In partnership with SA’s top medical aesthetic companies
The boom in facial oils to cleanse, moisturise and treat your skin means that many people have swapped their regular treatments for a facial oil.
Not all aesthetic doctors and dermatologists would recommend oils, however, and it is important to check if it is, in fact, correct for your skin type, especially if you have oily skin. Although refinement techniques now give us much finer oils that are able to penetrate the skin, some oils – like mineral oils or certain synthetic oils – can become solid at room temperature and cause breakouts, and it’s important to know the quality of the oil being used, especially if mineral or synthetic, as some may aggravate breakouts, skin sensitivity or be comedogenic (block pores).
A good quality facial oil, will certainly help to prevent moisture loss from the skin, and can be helpful to apply on top of your actives if you suffer with severe skin dehydration. It is, however, vital to ensure that your facial oil is light enough for you to be able to apply a good facial SPF on top. Generally, if your facial oil doesn’t allow for this, then it is not a good idea to use that facial oil during the day. Rather use it at night and wash it off in the morning.
Skin Renewal believes that it is better to use active serums that contain the ingredient specific to targeting your skin concern. Your facial serum is a specialist treatment that enhances your skin regimen, and is generally applied before your moisturising treatment.
While many facial serums contain beneficial oils from plants, etc., these are pure and refined, and a serum is usually a light emulsion, gel or fluid that doesn’t block pores. Serums are also packed with concentrated active ingredients that penetrate into the deeper levels of the skin. Most are designed for a specific function, such as targeting lines, pigmentation, firming, exfoliating, brightening, dehydration, etc.
Serums that are designed to protect and repair the skin barrier usually contain therapeutic oils which form a natural barrier to shield and nourish the skin. These are applied after the moisturiser as a defense against the elements.
Our facial serum picks
Lamelle Dermaheal Ageing Reversal Neck Serum contains growth factors, peptides and Lamelle’s patented Ceramide-P lipid, which is 100% compatible with your skin cells, so your body recognises it as a natural part of itself, ensuring that your skin barrier is perfectly repaired.
Lamelle Hydrating HA Serum Plus contains intensely skin-hydrating hyaluronic acid (HA), which holds 1000 times its own weight in water, but which has been processed into HAFi fragments, dividing them into a series of molecules that are the exact size to be absorbed by all parts of the skin, for the most intensive moisturising effect.
SkinCeuticals has four different oil-free serums, all of which contain HA, customised for different skin needs:
Hydrating serum with anti-aging properties:
For skin showing signs of sagging, early ageing and as maintenance care for people using filler / neurotoxin injections: NEW SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier, which counters the decline of HA by stimulating its production and preventing breakdown, as well as supporting the skin’s supportive matrix. It promises Immediate and long term hydration, increase in skin HA levels, plumped and hydrated skin and a reduction in wrinkles/fine lines.
Hydrating serum for sensitive skin:
Optimal for sensitive skin to help comfort skin. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel is a light yet hydrating oil-free serum that contains HA and botanical extracts (cucumber, thyme and olive) for optimum skin comfort, as well as purifying and freshening eucalyptus leaf.
Hydrating serum for radiance:
Formulated to simultaneously exfoliate skin and replenish moisture for a smooth, radiant complexion:
SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator, with kombucha (probiotic-rich fermented-tea culture) and HA, is highly effective in enhancing natural cell turnover, stimulating enzymes that encourage dead skin cells to slough off evenly for a skin-resurfacing effect, while optimising the skin’s amino acid supply to reinforce the external barrier.
Hydrating serum for all skin types:
Moisture-enhancing serum enriched with vitamin B5, suitable for all skin types and leaves skin feeling supple and smooth: SkinCeuticals B5 Hydrating Gel contains vitamin B5 to help with tissue repair and replenish nutrients, as well as HA. It maximises the benefits of your daily moisturiser.
Serum and moisturiser tips:
Once you’ve defined your skin type and identified your specific skin conditions, it becomes easier to select your most suitable skin care regimen. A visit to your skin care professional for a consultation is recommended, and if you’re a bit nervous of purchasing a serum or moisturiser, ask for a a complementary sample to try before you commit.
If you feel like a serum alone is not comforting or nourishing enough for your skin, layer a moisturising cream on top.
To help identify your skin type and the moisturiser suitable to yours, visit Skin Renewal at www.skinrenewal.co.za
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