Does Our Skin 'Get Used' To Products? Will Changing Up Your Skincare Regime Every Week Give You Improved Results?

Introducing Avon's Anew Reversalist Infinite Effects Night Treatment Cream

There are few ingredients the beauty world universally agrees should be integrated in pretty much every regime, but Retinol is definitely one of them. Another name for Vitamin A, Retinol is an extremely effective cell-communicating ingredient that has the ability to tell almost any skin cell to behave like a healthy, younger version of itself - as well as encouraging the production of new skin cells altogether. This is hugely beneficial for those of us experiencing the first or latter signs of ageing, as Retinol can help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, increase collagen production (essential for that youthful 'bouncy' texture that we lose over time,) improve the texture of skin and help to overcome discolouration caused by sun damage. It's something I've become a little obsessed with and definitely notice boosts the look and feel of my skin. (You can read my whole feature on Retinol here.) However, recent chatter and a new innovation from Avon has had me questioning whether my current regime is good enough - and whether or not we should be changing up our skincare products more regularly.

By the very nature of their business, Avon have instant access to their customers and can take on board feedback from men and women using their products; their customers were collectively saying they were seeing the benefits of their skincare plateau over time, to the point where it just stopped delivering the results they needed. As a result of these conversations Avon embarked on a three year project to develop one of the most interesting and exciting skincare innovations I’ve seen for a long time: Anew Reversalist Infinite Effects Night Treatment Cream.

Three years in the making, including a year long clinical trial on 116 women, this double-ended night cream aims to change the way we use and apply products; it's been developed using the concept that our skin 'gets used' to our serums, moisturisers and creams, in the same way that our bodies get used to a set diet or work-out regime. Phase one includes a Phyto+ Complex, which replenishes and prepares the skin, while phase two features a Super-Retinol Complex to boost collagen and help repair wrinkles. You simply use side one for seven days, before switching to side two for seven days, and then repeating indefinitely - until you run out or replenish! Avon’s research found that switching these two products, even up to a year, found that the results didn’t plateau - they just got better.

What's interesting is that usually after about a week of using Retinol you’d start to see or feel the mild irritation that’s a natural side effect, but switching back to the rebalancing moisturiser prevents that from happening. Giving your skin short but sharp bursts of a calming and restoring formula seems to almost keep it on the edge of its seat, stopping it from getting complacent or learning to find ways to avoid the ingredients that do it good. Avon has got pretty incredible clinical data and photographic evidence that proves the impact of this product over the course of a year (see more info here,) but simply speaking it's pretty groundbreaking. When I first heard their claims I didn't really understand what they meant or why they were different, but having spent some time looking into them further this is a product that just keeps on delivering - it's much celebrated Retinol with an added boost.  

The question I've been asking myself, however, is whether it's the method that works to boost the performance of products and results on the skin, or specifically the ingredients and product Avon have developed. It’s hard to tell, but the queen of skincare Caroline Hirons has practically been hyperventilating over this for months and that’s a good of an endorsement as any. It's a good approach to adopt within your skincare regime in general, switching up your skincare regularly rather than getting to the end of a pot before trying something new, but if the thought of having to create your own formulaic routine worries you then this is a great way to try it out. Like the 5/2 diet, HIIT training or even your shampoo routine, switching things up can really prove to increase the effectiveness of whatever you're doing.

I've been using this for the past month or so and it's genuinely been a product I've been enjoying reaching before bed every night. The textures of both ends are light, non-greasy and pleasant to massage into the surface of skin, helping to hydrate the surface without overloading it. Although I've yet to notice much difference (I have a pretty high maintenance routine that I switch up regularly anyway,) I am finding myself wanting to keep using this and my skin is in pretty good condition considering I'm severely lacking in sleep and my stress levels are at an all time high. (Hello impending wedding!) It's affordable, easy to use, pleasant to apply and clinically proven to make a difference, so that's all my boxes ticked in one tube.

So does changing up your skincare regime every week give you improved results? According to Avon and this new night treatment, yes. Does our skin 'get used' to the products we use? According to Avon's research and clinical data, yes.

Mind. Blown.

The Avon Anew Reversalist Infinite Effects Night Treatment Cream is available to buy online, priced £28.00.
(It's currently on offer for £25.00!)

FYI this isn't a sponsored post; I was commissioned to create some promotional Instagram posts around the launch, but I've been trialing it and researching it on the side because I found it so interesting/worth talking about!

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