I was recently sent a Dove Skin Vitalizer to try and review, and I’ll admit I was a bit uneasy about the prospect. I have heard a lot about Dove’s campaign for “real” beauty, and although I admired that effort on behalf of the corporation, I still associated them with bar soap.
The Skin Vitalizer is similar to the machinated facial cleansing systems offered by Neutrogena, but retails for about 1/3 of the price. It comes with a vibrating head, and cleansing pillows. By pressing the pillows onto the head, you can choose to have exfoliating cleansing or regular cleansing. I did not like how these pillows pressed onto the head… it was a bit tedious, and I was worried about them falling off, albeit it never did fall off in the shower. Also, the pillows come slightly damp and in packages of three. However, three pillows are in one container, so they can’t be used weekly or anything like that or they will dry out. It would have been a better design to individually package each pillow.
So, at this point I was off to a running start, and beginning to worry about my review. As you all know, I would personally prefer not to review a product I do not love. It got better, though… much much better. I dipped the pillow under the water to activate the lather, and then straight for my forehead promtly getting soap in my eye. Word to the wise, do not start at your forehead, start at your chin and work your way up to avoid this. I should know, I did it twice in a row. I had taken note of my skin tone and texture before the shower, and sat there massaging my face in circles. It was quite comfortable, and made washing my face kind of fun. (I was using the exfoliating side). It worked wonderfully, except for my nose which it vibrates to much for. I had so much fun with it that after I did my face I squeezed my bath gel onto the pillow and proceeded to do my entire body with the machine.
The result… my face looked fantastic and my spray tan has never applied more evenly or lasted longer! My face was literally glowing and pumped up… it was like I’d just had a facial, and it continues to look better and better. I am definitly a convert. I am hoping Dive will come out with more “spa-like” pillows for deep exfoliation, etc. and hopefully some body products as well. Maybe even a lotion? Maybe wishful thinking on that one, but I love this product!
