When it comes to skincare most of us would have been first introduced to brands that were accessible to us either at drugstores or our mum’s bathroom cabinets. As tween’s we didn’t have the knowledge or the resources that are available to us now and we would rely on the opinions of our friends, how ‘cute’ the packaging was or let's be real, whatever was on sale in the beauty and skincare aisle (Thanks mum!).
But with age comes great responsibility, the freedom to buy what we want when we want, and access to all the latest and greatest products reviews online so we can really see what skincare brands are winning and what brands are in it for their 15 minutes of fame.
So, whether you’re here to level up your skincare routine or just want to learn a bit more about how to look after your skin then let us introduce you to a little thing called Cosmeceutical Skincare.
What is Cosmeceutical Skincare?
Cosmeceutical Skincare refers to products that contain ‘active’ ingredients and have both cosmetic and therapeutic effects. Active ingredients include things like vitamins, antioxidants, hydroxy acids and even botanicals that our skin just loves to soak up. We can think of Cosmeceutical Skincare as the love child of beauty and science, with an expert backing and years of research going into the formulations of the products, Cosmeceutical brands have done all the hard work, so we don’t have to.
Benefits of Cosmeceutical Skincare including improving:
- Signs of ageing
- Sun damage
- Dryness and dullness
- Acne
- Blemishes
- Pigmentation
- Scarring
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Skin luminosity
Our Expert Guide To Our Fave Cosmeceutical Products
Enter a brand that we all know and (are about to) love: skinstitut. If you don’t already know, skinstitut are a cosmeceutical skincare brand who offer effective, accessible and affordable products to those who are really wanting to take their skincare routines seriously and level up their self-care routines. Formulated by an expert team of cosmetic chemists, their skincare range is renowned for delivering transformative results for a price promise of $49 or less.
It’s important to note that skinstitut cosmeceutical products are typically prescribed by a skin professional in a medispa, skin clinic, or medical practice to suit your skin type and condition. As their cosmeceuticals contain active ingredients in the concentrations needed to effect change, it’s extremely important that you follow the specific usage amounts and product instructions and that you don’t just apply them liberally to the skin like traditional cosmetics.
Here are a few of our faves from the famous 5-step routine that are now available at Oz Hair & Beauty.
Step One: Cleansing
The skinstitut Gentle Cleanser 200ml is a kind and gentle calming cleanser for all skin types. A skinstitut best-seller, it purifies, calms, and hydrates the skin without irritating it in the process. It’s all-skins appropriate and gentle enough to remove eye makeup and lipstick. The Gentle Cleanser efficiently purifies, calms, and cleans the skin without irritating it in the process. Calming botanicals replenish and moisturise, leaving skin happy and hydrated. It’s the cleanser we keep coming back to, especially when our skin is acting up or when it’s feeling a little sensitised and sorry for itself after an invasive professional treatment.
Work a pea-sized amount between wet hands and use all over your face in light, circular motions to remove all makeup, sunscreen, and grime. Some of our favourite key ingredients include Green Tea, Goji Berry, Aloe Vera, Cucumber Seed Oil, and Vitamin E. This is the perfect first step in a double cleanse and can be used before and after professional skin treatments. Did we also mention that the Gentle Cleanser doubles as a gentle shaving cream. Hello face (and body) treatment!
Step Two: Exfoliating
Exfoliation is one of the most effective (and immediate) ways to help refine your skin’s surface texture and tone, improve moisturisation, and boost cellular renewal for natural luminosity. Basically, it’s the gateway to glow. Speaking of glow, have you met skinstitut’s Glycolic Scrub? This scrub gives the gift of physical exfoliation, helping to budge any expired skin cells, leaving only fresh, soft skin behind. Thanks to Glycolic Acid, Jojoba beads and Tea Tree Oil, skin tone and texture is brightened and radiance revived. It’s particularly helpful for skin experiencing blackheads, pimples and hormonal breakouts, and pigmentation, helping the skin to reset and remedy dullness and dry patches.
