How To Use Them • Kath Eats

I’m sharing information about Oliveda serums and elixirs: what they are, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your safest skincare routine.

Skincare has always seemed pretty complicated to me with its endless options of brands and solutions. When I switched from Beautycounter to OliveIt took me a few weeks to get my head around the different names, numbers, and product lines. Oliveda is a clean European brand, with over 90 products and counting. They are at the forefront of waterless beauty, excluding water as a main ingredient like most conventional skincare products, and replacing it with a proprietary hydroxytyrosol elixir. This means that instead of being composed primarily of water with a smaller percentage of active ingredients, Oliveda products are composed entirely of bioactive ingredients.

Here is a quick way to sort products:

• Black Label = therapeutic line, ideal for everyone, based on the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol (HT)
• Gold label = corrective line (HT more active ingredients, higher cost, better for those showing signs of aging)

And remember that the steps of a skin care routine are generally:

1. Cleanser (oil or gel or both)
2. Tonic / Tonic
3. Serum (different for day and night or whatever solution you are looking for, elixirs come in here!)
4. Moisturize (different for day and night and depending on skin type)
5. FPS = all

Oliveda has added another product to the mix: ELIXIRS! These are products similar to serums, and we will go into detail below.

I have a full review of Oliveda products here, but today’s post is specifically dedicated to understanding Oliveda serums and elixirs – what they are, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your safest skincare routine. Let’s get started!

Oliveda serums and elixirs

What is an Oliveda serum?

A serum is a concentrated skincare product designed to deliver specific benefits, such as hydration, anti-aging, or skin repair. Oliveda serums typically contain olive leaf extract, olive oil, and other natural ingredients rich in antioxidants and nutrients that have been proven to deliver the best results for skin health. Serums should be applied after cleansing and toning, but before moisturizing, which helps address specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, uneven skin tone, or dullness (you can check out this post for more information on how to apply skincare products in the right order).

There are two main daily serums:one in the therapeutic black label line (F06) and one in the corrective gold label line (F59).

F06: Active cellular facial serum

Benefits:

• Skin lightening
• Reduces redness
• It has a high concentration of Hydroxytyrosolso it’s hydrating and beneficial without being overwhelming.
• It is less concentrated and active than F59.
• It is best for sensitive, young and acne-prone skin, but works for all skin types.

My review: This was the first serum I tried and I fell in love with the clean, botanical scent and gel-like texture. While the F59 may be a stronger serum for me at my age, for now I use the Cell Active serum in the mornings and the F59 at night. I pair it with the Kahai Elixir in the mornings as this elixir can be used in the sun.

F59: Corrective facial serum (also known as botox in a bottle)

Benefits:

• Includes paracress (a plant-based alternative to botox) to tighten and lift.
• Reduces the appearance of pores.
• Reduces hyperpigmentation – lightens and brightens.
• Softens fine lines and wrinkles.
• Good for mature, aging, dry and combination skin.

My review: The F59 is similar to the F06 Cell Active serum in terms of its scent and texture. I would say it has a more subtle scent and the texture is not as gel-like, but it is the ingredients that I am most looking for. This “Botox in a bottle” has some pretty incredible videos/reels of people not being able to move their forehead after continuous use. I have not experienced this effect (nor did I expect to!), but my forehead lines look pretty good to me.

I found this photo of myself in 2019 recently and was shocked to see my forehead looking five years younger:

I wouldn’t say a topical product is going to work miracles on someone in their 40s, but it’s a good sign that a good skincare routine is doing some good!

Boosting serums

These boosting serums are often added for specific solutions: hyperpigmentation, exfoliation, dryness. They are optional, but useful if you want to go all out.

F83: HT Serum + Vitamin C

If you’re looking for help with hyperpigmentation, the Vitamin C serum is the one to go for. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol, a super powerful antioxidant, and also contains camu camu. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion. I apply it right after toning and follow up with my F59 because it’s great for layering serums from the lightest to the heaviest. It smells like fresh berries!

Benefits:

• Visibly improves fine lines and wrinkles.
• Prevents loss of firmness and provides a radiant complexion.
• More than 1300% more antioxidant power than simple vitamin C.
• Neutralizes free radicals in the top layer of the skin to prevent the effects of ozone damage on the skin.
• Water-free, filler-free formula ideal for normal, dry and sensitive skin.

