Olay Pro-X for Skin Anti-Aging

A Review of Olay's Latest Line of Anti-Aging Products

The Buzz on Olay Pro-X for Skin Anti-Aging

The Development and Marketing of Olay Pro-X

Olay has created quite a buzz in the anti-aging marketplace with the launch of its new line, Olay Pro-X or Olay Professional.

The research for Pro-X began 10 years ago when Procter & Gamble put together a team to employ genomic instruments in the development of consumer products.

In Olay's words, "This team of renowned experts in dermatology, clinical methods, biochemistry, and molecular biology partnered to form the Olay Professional Alliance for Skin Care Innovation. Their combined knowledge and advanced techniques resulted in a line of professionally designed products that deliver clinically proven anti-aging results in 28 days."

The buzz got louder in January when Allure magazine published an investigative article by award-winning health and beauty freelance writer, Rose Mary Almasi.

The question Ms. Almasi posed was, "Is it possible to get prescription-like results from a beauty-aisle skin cream?" The first product line she highlighted was Olay Pro-X.

Olay shared with Ms. Almasi the preliminary results of a clinical study which the company conducted comparing Olay Pro-X (Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Deep Wrinkle Treatment and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream) to prescription Renova.

After 24 weeks, subjects perceived a 25 percent reduction in the length and depth of wrinkles with the Pro-X regimen, the same percent as those who used Renova. Dr. Doris Day, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Medical Center, was asked to review the Olay study.

Dr. Day commented, "In this type of regimen, the combination of ingredients is better than any one alone" because multiple ingredients trigger multiple repair mechanisms. She added, "many women's skin is irritated by strong retinol products [OTC retinoid Vitamin A derivative], so it makes sense to have an alternative."

The Cost

Renova and Refissa, which are Retin-A in a moisturizing base and available only by prescription, cost between $100 and $120 an ounce. Factor in the cost of the doctor's appointment and Olay Pro-X looks like a real bargain.

And, as Dr. Day pointed out, Olay Pro-X attacks skin aging on several fronts.

At regular prices, the three-component combo of the Allure-reported test costs $95 an ounce. However, you can frequently find coupons or rebates and buy them at discount.

Olay sells two of the test components (along with the Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex) in its Anti-Aging Starter Protocol Kit for about $70 or $30 an ounce.

If you bought the third component, the Deep Wrinkle Treatment, to replicate the test protocol, the cost of your treatment products would be $78 an ounce. Plus you would have the eye treatment for your personal regime.

If this is still more than your budget can bear, but you love Olay (as I do), Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, at $16 an ounce, is an excellent alternative.

It is the top-rated anti-aging product on my list of Affordable Top Ten Skin Anti-Aging products.

The Micro-Sculpting Cream formula is very similar to Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, though it lacks the new Palmitoyl Dipeptide 7.

Combine Micro-Sculpting Cream with my favorite broad spectrum sun protection product, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55 for day.

The bottom line is that, with Olay Pro-X, you can achieve the anti-wrinkle benefits of prescription Renova without irritation, flaking or redness and at a lower price. In addition, you get broad spectrum sun protection in an excellent makeup base.

The Key Ingredients

Olay Pro-X achieves it anti-wrinkle results with "two types of peptides and niacinamide (a derivative of B3 believed to boost the peptides' effectiveness)." Niacinamide, which is contained in both the Regenerist and the Pro-X lines, promotes exfoliation and is also recognized to improve skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and hydration.

The two peptides Olay refers to are contained in all the Pro-X products.

Read about Palmitoyl Dipeptide 7 and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 in my Cosmeceutical Peptide Glossary.

User Reviews and Comments

Olay Pro-X rates four out of five stars on Amazon based on 41 reviews. Aside from price, the most frequent negative comment was that Pro-X is not suitable for oily skin.

Many reviewers comment that Olay Pro-X performs as well as or better than expensive department store brands like Lancome, Lauder, Dior, and Elizabeth Arden. Also most like that Pro-X is almost fragrance-free and especially that it doesn't have a heavy floral scent.

Users report that the Pro-X products glide on smoothly and are an excellent makeup base.

Jean's Comments

Olay Pro-X contains excellent formulations of leading edge ingredients. The clinical study reported in Allure magazine is quite compelling.

Since Olay Pro-X achieves its wrinkle reduction through the use of peptides and Niacinamide, I see no reason not to combine its use with an exfoliating product which works through a different modality.

I'm sure it won't double the benefit but, as Dr. Day noted, combating skin aging in multiple ways is an excellent strategy. I recommend MD Formulations Illuminating Serum with glycolic acid and retinol or Remergent Advanced Retinol Therapy.

As with any retinoid product, apply only at night and begin with once a week nighttime application. As your skin adapts to the treatment, increase frequency of application.

Some, though not all, skin types can tolerate nightly application.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.