NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Power Ultra Recovery Night Serum

Intro
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I have recently started using retinol in my routine to help diminish fine lines development above my eyebrows and recently upped to one of the highest strengths available without a prescription. If anyone has used retinol, it’s paramount that a minimum of SPF 20 is applied the morning after. However, I wanted to be on the higher side of caution and since at the time of this review had 18,000 reviews (72% percent five-star rated), my use wasn’t ever for wrinkle reduction as this is what retinol treats, but for the high SPF rating and supposed hydration as again retinol use can make the skin feel tight and dry, more so when initially upping strengths as well as reviews stating it was lightweight which is ideal and what I wanted being combination skinned.

I separate my reviews into segments for ease of reading, pro, med and con, and to allow you to focus on which areas you are most interested in before purchasing.

Pro:
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* Although 50ml doesn’t sound like a lot, that said, a little goes a long way as it’s incredibly rich. I use a small dab size for each quadrant per morning and find this amount is more than enough and do not need to reapply. Using the last few weeks, I’d say there’s at least a minimum of a month’s worth of product.

* While this cream does have a scent (floral) though disperses quickly and becomes non-existent in a few minutes, which is fine by me; being male and not generally a massive fan of any creams/serums with perfume, as they can be irritants and tend to linger, that said I haven’t reacted, though. I find applying it to slightly damp skin after cleansing more effective at distributing the product evenly than dry. Using this manner is a general practice as it locks in that moisture.

Med:
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* As I am combination skinned, I find the formula a little too rich. It does take some rubbing to diminish even on slightly damp skin as if not massaged thoroughly, leaving a white cast residue. For at least an hour after application, my skin has a sheen as though oily. However, I had just thoroughly cleansed minutes before. I have tried to apply the bare minimum amount to each quadrant, and the nose still appears oily. Mostly the forehead looks overly shiny.

* I cannot say that using it has improved my fine lines above the brows. As mentioned, I recently introduced higher-strength retinol in the evenings as part of my routine. It would be unfair and challenging to narrow it down to say that this cream alone has played a positive role or was effective, as using retinol has made a difference.

Con:
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* As mentioned in the Med section, I primarily purchased it as other reviews stated it was lightweight and had a high SPF due to my use of retinol. Unfortunately, this ISN’T true, at least for me. It’s rich and does take a while to absorb, so be prepared to look oily for at least an hour. On the positive, once on the skin, it doesn’t go sticky, setting into fine lines. And the skin does feel impressively smooth and hydrated. If you are primarily oily-skinned, I wouldn’t recommend it.

* Unfortunately, due to the richness, it has broken me out on numerous occasions in areas where I never usually do, such as below my lower lip and cupid bow. These areas are of “normal” skin type, so it shouldn’t happen. I tried for a month, hoping my skin would adjust, but sadly not. Due to this, I’ve had to cease usage.

Conclusion:
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The amount you need to apply is minimal. A little does go a long way, and it seems to last because so. I wish it were a little lighter so it wouldn’t look as oily on the first application and at least an hour after before it begins to become somewhat more matte; otherwise, I’m unlikely to repurchase due to the richness regardless of how little is applied and generally not ideal for my skin type. I’ve had to knock off a star due to the consistency as a day cream. It may be gentle on all skin types but not necessarily suitable “for all skin types” as advertised or stated as lightweight in other reviews, which made me purchase it.