Aroma White Brightening Cleansing Foam, £21.50, by Decleor, www.decleor.co.uk
Gone are the days when a cleanser just removed make up and daily grime. This one is super intelligent with a patented ‘White Bright Complex’. This contains white mulberry and skullcap root juice that work by inhibiting the enzyme that causes melanin production. Which ultimately means it helps to even out skin tone and prevent further pigmentation marks. A dispenser pump would have been handy as it’s a little hard to squeeze from the tube, but that’s only because the formula is very concentrated so only a tiny amount is needed. It smells incredibly fresh and when mixed with water lathers into a rich foam, leaving the skin squeaky clean but not dry and uncomfortable. Extracts of exfoliating papaya and grape juice and soothing kiwi oils help to clear the complexion and after a week of AM and PM usage the skin is noticeably smoother and refreshed.
Brighter by Nature Skin Tone Correcting Serum, £30, by Origins, www.origins.co.uk
Serums should not be viewed as an indulgent beauty treat, but rather an essential part of the skincare regime. They contain smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the skin, creating more intensive results. This one by Origins is perfect for balancing and revitalising the skin. It is a plant-based serum containing a blend of essential oils of olive fruit, lime, lemongrass and lavender, so smells luxuriously spa like. Its vitamin C extract is derived from the unglamorous potato, which helps to break down skin discolouration a major cause of dullness and salicylic acid that gently loosens dead surface skin cells to reveal brighter skin. Cucumber extract prevents further skin freckling, while Japanese basil leaf acts as an anti-irritant. One or two pumps twice a day is all that is needed for skin that is silky to the touch and looks radiant.
Clear White Brightening & Hydrating Cream, £51, by Darphin, www.darphin.co.uk
Moisturising should follow the application of a serum and this gel-cream contributes to a clearer and smoother complexion. The formula is curiously light but feels rich and soothing when applied to the face and within minutes the skin’s texture is soft and stroke-able. The fragrance is reminiscent of the creams found on your grandmas dresser, in a pleasant “I want to rub some of that on my hand’ kind of way. To help brighten and even out the skin tone extracts of liquorice, vitamin C and rice are present, while cholesterol and sugar extract help to hydrate and strengthen the skin, along with repairing damage to avert future harmful irritation. When used over a small period of time skin feels plumper and smoother, like 4 litres of water have been religiously consumed on a daily basis.
Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare Brush, £34, Yves Saint Laurent, available nationwide
Used by revered make up artists such as Val Garland, this product deserves cult status. To be used after your skincare regime, but before putting on make up, the creamy formula is dispensed through a soft angled brush, making the application thorough and fast. A slight touch up with the fingers is needed to ensure it has completely blended into the skin. Your complexion is instantly velvety, feels fresh, smooth and glows. It contains caffeine to stimulate, which is enhanced through the massaging effect of the applicator brush, sweet orange extract to regulate the skin’s pigmentation and wheat proteins to mattify the skin while soothing and protecting it. The glow is created through pearly and pink micro-pigments that catch and diffuse light to conceal minor skin imperfections. When you’re having a good skin day you won’t need to use a foundation after applying this, maybe just a little powder. It really is that good.
Miracle Mask, £38, by Nude, www.nudeskincare.com
Nude was developed by Bryan Meehan, the man behind food markets Fresh & Wild and Ali Hewson, Bono’s wife, after they were unable to find a skincare range that delivered effective results without containing all the beauty nasties such as parabens, sulphates and silicones. This mask is one of the ‘hero’ products from the range, beloved by celebrities including supermodel Helena Christensen. To be used once a week or when your skin is especially lacklustre the thin gel formula tingles when applied and is super speedy. No need to wait for it to set, five minutes and it can be rinsed off with tepid water (not hot water though after all that tingling). The mask contains milk AHAs and extract of mandarin to shift the dead cells from the skin’s surface and red ginseng to boost cell regeneration, resulting in a lustrous complexion. |
