By Katie Martlew
Is your skin looking more tired than taut? Are the cracks in your foundation starting to show? We suggest you kick-start your wrinkle-fighting regime with a little help from the skin-smoothing professionals and treat your skin to an anti-ageing facial.
“During winter the skin loses moisture due to several factors, one being the cold weather; when the humidity drops there is less moisture in the air; another is central heating. Our skin literally dries out and what we call the ‘skin’s natural barrier function erodes, ” says Emma Hobson- Education Manager for The International Dermal Institute Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
“Dehydration can make the skin feel and look much like a piece of parchment, rough on the surface and lots of fine feather lines and a crispy dry sensation”.
“To combat dry skin, think protection, hydration and moisturisation. A great guide for choosing winter products is to look for ones that state they are formulated specifically to control the effects of the environment. These usually contain organic silicones and have a dynamic effect on protecting the skin and repairing the skins impaired barrier function.”
Rescu. road tests three of the best anti-ageing facials to help put the spring back in your skin…
The derma- logical choice to firm and regenerate ageing skin…
1. Dermalogica AGE Smart Treatment
This seriously revitalising facial treatment helps firm, nourish, energise and regenerate ageing skin while controlling the biochemical triggers that cause skin ageing. Through the use of wonder-products packed with potent vitamins and hydroxy acid, skin is left resurfaced, re-texturised and renewed, while the soothing facial massage techniques release pent up tension in the facial muscles. We trialled this treatment at ZEN Day Spa in Darlinghurst, where the atmosphere and professional attention to detail were second to none.
60 minutes RRP $ 100. Visit www.dermalogica.com.au for a salon near you.
Our fave take-home product used in the facial? The MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque. This intensive facemask is packed with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, along with botanical ingredients to calm stressed out skin and restore suppleness. The perfect instant pick-me-up for damaged and photo-aged skin. RRP $76.00. Available at www.dermalogica.com.au
The radiance-boosting, biological face-peel, sans the parabens…
2. Guinot Beaute Neuve Renewing Treatment
Through a super-powerful combo of fruit acids and pure Vitamin C, this biological face peeling treatment eliminates dead skin, stimulates cellular renewal and boosts skin radiance. Perfect for peeling off the years, along with pesky brown spots, unveiling smoother, more radiant looking skin. We loved that our skin was not the slightest bit red and we could go straight back to the office afterwards.
60 minutes: RRP $100. Visit www.guinot.com.au for a salon near you.
Our fave take-home product used in the facial? Teint Hydratant Tinted Moisturiser. This super nourishing face moisturiser comforts, softens and smoothes out the skin, while providing a lovely subtle hint of colour. It’s paraben free, is packed with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and anti-shine properties and is the perfect tool to help you fake that fabulous looking skin sans make-up look. RRP $68.78. Stockists: 1300 300 954
The organic, super-hydrating facial treatment…
3. Endota Organic Rejuvenating Treatment
This pampering skin-friendly facial is custom designed to treat your own specific skin concerns using Endota’s organic products or turbo charged with the help of Dermalogica products to suit your skin concern. To treat our parched winter skin the Endota Rosehip Oil was used for the facial lymphatic drainage massage. Packed with Vitamin C to address concerns of premature ageing and uneven skin tone, the massage was followed by the Endota Honey and Rosehip Face Mask to soothe skin and replenish much needed moisture. The result: improved facial contours, smoother and brighter skin. Natural healing at its best!
30 mins RRP $55 or 1.25 hours $120. We had ours at the new Endota Spa in Paddington which is quite simply gorgeous, however visit www.endota.com.au for a salon near you.
Our fave take-home product used in the facial? The Endota Organic Australian Rosehip Oil. We love this pure, all-organic facial oil. It’s loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants to hydrate, plump up, lift and brighten the skin while keeping wrinkles and blemishes at bay. Pure-genius!
RRP $23.00 available for David Jones, Endota Spa salons or www.endota.com.au