(product photos courtesy of www.urbanskinrx.com)
Urban Skin Rx Skincare
I am not sure if you have been living under a rock lately, but TikTok has taken over the world. And beauty on TikTok has especially taken off. Now personally I don't really find the platform very engaging and honestly find it slightly off-putting, much too difficult to use and just plain a little odd at times. But I did find out about a fabulous skincare company that would change my skin's future by reading about the platform.
It is called Urban Skin Rx and the line is made for people of melanin enriched skin tones. Of which I am not. However, I do suffer from a complaint in common with people who have melanin enriched skin tones and that is hyperpigmentation. Mine is due to too much photo damage (sun damage). I am of Northern European ancestry and my skin is a Fitzpatrick I on the dermatological skin scale. Which means I always burn and do not tan, I have very fair skin, naturally dark blonde hair and blue-green eyes. Over the years I have suffered significant sunburns, starting when I was 5 years old and got sun poisoning. Culminating on my honeymoon in Greece when I was 24. That was the very last time I let myself get burned badly. It was an accident.
When I heard about this line I thought, could they possibly help me? As it turns out, yes. I received three products to try out. I tried out the 3-in-1 Even Tone Cleansing Bar, the Resurfacing Vitamin C Cleansing Bar and Hydrabalance Instant Moisture Infusion. Two of these products were from the ProStrength series. I will discuss each product individually below.
3.7 oz./100g $24.00
This product (one of their mainstays) won an Essence Best of Black Beauty Award. It is a complexion-perfecting cleansing treatment that improves the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark marks (hyperpigmentation). Use it as a daily cleanser, mask or as an exfoliator. The unique system includes the bar and a sponge (it even comes with an extra sponge) that work together to deliver their proprietary ClearTone Advanced Technology® a blend of six ingredients that work synergistically to reveal a healthier and even-looking complexion. What is this system?
ClearTone Advanced Technology® is a blend of the following: kojic acid, alpha arbutin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, Vitamin A and L-glutathione. Kojic acid gently and effectively reduces melanin production in the skin, prevents the formation of dark marks, is non-irritating and is suitable for all skin types. Alpha arbutin comes from bearberry and actually inhibits melanin production and hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide erases discoloration, revives the skin's healthy skin tone, texture and reduces post-inflammatory acne scars/hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid helps to reduce the synthesis of melanin to prevent dark spots and is used to treat mild to moderate acne breakouts. Vitamin A is an essential exfoliating agent used to get rid of dead skin cells and helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, blemishes and pore size. L-glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress and free radical damage from the inside out as well as promotes an even complexion. It also fades dark marks and sun spots.
The 3-in-1 Even Tone Cleansing Bar is perfect for anyone who suffers from hyperpigmentation, dark marks or uneven skin tone and desires an improvement in their overall complexion. It is ideal for normal skin types. Urban Skin Rx recommends that those with oily skin use the Clear Skin Cleaning Bar or combination skin use Combination Skin Cleansing Bar. This product is a very large 3.7 oz. solid brown cleansing bar in a jar that lathers with application upon the sponge. It has a tea tree and licorice smell.
First off, this is huge. I mean this will last forever. Even used twice daily I think it will last months (maybe even a year). It also comes in a 2 oz. size for $15.00 but that one would still last forever too. One only needs a small amount to get a great lather from it. I found that I could only use it once per day, as my skin is dry. Also, I had the Resurfacing Vitamin C Cleansing Bar to use too. This is a great product for helping to fight hyperpigmentation/melasma/dark marks. It honestly has so many active ingredients in it that work well to fade them, that I was honestly surprised at the results I saw. I used this every other night and then alternated with the Resurfacing Vitamin C Cleansing Bar, as my skin is very dry/sensitive. It is recommended that if you have sensitive skin only use this once per day. At the end of the review of all three products I will show you pictures of my skin after using both products.
3.7oz./100g $32.00
New to the Urban Skin Rx lineup of ProStrength products is the Resurfacing Vitamin C Cleansing Bar. Powered by 2.5% niacinamide, L-ascorbic acid, kojic acid, turmeric, lactic acid and raspberry seed oil. This multi-tasking cleansing bar has been formulated to smooth, resurface and brighten dull skin. It exfoliates the surface of the skin while you enjoy the light raspberry aroma to reveal a more even-looking complexion. This can be used by anyone looking to improve the appearance of an uneven skin tone, dark spots, dull skin, rough texture, pore size and aging skin. It is suitable for all skin types. In the jar it looks like a solid purple cleaning bar that lathers up beautifully with a light raspberry smell.
