StriVectin - Miracle or Marketing?

by Annie Scott (RSS feed)
Aug 20th 2009 at 10:01AM

StriVectin has a line of age-defying products which are being hailed all over the internet as miraculous for stretch marks and wrinkles. It's recently been picked up by Chrysallis, the management team who brought the Canyon Ranch products to fame.

The highly lauded StriVectin-SD is $135 for a six ounce tube and is intended to be applied two to three times daily to "improve the appearance of indented surfaces, smooth surfaces, skin firmness, and irregularities in skin discoloration." There's a full money-back guarantee, and it boasts "significant, corroborated results seen by 93% of subjects tested."

That sounds pretty darn good to me. I don't have stretch marks (yet), so I can't fully "corroborate," but I did indeed try smoothing it all over my legs for a few days. It smells nice; somewhat pepperminty, and once my skin absorbed it, it felt very warm -- apparently this is normal. And here's some good news: while I don't have stretch marks, I do have my share of skin irregularities, especially scarring from rashes that food allergies give me. Did I see improvement? Yes! And far more improvement than with any other lotion I've used. Looks like they might be onto something ... I found other consumers (we hope) in online forums reporting the same issue with the improvement of scars. Also, a number claimed to be using it on their face with good results -- but it is such a thick formula, my oily skin would probably explode if I tried it. That's right. Explode. If you have dry skin, go for it -- the rep who sent it to me for review called it "a stretch mark turned wrinkle cream."

The best way to see if this company's really worth its salt is to try more than one of their products, so I've also been trying the StriVectin Instant Facial Sculpting Cream ($79 for 1.7 oz). First of all, it did not make my oily skin explode. Even when I put on my regular, lightweight lotion with SPF over it. Check out these lofty claims:

"Specially formulated to --

Accentuate the cheekbones and jaw line as it visibly lifts, tightens, and tones the skin
Reduce the appearance of facial lines and indentations
Make your face look more youthful, sculpted, and defined"

What? "Instant"? "Visibly lifts"? I did a little before-and-after photography to check out the "instant" factor, but it's hard to say. I certainly feel a mild tightening sensation when I use it, but does it visibly alter the contours of my face? No, not instantly. It does do a nice job of evening out my complexion, though. As for the results after a good week or so of use? I would say my fine lines look pretty good. But I tend to find that when I'm taking good care of my skin and getting enough rest, that tends to be the case. I wouldn't say my results are miraculous, but I do get a fine case of "the elevens" (two lines between the eyebrows) now and then and I haven't seen them lately. I can't say I'd necessarily recommend this product just yet, but it doesn't seem to hurt.

So, StriVectin: miracle or marketing? It's probably a little of both -- and I definitely recommend the -SD for improving the overall appearance of damaged skin. Visit the StriVectin website for more information and/or to purchase.

Tags: skincare, strivectin, striVectin-SD

Filed under: Spas

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dianne Aug 20th 2009 10:41AM

Strivectin is actually a useful product, and compared to little jars that have staggering price tags, a six ounce container lasts for quite while, you only apply a small amount several times a day.

And best of all, Strivectin works! I've been using it for a few years now.