PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: POND'S FLAWLESS WHITE LINE

After a more than a month of usage, here's a comprehensive review of Pond's White Beauty Line.

'Tis better late than never. Pond's still has an ongoing UNBEATEN CHALLENGE for their beloved consumers. Feel free to write about your Pond's experience and submit it to the microsite. Great prizes await the best entry. :)

Photo credits: pinoyexchange.com

Photo credits: flashmanila.com

Pond's has always been one of the most reliable consumer skin care brands in the market. Their products help bring out the best in every skin tone, and they never stop innovating and discovering products to help every consumer find the most apt products for their skin.

In general, Pond's is aimed at one goal: a brighter, flawless, and healthier looking complexion. The White Beauty line is enhanced with the complex VAO-B3 substance to help achieve a more youthful skin appearance.

So what does VAO-B3 stands for?

V- Vitamin E

A- Allantoin

O- Optics system

B3- Niacinamide, or pooularly known as Vitamin B3

Vitamin E is an essential skin vitamin. It is a potent skin antioxidant. Allantoin protects the skin and boosts skin renewal. The optics system provides the brightening effects, which to me, is the same as the light diffusing properties found in other skin care brands and cosmetics. And lastly, Vitamin B3 prevents the melanin from surfacing to the outer layers of the skin. It prevents dark spots and skin darkening. It is specifically patented by Unilever for Asian consumers. Why? I guess this is due to the location of the Asian countries in the planet. Our rich environment, tropical weather conditions, and prominently Melanin- laden skin make us more prone to sun exposure and damage. Vit. B3 is the potion in the White Beauty line.

No, I did not become as fair as Mika Lagdameo or Carla Abellana. Bear in mind that clinical studies only reveal and prove so much, and is only tested on a minority. Whitening effects may vary as well as the time frame, but one thing's for sure: You get a flawless, brighter, and healthier looking complexion, as Pond's has promised.

Read on for the comprehensive review.

These were sent by the company. But they didn't tell me how to review the products. As a blogger, I have my integrity to preserve and credibility to protect. So this review is unbiased and based on personal observations. :)

CLEANSE, TONE, AND MOISTURIZE (L-R)

DEEP WHITENING FACIAL FOAM

PRICE: 150PHP (50G) and 200PHP (100G)

DESCRIPTION (taken from ponds.com.ph):

With soft VAO-B3 enriched beads that thoroughly cleanse and exfoliate skin, visibly brightening as it cleanses and refreshes.

THE VERDICT:

Delicately scented, lathers like a dream, and cleanses thoroughly. Unlike the earlier cleansers by Pond's, this one does not give me a squeaky clean and dry feeling after washing. It is also packed with gentle scrubbers for gentle exfoliation. However, I do not use this everyday and alternate it with my regular liquid facial washes because daily scrubbing can strip your skin off the essential oils that keep it healthy. And the gentle micro scrubbers are no exception.

PORE REFINING TONER

PRICE: AROUND 60-80PHP

NO AVAILABLE DESCRIPTION FROM ponds.com.ph

THE VERDICT:

This is my least favorite product of the line. It stings my face, and dries it up. Most commercial toners contain alcohol, and alcohol dries the skin and strips moisture away from it. You can skip this, and use your non- alcohol toner. I hope Pond's comes up with a cheaper non- alcohol version of this toner.

VISIBLE LIGHTENING DAY CREAM

PRICE: PRICE: 159PHP (30ML) and 249PHP (50ML)

DESCRIPTION (taken from ponds.com.ph)

Visibly lightens skin and reduces dark spots in just seven days. VAO-B3 works on dark spots, reducing discoloration and perfecting skin tone.

THE VERDICT:

This pearlized day cream is lightly scented with rose. However, I dislike perfumes in my skin care products. But I'm pretty sure, Pond's uses light perfuming ingredients to ensure that the ingredients won't damage your skin. It feels lightweight even if the consistency is thick, and is absorbed by the skin quickly. It also keeps my skin moist and smooth to touch. If you sweat profusely prior to make- up application, this might cake on the skin. And with our humid weather, be sure not to apply too much of it as it has a tendency to feel 'hot' on the sin.

