Credit: Jessica Bailey and Kimberlee Kessler

In the past six months, my skin’s texture completely changed. Gone were the errant blind blemishes which plagued me for most of my twenties – ironically a move to New York City saw my skin completely clear up, as polluted as the air in that concrete jungle is. And yet now, in their place was a highly sensitive skin barrier punctuated by dry, flaky patches, their cause unfounded. Was I not getting enough sleep? Was this what indoor heating does to a 30-something’s skin? Did I need to address my stress levels? My hormone levels? Why was my skin suddenly so sensitive to warm water, cold water…and even sensitive to touch?

When Ultraceuticals approached me to try their RVR90 (Real Visible Results in 90 Days), I was definitely intrigued. The program consists of three facial treatments with a professional across a 90-day period, with a strict beauty regime to follow at home in between visits. The aim is to achieve your best skin yet – so does it work?

While everybody is different and will require individual consultation, I did see a change. During my first treatment, I had the Ultraceuticals ‘Radiance and Glow’ facial using the brand’s Brightening Accelerator Mask. This treatment featured a combination of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acid (BHA) and niacinamide (vitamin B3) and is combined with a powerful blend of brightening agents which helped resurface and even out my skintone, and restore some good old clarity and luminosity (remember those?). Interestingly, these ingredients were infused into my skin with the brand’s UltraSonophoresis machine – a low frequency, ultrasound technology which allows products to penetrate the skin far deeper than a topical application.

After the treatment, I was given baseline essentials (read: a daily cleanser, a moisturiser and, of course, an SPF) to apply each day. I was also given three corrective serums (which targeted my specific concerns and helped change those troublesome cells from within), a heavenly pack of Ultra B2 Hydrating Masks and a Hydrating Skin Mist. (The scents of the latter two are so delicious and I have found both make for great pre-foundation primers.) Treatments and products are tweaked after every visit.

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The results are quite significant. For me, the underlying redness in my skin calmed down and the overall skin barrier restored to be more hydrated, healthier and brighter. Overtime, the dry patches have begun to disseminate and I hope that with continued use of the products my skintone will become even more, well, even. If, like me, you just need a skin reset, give it a try.

Below are some questions I had for Ultraceuticals’ Global Education Technical Training Manger Tracey Beeby. They might help you should you too like to try the RVR90 journey too.

JESSICA: What are some reasons for women experiencing spontaneous changes in the overall appearance of their skin? (e.g. seasons, hormones, diet, sleep, skin condition, pregnancy etc.)
TRACEY: There are many intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to specific concerns we may see appearing on our skin. Some of these intrinsic factors may be hormones, diet, stress, medications along with medical conditions, pregnancy and of course the general chronological ageing process. Extrinsic factors include the factors we can help with. These are, lifestyle, sleep, protecting our skin from the sun and environment, avoiding UV radiation and photo-ageing.

JESSICA: How can sticking to the same cosmeceutical-grade beauty routine (and regular professional check-ins like RVR90 plan) unlock your best skin yet?
TRACEY: At Ultraceuticals, all products are made to work together in a system. They have been tested both for efficacy as well as safety when used together this way, so we know that results can be achieved within a 90 day period, hence our RVR90 program. RVR90 is an acronym for Real Visible Results in 90 days. During the 90 day journey, your skin therapist will assess your skin, update your routine, adding in your next Corrective Serum while also performing the most suitable treatments, generally every two weeks to boost results. Images of your skin will be taken at each monthly interval and ongoing, this keeps the guest motivated in using the products (as they see their results) while also tracking and measuring results.

JESSICA: How was Ultraceutical’s RVR90 dreamt up?
TRACEY: This is the seventh year of us running the RVR90 challenge program. The inspiration came when Dr. Geoffrey Heber (Ultraceuticals Founder and owner) was walking into a large department store and saw the vast number of products on display. He thought that if someone had a skin concern, how would they know which product they needed out of the vast selection of products available? Dr. Heber discovered that 90 days was the ideal benchmark in seeing visible results. It was this in-salon experience that helped create RVR90 for salons to use as a guide in driving results.

JESSICA: What are the benefits of RVR90?
TRACEY: The benefits of RVR90 are to help our guests achieve their desired result. At Ultraceuticals we educate every guest to help them to understand the importance of general skin heath, providing long term benefits. RVR90 is for everyone and anyone wishing to commit to achieving results for their individual concerns. Common concerns are, visible signs of ageing, discolouration, coarse texture, uneven skin tone, visible pores and acne prone skin.

JESSICA: Why 90 days?
TRACEY: Ultraceuticals is 24 years old this year. Over these years, we have consistently conducted panel testing, where guests are invited to visit our head office that have a particular concern that we are looking for, if they meet the criteria they will be recruited. Their skin will be cleansed and baseline photos will be taken. Generally up to four products in our range will be provided along with instructions, to use together as a system. The skin will be assessed each month over a 90 day time frame to view any changes in the skin. This is why we call it RVR90, we would like to see a result within 90 days, if we don’t, the product will go back to the laboratory for further adjustments.

JESSICA: What happens after the 90 days? Do you keep seeing a professional less frequently?
TRACEY: Results are ongoing and can even get better over the years, providing the guest continues using the appropriate Ultraceuticals home care. If a guest stops using home care, then their skin usually returns back to its original baseline state within six months. Ultraceuticals recommends that you continue to visit your professional skin therapist each month, as the treatments they can provide are essential to help improve your skin, enhancing boosting and home care results. Real results can be seen after 90 days but even better results are possible over time. You need to treat your skin the same way you treat your body. For example, if you are working out you will see some results fairly quickly but to achieve the muscle strength and definition you want may take much longer. Conversely, if you stop working out, any gains you have made will be lost over time. The same happens with your with skin. Using ingredients that are targeted for you with a regular routine will ensure that your skin is always healthy and looking the way you want it to.