I can’t believe summer’s almost over already- it seems like it just got here. So sad!
Even though summer is my favorite season, it can wreak havoc on our skin, especially with being out in the sun so much. The UV rays can cause dullness, aging, hyperpigmentation, loss of collagen, and many other issues.
Luckily, I’ve had the opportunity to try the Bionic Oxygen Facial from Exuviance. I swear, with all the fab Exuviance products I’ve been using, I feel like the Bionic Woman…lol! But, what exactly do they mean by “bionic?”
Well, if you’ve kept up with us, you may already know that Exuviance was founded by Drs. Van Scot and Yu. These renowned doctors were the original patent holders of the glycolic peel, or what’s commonly known as the “lunchtime peel.”
Glycolic acid, an alphahydroxy acid (AHA), is one of my fave skincare ingredients, as it’s scientifically proven to stimulate collagen and combat the signs of aging. However, AHAs can be irritating at times, especially if you have sensitive skin or have recently had a cosmetic procedure.
Thankfully, Drs. Van Scot and Yu did not stop at the glycolic peel; they went on to create even more products. Polyhydroxy acids, such as gluconolactone and lactobionic acid, can yield similar results to AHAs, but without the irritation. Pretty awesome, huh?
This is fantastic news for people like me- I have hypersensitive skin from using tretinoin. I like that I can get the benefits of very powerful active skincare ingredients, despite sensitivity. I’ve also used Exuviance bionic products immediately following dermapen treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion- you name it.
One of the reasons I was so curious about the Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial is because of the oxygen concept. The formula contains pure essential oxygen in addition to a Bionic Complex that helps energize and detoxify. Stressed skin is brought to life, and a youthful, luminous complexion can be achieved (NeoStrata, 2017).
I know you may be thinking, “But isn’t oxygen an oxidant? Isn’t it the opposite of an antioxidant?” I used to think this, too. But when I tried an oxygenating product a couple years ago, I did a bit of research, consulting myriad sources.
Yes, oxygen is an oxidant, which technically means it could cause damage, which is the opposite of what we want. But, if you think about the concept of hyperbaric chambers, which use oxygen to heal, then it begins to make a bit more sense.
Quite a bit of research has been done on the idea of oxygen facials. In a split face study, participants had microdermabrasion on their entire faces, and on one side only, treatment was immediately followed by an oxygenating facial. There was a statistically significant, greater difference and improvement on the sides with the oxygenating facial having been performed (Marom, 2015).
Further studies have shown that treatments such as oxygen facials aren’t as effective as surgical intervention, but they can be effective when included as part of a comprehensive skincare regimen (Pryor, Gordon, Swanson, Reish, Horton-Beeman & Cohen, 2011). That’s fine with me- I’d rather have a great skincare regimen than have surgery!
Now, before we move on, I feel it’s important to give you a bit of a warning- please do not go out and get just any oxygen product for your face, keep in mind that they’re not all created equally. Many “oxygenating” skincare products use hydrogen peroxide as the oxygen ingredient.
Renowned skincare expert Paula Begoun mentions that there’s a lot of research showing that hydrogen peroxide is problematic because it reduces the production of new, healthy skin cells (Benvenuti, 2014). I can actually vouch for this personally, in more ways than one…
As a surgical assistant, abscess cavities were often flushed out with hydrogen peroxide because it kills the tissue and helps ensure the cavity contains only fresh tissue. It can also be applied a few times a day to the edges of an abscess cavity to prevent it from healing too soon on the outside, which would result in the abscess re-forming.
Later on, I ended up with a small abscess myself, and “got to” (as if it was a good thing…loL) experience the whole hydrogen peroxide thing. Not a pleasant experience, to say the least! So, why anyone would include hydrogen peroxide as a “beautifying” skincare ingredient, I’m not sure. This is why it’s always best to rely on reputable companies that are led by actual scientists and doctors- one of the reasons I LOVE Exuviance!
Instead of hydrogen peroxide, Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial uses ingredients such as perfluorohexane, perfluorodecalin, and perfluoromethylcyclopentane. These ingredients are even used in the medical treatment of scar tissue, ulcers, and radiation burns (Hill, 2015).
Okay, finally! Now that you know why it’s so important to use high-quality products from a reputable company, yes… I’m going to tell you about the Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial!!!
The Bionic Oxygen Facial is housed in a slender, sleek pump bottle. This is not only convenient, but keeps the ingredients safe from degradation and exposure to light and air. It’s easy to dispense a little or a lot, whatever you need. The formula is a light blue color, and is easy to spread, without being sticky or greasy. It has a very light, natural scent, almost like cucumber or something “green.”
You’re supposed to apply a generous amount to clean, damp skin, and let it set. It will start to fizz up, and when all the fizz is gone, it’s time to rinse off. As for the fizzing- have you ever had Pop Rocks? You know that fizzy popping in your mouth? It’s kind of like that, but on a less “poppy” scale- it’s an odd feeling, but very pleasant at the same time, if that makes sense!
Some areas will be more fizzy, some less fizzy. Whether this has anything to do with the amount of impurities in the skin, I don’t know. What I do know, though, is that after about ten minutes when I rinsed it off, my skin looked absolutely radiant! Despite having horrific allergies, being out in the hot Louisiana sun every day, my skin was glowing!
Another thing to keep in mind with the Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial is the other active ingredients. While oxygen facials have temporary results, this one contains the aforementioned polyhydroxy acids, which have long-term results. So, the more you use it, the better your skin will look.
The Exuviance Bionic Oxygen Facial is very reasonably priced when compared to other similar oxygenating facials I’ve used- it’s $65, but you get 3.2 oz. So, considering you get both immediate and long-term results, this is probably the best oxygen facial product I’ve seen as of yet. It’s easily going to be incorporated into my routine. Check it out at NeoStrata.com.
Sources:
Benvenuti, N. (2014). Let’s be real: Is oxygen good- or bad- in skin care? FutureDerm, August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2017, from www.futurederm.com.
Hill, R. (2015). Fluoronated oils in cosmetics. Virtual Beauty Corporation. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from www.beautymagonline.com.
Marom, M. (2015). Recent peer-reviewed clinical study proves Pollogen’s OxyGeneo super facial treatment improves skin oxygenation and is more effective than traditional facials. PR Web, September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2017, from www.prweb.com.
NeoStrata (2017). Bionic Oxygen Facial. Exuviance. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from www.exuviance.com.
Pryor, L., Gordon, C., Swanson, E., Reish,R. Horton-Beeman, K. & Cohen,S. (2011). Dermaplaning, topical oxygen, and photodynamic therapy: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 35(6). Retrieved August 26, 2017, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
