Darphin Has Forced Me to Admit I Was Wrong (And a Giveaway!)
Guess what happens when you tell the internet that you finally have your acne issues under control? Go ahead! Guess!
But of course every zit monster in the world decides to take up residence on your face. Yahoo!
Here's the thing, though, I knew it was coming when I wrote that post. The why is easy to figure out.
When the zit monsters decided to throw a party at my expense, I did a total reset with products and routines. It seemed like the best thing to do would be to reintroduce things slowly and figure out how to regain balance and such. It was right around the time I restarted OCM (which I still LOVE) that I received an email from BlogHer asking if I would be interested in reviewing the Darphin luxury line of skincare.
Excellent timing, no?
The only "catch" was that Darphin isn't exactly the most inexpensive product line out there. I'm a big fan of inexpensive. BIG FAN. In fact, I only once have ever tried something that wasn't on a shelf at a big box store. That one time was a total and complete failure, which pretty much gave me an excuse to be all "Bah! The expensive stuff is junk!"
With more thought, however, I realized I should try Darphin, because it was a win-win. If I didn't like it, I could continue to be a happy little penny-miser and not feel bad about it. If I did like it, well, that's not a bad problem to have at all.
I recieved four Darphin products--Purifying Foam Gel, Refreshing Toner, Skin Mat Balancing Serum and Organic Aromatic Purifying Balm.
Purifying Foam Gel--I am officially a convert. This stuff works SO much better than anything I have ever used. It cleans without causing any redness or drying, it has a pleasant scent, and you need so very little that I think it may turn out to be more budget friendly than the products I had been using. We're talking a drop smaller than a pea and it works better than the grape-sized drop that I needed of the other stuff.
Refreshing Toner--It's intended to be used after another cleanser, but I've found that it's perfect for a quick in-between clean up. I spend a lot of time working in the garden and the Darphin Refreshing Toner has worked very well for removing dirt, grime, and sweat several times per day and without causing any dryness or sensitivity.
Skin Mat Balancing Serum--The product information for the Skin Mat Balancing Serum says "improves the texture and look of combination to oily skin by absorbing excess oil and diminishing the appearance of pores." Quite the promise, no? Especially for something that says you only need 3 drops and is the consistency of water, right?
You guys, I don't know how it's possible for it to absorb excess oil, but it does. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS DARPHIN MAGIC STUFF.
It works.
Organic Aromatic Purifying Balm--It's intended for tired, dull complexions with imperfections. Hello, I have one of those. It's a very thick balm which you put on at night. It only takes a tiny little bit to completely cover your face. It promises to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
Pro: It reduces redness. I have no doubt about that.
Con: One of the scents used to achieve "aromatic" is lavender. I might be the only human on earth who feels this way, but I love the scent of lavender outdoors. Indoors, however, I can't stand it. I know I'm weird. You don't need to tell me.
Which is all to say, three out of four were absolute winners. The fourth would have been a winner if I weren't a freak who prefers her flower scents in the garden.
Grrrrrrrrrr.
I hate when my cheaper than thou attitude has to admit it was wrong. But, hey! my skin looks better than ever!
If you had the chance to try any Darphin product, which would you try? Why? Answer below in the comments and you could win Darphin products valued at $100 minimum.
Plus, Darphin has a special offer (one of their best!) just for readers of this post: Get a free Age Defying Dermabrasion Deluxe Sample, Dark Circles and De-puffing Eye Serum Deluxe Sample and Spa Headband with any order at Darphin.com through 5/31/12. Use code BLOGGER at checkout.
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/23 – 5/24
Be sure to visit the Darphin brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Reader Comments (73)
my boyfriend has terrible acne and the only thing that works for him so far is ProActive. The company constantly harasses him, but it's the only thing that so far has kept his acne in check. I would love for him to try something different from a lovely that works as well or better.
company. a lovely company.
Sounds like I'd love the purifying foam gel. I have super fun combination skin and I feel like I spend more money on face wash than all of my other hygienic stuff combined. Something that actually works in small concentrations would be great.
Also- totally with you on the lavender thing.
It sounds like the Skin Mat Balancing Serum is right up my alley. I have very large pores and very oily skin.
I too agree with the lavendar scent needing to stay outdoors!
My dear husband has struggled with his oily skin and acne his entire adult life. I would love to get him some Purifying Foam Gel because at the most recent dermatologist's visit they prescribed a treatment that ended up being $50 a pop for a tube of stuff that is not even really working.
I could pick them all, but the Purifying Foam Gel sounds enticing. My skin has been crazy ever since the second kid came along. Super dry and super oily all in one, with regular breakouts that I NEVER dealt with as a teenager. Would love to find skin care that works!!!
