Tuesday 17 December 2013

Review: Dermalogica products


Developed by the International Dermal Institute (IDI) based in the US, Dermalogica is an established brand that has been in the market since 1986. I've been a fan of the brand for almost 7 years now, and what I really love about their products is that they are free of chemical irritants such as alcohol, mineral oils, fragrance and colourings. Many shelf brands claim to be free of these chemicals, but may rely on marketing loopholes to justify these claims and hence may not be true. Their packaging is fuss-free and extremely simple, as their objective is to win over consumers with their effective products and not attractive marketing ploys - this resonates with their "We're not pretty tagline".

Internationally, Dermalogica has won awards and gained recognition through various platforms such as InStyle, Harper's Bazaar and even Vogue. Personally, even though these products are quite pricey, my skin is really sensitive, so I really appreciate how these products have helped to stabilize its condition. And I love how the brand launched a Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship (FITE) initiative which helps fund micro-loans to women entrepreneurs in developing countries. With each product purchased, you get a short code to input into the website and help contribute to the campaign! Talk about female empowerment in the entrepreneurship sector ♥ 

1. Daily microfoliant


This has been hailed to be the holy grail of Dermalogica products by many, which helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells from your face. Suitable for all skin conditions, it is made from a rice-based powder formula which activates enzymes when in contact with water to help achieve a smooth finish; while the ingredient blend of green tea, ginkgo and colloidal oatmeal helps to calm the skin. It's extremely gentle and doesn't give you a raw harsh finish after washing it off - I love it! It's suitable for daily use, but I advise using it just 2-3 times a week for the best results (I use it lesser now because I just got myself a Clarisonic mia, which I'm extremely excited to share about!). Over time, this exfoliant helps to even out the skin tone and reveal the newer skin below. But while the smooth finish is additive, don't overuse it because it can be damaging to your skin.

The therapist also advised on the proper way of using the product: using a half teaspoon of the microfoliant and some drops of water, create a creamy paste in your palm and massage it gently over your face. Leave it on for about 1 minute as a mini mask and let the enzymes work its magic and gently remove it thereafter. This is especially perfect for days when your skin feels dry from the air conditioning yet sensitive from the sun, but you would like to get rid of the dull tone.

Another tip for storing this product is that if you plan to keep it in your bathroom, store it in a drawer or cupboard because the the shower steam may cause the microbeads to clump together. Especially in the humid climate of Singapore, storing it in a dry place is advisable!

Rating:
❀❀❀



2. Sebum clearing masque


This clay-based masque helps to absorb excess face oil and prevent further breakouts through detoxification, but the difference between this and the other masques is the presence of salicylic acid which helps to exfoliate. The botanical ingredients in the masque helps to refine and purify, and I love the refreshing sensation after washing it off. While I don't really fancy the slight tingling sensation when the masque is on, it doesn't really irritate my skin so after the tingling goes away, it's quite a pampering treat :) The oil control is extremely effective for up to a day.

Just like any other masque, a thin smooth layer is to be applied to the towel-dried face (don't put it near the eye area because it can be quite drying for these areas) and leave it on for about 10 minutes or so, this can be repeated 2-3 times a week depending on necessity. You can even dab it on for overnight spot treatment.

Rating:
❀❀❀



It's my first time doing a beauty review, so I hope this helps to spread some invaluable advice for these products ♥ You can get Dermalogica products from Aster Spring stores in Singapore (formerly known as Leonard drake skincare) or from online stores such as Strawberrynet or Alyalley which sells them at discounted prices. Ciao!

P.S. Ratings are out of a score of 5

No comments :

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...