Sun Undone: Maile John Shares Her Vivant Skin Care Journey

"My skin always looked dull and gray with hyperpigmentation, melasma, texture concerns, milia, and hormonal breakouts. I started using Vivant when I was 30, and now I'm 42. I owe the quality of my skin to my Vivant regimen."

Maile John splits her time between her home state of Hawaii and her husband's New Zealand homeland, two of the most beautiful and beachiest places on earth. She has spent much of her life outdoors, enjoying the natural beauty and the sun. But that has come with some issues for her skin.

What are your skin concerns?

"I'm part Hawaiian and have extremely hyperpigmentation- and melasma-prone skin. I also tend to get milia and textural issues. Of course, like every kid growing up in Hawaii, I spent lots of time at the beach. While I've been great about sunscreen and sun safety since a teen, I just never found anything that evened out my pigmentation and texture concerns. I always had hyperpigmentation spots from a breakout here and there. I always had a gray cast on my face from melasma."

How did you hear about Vivant?

When I turned 30, I went to get a consult on IPL treatments for my pigment. The laser specialist was a kind and well-experienced professional who had so much success with Vivant and her clients. I never even got the IPL. She just recommended Vivant to me, and I've never turned back.

How long did it take you to see results?

After using the Vivant range products for a good six months, I started noticing major differences in my pigment and texture. My hormonal breakouts also calmed down quite a bit. I started using Vivant when I was 30, and now I'm 42. I owe the quality of my skin to my Vivant regimen.

How long was the acclimation process?

I really took my time with this one. Of course, I started with the lower active ingredient concentration products and worked my way up. I only had active flaking or dryness for about a month initially. I took about a year and a bit before I moved to the higher concentration products.

What kinds of changes have you seen in your skin since using the products?

Even color and texture and just an incredible anti-aging effect on my skin. My skin used to look a bit rough, similar to orange peel. I also always had small pigment marks and gray cast. Now my skin just glows, and I mean glow!

Which Vivant products are you currently using?

I alternate between Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser and Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser, plus 9% Mandelic 9% 3-In-1 Toner. Then I mix it up between the 15% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Serum, Exfol-A Forte, and Rejuv Rx. I also use the Algae Soft Mask.

How were you treating your skin before Vivant?

I've always been interested in skincare. I've tried a lot of pricey creams and serums and just spent money on nothing that worked.

Favorite Vivant Product?

That's like asking me to choose a favorite child. If I had to choose, I'd go with the 15% Mandelic Acid Serum. But my bathroom cabinet is full of Vivant products.

What do you want people to know about Vivant?

The one thing I appreciate about Vivant is the commitment to education around the product range and also skincare and skin health in general. I love how inclusive the products are of several skin concerns and all skin colors. The products are straightforward, results-driven, the science is exciting, and they just work. No fluff, just results and care. I've put a lot of friends and family with different skincare needs and different skin tones onto Vivant. They are all just as impressed and loyal to the range as I am.

In addition to running a small traditional Japanese restaurant in Hawaii, Maile is an avid gardener and collector of specialty orchids. She loves the art of Hawaiian Lei making and uses her skills to craft fresh flower leis for friends and family for special occasions. Of course, she loves to be at the beach but "with sun protection and a big hat," she notes.