Tried & Tested: 5 Must-Shop Skincare Products for Beauty Lovers
With so many new beauty products launching every month, it can be straight-up overwhelming trying to figure out what’s worth the splurge, and what’s better left as a distant memory from your Instagram feed. Fortunately for you, dear reader, I’m always willing to put my body on the line to test out the newest beauty products on the market, so you don’t have to. So, what’s good this month? Here are my picks for 5 of the best skincare products available in South Africa to get you through the month… Because I support your decision to treat yourself to yet another serum you probably don’t need, but deserve.
Eau Thermale Avène DermAbsolu Recontouring Mask
This anti-ageing, pampering treatment revives radiance while working to restore, tone, and hydrate the skin in just 10 minutes. After every use of this quick-acting mask, my skin had a beautiful glow and felt replenished and intensely hydrated. The mask has a gel-cream texture and is ideal to use in the morning for a pick-me-up or even while you sleep. With two active ingredients, Bakuchiol and Glycoleol, the mask can be used up to three times per week to help tone the skin, fight skin dryness, and strengthen the skin’s barrier function. These active ingredients are combined with Pro-vitamin C and Niacinamide to help even out the complexion and instantly restore radiance. Like all Avène products, the mask is also enriched with Avène Thermal Spring Water, which is naturally soothing and softening.
Eau Thermale Avène DermAbsolu Recontouring Mask: R595/75ml.
Forteve Soothing Lotion
A phenomenal find for anyone who struggles with eczema or psoriasis. I’ve been using the Forteve Soothing Lotion for my psoriasis and it’s proved to be a winner of note. The light-weight, non-greasy daily moisturiser soothes irritation in a flash without feeling heavy on my skin. The product features a pseudo-ceramide that mimics a healthy epidermal bi-layer offering immediate relief for those suffering with an impaired barrier skin condition. Rather than creating yet another dry skin product that adds lipids to the surface of the skin, this new innovation from Lamelle Pharmaceuticals works to replenish the outermost layers of your epidermis and ensure the lipids contained within the product align exactly as your natural lipids do to create the right environment for a healthy, hydrated skin that can hold onto its newfound moisture.
Forteve Soothing Lotion: R210/125ml
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retional Serum
Love Retinol? This new-comer from Dermalogica offers skincare fans a high-dose, fast-acting 3.5% retinoid complex with an advanced retinoid blend. The wonder serum helps to reverse the appearance of wrinkles, retexturise the skin and minimise the appearance of pores while evening skin tone. The product contains Granactive Retinoid, Retinol, time-released encapsulated Retinol, as well as a Retinol Booster, that Dermalogica says helps the serum work faster. Plus, concentrated Squalane and soothing, oat-derived Beta-Glucan work together to help support skin’s recovery and improve resilience. After three weeks of using the product religiously (every third night for me), the results were clear. I could see a visible improvement in the texture of my skin and my skin looked and felt healthier, softer, and more hydrated. I also made sure to pair with the Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 during the day to protect my skin from sun damage.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum R2,199/30 ml.
ACleo Spot Control
If you need an easy-to-use topical spot treatment to treat the odd hormonal breakout then you’ll want to give this newbie a try. The targeted spot treatment gel forms part of the new ACleo range of products by Lamelle Pharmaceuticals, specifically formulated for people with acne-prone skin. ACleo Spot Control contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial actives, plus pore-exfoliating salicylic acid for clearer skin in a jiffy. It can be applied directly to spots multiple times a day and, because it’s a lightweight clear gel, nobody has to know you’re wearing it. Love that!
ACleo Spot Kit containing ACleo Oral Supplement and a Spot Control: R249
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift & Firm Night Cream
I first tried this powerhouse anti-ageing cream when I received it as a sample in the now legendary EA Sparrow Society gift-with-purchase set. It came packaged with a beautiful collection of travel sized Elizabeth Arden skincare products, but the ultra-rich and silky night cream quickly stole the show for me. I’ve since purchased a full-size version and my love affair with this product continues. They say prevention is better than cure, so at the ripe age of 37 I’m all for any product that can offer me visibly firmer skin with more defined facial contours. The night cream is packed with Ceramides, Tetrapeptides and Edelweiss Extract to firm and tighten the skin whilst also offering intense hydration. Which is a dream come true for my dry skin.
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift & Firm Night Cream R795/15ml.
Pssst! Receive a FREE 7-piece gift set when you purchase 2 or more Elizabeth Arden products (1 to be a moisturiser or serum) so you can sample this product (and more!) before buying. The gift-with-purchase sets are available while stocks last.
