EVERCALM BY REN | YOUR SKIN SAVIOURS FOR THIS WINTER

 

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REN is one of those skincare brands that consistently, quietly delivers for my skin, and today I wanted to shine a light on their Evercalm range. This is the perfect line for dry and / or fussy skin as the weather starts to turn colder. Let's dive into the products...

Let's start with the cleansers. The first is what I'd recommend for oily-sensitive skin or as a second cleanse in the evening after removing makeup. The Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel* | £25 | isn't my first choice (as someone who prefers creamy cleansers) but it's actually pretty great for the category it falls within. This is a kind of milky-gel that does lather up a little but isn't too foaming. It's formulated with ingredients that leave my skin happy and clean but not stripped of moisture, such as glycerin (a magnet for hydration),  oat amino acids to improve skin health, gentle surfactants to provide that cleansing action and fermented ingredients to help strengthen the skin barrier (which is what keeps our skin healthy and balanced). 

However, my personal preference is for the Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk* | £25. This is a creamy, milky-lotion that to me has that perfect not-too-heavy, not-too-watery balance. It can be used either as a morning cleanse for dry skin, or as a first (or even one-step) cleanser in an evening routine. The ingredients and texture mean that this can actually lift up sunscreen and light makeup when used on dry skin and everything can be removed with a damp cloth. This cleanser is formulated with plenty of moisturising plant oils (some of which have antioxidant benefits, meaning you get some added protection against free radical damage from your environment), nourishing shea butter and soothing extracts like chamomile and calendula. It's completely non-stripping and perfect as an effective cleanser for skin that needs to retain as much moisture as possible.

Another highlight from the range for me is the Evercalm Redness Relief Serum* | £48. This is more of a milky emulsion serum than the more water-based formula most people associate with this step, which is a sign of how moisturising this is! The serum is formulated with ingredients to boost hydration and help with moisture retention such as beta-carotene, mushroom extract and biosaccharides. Vitamin E is a great oil-soluble antioxidant, moisturising plant oils and hyaluronic acid to draw hydration into the skin. Plus, we have soothing extracts like rosemary. It's just a great all-rounder; you get hydration, you get the softer skin, you get a bit of antioxidant goodness and you get calming benefits for the skin. When I'm not sure what my skin wants: this always seems to work!

We also have a moisturiser: the Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream* | £40. This is a really nice moisturiser that will suit most skin types, I guess it just didn't knock my socks off compared to other moisturisers in my routine. It has a creamy-lotion texture that's not rich but is decently substantial. It works under makeup and sunscreen and it leaves my skin feeling replenish without it feeling heavy with product. It melts right into the skin but contains really nice ingredients like omega fatty rich blackcurrant seed oil, nourishing camellia oil, Vitamin E, sea buckthorn oil (another great antioxidant), nourishing shea butter and soothing bisabolol. It's really nice, but personally I prefer using the serum + a moisturiser I'm a little more passionate about.

Next, let's talk about the Evercalm Barrier Support Elixir* | £45. This is a lightweight facial oil that's perfect for people who want that extra layer in the winter without an overly 'oily' feel. It's formulated with nourishing, soothing oils such as camellia seed and meadowfoam seed, plus Vitamin E and bisabolol to protect and calm the skin. I personally like to use this as the final step in my evening routine to lock everything in and provide an extra layer of nourishment, plus that soft skin feel when I wake up in the morning. However, this is actually a perfect option for those who want to wear a couple of drops of a facial oil during the day underneath moisturiser because it is so light and will add that extra nourishment that dry winter skin needs. It’s not an all-time favourite facial oil but it’s simple and it’s great for those looking for a lighter feel.

The product that started my love affair with this range is the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm* | £46. This is a small tub but a little goes a long way; it’s a kind of balm-to-oil that I spot-apply to my skin (wherever it’s needed or to areas where I know I’m prone to dryness) before bed as the final step in my routine after my serum and moisturiser. This balm is rich in replenishing fatty ingredients like jojoba, linseed and almond oils. It’s also formulated with Beta-glucan; a popular ingredient in Korean skincare that hydrates and soothes the skin. There’s also Vitamin E in here and beeswax to occlude the skin and lock in hydration so the water loss that occurs in the skin overnight is restricted. Overall, this is a winter skin hero for me; it protects my skin from harsh temperatures, it nourishes and it helps to calm and hydrate. What more could you want?

Finally, we have the new Evercalm Barrier Support Body Balm* | £35 | which is a large version of the classic balm formulated for the body. This balm is less cosmetically-elegant than the facial version, as you might expect, but can be used similarly; personally I apply this to my knees and elbows where things can get drier and a little ashy. I also find this helpful to apply to my KP (Keratosis Pilaris - those dry, itchy red bumps often found on the arms and legs) to calm it down when my skin is really parched. The body version is formulated with omega fatty acids and ceramides, which form part of your skin’s lipid barrier; application both tops up your supply by giving you more but also encourages your skin to produce more of its own ceramides. Pus there are nourishing jojoba esters and plant oils. If you don’t have very dry skin or some form of dry skin condition,; it’s probably not going to be worth it for you, but if you’re like me and (articulately in the colder months) it’s a big issue you’re battling against, then this is something I recommend adding to your arsenal. 

Honestly, the only potential drawback of this range is that it does contain botanicals that some might find irritating, though honestly: I've used these products when my skin barrier has not been at all happy and had no issues. My top picks have to be the cleansing milk, serum and facial overnight balm.

Have you tried the Evercalm range or anything else from REN?

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