Progression is tempting, no? The idea that a simple system will nudge your skin towards a better situation? Progress. Elizabeth Arden Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment is as neat as an expensive new pin; all shiny in its silver box. Four little bottles — military. Ready.
Now there has, over the past 14 years, been an almost intolerable fuss about the Arden Prevage range, which is probably why I didn’t try it until a month ago. I don’t love hype. But finally, quietly, slightly sulkily, I got stuck in to this month-long treatment that promises to transform skin. As they all do. So far, so same.
But this is a system of four progressively stronger formulas that effectively train your skin to tolerate a resurfacing regimen of deep exfoliation combined with supercharged antioxidant (Idebenone). The progressive concept minimises irritation because PHAs (polyhydroxy acid) and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) can be inflammatory in the short term, even though in the long term they promise the opposite.
One bottle a week, for four weeks, applied at night. After the first week I didn’t notice a difference.
After the second I suspected my rosacea had calmed down. Was it my imagination?
After the third week I realised it wasn’t my imagination.
After the fourth week I started doing the school run without tinted moisturiser.
So here’s the annoying conclusion: believe the hype.
Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment, £180 (elizabetharden.co.uk)
