Face up to it
Skin creams are there for a reason
Luxe lustre
Caviar, pearls, bee venom, exotic plant species … the list of ingredients promoted as anti-ageing superstars is long and sometimes perplexing. But the use of precious materials in skin care has been around since Cleopatra bathed in milk. When it comes to pearls, it’s easy to see why they, in particular, are popular. Just take a look at the raw material itself. Smooth, radiant, luminous skin anyone? And there’s quite a lot of evidence to suggest the use of pearl particles is more than fairy dust. Pearls are largely made up of calcium as well as magnesium and amino acids – all good for the skin. Tatcha’s The Pearl ($ 79 at Mecca) is an eye-illuminating treatment designed to light up a dimming epidermal wattage, disguising dark circles and providing lasting hydrating to the under-eye area. It contains pearl pigments and extract as well as niacinamide and other hydrators. Why buy? A tinted treatment that brightens eyes, hydrates and improves the look of wrinkles and dark circles.
A for effort
When it comes to skincare, the consumer will always determine what works and what doesn’t. People don’t usually continue to buy pricey face creams unless they notice a difference. But some ingredients do consistently rate well. These include: vitamins C, D and E; tea extracts: soy isoflavones; growth factors (naturally occurring hormones found in plants said to improve sun damage); copper; coenzyme Q-10; the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid; hydroxy acids; and vitamin A or, more specifically, the vitamin A derivative, retinol. Retinol, especially, is considered to be highly effective and is a key ingredient, including in eye creams. Try Neutrogena’s Rapid Repair range which has been expanded to include a new Regenerating Cream ($ 49) that contains 25 per cent more stabilised retinol.
Why buy? Stabilised retinol means kinder retinol, and far less chance of the irritating side-effects sometimes felt by those with sensitive skin.
Mineral made
Jane Iredale, the eponymous skincare and cosmetic brand developed more than two decades ago by the former casting director and production company head, is free of chemical dyes, preservatives, fillers (such as talc) and perfumes, which makes it perfect for those with extremely sensitive skin or who’ve just had cosmetic surgery. Iredale claims her previous connection to the entertainment industry allowed her to understand how skin disorders and sensitivities cannot only threaten careers but also destroy self-confidence. Her products, therefore, provide enough coverage to help minimise the appearance of skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. If you aren’t familiar with it, start with one of the best-sellers: the Jane Iredale Amazing Base Foudation ($ 62) is well worth checking out. Why buy? Comes in a good range of colours, contains sun protection and doubles as a concealer.