple forms) but I could not feel, or sense, any real actives in this. I was surprised because it appeared to have good actives in the ingredient list. But just because it has an ingredient does not mean the product has enough of it to have an effect. I experienced no apparent exfoliation, matteness of the skin, or increase in the clarity of my skin. As I mentioned before, my skin was very bad and very oily. Also, it was a very humid summer. Perhaps, I should not have used this during the summer. This had a slightly tacky, but not sticky, moisturizing feel to it. Having said all that, it’s not like I can’t use moisturizing bases and NOT feel any actives. EmerginC’s 20% Vitamin C Serum was moisturizing but it also had an effect on my skin. Thalgo’s Brightening Regulating Essence did not have a discernible effect.
This is NOT a repurchase. It may be that this may work best on those sensitive – combination thin skin types? Either way, anyone with oily, acne-prone, non-reactive skin should completely give this a pass.
Thalgo is a spa brand that focuses on harnessing elements from the sea to create spa quality products. I am not a fan of spa inspired products because I feel they tend to focus on the relaxation part of the experience and not so much on the efficacy. I love skincare products because of their efficacy. The enhanced experience from a product that is cosmetically elegant is obviously very important, and other sensory sensations are a plus (Nuxe Nirvanesque, Yonka’s Juvenil – awesome), but I am not going to pay these prices because it feels nice. I have real skin issues and I am paying alot to address them, or prevent them. So far Thalgo is 1 for 3 with me (Thalgo Thalgodermyl Purifying Extracts is great). I think I will be moving on from this brand. It is not a good fit for my very oily, acne-prone, non-reactive skintype. Not all brands focus on this skintype, nor do they have to.
Thalgo, we will always have Thalgodermyl Purifying Extracts, won’t we?
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Parfum (Fragrance), Salicylic Acid, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Sodium Phytate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Alcohol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Melissa Officinalis Extract, Sodium Phosphate.
