I’ve been thinking about what I’d say in this review for a while now. For what I do, I try really hard not to make definitive statements branding something to be the ‘very best’ or ‘end all be all cure’ since having a voice in this way delicate thing. I’m not Oprah, but I know that when I review something that I’m truly thrilled about, many of you go out and spend money on it and I take that seriously.

But here’s the thing, my skin looks better than it has in well over 3 years and I know it’s because of Vivant.

It might be due to everything I try out on my skin (every single thing you read about on here in fact) or maybe it’s just a weird hormonal adjustment my body is making, but my face has been breaking out like crazy for years now. I’ve also been struggling with redness and a lot of sun spots from my late teens and 20′s where I *gasp* used tanning beds somewhat regularly and didn’t even own sunscreen.

I guess if you’re struggling with acne you should trust the man who (literally) wrote the book on it. Dr. Fulton struggled with acne so severely growing up that he was determined to figure out what its causes were, so he earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and began formulating products in his own practice and eventually co-creating Retin-A. His latest and most complete line to date, Vivant is the result of many formulations and years of his experience in the treatment of acne and aging skin. I believe it’s truly a gift to people who have wasted money on products that didn’t live up to their claims.

I’ll show you exactly what I’ve been using, but keep in mind it was chosen by Vivant for me based on my skin’s particular needs. You can reach out to them (their customer service is amazing) by calling 1-800-9-VIVANT or find a professional near you who uses Vivant and can help you find a custom solution.

BP Cleanser 3% is a thick, pink exfoliating cleanser with 3% Benzoyl Peroxide- a known known acne fighter that kills bacteria and chases away excess oil. I like the exfoliation too which leaves my skin really soft. It’s not a makeup remover though, so I use a pre-cleaning solution before it just to loosen the makeup a little- especially on the eyes.

After cleansing I use the Normalizing tonic Forté in the morning, a Glycolic rich toner that clarifies and deep cleans so the products can better absorb. At night after cleansing, I use  Daily Repair Pads with Mandelic Acid, a well-tolerated alpha hydroxy they combine with zinc peptides that clear out impacted pores. If you’re having issues with pigmentation, these pads will also help cycle those out.

After the Forté toner in the morning, I use Spin Trap Vitamin C&E Serum, a clear soothing protectant that guards cells against daily oxidative stress. At night, in its place I did something I hadn’t done in a while, I ditched my Retin-A. It wasn’t easy since I’ve been using it for so long and I really believe in the power of retinol. I knew though, that the Exfol-A was the equivalent in strength to a .25 Retin-A but it also contained Kojic, Lactic, and Glycolic Acids to lighten sun and acne spots.

BP 10% Gel Medication is a strong spot treatment I use when I can feel something just starting to pop up, but it doesn’t make my skin dry or flakey.

Some of the ingredients like the vitamin a might make skin a little more sun-sensitive so I use their Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 as my daily moisturizer.

I don’t need a lot of moisture at night, so I found Totaloe to be just enough. It’s an aloe-based serum-gel that helps to heal and calm the skin as well adds a touch of hydration.

Again, this is just what was recommended for my skin specifically based on what I was trying to achieve, the condition of my skin, and what it was used to judging from the products I had been using (like a strong Retin-A).  It was an á la carte regimen, but keep in mind they also have systems for acne, aging skin, discoloration, and basic environmental  prevention.

Vivant’s speciality is acne, but they can also successfully treat rosacea, melasma, eczema, and various aging concerns. Prices aren’t available online, but I was shocked at how reasonable the prices are- no, not just reasonable for something that works so well, reasonable in a way that you probably paid the same for your current cleanser as you would for theirs.

You’ll notice their website is basic (I’d love to see something more interactive and user friendly), same goes for their packaging, but it’s a pharmaceutical line and not something that was packaged beautifully to compete on a department store shelf. Beyond that, no complaints.

I’ll be trying more of their line very soon so look for additional info on Vivant in the months to come. In the meantime, if you’ve used Vivant, I’d love to hear how it worked for you.

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