ON MY DESK this week: the latest in skincare with a focus on anti-ageing.
Undoubtedly delaying the appearance of ageing is the big earner for most brands as it’s such a huge concern in the market. At the beauty events I attend, I hear different reports on what the greatest anti-ageing concern is; whether it’s lines and wrinkles or sagging skin i.e. the effects of gravity. Nevertheless, having unlined, taut smooth skin is the fountain of youth and holy grail for everyone.
What are the top anti-ageing treatments right now?
The main players are Retinol, peptides, and topical anti-oxidants such as CoQ10 and vitamins C and E in the fight against time. There are also injectables, laser skin resurfacing, and supplements, but in this feature we take a look at some of the newest topically-applied treatments.
New releases in anti-ageing skincare
This week we feature new releases from Antipodes, Sodashi, Clinique, Dermalogica, Nutrimetics, human+kind, Benefit, and Elizabeth Arden. I styled this skincare shoot with white stock flowers, parsley that I grew, and glasses from De Longhi. Hope you enjoy it.
Sodashi Samadara
Sodashi skincare from Australia has released their most powerful anti-ageing treatment range, called Samadara. I have used this Ultimate Age-Defying Elixir and can verify firsthand that it is like being kissed by the god of beauty with lips covered in nectar. It’s that good.
How it works: Described as their most skin-transforming treatment ever, Samadara brings together natural botanical ingredients known for their anti-ageing properties, along with two rose quartz crystals per bottle, to boost the skin’s natural renewal cycle to lessen lines and pigmentation. Active ingredients include white tea, gotu kola, rosehip, arnica, jasmine, camellia, damask rose, sandalwood, and neroli. It is free of all synthetics and parabens and animal testing. Along with the Sodashi philosophy, this feels good to use, and lifted my spirits when I applied it.
Where to buy: online at www.sodashi.com and selected Sodashi stockists for $274.
Radiant Skincare by Benefit
World famous for their makeup and pin-up girl cute ad campaigns and visual branding, Benefit of San Fransisco has taken a new foray into skincare with the release of Radiant Skincare by Benefit, (sold as b.right! Radiant Skincare in the States), and launches in New Zealand on 1st September. It’s no coincidence in my mind that 1st September is also the first day of Spring in this part of the world, as this is a very Spring-like range. It smells like freshness and cucumber and being young, and has a lightness of touch about it.
My pick: The hero product to me personally is the Ultra Radiance Facial Re-Hydrating Mist. It’s designed for all skin types and is basically a toner that you can mist over your face. Unlike traditional toners, it doesn’t feel astringent and tightening. Instead it is very calming and gentle on the skin, and I have sensitive skin. You spritz it on during the day to hydrate and moisturise. Benefit worked with LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) Labs to formulate the tri-radiance complex in the range. The lightest moisturiser in the range is the Facial Emulsion. The richest moisturiser in the range is the Total Moisture Facial Cream. I also loved the Instant Comeback Facial Serum ($86) which is a clear gel-like serum which I patted on my skin in the afternoon to refresh skin.
Where to buy: At Benefit counters at Smith & Caughey’s stores and online at www.smithandcaugheys.co.nz from 1st September.
Dermalogica Age Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery
Dermalogica Age Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery has been reformulated now with a sun protection of SPF50 as well as Liquorice extract, a skin calming agent, to ease any potential irritation from chemical sunscreens.
How it works: It protects skin from free radicals with antioxidant white tea polyphenols and contains Hyaluronic Acid for hydration.
Where to buy: It was $157 and all Dermalogica prices have recently dropped nationwide, so it is now $114 at Dermalogica counters, department stores, and online at www.dermalogica.co.nz
Nutrimetics Ultra Care Platinum
Nutrimetics has really stepped up its game with this new skincare product. First impression: the packaging looks really nice; and expensive looking, in a silver airless style canister pump bottle in a silver box with sleek red and grey graphic design. This is visually appealing, and a big improvement on the Nutrimetics of old. Well played, Nutrimetics. So, what’s the Ultra Care Platinum Tight Firm & Fill Face Serum all about?
How it works: This is a peptide anti-ageing serum with a patent-pending Tri-Peptide Complex combined with active botanical ingredients including Resveratrol to target wrinkles and Wakame Extract. Apply morning and night to cleansed skin avoiding the eye area. All Nutrimetics products are against animal-testing and all cruelty-free.
Where to buy: See www.nutrimetics.co.nz to buy online at $99 for 30ml.
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules
The much-loved and oft-lauded Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules are now available in a new smaller limited edition size with 30 capsules retailing for $69.
How it works: This product is for the Elizabeth Arden house in skincare as its Red Door is for perfume; its customers just keep coming back for it time after time. The discovery of Ceramides was ground-breaking for Elizabeth Arden in the 1990s as the essential lipids Ceramides basically are the glue that hold skin cells together. Now, new research on Ceramides uses CLX complex to combine Ceramides with other essential lipids and phytosphingosines (found in the skin’s barrier layer.) Ceramide capsules also include double Retinyl technology. As I was stating above in the introduction, Retinyls are hot property due to their ability proven time and again in anti-ageing. These capsules include both retinyl palmitate and patented retinyl linoleate to smooth wrinkles and help enhance collagen production.
Where to buy: At Elizabeth Arden counters now for $69 for 30 capsules.
Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis
There are so many Antipodes skincare products I love, so this is a completely great idea for you all to try them for yourself at a cheap price – under twenty bucks for both in cute wee bottles: Limited Edition Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis. They are tiny bottles of best-selling products Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (15ml) and Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum (10ml)
How it works: The Vinanza grape is a highly potent antioxidant (from Marlborough sauvignon blanc grape seeds) that helps neutralise free radical damage which leads to premature ageing. They are suitable for most skin types and are cruelty-free and made in New Zealand.
Where to buy: $19.90 for the pack of both minis from www.antipodesnature.com and Antipodes stockists nationwide.
Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum
I often wake up and don’t know what to wear. This serum however, is far smarter than me. It knows everything that’s going on.
How it works: The idea behind Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum is that it reads skin’s distress signals, and actually customises its response by sending out only the appropriate ingredients (from 37 patents in its formula) to deliver targeted repair. Specifically, it targets lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and skin dullness using antioxidants and powerful peptides. After a 12 week study results showed visible improvement in treating skin tone, dark spots, dullness, lines and wrinkles and firming.
Where to buy: Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum is $120 for 30ml and $168 for 50ml from all Clinique counters available from 1st July.
Human+kind Day+Night Cream
Human+kind is a skincare brand founded in Ireland that is now available in New Zealand, at Farmers stores. It has a focus on multi-use products that simplify, rather than complicate, your life and that is embodied perfectly in this day and night cream in one which saves on money and storage space.
How it works: Day + Night Cream lies somewhere between the lightness of a day cream and the richness of a night cream. Because it doesn’t have a SPF, you’ll still need to apply a sunscreen by day. It uses active botanicals inlcuding avocado oil, Asiatica and marshmellow extract and is free from parabens, perfumes, additives and harsh chemicals and has no animal testing.
Where to buy: Currently sold at Farmers St Lukes and Albany stores retailing for $38.80.
Megan Robinson
31st July 2014
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