I would love the mat and the wash. I use proactiv, too, and the whole automatic bill/charge/send thing is so annoying! Especially because I'm not sure it does a great job for my skin. I am always looking for alternatives, but trying expensive products just never seems worth it.
I would like to try the toner. My girls would to. If I win I'll have to hide it from them!
I would use the purifying gel. I've been on a quest for a great cleanser and haven't found something that helps clear up my skin without making it a total wreck!
I would love to try the Organic Purifying Balm~I am a red head and have the most difficult skin tone. It seems as I get older it only gets worse~ugh. Something that smells wonderful and goes on at night to help out with those rough patches would be delightful. ;-)
The dark circle eye depuffer serum. I think my skin is semi- youthful looking but the circles and bags age me. : (
I would try the Purifying Foam Gel. I have trouble with my face being oily, but drying out if I use too many products. Totally frustrating!
Ooh that oil absorbing stuff sounds magical!
i'd like the try that serum stuff. 1. because my face has been rioting lately & 2. because i like the word serum - it just sounds so serious.
Organic Aromatic Purifying Balm. I actually smear on a thick layer of lavender balm on my hands every night before bed, and I love the smell!
I would like to try them all, but especially the purifying balm. I am at the age where I am getting wrinkles, but somehow still get zits too. Very annoying. I would hope the purifying balm would help with this. I dislike moisturizers and lotions that smell like chemicals, so I think an organic aromatic balm would be refreshing.
I'd have to try all four that you have mentioned as my skin is just like yours. When I read the posts about your skin issues I feel like I could have written them.
I want to try this stuff. I have ok skin but am constantly on a quest to take it from ok to great!
I find as I get older, my skin is developing all kinds of issues. I also want to teach my daughter the importance of keeping your skin clean to avoid breakouts.
i have sensitive skin which is constantly pink. not rosacea but might as well be. i think Darphin would be able to help me tone down and minimize the skin I would love to try any of the products I heard they smell great! I think the serum would help me out a lot
The toner. The dermatologist has told me I need to use a toner without alcohol & they don't exist ( at least not cheaply). Sidenote, she put me on clindamyacin ( liquid that comes in a bingo dobber bottle), & it works! The antibiotic kills acne bacteria & it's cheap ($11 a pop & I don't have insurance). You might give it a try.
The balancing serum. Hands down.
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/tehamy/status/194818763567267840
I have switched to OCM, but I'm never not willing to try something new. The serum sounds pretty awesome for my combo skin.
I think I need the skin mat balancing serum. Stat!
I could use a good facial cleanser since the Mart of Wal has discontinued what I was using. My face resembles a pizza. Argh!
I would love to try the skin mat balancing serum or the cleanser. I am far too old to be experience crazy acne breakouts. I look ridiculous! My current system is clearly not working...
I would try the Skin Mat Balancing Serum because it sounds like it must be truly magical.
It's very hard to choose but if I did I'd want to try that Skin Balancing Serum.
i would try the Dark Circles and De-puffing Eye Serum
I would love to try the Melaperfect
https://twitter.com/#!/tweetyscute/status/196277820991868933
Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum is my choice. I have sensitive skin prone to redness, and I have a lot of trouble finding effective products for my condition.
And by the way, I agree with you about lavender. I personally can't stand it as a "fragrance note".
I would love to try Darphin’s Anti-Dark Spots Perfecting Treatment. I have very visible age spots and the brightening serum sounds amazing and might help with my issue.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/196507128616325120
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Wow, that's a pretty glowing recommendation! I'd love to try any of these products, but the balm especially.
im sold on that serum! thanks for the giveaway
I'd like to try the Wrinkle Corrective Eye Contour Cream for my fine lines problem.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/196818511190962176
I would like to try the dark circle eye depuffer serum for my under eyes dark circles
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/197100939650404354
I would like to try the Stimulskin Plus Rejuvenating Lifting Serum because I would love to even out my skin tone.
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/wizardewu/status/197139649272102915
For someone who orders the Clean n Clear oil absorbing sheets using the Subscribe & Save plan on Amazon, the serum sounds amazing!
I'd love to try CLEAR WHITE BRIGHTENING AND HYDRATING CREAM. I have incredibly dry skin and problems with sunspots/ sun damage due to a childhood spent in the sun without sunscreen. I hope this will help!
https://twitter.com/#!/FunnierOnPaper/status/198253136215941121
WOW! I DIDN'T KNOW DARPHIN WAS FOR ZITS... SIGN ME UP FOR THAT PURIFYING FOAMER!
...OR THE AROVITA C Line Response Firming Serum, FOR THE SAKE OF AN ORIGINAL RESPONSE
2ND ENTRY TWEET https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/198717284284510209
Dark Circles and De-puffing Eye Serum because I never get enough sleep and my eyes show it
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/199363422587068416
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com