After cleansing simply apply all over the face avoiding the eye area. Now obsessive types take note: you may want to but please don’t use this more than once or twice a week. Make sure to follow with a moisturiser for a further hydration boost and remember this scrub loves just about everyone except those who have inflamed, irritated or sensitive skin. So if you need a reboot you know what to do. Wow, look at you now. You glow girl!
Step Three: Hydrating
All skins need hydration; it’s an important foundation for healthy, happy skin. In order to ensure your skin gets the right dose of moisture to help it perform at its very best, you need a customised hydration approach, starting with a moisturiser that’s right for your skin type. While skinstitut has several options one of the standouts has to be the Moisture Defence- Ultra Dry 50ml. This deeply hydrating daily moisturiser is a concentrated cream that delivers intense hydration and nourishment while revving up the skin’s natural Collagen and Elastin production. Ideal for those with dry skin and those with mild eczema or dermatitis and premature ageing.
Moisture Defence delivers a flattering contouring effect thanks to Biomimetic Peptide which helps to firm and lift the jawline and improve the appearance of fine lines and sagging. It’s also instant relief for mild eczema and dermatitis and those with seriously thirsty skin meaning you can use this morning and night. Just don’t forget to apply your SPF after it in the morning and use it as your final step at night. Sweet, nourishing dreams beauties!
Step Four: Correcting
We cleanse, we exfoliate, we hydrate — and now we correct. These targeted cosmeceutical treatments go after unwanted imperfections like sun damage, acne scarring, and the visible signs of premature ageing while strengthening and revitalising the skin to act like its best self. Get ready for results. One of our faves is the Quick-Fix Hydrating Sheet Mask which instantly hydrates and revitalises skin with moisture-boosting actives and antioxidant botanicals. In just 15 minutes, your skin is happily hydrated, refreshed, and more resilient. Suited for all skin types but especially those with dry and dehydrated skin, we making the most of our masking session by using our Rose Quartz Roller over the top of the sheet mask to boost serum absorption and circulation.
What gives this mask its superpower is the 25ml of a concentrated, hydrating serum in the Lotus fibres that drench your skin in high-performance cosmeceuticals and botanical actives. That serum employs nourishing Macadamia Oil and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to help prevent dehydration by replenishing and rebalancing moisture levels. Antioxidant botanicals work to soothe, protect, and strengthen the skin’s barrier and pores look more refined. In short – It's an instant moisture boost in a packet which makes it great for travelling. Here we come Fiji!
Step Five: Protecting
Your skin needs daily protection against the environmental stress caused by a range of factors including pollution, UV rays, and free radicals—all of which have a direct impact on the health of the skin and the way in which it ages. (We’re talking about you: pigmentation, scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, age spots). Skinstitut’s faithful skin protectors like the Age Defence SPF 50+ work to support and protect against all of those elements, while the Laser Aid helps to soothe, heal, and protect skin after invasive and non-invasive professional treatments.
Age Defence SPF 50+ is a hydrator with the highest sun protection possible available in Australia. But it does more than just shield your skin from the sun, it also protects against free-radical damage (another contributor to premature ageing FYI) with a strong support crew of antioxidants like Vitamin B3 that also help to prevent UV-triggered pigmentation. So, if we can give you one piece of advice it would be to not leave home without doing this final but oh so important step in your skincare regime. Apply generously to your face, neck and backs of your hands 15 – 20 minutes prior to sun exposure and always accessorise your Age Defence SPF 50+ with protective clothing and cute sunglasses. Act now and thank us later!
Skinstitut products are designed to correct a range of specific concerns and to return your skin to its best self and keep it that way, so make sure to keep up your skincare routine even after you start seeing results. Skinstitut also recommends a seasonal skin consultation to monitor your skin and ensure you’re using the right products to weather all conditions and lifestyle challenges.
Shop the Skinstitut range and other Cosmeceutical brands at ozhairandbeauty.com.
