Obagi users - can you substitute Exfoderm with Vivite?
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Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:27 am

Hello fellow Obagians,

I have just started the Nu-Derm system for the first time and am on my fourth day (you know things are bad when you are counting the 'days' not 'weeks'!).

I am in my twenties and had a bit of a shock when I had a Visia skin analysis and my old derm showed me a picture of my underlying pigmentation and what I *may* look like in five years. Anyway, I decided to try the Vivite Vibrance therapy and SPF30. However, about half way through my second bottle of Vibrance, I decided that I was going to try something tried and true - hence NuDerm.

Does anybody actually know what the melanin regulator in Vibrance is??

Anyway, so instead of purchasing the complete Nu-Derm kit, I skipped the exfoderm thinking that I could use the Vibrance, or layer the Vivite SPF30 then Nu-derm SPF35?

Right now I am fire engine red and more wrinkled than my 85 year old grandmother! Hopefully I can stick with program, as I'm trying to reverse all that tanning-bed UV damage and moisturiser * spam alert *.

Has anybody successfully substituted another product for exfoderm?

I apologise if this has been discussed before. I am new to this forum and can't get my head around the 'search' function.

Thanks!

free skin care · Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:09 am

Hi ChristopherGeorge and welcome to the forum!

I don't know anything about Vivite, having not used it, but I do know that the Exfoderm is used to help in skin resurfacing because of its exfoliating properties. I do think it is an important step in the Nuderm process. For the best results, you might want to consider purchasing it and hold off on using the Vivite.

Just my opinion...

BTW, being tomato-face red and having more wrinkles than an 85-year-old is, unfortunately, normal! Confused

However, it DOES get better. Keep us posted as to how you're doing.

Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:15 pm

Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:03 pm

Thanks for the encouragement Kims!

The Vivite contains 15% glycolic compound in each of those products - hence why I thought I could substitute it.

Anyway, I think I've decided to stop that and follow the protocol to the letter and am going to purchase some Exfoderm.

free skin care · Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:11 pm

ChristopherGeorge wrote:

Thanks for the encouragement Kims!

The Vivite contains 15% glycolic compound in each of those products - hence why I thought I could substitute it.

Anyway, I think I've decided to stop that and follow the protocol to the letter and am going to purchase some Exfoderm.

Sounds like a good plan, CG! I know the Obagi Nuderm products are designed to work in tandem in order for one to achieve the best results.

BTW, what "skin issues" are you trying to work on?

ETA: Exfoderm Forte contains glycolic and lactic acid -- better suited for normal/oily skin types.

Exfoderm contains phytic acid -- better suited for dry/sensitive skin types.

free skin care · Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:17 pm

ChristopherGeorge wrote:

Thanks for the encouragement Kims!

The Vivite contains 15% glycolic compound in each of those products - hence why I thought I could substitute it.

Anyway, I think I've decided to stop that and follow the protocol to the letter and am going to purchase some Exfoderm.

I have the Vibrance...it is the only thing that has actually worked on my melasma. I tried Nuderm, but wasn't able to tough it out. Sad

I agree with your decision to follow the Nuderm plan to the the letter...the Exfoderm is designed to help exfoliate to help see clearer skin sooner. The Vivite is actually buffered specifically to avoid irritation, and I have never seen much peeling.

But I would definitely use the Vivite when you get off Nuderm. It helps regulate pigmentation, has the benefits of glycolic acid with less irritation, PLUS it contains lots of antioxidants which penetrate deeper when formulated with the glycolic acid. Smile

Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:25 am

Well Kims, I am mainly trying to reverse some of the sun damage from when I used to tan religiously (every day or every second day).

- I have quite a few small brown spots from tanning. They aren't freckles, but the very dark, almost black little dots. My cheeks also have an uneven tone.

- I have some feint lines under and around my eyes. What can I say... I smile a lot! Very Happy

- Also, I'm hoping that the program will help with my skin texture. It is quite rough and I tend to scar very easily. So there are a few little dents that I'm trying to even out.

I don't have many breakouts and my skin can actually be quite dry and sensitive, however some sunscreens can make me look greasy!

So, overall I don't have a lot of issues and Obagi is probably too intensive for me, but I just don't find the results from other products to be noticeable.

I think I like the fact that it's based around two staples we KNOW to be beneficial - sunscreen and Tretinoin.

Thanks!

Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:32 am

bethany wrote:

ChristopherGeorge wrote:

Thanks for the encouragement Kims!

The Vivite contains 15% glycolic compound in each of those products - hence why I thought I could substitute it.

Anyway, I think I've decided to stop that and follow the protocol to the letter and am going to purchase some Exfoderm.

I have the Vibrance...it is the only thing that has actually worked on my melasma. I tried Nuderm, but wasn't able to tough it out. Sad

I agree with your decision to follow the Nuderm plan to the the letter...the Exfoderm is designed to help exfoliate to help see clearer skin sooner. The Vivite is actually buffered specifically to avoid irritation, and I have never seen much peeling.

But I would definitely use the Vivite when you get off Nuderm. It helps regulate pigmentation, has the benefits of glycolic acid with less irritation, PLUS it contains lots of antioxidants which penetrate deeper when formulated with the glycolic acid. Smile

Thanks for the info Bethany! I will use the Vibrance again when I reach maintenance. How long did you use the Vibrance for, and did the melasma gradually lighten, or darken and then peel off?

I just wish I knew which specific ingredient in Vibrance works against hyperpigmentation! There must be something specific in that ingredient list, as there are a lot of other serums with glycolic acid/antioxidants that don't produce results like Vibrance.

free skin care · Sun Aug 01, 2010 4:58 am

ChristopherGeorge wrote:

Does anybody actually know what the melanin regulator in Vibrance is??

I found this for you, ChristopherGeorge.

"HOW IT WORKS: Vivité Vibrance Therapy targets dark spots in three different ways. A compound called methyl dihydroxybenzoate fades discoloration by stopping the enzyme that produces excess pigment (most skin-lightening treatments, including hydroquinone, just inhibit this enzyme); antioxidants, including soy and grape extract, and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as green tea, allantoin and licorice extract, reduce the environmental damage that triggers pigment production; and on the surface of the skin, retinol and glycolic acid fade visible splotches by increasing cell turnover. The effects begin after just a few weeks, and optimal results occur progressively over several months."

And, definitely, if you are using Nu Derm, use the Exfoderm until your 18 weeks are up. That will give you the best results from Obagi.

free skin care · Sun Aug 01, 2010 12:36 pm

ChristopherGeorge wrote:

Thanks for the info Bethany! I will use the Vibrance again when I reach maintenance. How long did you use the Vibrance for, and did the melasma gradually lighten, or darken and then peel off?

I used it for about 2 months before I really started seeing results, and it just lightened. But I think mine is more at the dermal (deeper) level, so that might be why I didn't any darkening/peeling of spots.

The only reason I stopped using it was because it made my face very red. But I'm to try using it less frequently and see how that works.

Mon Aug 02, 2010 1:12 am

Thank you Riley - I have been reading the forum and you seem to the be the Queen of Obagi!

Anyway, that information is greatly appreciated. I have more faith in the product now that I can see which ingredient is meant to be working.

free skin care · Mon Aug 02, 2010 6:01 am

You're welcome, ChristopherGeorge. Good luck with the Nu Derm!

free skin care · Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:01 pm

ChristopherGeorge wrote:

Thank you Riley - I have been reading the forum and you seem to the be the Queen of Obagi!

Anyway, that information is greatly appreciated. I have more faith in the product now that I can see which ingredient is meant to be working.

Long Live Queen Rileygirl of Obagi! Very Happy

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