NEW & NOTEWORTHY SKINCARE #8

 

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I've got some new skincare products for you; high-end and more affordable. I've been testing them out for the past few weeks and it's time to return my verdict...

First up, we have the Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops* | £39. I'm always up for trying a new mineral sunscreen formula. They're tricky to get right, but I'm noticing consistent improvements over the year in this type of sunscreen. Just to back up a little, there are two types of sunscreen filters; mineral and chemical. The most cosmetically-elegant and transparent formulas tend to be chemical-based, however some of the most established and reliable chemical filters can irritate sensitive eyes and skin. I find that there are pretty good, non-irritating chemical sunscreens on the market here in Europe, which is why mineral formulas are less popular, but mineral can still be helpful for irritated or acne-prone skin since the filters are anti-inflammatory. This product is formulated at an SPF 50+ and offers broad-spectrum protection and 60 minutes of water-resistance. It's made with non-nano zinc oxide and its slightly tinted, which provides visible light protection. I really like the texture and feel of this sunscreen; it doesn't pill up, it's lightweight and melts easily onto the skin with no chalkiness. It feels hydrating, it's radiant but not greasy and also contains ectoin, which is a new-ish ingredient on the block that I'm very excited about in terms of promoting skin repair. Honestly, my only negative here is that it does leave a bit of a cast on my skin! It's far from the worst, it's not that visible but it's there. I will continue to use and wear this under makeup, and it could work for you if you have lighter skin than me, but I wouldn't buy this again at £39 or recommend it to anyone with a deeper skin tone than myself. 

Next, we have a very interesting (and affordable) launch in the Byoma Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum* | £14.99. Byoma is a drugstore brand available in Boots stores across the country, and they're all about the skin barrier so every product is formulated with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids to keep the skin healthy and moisturised. This is something a little different and more interesting for the brand and I love seeing them branch out beyond the everyday basics. This serum is water-based and combines peptides, phyto-mucin and panthenol. Phyto-mucin is a plant-based alternative to snail mucin, which is a K-beauty favourite for its humectant (water-attracting) properties and potential antimicrobial and skin barrier benefits. This means it's vegan and potential concerns around animal welfare aren't an issue, but you can get a similar result. It also has that same mucin-like texture! Peptides are short-chain amino acids that help to hydrate and heal the skin and may also assist with boosting collagen production (which is what keeps our skin full and bouncy as we age). Panthenol is a great ingredient for helping the skin to better retain hydration. All in all, it's seriously hydrating and calming for my skin. It takes a lot for me to think a hydrating serum is 'worth it' but this leaves my skin plump, hydrated and dewy. I'm a little bit obsessed! And for £15, you really can't go wrong...

Moving on, I've also been testing out the newly-relaunched Alpha-H Liquid Gold + Vitamin C* | £50.99. The original formula is still available, though it comes in this packaging, but this is me trying the Vitamin C version for the first time. And I have to be honest; it's not cheap, but it's pretty good! This is a chemical exfoliant featuring 5% glycolic acid, for the uninitiated. I've not always been the biggest fan of glycolic, though there are some great products out there featuring it (including this); it's just not what I tend to choose for myself. It's an AHA form of exfoliant, with quite a small molecular size and it has great brightening and resurfacing power, but it can be a touch irritating for a lot of people (5% is the upper end of what you're going to see in a leave-on product like this). I have always gotten along with the Alpha-H formulations that include glycolic and this was no exception; whilst there's a mild initial tingle after applying this to my skin, it dissipates quickly and there's no irritation. This product is also formulated with ethylated ascorbic acid; a stable Vitamin C derivative to boost skin glow and provide antioxidant protection from free radicals in our environment. Combining it with the glycolic acid can not only boost the brightening potential of this toning step, but it also helps the Vitamin C to penetrate the skin. This toner isn't irritating and left me with soft, smooth, glowing skin. Do you have to spend £50 on a glycolic acid toner? Of course not, though I have found that this product and a Murad serum I reviewed recently are gentler on my skin. If you're on a budget; I'd say you're safer with lactic acid, which can be very low-cost and is much less likely to irritate the skin.

Finally, let's talk about the Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Recovery Cream* | £92. This is another more expensive product, but at least this can knock out several other products from your routine (of course, it's still not going to be for everyone, even in that context). This moisturiser is formulated with niacinamide, retinol, lactic acid, peptides, Vitamin E and a Vitamin C derivative, as the main actives. I won't lie; I'm a little confused that this product is suggested for AM and PM use because there's retinol in here, which is typically not photostable. Possibly this is a special retinol that's formulated for daytime use (there are a couple on the market) but there's no mention on this on the website. Personally, I use this in the evening only, as a one-step moisturiser and treatment all in one. Retinol is going to increase collagen production, smooth fine lines and reduce photoageing. Niacinamide can help boost skin barrier function (by increasing ceramide production), prevent discolouration and regulate oil production in the skin. Lactic acid is a mild exfoliant, it has hydrating properties and can increase the penetration of the other ingredients in this formula. Of course, Vitamin C is your antioxidant, further bolstered by the inclusion of Vitamin E. Then we have the peptides for hydration and some potential collagen-boosting benefits. In terms of the base of this moisturiser; I really like it. It's a kind of creamy lotion; rich but not heavy. It's not smothering or greasy but it's substantial enough for my skin. It's pretty simple with plant oils, jojoba esters, glycerin, squalane and ceramides. The only potential negative is the fragrance in here, which will put sensitive skin types off (especially when combined with some of these heavy-hitting actives). Overall, I found this to be a gentle but effective all-in-one; it seriously improved my skin quality with no addition serums or actives as part of my evening routine. It leaves my skin soft, smooth, clear and plump. If this is within your budget and my description sounds good to you; give this moisturiser a go!

Have you tried any of these products or brands?

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