i've been on the hunt for the answer to my crazy, dry, sensitive and irritated skin. it seems that my current moisturizer just wasn't cutting it (boohoo!) and i'm not sure if it's because of my hormones (it appears to be), the weather (highly likely) or a combination of both but these days, my skin freaks the fuck out. by this, i mean it's dry, red, itchy, sensitive, painful and just plain crazy. i've gotten used to figuring out what is wrong with my skin and i knew it was because my skin needed more moisture. it's not my diet nor my sleep (both have been excellent since january) so i narrowed it down to my skin products.
i came across the dermalogica brand and tried a few samples. in particular, i was interested in anything they had to offer that provided some serious hydration. after going through all of their samples and grilling the lady who worked at the clinic, i took the plunge and bought the following products (after which my wallet was, and still is, crying from the pain):
intensive moisture masque
made for dry to ultra-dry skin, this mask contains evening primrose oil, vitamin E, plant extracts, honey and vitamins A and C to help restore the skin's softness, alleviate fine lines and visible dryness. it contains no artificial fragrance or color.
the consistency of this mask surprised me as i'm used to hydrating masks being creamy. this has a clay-like feel to it; it's thick coming out of the tube and spreads easily on the face. slather on a thick layer, let sit and wash off after 10 minutes.
boo!
not only does it turn you into casper the friendly ghost but washing this sucker off is the hard part. i'm still trying to find a better way of washing it off other than stealing one of kayla's face cloths.
i use this twice a week after exfoliation. my skin feels soft and supple right after.
product rating: 8/10
******
skin hydrating booster
of all the dermalogica products i've tried, this is one of my favorites. containing hyaluronic acid, this light, clear, scent-free gel gives the skin a super-hydrating boost as it soothes and minimizes fine lines. i apply this morning and night on a clean face, under my moisturizer. the tear-dropper application allows you to administer a small amount and a lot goes a long way. i find it works exceptionally well combined with my moisturizer and my skin is hydrated and soft all day. this is definintely a "holy grail" product.
product rating: 10/10
******
super rich repair
i was sad that the effectiveness of my moisturizer had lost its touch but ecstatic that i could finally be free of spending a ridiculous price for it.
enter: the super rich repair. from dermalogica's AGEsmart line (gah!), this is a heavy duty moisturizer for chronically dry and prematurely-aging skin. it boasts "powerful peptides stimulate collagen production while and acid-free smoothing complex improves elasticity and tone. Shea butter and oil of evening primrose replenish skin with maximum hydration while reinforcing skin's natural defensive barrier. Antioxidant soy flavonoids shield against extreme environmental elements that con accelerate the visible signs of aging". Contains no artificial fragrance or color.
for some stupid psychological reason, i need a heavy cream on my face otherwise i feel that it won't work. maybe years of la mer has brainwashed me into thinking that thicker is better and while in some cases it is (heh), that doesn't necessarily translate into a better moisturizer. while this product isn't as thick as la mer, it certainly has some weight. it comes in a pump and you don't need much to spread the product on your face. it glides on easily, absorbs quickly, doesn't have any scent and my skin feels smooth and soft. i just wished they would use a jar instead of a pump because i want every.single.drop of cream for the price i paid for only 50ml.
product rating: 9/10 (i'm not a fan of the packaging)
******
ultra calming serum
another one of my favorites!
my skin has this annoying habit of suddenly flaring up and freaking out for no reason. i'll be sitting there one minute with perfect-looking skin and then the next, it'll be red, angry and ugly.
when i came across this product, i didn't believe it when the esthetician said that it instantly calms irritated skin; no product i've ever used has ever done that. well, on one particular day, my skin was going schizo so i applied some of this and miracle of miracles, my skin calmed right down and the itchy, burning, irritated sensation went away. you can bet i went back and bought a tube of this right quick!
made for ultra-sensitive skin, this product "has botanical actives that work below skin's surface to control inflammation, itching and discomfort. Bisabolol and Boerhavia Root Extract work with Oat and Ginger to provide relief and fight future flare-ups. Aloe helps calm and restore moisture balance. Peptides help ease the discomfort of and build skin's barrier layer. Oil of Evening Primrose, Sunflower Seed and Avocado extracts help restore the natural lipid barrier layer of skin and defend against future assaults". the only thing that's not appealing is the consistency. i'll be honest and say it looks like something that starts with a "j" and ends with a "zzz"; you do the math hahaha!
i apply this twice a day (morning and night) and it definintely helps calm my skin down. in fact, i carry this in my purse for sudden onslaughts.
product rating: 10/10
have you used any dermalogica products? which ones do you like?