As I mentioned above, I alternated this with the 3-in-1 Even Tone Cleansing Bar. My hyperpigmentation/melasma was so bad on my forehead that i felt it would benefit from an alternating regimen. Plus, my skin is on the dry/sensitive side. This is also a strong product. I used it one night and weakened my natural moisture barrier significantly from leaving it on too long. It is recommended that this should be left on for 1-2 minutes. I think I left it on for for about 3-4. However, I had also used the 3-in-1 Even Tone Cleansing Bar that day too and my skin had said enough. It was too much for it. For me I have found that the best thing to do is to alternate the two. One night I use one and the next night the other. In the morning I cleanse with something else, usually a light cream-to-foam cleanser. Of course I take my makeup off first with something. These bars are not meant to be used to take off makeup.
Note: because this product contains an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) it is HIGHLY recommended that you always wear a SPF30 daily (rain or shine). It does not matter what skin tone you have, light or dark. If you do not you will be undoing all of the work you have done with this product. The lactic acid in this product makes you more susceptible to sunburn/sun damage. Even someone with darker skin can have attain sun damage. Trust me on this.
Here are photos of my hyperpigmentation prior to starting the two products mentioned above and then after using them for two months:
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| forehead before using Urban Skin Rx |
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| left cheek before Urban Skin Rx |
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| forehead after using Urban Skin Rx |
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| left side of face after using Urban Skin Rx |
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| face after using Urban Skin Rx |
As you can see I had significant melasma/hyperpigmentation, due to sun damage and hormonal changes. I have been using this for the past two months. I have definitely noticed a difference in my skin. The patches along my forehead have lightened up along with the left side of my face. The reason I have more damage along the left side of my face than the right side is because that is the side that gets more sun when driving. You will find that is quite common amongst most people. Their left side is usually the worst, unless they live in a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road. The patches aren't gone, nor did I expect them to be, but we are talking years of sun damage here and it might never go away. But i am going to continue to use this skincare and have and update after another month or two. Then we will see my progress. I am very happy with my progress so far.
1.6 fl.oz./50mL $34.00
After using those great products to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, one needs to hydrate it. Urban Skin Rx Hydrabalance Instant Moisture Infusion is just the answer for this. it is a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer powered with hyaluronic acid and squalane that provides the skin with intense hydration and a youthful looking glow. It gives skin a smoother, softer feel while minimizing the appearance of free-radical damage. This product is perfect for anyone with dehydrated/dry skin, rough texture or concerns about the signs of aging. It is a luxurious, opaque moisturizer that is fragrance-free and leaves skin feeling intensely hydrated.
I found this to be the perfect ending to the products provided by Urban Skin Rx. Even though this moisturizer is very lightweight, it packs a punch. A combination of hyaluronic acid and squalane, both found naturally in the skin, help rehydrate it. This product is perfect for dehydrated and dry skin types. It comes in a cute little pump jar that you press down on, so that you can be hygienic about using it. Just press down on the jar top until you get the right amount you want.
All in all, I am extremely happy with the Urban Skin Rx products. I am going to continue to use them and update this blog post in about a month or month and a half to see if my skin has progressed any farther. I would suggest this line for anyone who has hyperpigmentation problems, no matter their skin tone. Obviously, if you have melanin rich skin, it will work well for you. The line is primarily targeted towards those who have melanin rich skin tones, however, we are all born with the same amount of melanocytes in our skin, it is how our body produces the pigment that is the issue. I myself do not have as much melanin, but can still benefit greatly from this line because what I do produce is affected by the ingredients used in their products.
Urban Skin Rx has a HUGE line of products too. I was only sent 3 products. They have a line for acne, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, dryness/eczema, large pores, oily skin, ingrown hairs, sensitive skin, undereye circles and even pregnant skin. Plus they have the ProStrength line of products which they sent me, which are recommended for certain issues. Take my advice and if you have issues with hyperpigmentation, dark marks, acne scars or any of the above; run, don't walk to Urban Skin Rx and pick up some of their products. Take their skin quiz on their website or talk to me about recommendations.
Urban Skin Rx is available online at www.urbanskinrx.com, at ULTA Beauty, Target, CVS, Dermstore, QVC and HSN. Like Urban Skin Rx on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanSkinRx/; Follow Urban Skin Rx on Twitter: @urbanskin; Follow Urban SkinRx on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/urbanskinrx/; Follow Urban Skin Rx on Instagram: https://instagram.com/urbanskinrx/ and Subscribe to Urban Skiin Rx on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb9E40k4EooQoWW7JhWDbNw.
Until Next Time~
Marie Papachatzis
(products sent for consideration)
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