Shortly after reviewing Lionesse Gem Skin Care back in August, I was contacted by a very sweet representative from the skin care company, Nerium International, who wanted to know if I would be interested in trying their day and night anti-aging creams. Although reversing the signs of aging is not yet a concern for me (I use plenty of preventative products and try to schedule a deep-cleansing and repairing facial with my esthetician every few weeks,) I agreed- because despite the anti-aging benefits being the main selling point- Nerium’s products target a lot of other common issues, too. From their website:
“During advanced research on the uses of the Nerium oleander plant, an accidental discovery was made: the unique properties of Nerium oleander provided remarkable age-defying results when applied to the skin. This finding led to the formation of Nerium International and the creation of the NeriumAD skincare line.
Nerium scientists developed a breakthrough process, NBio-PL2, to derive an extract from the Nerium oleander plant in a way that preserves its unique and beneficial properties. This patented extraction process yields the NAE-8 extract, with powerful antioxidant properties, used to formulate the first-of-its-kind, age-defying Nerium product line.
Nerium International is the first company with the exclusive capability to harness the power of the Nerium oleander plant in its skincare products. The product line addresses multiple concerns at once, including: wrinkles, discoloration, and texture. Nerium controls this main active ingredient from seed to bottle, making the Nerium skincare line both high-impact and innovative. This is the Nerium Difference.”
As someone with combination/oily skin and a very fair complexion, maintaining a smooth texture and avoiding discoloration is very important to me- and I always keep an open mind to new companies and products who are trying to help me do just that. Nerium were kind enough to send me full-sized pump bottles (and I LOVE the chic packaging,) of their day and night creams with supporting literature detailing the company, their products, and how to get started with selling Nerium from home should I want to get involved with their brand on a business/sales level.
I’ve been using the creams- first every other day as my skin adjusted to them- and now every day- for the past few weeks, and I feel as though I can now write a thorough and informative review based on the results I’ve seen over that time.
The first thing I noticed about NeriumAD’s day cream was that unlike it’s P.M. counterpart, this light-consistency moisturizer didn’t have much of a fragrance (I’ll get to that momentarily.) Using only a couple of small pumps, which spread and provided even coverage to my entire face- the product sank into my skin effortlessly and left it comfortable- not overly greasy or worse: dried out. On closer inspection, my pores didn’t look any smaller, but my texture appeared smoother and the overall brightness to my skin was an unexpected but welcomed result. My skin felt good throughout the day, even with makeup applied over this cream and everyday hazards like the weather, temperature changes, city pollution, free radicals, etc. taking their usual toll.
The only downside to this cream is that it lacks SPF and therefore I had to add a sunscreen to ensure my skin was thoroughly protected before I left my house each morning. I think including some level of sun protection, even if it’s just the basic SPF 15, would make what is already a good product even better and more convenient for those who don’t want to have to apply numerous creams, serums, and sunscreens on their skin.
NeriumAD Night Cream ($110)
Of the two creams I was sent, the NeriumAD Night Cream was the most potent in terms of results, consistency, and fragrance. While the day cream had little to no scent at all, the night cream smelled strongly of plants. It wasn’t a bad thing- but every time I pumped a small amount onto my finger tips to massage onto my face, it reminded me of stepping into a greenhouse and just inhaling deeply- if that makes any sense.
Consistency wise, this cream is pretty tacky. The directions on the box suggest applying it to slightly damp skin, which I did- but the formula is still sticky until it fully absorbs. Thankfully, once it does- I didn’t have to worry about anything (like my pillowcase) clinging uncomfortably to my cheeks while I slept or waking up with my dog’s fur stuck on me or something. There’s no residue left behind which is a huge relief.
Afterwards, my skin didn’t feel particularly hydrated, which was surprising for a night cream- but it did feel tighter. I also noticed that after the cream absorbed, my pores looked considerably smaller. Almost invisible, if I dare say it. I typically have to use foundation and setting powder to get that effect, so to instantly have it by just applying a cream was pretty exciting!
THE VERDICT:
While Nerium is geared more towards anti-aging benefits, it was it’s other helpful perks that got me interested and kept me using both creams for quite some time. The day cream, which brightened and gently hydrated- was a nice morning moisturizer, while the night cream- heavier and more potent- minimized my pores and made my skin feel taut and strong. Neither cream rendered any kind of allergic reaction or irritation- and both required only a small amount of product per application to cover my face and down towards my neck- making their $110 price tags (less money if you purchase the two creams as a set) easier to swallow when you take into consideration that both of these products will last you for a long time if used correctly, and sparingly.
As much as I liked the day cream, it’s lack of SPF was a bit of a deal breaker for me. Not that I consider myself lazy by any means, but an extra step in my morning routine could have been avoided had the cream had any sort of sun protection added to it. The night cream, however- is definitely something I would splurge on in the future. Despite it’s tacky consistency and powerful fragrance- it has been doing wonders for my pores and my overall complexion over the period of time I’ve been using it.
All in all, I really enjoyed being introduced to, and learning about Nerium. The science behind their products is fascinating- made even more so when you see and feel the results they give. I want to thank them, and Tom- the representative who reached out to me- for giving me the opportunity to try their creams for myself! I truly appreciate it!
[ EDIT: 10/22/14 ] Hey everyone! I received an update on the pricing of the Nerium products. Taken from a recent e-mail I received:
“The night cream is $110 for a single bottle, and $80/month if you become a preferred customer (PC), meaning a bottle is shipped every month. If you refer 3 customers, then the night cream is free. The day can’t be purchased on its own. It’s really just a compliment to the night cream, but it has the same primary ingredient. The day/night combo is $165 for just one month, but is $120 for PCs. After 3 consecutive months of being a PC, the day cream becomes free for life, so both products could become free.”
*Note: All opinions in this post are entirely my own. I do not work for, nor was I paid by Nerium International to write these reviews.*
Legally Redhead 