Review: L'Oreal Youth Code Starter System

Delivering on my promise to bring you more skincare reviews (per your requests!), today I'll be reviewing the L'Oreal Youth Code Starter System.

Remember back in December when we first spotted this new skincare line from L'Oreal? Geeze, that seems like eons ago, doesn't it? Well I've been quietly testing these products since January and I'm finally able go give you my final verdict!

I purchased the Youth Code Starter System for a really good price at Rite Aid (with combined coupons and sales, I was able to get it for, I believe, under $10).

 L'Oreal Youth Code Starter System

(retail: around $30.00)

 

As you can see, this kit includes small, or starter, sizes of three of products from the Youth Code line:

SPF 30 Day Lotion

Day/Night Cream

Eye Cream

Even though the products are smaller than full size, there's definitely enough product in each container to last you for at least a month or two, even if used every single day and night.

I'm not thrilled that the Day/Night Cream comes in a jar (I'm a germaphobe and I also believe that certain skincare products lose their efficacy when exposed to too much air and light, so I try to avoid jars whenever possible).

But I LOVE the delivery system for the Eye Cream:

The Eye Cream comes with this really cool applicator that has a metal finish. The shape of the applicator perfectly fits my eye socket, so during application I can really get into the nooks and crannies of my eye area, all the while enabling a hands-free application. Plus, the metal finish of the applicator provides a cooling sensation as well, which I enjoy.

As for the the SPF 30 Day Lotion, this comes in a pump bottle and I like it as well. It's easy to control and you don't end up with too much product on your fingers when you dispense the lotion.

So here are my thoughts on the performance of each individual product:

Day/Night Cream:

I won't repurchase this cream primarily based on the fact that it comes in a jar (see what I wrote above about that). BUT, I did like that this cream was extremely moisturizing on my wintertime skin. When applied at night, my skin felt extremely soft and moisturized in the morning. However, since I have very oily skin, it felt a tiny bit greasy as well. This cream did not cause me any break-outs, but I would solely use it at night and never in the day--it's just too heavy for daytime use, for me at least. If you have mature skin and/or dry skin, this might work well for daytime, but for those with oily skin, I think you'll want to reserve this for bedtime only. 

SPF 30 Day Lotion:

My favorite product of the bunch and the only one I would definitely repurchase. I love this lotion because it contains a high amount of SPF, it absorbs well, the smell is not obnoxious (sort of suntan-lotiony, due to the SPF I'm sure), and the best part: even though it contains SPF, it doesn't sting my eyes! I hate it when moisturizers with SPF sting if they migrate to my eye area. This one? Not one bit of stinging for me! Also, my skin just feels incredibly hydrated after I use this lotion, and I can feel the hydrating effects well into the day and night. I haven't noticed any dramatic changes to my skin since I began using this product, however, my skin just generally feels softer, smoother and more plump.  Also, I think this lotion doubles as an eye cream quite well, and using it as both a moisturizer and eye cream have been quite successful for me. My makeup doesn't slide all over the place throughout the day, although this lotion does not have a mattifying effect. My skin looks "glowy" after I put on my makeup and I do still have breakthrough shine by mid-afternoon (I always do though, so that's no big let-down).

Eye Cream:

This product started out wonderfully for me (I LOVE that applicator), but sadly, the richness and heaviness of this eye cream resulted in milia around my eye area (if you don't know what milia is, there's a good definition on DermaDoctor here). I only saw a few bumps, but that was enough to make me discontinue using this product and switch to the Day Lotion as eye cream for the duration of my testing period. If you have mature or severely dry skin, then this may work better for you. But if you are prone to milia when using heavier skincare products, I'd probably skip this one.

FINAL VERDICT: After testing the Youth Code Starter System for a few months now, I found that one of the three products, the SPF 30 Day Lotion, would warrant a repurchase based on my particular skincare needs. I have oily skin, minor wrinkles, redness and old acne scars, and while this lotion did not "solve" those problems for me, it did a fantastic job of hydrating and plumping up my dry, wintertime skin without adding to my already-oily skin. Plus, the SPF 30 is a great bonus, and if this lotion migrates toward my eye area, it does not sting like other moisturizers with SPF tend to do. Sadly, the Day/Night Cream and the Eye Cream were not a love-match for me.

Have you tried any products from the L'Oreal Youth Code line yet? I'd love to hear about your experiences!