NIGHT TIME SKINCARE

RE- BRIGHTENING NIGHT TREATMENT

PRICE: 349PHP

DESCRIPTION (taken from ponds.com.ph)

Rejuvenates skin by repairing and lightening while you sleep. VAO-B3 complex enhances skin tone and ensures your skin stays lightened and moisturized.

THE VERDICT:

This one's a winner. It keeps my skin hydrated all throughout the night, and upon waking up, my skin looks quenched and deeply moisturized! It's definitely one of the cheapest and best night creams out in the market!

The consistency of the night cream feels thicker than the day cream, and is slowly absorbed by the skin. Your skin needs to renew itself as you sleep, hence the thicker consistency. The thick cream lasts your face all night, and provides intense moisturization and repair from the upper to the inner layers of your facial skin.

SPECIAL TREATMENTS

BLEMISH PREVENTION UV CREAM

PRICE: 219php (30ml) and 349PHP (50ML)

DESCRIPTION (taken from ponds.com.ph)

Whitening and dark spot prevention meet in this cream that unites the power of SPF 15, UVA four-star protection, and VAO-B3.

THE VERDICT:

If you're looking for a cheap but great sunblock, look no further and grab this from the Pond's shelf in the supermarket. It is lightweight, delicately scented, and lasts the whole day. It only has SPF15, but is backed up with the powerful VAO- B3 complex. You get two products in one: A sunblock due to SPF, and a repairing potion due to VAO- B3.

SPOT BLOCKING SERUM

PRICE: 485PHP

DESCRIPTION (taken from ponds.com.ph)

Contains the highest concentration of VAO-B3 complex and Alpha Lactics to help diminish size and intensity of dark spots.

THE VERDICT:

Definitely one of my most favorite products of the line. I use it primarily as a make- up base due to the silicone consistency. Also, I noticed that my pimple marks lightened up a bit after two weeks of spot application. Sorry, I forgot to take before and after pictures of the pimple marks. But I swear, it really does lighten spots! This is another double duty product in a bottle. It acts as a primer, and it lightens skin marks and spots. Please refer to JILL SABITSANA AND I'S POND'S BLOGGER CONTEST ENTRY. We both love this serum!

THE BEAUTY JUNKEE'S TO PICKS:

Facial Foam

Night Cream

Sunblock

Spot Blocking Serum

FINAL VERDICT:

Overall, this is a great line. The 7 days is a promise for some, but for most people, 2 weeks were good enough for the Pond's promise to take effect. What happened in my first week? My skin started revealing a more pinkish and healthier looking skin tone. However, breakouts did occur due to the sudden shift of skin care products. I had to stop for a while because a pimple literally freaks me out. After the challenge, I resumed my usage. After two weeks, some of my pimple marks were magically reduced (thanks to the Spot Blocking Serum), and I had this pinkish tinge on my cheeks right after washing. My facial skin finally adjusted itself to the products and allowed the magic of Pond's to take place.

For you to maximize the effects of the product, it's best that you use the whole line. Consistency is key, and is best for a healthier skin.

Pond's does not promise you WHITER skin in only seven days. This is what most people expect when they use Pond's. Pond's promises a BRIGHTER and a MORE EVEN skin tone in a week. If your skin looks bright and even, it illuminates (which can be perceived as the "whitening" effect). And if you religiously use the line, whitening will take effect.

Beautiful skin does not have to cost too much. All you have to do is research a lot, and go for the dependable brands in the market. Dependable brands know skin well. That's why they have withstood time and trends. Most of all, go for skin care brands that suit your skin well, like products that are specifically formulated for Asian skin.

So if you're aiming for a pinkish, brighter, and healthier complexion, you might want to try Pond's White Beauty in your next purchase. :)

ADDENDUM: Hmmm... Been having a bit of a problem with the Spot Blocking Serum. It's not working effectively as it used to anymore. Dunno. Maybe my skin just outgrew it. :/