Desperate times call for desperate measures. This especially holds true if you have finally decided that it’s time to do something about those lines and wrinkles showing up in the mirror.
If you’ve been fighting the aging battle for any length of time, you have no doubt tried your fair share of lotions, potions, and serums, and all of them started out the same way…they lured you in with grandiose promises of “proven” results.
Well, Exuviance is one such skin care line making those promises, and it’s been making them for over a decade. So surely then there’s some truth to Exuviance’s claims, since they’ve been around so long? Let’s take a closer look…
Table of Contents
Brand Overview
Exuviance is one of two major skin care lines produced by NeoStrata Company, Inc., located in Princeton, NJ. As found on the NeoStrata.com website, the Exuviance brand was developed by Dr. Eugene Van Scott and Dr. Ruey Yu in 1988, after more than 20 years working together studying diseases of the skin.
In 1975, the doctors discovered a class of compounds, alpha-hydroxyacids (AHAs), that had a tremendous effect on the “development, maturation and turnover of both normal and diseased epidermal skin.” That discovery became their first patent, and the basis of all their subsequent work (they now hold over 80 patents). NeoStrata Company, Inc., continues their research developing and marketing skin care brands including NeoStrata, Exuviance, CoverBlend, and NeoStrata Therapeutics.
It should be noted that in 2011, NeoStrata launched a turnkey agreement with IGI Laboratories, based in New Jersey. Since that time, IGI has taken full responsibility for formulation and manufacturing of the NeoStrata products, based on their research of NeoStrata formulations. They have been providing market-ready skin care products and packaging for all NeoStrata brands.
Products and Claims
As found on the NeoStrata website, there are over 45 products in the Exuviance line, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, serums, and masques. According to the website:
Exuviance skin care is clinically proven to reduce lines and wrinkles, increase firmness, smooth texture and even skin tone with a patented bionic blend of highly evolved Polyhydroxy and Alpha Hydroxy acids. Discover dermatologist developed skin care that has perfected the science of skin transformation by delivering full-strength antiaging benefits without irritation.
NeoStrata has also introduced new products to the Exuviance line, in the form of Exuviance AgeReverse. According to the website:
Exuviance AGE REVERSE employs a multi-mechanism approach that includes Peptides, Polyhydroxy Acids, NeoGlucosamine, Retinol and multiple antioxidants that target all the signs of aging. The result is visibly younger looking skin with a firmer, more lifted appearance, smoother texture, elasticity and diminished appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots.
Ingredients and Application Recommendations
Since there are so many products in the Exuviance skin care line, as found on their website, we cannot list each product, ingredients list, and application recommendation here. However, all of the Exuviance products do have detailed ingredient info and application recommendations on their website.
In addition to the full list of ingredients and application recommendations, each product also includes info on the description of that product, clinical results (as found in NeoStrata files), and related press on that product.
For example, here is the full cited info on the Exuviance Vespera Bionic Serum:
This antioxidant, anti-aging skin serum delivers real results. Users experienced a 212% improvement in skin clarity after 6 weeks with this intensive treatment.
Help smooth lines and wrinkles on aging skin while protecting from oxidative damage with this concentrated treatment blended with Alpha Hydroxy and Polyhydroxy acids, Pro-Vitamins A, C, and E, and powerful antioxidants. Clinical studies indicate that after 6 weeks of use:
- 212% improvement in skin clarity
- 89% of users claimed a significant improvement in skin texture and smoothness
Product Details:
Clinically proven to restore youthful radiance, this powerful serum dramatically diminishes visible signs of aging, bringing new life to dull stressed skin. The unique formula concentrates potent Alpha Hydroxy and Polyhydroxy Acids (AHAs/PHAs) to significantly improve seven signs of photoaging, including lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, loss of firmness, uneven pigment, dullness and rough texture. Our patented Bionic and AHA/PHA blend is enhanced with a multivitamin complex and marine botanical for added brilliance.
This customized formula gently stimulates cell turnover and reduces the appearance of uneven pigment for a smoother more luminous complexion. Lactobionic Acid and Gluconolactone act as potent antioxidants, helping to prevent cell and elastin degradation, neutralize damaging oxidative metals, and strengthen skin’s protective barrier. The result? Vespera Bionic Serum is clinically proven to visibly improve skin radiance 212% in only six weeks.* Supercharge your daily skincare regimen with this concentrated problem solving essential.
- Formulated with (AHA) Mandelic Acid, and (PHAs) Lactobionic Acid and Gluconolactone
- Multi-Antioxidant protection from Pro-Vitamins A, C and E
- A marine botanical helps to smooth stressed skin
- Ideal for use following glycolic acid peels, microdermabrasion and laser procedures
Directions:
Using fingertips, gently apply serum to cleansed face. Apply with special attention to the creases / wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and smile lines around mouth and nose. Smooth remaining excess over adjacent areas of the face. Best results when used nightly, followed by Evening Restorative Complex. Exuviance does not recommend mixing serums with one another or other products and storing them. Serums can be mixed together or into a moisturizer and applied right away.
TIPS: Allover radiance booster for whenever skin is dull, especially after exposure to the elements or in dry winter months. Ideal when skin is stressed or after superficial cosmetic procedures such as AHA or Glycolic peels. Suitable for normal to dry skin, or in place of a moisturizer on oilier skin.
Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Lactobionic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Mandelic Acid, Parfum (Fragrance), Arginine, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Retinyl (Vitamin A) Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl (Vitamin C) Ascorbate, Algae Extract, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben.
Reviews
While not all of the over 45 products had reviews listed on the website, many did. And they were all very positive, within the 4-5 star range. Of course, we were expecting this, as we do with every review. Those positive reviews are good to see, but to find real impartiality, you often have to look elsewhere on the internet. So we did.
Of the reviews we found elsewhere, the Exuviance line seemed to rate highly among consumers. Regardless of the product, people claimed they saw visible results with use. Many cited improved skin texture, reduced appearance of lines and wrinkles, and reduced signs of acne.
There were a few negative reviews to be found, however. Some people claimed that the products either did not work, or caused a mild reaction (some redness and/or breakout). There were also more than a few people who said, though they had been loyal Exuviance customers for several years and been happy with the results, their recent purchases did not seem to be up to the same calibre. They wondered if there had been a change in the formula.
Overall Rating
We liked the fact that the NeoStrata website was informative and thorough. They were pretty transparent about the company and its history, though the mention of the IGI Laboratories was missing (we had to dig deeper elsewhere online to find that).
We were also very impressed at the amount of detail offered on each product. It can sometimes be difficult to get specifics on a product without having the packaging in your hand, but the Exuviance products were very clear and forthcoming about not only the function of each product and the full ingredients list, and also any clinical trial info and mentions in the media for that product.
With regard to the science and technology behind the products, that also gets high marks from us. The use of some AHA and PHA as exfoliants works brilliantly on many skin types, but especially on more serious skin conditions, such as psoriasis.
We also like the long-standing history of the brand, as well as the large number of positive reviews found all over the internet.
On the negative side, the price point may be an issue for some consumers. It’s a given nowadays that most reputablie skin care will come at a higher cost, the price is something to consider before buying.
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Most of all though, we have some significant concerns regarding the hand-over to IGI Labs. Yes, there are (or should be) serious quality controls in place to make sure that the decades-long track record and effectiveness of Exuviance remains consistent under IGI, but there were enough poor reviews from long-term consumers of the products citing loss of effectiveness, or increased irritation from products that previously had worked without issue, that we took notice.
Bottom line, while Exuviance may be worth a try, consider finding smaller or trial size products before committing to the full price tag.
Our rating: 3 (out of 5)