F81: AHA + HT Serum

This 4.8% AHA based serum is very similar to Beautycounter’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel. It increases cell turnover by gently exfoliating and removing dead skin that can cause buildup and breakouts. This process also reduces scarring on the surface of the skin and reduces and combats hyperpigmentation. It is BRIGHT GREEN in color and smells very botanical with a hint of honey. I find that it stings a little bit, less than the Overnight Peel. I use it a few times a week.

Benefits:

• It has an anti-aging effect, eliminates fine lines and smoothes even the deepest wrinkles.
• Promotes blood circulation and improves skin elasticity.
• Helps the skin retain moisture better.
• Counteracts pigmentation spots and gently lightens existing ones.
• Refines pores and improves skin texture.
• Improves blemished skin, eliminates pimples and reduces scars (such as acne).
• Supports skin regeneration and increases collagen production.

F86: Vegan facial corrective serum with hyaluronic acid

I bought this serum because I tend to have dry and dehydrated skin, especially in the winter. I must say that I don’t use it that often. I use it a few times a week when I take a quick shower and need to moisturize afterwards. The plumping effect is great when you’re dehydrated.

Benefits:

• Ideal for dull, dry and dehydrated skin.
• Smaller molecules (low molecular weight) have a long-term effect deep within the skin, larger molecules (high molecular weight) provide a boost of hydration to the top layer of the skin, making the skin glow.
• Moisturizing and redensifying
• Repairs the skin barrier.

What is an Oliveda Elixir?

Oliveda Elixirs are products with retinol and retinol-like ingredients that enhance the results of serums. For context, Bakuchiol is what was used in Beautycounter’s Countertime collection. Oliveda’s product called “Green Retinol” has Bakuchiol listed on the ingredients, not a vitamin A derivative. The only product on this list that has actual retinol is Midnight, which is distinguished by its name: it’s only used at night!

Benefits of Elixirs:

• Anti-aging: cell renewal, collagen production, improves texture and tone, hyperpigmentation and mild scarring.
• Nourishing, healing and super moisturizing, without flaking or irritation.
• Safe for sensitive skin: Not harsh like prescription synthetic retinols, but provides similar results.
• Retinol alternatives are safe during pregnancy and sunlight (but always check with a doctor)

How to use Oliveda serums and elixirs

These are two products that you want to combine. together (Mix and apply, don’t layer.) The serum helps the oil in the elixir penetrate deeper into the skin. You don’t have to use both, but they are some of the most effective products in a skincare routine. In the morning and at night, add 2-3 drops to the palms of your hands and massage in gentle circular motions onto your face, neck and décolleté.

F87: Kahai Corrective Elixir

• This elixir combines Kahai oil with hydroxytyrosol to provide luminosity, hydration, elasticity and firmness. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily skin.
• Retinol alternative derived from Kahai oil found in the nut of the Cacay tree
• Kahai oil (3.8%) from the Cacay nut/tree
• High content of vitamin E to nourish and hydrate.
• Ideal for textured skin.
• Can be used under the eyes.
• Good for mature skin

F82: Green Retinol Elixir

• This elixir contains olive oil, kahai seed oil, bakuchiol and other ingredients to tighten, nourish and soften the skin. It is also designed to minimize redness, counteract pigmentation and protect against oxidative damage.
• Alternative to retinol from the Bakuchiol plant
• Bakuchiol (2.5%) + Kahai Oil (1%)
• Ideal for acne-prone skin: regulates sebum production.

F65: Midnight Corrective Elixir

• This elixir combines retinol, arbequina oil and Kahai with hydroxytyrosol and a patented “hyaluronic oil complex” to regenerate and tighten the skin overnight.

• Vitamin A derived from fermented fish oil fatty acids (2%) + Kahai Oil (2.5%) + Vegan Hyaluronic Acid
• Part of the Corrective line, so high in HT
• Super concentrated and effective
• Vitamin A of animal origin which is retinyl palmitate (mild form of active retinol)
• Good for dry, combination and acne-prone skin.
• Use only at night
• Pairs well with F59 or F86 for hydrated, smooth skin.

OLIVEDA SKIN QUESTIONNAIRE:GET A FREE PRODUCT

If you’re not sure what to buy or want even more personalized recommendations, the Oliveda Skincare Quiz A program called OliveBrain might be able to help. It uses AI technology to determine a personalized regimen of products that will work for your skin. Another cool thing about Oliveda is that when you take the Oliveda skincare quiz and buy two of the recommended products, you get a free full-size product as a gift. You don’t have to buy anything right away, especially if what you want is out of stock. Just save the quiz link and you can use it later.

OLIVEDA STORE

All orders of $50 or more get free shipping.

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