'We tried the “micro-sculpting” face cream for plumper skin. Here's our honest verdict.'

Skincare is basking in the spotlight and my face could not be more pleased about this. There's an array of products available, which for my menopausal brain is a little overwhelming. Fortunately, a classic, Olay, makes any skincare decision an easy one. 

The Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Micro-Sculpting Face Cream from their iconic Regenerist Red Jar range is incredibly popular and when you layer this beauty on your face, it is easy to see why. Clinically proven, this moisturiser ticks all the beauty boxes. Not only does it hydrate, firm and plump the skin, which is already impressive, but it also promises to reduce the look of up to 10 years of wrinkles in 28 days. An entry on many a beauty lover's wishlist right there.

Formulated with collagen peptide and bioavailable niacinamide (which are the ingredients that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make the skin appear firmer), the formula contains no sulphates, phthalates, petrolatum and mineral oils. Which goes to explain why dermatologists recommend it.

Over the past month, three women – in our 30s, 40s and 50s – have been using Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream to see if it does live up to the hype.

Here's our honest verdict.

Tracey, 53

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I am now in my early(ish) 50s which means I'm old enough to have grown up with the Olay range being a reliable staple in my beauty arsenal. I love anything beauty and skincare related so when that little red jar landed in my hands, it had me captivated. 

The Micro-Sculpting Cream's silky, rich formula feels light and applies so smoothly, absorbing beautifully. I used it in the morning before sunscreen and makeup and it worked well as a lovely base. In the evening I would apply it after my serum and once I layered my face oil over it, my skin looked and felt properly plump. An added bonus is that I could use it as both a day cream and a night cream.

Two weeks in, my skin started to feel softer. Typically, my skin can sometimes look at bit dull and patchy, but it was now beginning to look brighter. This was further highlighted when a colleague looked at me suspiciously one day and asked why I was looking ‘glowy’ (permission to be smug!).

Before (left) and after (right). Image: Supplied.

After one month, I was excited to see the noticeable difference in my skin. The annoying fine lines around my eyes are less obvious and the texture of my skin is definitely smoother. As a 53-year-old who has been recently described as looking ‘glowy’ this is a win for me and for my face.

Annaliese, 40

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I recently turned 40 and never have I ever related to Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in Death Becomes Her more. 

We are all searching for the magic potion that gives us eternal youth. As this has not yet been discovered, we are all seeking this in the potions we put on our faces (and also I've recently become increasingly aware of... my neck). 

I was buzzing to try Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream and add it to my routine. I loved the luxe red jar, so lush, so spendy-looking. As was the delightful scent that came from within.

I've been using it morning and night for a whole month. In the mornings I cleanse, tone, apply hyaluronic acid and then add my Olay to my face, jaw and neck (of course) because of my very real and recent fixation about neglecting anything lower than my chin. The evenings, I do the same but also add in an oil cleanser to remove makeup and street grime, and instead of hyaluronic, I sometimes cycle in a retinol.

After trialling this product for just the first week, to my absolute sheer surprise and delight I had two colleagues comment on my skin and its “youthful” appearance (a word that anyone in their forties will bask in and soak up gratefully). If I could drink the cream, I would.

Before (left) and after (right). Image: Supplied.

After around the third week of consistent use, the other thing I noticed was that it helped with my ‘pillow wrinkles’ – yes, these are a thing now: my giant creases from sleeping on my bunched-up pillow case that was smooshing a large part of my eye and cheek area. The pillow wrinkles are slowly softening and being, dare we say, defeated. 

My skin feels plumper, smoother in texture, my neck is smoother, and the overall tone on my face has improved and evened – must be that glorious combination of “youthful” compliments and Olay's heavy-lifting that's adding to my inner and outer glow. But I'm loving this big red jar and am glad to add it to my list of potions.

Margaret, 32

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I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to Olay. I have grown up watching my mum use Olay, but hadn't considered using it myself, which is odd considering she would’ve been my age when these memories were formed. In my mind I always put Olay in the “not for me, yet” category; it may have something to do with the millennial thing where I know I’m 32 but I don’t think I’m 30, but I digress.

Prompted by the buzz around their Micro-Sculpting Cream, I need to get my hands on it. Immediately.

I switched out my morning and evening moisturiser with this baby, and applied it each day after my serums. I absolutely loved the velvety texture of the cream and how hydrated my skin felt, even after the first application. It absorbed really well into my skin and although it’s heavier than my normal daytime moisturiser, it is lightweight enough to wear all day. I found it primed the skin well under makeup, too. 

After using the Olay Micro-Sculpting cream exclusively for 4 weeks, my skin feels plumper and extra hydrated, despite the extreme flux from hot to cold weather which would have normally dried my skin out. We all know how vital it is to keep our skin plump and hydrated in the prevention of wrinkles and fine lines. 

I can see how Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream is the holy grail in the beauty world!

Shop Olay's Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Micro-Sculpting Face Cream online or in-store at Chemist Warehouse.

Feature Image: Supplied.