At its core, this is a skincare review post, but it’s also a reminder that no matter what skincare you use, what is going on inside can have just as much of an effect…if not more…on your skin.
For my 40th birthday, my husband surprised me with the best gift ever — a weekend trip to Charlotte and a trip to Toska’s European Spa. If you don’t follow her on Instagram — please do so. She is gorgeous inside and out, and will make you look stunning in the process! At the end of THE BEST FACIAL I HAVE EVER HAD (worth a post all its own!), Toska’s staff kindly recommended to my husband that he purchase Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants as a Christmas gift…and what a gift it was!
According to the company’s product description: “Chock-full of vitamins and active ingredients derived from cutting-edge biotechnology, this cocktail provides multi-benefit results, even in the case of the most devitalized Skin Instants. It activates cellular regeneration, protects against the harmful effects of free radicals and boosts the skin’s protective functions while improving epidermal moisture and tone.”
Honestly, I was terrified to use it. Peeling the seal back was absolutely nerve-wracking, especially given the price tag. I did not want to waste a single drop! When I posted about it on Instagram, Toska recommended usage of half a bottle each night on my face, neck, décolletage and the back of my hands. I know better than to doubt Toska…she is a genius…so I followed her directions to the letter.
My routine was the same: Lait VIP 02; Lotion P50 1970; Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants (sit for a few minutes); Creme Masque Vernix w/ either VIP Fluide 02 or T.E.W.L. depending on level of dryness. I will say the nights I used by BeautyBio GloPro after Lotion P50 1970 and before the Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants, I did feel like it made more of an impact the next day.
Halfway through — and even with an upper respiratory infection that was otherwise trying to kill me — the impact was significant. My skin was tighter, more luminous, with an even tone (which it pretty much never has). Even for all of the other good my BR products have done for my skin, this took it over the top. When Toska says they are unicorn tears, she is not exaggerating. This formula is essentially the fountain of youth, especially for those of us with terrible aging genes and a childhood’s worth of bad decisions working against us.
Then boom — about 75% of the way through the treatment, my face had an unexpected reaction. Things that didn’t change: my diet, my skincare routine, any household cleaners, hormonal swings. Things that did change: my stress level went through the roof at work as my company headed full-steam into a merger.
Out of nowhere, my face became bright red and broke out. Literally overnight. I stopped using the treatment for a few days and focused on basics — Lait VIP 02, Lotion P50 1970, Serum Iribiol, Creme Placenta. I didn’t want to waste such a wonderful product on skin that was struggling. A few days later I came back to it, and watched my skin come back to life. So much havoc had been wreaked, though…so it was definitely a step back that Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants was trying to help me recover from.
So while my skin did not look as great using the last dose as it did 50% of the way through, I did notice in the weeks that followed that my skin continued to improve as I began to manage my stress better. Again, not using any “new to me” lotions or potions, but, at least in my mind, a residual effect of the treatment. A few weeks on, I still feel like I have retained much of what I gained from using this.
I would say that this product is a blessing, especially for those of us who don’t live within driving distance of those with expertise in BR facials (especially that Toska Signature Triple Lift – to die for!). The cost for this product is not insignificant, but if you have the money to spend and you want to treat yourself, it is definitely worth the gamble. It peels back time and damage, reminiscent of a younger you. Just try to avoid any major mergers while you’re using it.