Spring Skin Starts Here
Whether your skin is in need of moisture, renewal (or even both), these products will uncover the skin you’ve always wanted.
Winter takes its toll on everyone’s skin. Endless heating, icy outdoor air, lack of Vitamin D and battling colds and flu can all leave it feeling and looking dry and dull. Enter stage left the selection of skin cocooning heroes below. Each envelop skin and protect it whilst helping to reveal a perkier, healthier looking visage just in time for spring.
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The Dry Skin Quencher: Tatcha Dewy Skin Night Concentrate
Part serum, part cream, this gel-like overnight formula delivers a big hit of hydration thanks to Okinawa red algae – a special type of Japanese algae that’s been found to be very similar to our own collagen. As a result it helps to repair the skin’s barrier function and increase water retention. Tatcha have also added royal jelly extract to up cell renewal and botanicals like ginseng and jujube to soothe away any inflammation. Like having a facial while you sleep.
The Radiance Enhancer: SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight
On counter next month and arguably one of the biggest skincare launches of the year, SkinCeuticals quizzed their army of loyal dermatologists to find out what product they most needed. The answer? A brightening formula that won’t cause irritation. To do this, they’ve mixed Glycolic Acid, which has the benefit of being small enough to penetrate the skin but historically has caused sensitivity, with 2% phytic acid in an inverse emulsion (which gives it the optimum level of “usable” glycolic acid whilst encapsulating it in water so as not to cause irritation). The result is an enticing alternative to Retinol, minus the pesky side-affects like redness and peeling but with all the dewy-skin boosting impact.
The Dull Skin Banisher: Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum
As the facialist most of Hollywood turns to, Vargas knows a thing or two about boosting glow. This Vitamin C packed serum contains Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, which unlike the more widely used L-ascorbic acid, doesn’t oxidise as quickly or cause irritation. “This is my red-carpet cornerstone for glowing skin,” explains Vargas. “It soaks right into clean skin or can be applied under serum.” We love it for its ability to even out skin tone and leave skin feeling smoother and stronger.
The Pollutant Protector: Bioeffect EGF + 2A Daily Treatment
“There are two ways to fight the aging impact of pollution,” explains Dr. Bjorn Ovar, Founder of Bioeffect. “Thicken the skin and use antioxidants – but you have to ensure they’re the right ones.” Bioeffect’s new duo is a two-step process. The first is a suped-up, more powerful version of their cult daily serum, which helps to increase skin density, reduces the appearance of sun damage, fine lines and increases hydration. The second is the reassuringly named Energizing Urban Pollution Fighter, which contains Ferulic and Azelaic acids to decrease inflammation and protect the skin from free-radical damage. Together they form one of the most scientifically compelling ways to fight the premature ageing that living in a smog-filled city can cause.
The Fine-Line Fighter: Chantecaille Bio Lifting Mask
This mask can be used in two ways: as a quick, pre-event fix that you leave on for 10-15 minutes or as an intensive overnight treatment. Both see fine lines targeted thanks to powerful peptides and skin-tightening extracts like Pullulan and collagen-boosting Imperata Cylindrica. To really get the best from it, massage into skin using upward strokes and for the brave this winter store in the fridge for added skin tightening.
photography by Pete Bellis
A native Londoner, Amy discovered her love for health & beauty while working at Harper’s Bazaar in New York before returning home to work for Conde Nast, Shortlist Media and Net-a-Porter. Eight years later, the mission remains the same: to discover the products and treatments that really work.
