Forget Instagram success, ethics and sustainability for a moment. Let's not forget that simply prolonging youthful, healthy skin is the aim of the game for many global beauty brands.
Here are some of the market's top anti-ageing products BD road-tested this week.
Ultraceuticals Ultra C10+ Firming Serum - Issy
What it is: An anti-ageing facial serum formulated with Vitamin C and two peptides to smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness.
My experience: The consistency of this serum is like water, making it easy to disperse on your face and easily absorb into your skin. I have been applying this product both morning and evening, and have noticed that my skin is smoother, clearer and brighter overall which I believe is due to the vitamin C properties in this formulation.
Dermalogica Age Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 - Tamara
What it is: A moisturiser that hydrates, prevents the signs of ageing and also protects against sun damage.
My experience: I found this product to be lightweight to use, and it absorbed into the skin really well and surprisingly quickly. It has a skin smoothing complex which meant that it sat under my makeup really well. After a few days of use my skin was definitely more hydrated, and the added bonus of the SPF50 means that my face is protected from SPF without having to wear a separate facial sunscreen. It is definitely a great product to add to my morning routine!
HANDSOME Facial Moisturiser - Rachel
What it is: A nourishing facial moisturiser with anti-ageing properties to keep skin hydrated and handsome.
My experience: This is truly the only skincare product my partner has ever sworn by to ‘work’, let alone to love, and he has actually used this moisturiser religiously since it was introduced to his life some months ago! The anti-ageing properties in the moisturiser have definitely taken effect to his skin where he swears that it has smoothed out his fine lines and has made his complexion appear overall more ‘youthful’. He loves the light woody fragrance and how quick the product absorbs into his skin with no greasy residue. The organic/natural, no nasties and cruelty free formula is also an absolute plus! This is definitely a staple product that has a permanent place in our household!
Ella Baché Collagen + Treatment Oil - Caitlin
What it is: A luxurious facial oil that increases firmness, helps to smooth wrinkles, to deeply moisturise and protect the skin against pollution and other external aggressors.
My experience: I was so excited to try this product once it hit my desk, as we are in autumn I noticed my skin has been getting dryer. I apply this directly to my skin before applying my moisturiser and it sinks in without leaving a film. I have noticed that it has reduced the appearance of my wrinkles and leaves my skin hydrated and plumped. This is my new go to product that I will be using all year round.
Uspa Pure C Complex Serum - Sam
What it is: A serum enriched with antioxidants that will help combat the signs of ageing and environmental damage.
My experience: I have been a religious user of Vitamin C products since my teens but haven’t had the chance to try Uspa Pure C Complex Serum until now and boy have I been missing out! This product is a super rich serum full of fruity goodness including mardarin, orange and tangerine essential oils. Since using the product I have found my skin to appear brighter and more even with a clear reduction in scarring and redness. I will definitely be integrating this beautiful product into my everyday routine.
Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask - Jamie
What it is: A clay mask that helps rejuvenate dull and tired while delivering a brightening effect to pigmentation and dark circles.
My experience: I’m a sucker for a clay mask and this one got me good! I applied this to my face with a paddle brush and left it on for 10-15mins until I could feel it tightening on my skin. When I washed it off my skin was visibly brighter and glowy, never have I seen such impressive immediate results! I love that it works well with my oily skin while still hydrating my skin. This one has definitely earned a permanent spot in my Sunday skincare routine.
Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel - Dragana
What it is: An anti-ageing facial gel that works to volumise and define contours.
My experience: The gel was so easy to apply, leaving my skin feeling super hydrated instantly – without being greasy. My skin felt smooth and silky after just one use and after a few uses my skin felt tighter, smoothing out my lines and wrinkles. It was so easily absorbed and left my skin feeling fresh and vibrant.The red jar looks great and because of the colour it is easy to find amongst my other beauty products, and I love that it comes with a spatula for easy application.
Synergie Skin SuperSerum+ - Tiarne
What it is: An age-defying serum that contains an advanced active botanical that affects the way genes produce collagen.
My experience: I’ve been using this serum every day for the last week and it fits perfectly into my skincare routine. Lightweight and non-greasy, a small amount spreads easily and goes a very long way. My skin feels much more hydrated, which is especially great as the cooler weather starts to kick in and my skin becomes dry and flakey! My complexion also looks brighter, plumper and some of my scars have diminished. The smell is just beautiful – not overwhelming at all. I will definitely continue using this product and am super excited to reap in even more benefits with time and persistence!
La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Premier - Georgie
What it is: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Premier is a lifting and firming cream. It offers a unique dimension of sensorial indulgence paired with never-before-seen lifting and firming agents that totally transform the skin.
My experience: I love what La Prairie stands for – giving its customers a truly indulgent experience through products that feel and smell amazing, while working wonders on the skin. This product is no different. The minute-long experience of applying the cream to the face is one that I savoured every morning. The softness and subtle scent of this cream is a sign of its luxury and it really does what it says – nourishes and rejuvenates the skin. From its Art Basel partnerships to providing in-transit customers with exciting airport experiences La Prairie owns and deserves its place as one of the leaders in the luxury market.
new age™ Super C Firming Serum - Jess
What it is: A vitamin C serum formulated to reduce the appearance of age spots, correct hyperpigmentation, and enhance skin firmness and brightness.
My experience: This is a beautiful serum that goes on lightly but still packs a punch. I have been using it morning and night, my skin has been looking plumper and more even, and some of my acne scars seem to have faded a bit. Unlike other Vitamin C serums I’ve tried, this one is unscented which is another bonus as I find scented serums can be overpowering.
Goodness Superfood Skincare Be Bright Chia Serum - Monique
What it is: A Brightening serum using chia seed, avocado and coconut oils to leave the skin with a natural shine.
My experience: This has been one of the best serum products I have used. With a push pump dispersing a perfect amount to evenly apply across my face, I used the serum both morning and night under makeup and moisturiser. Within the first few days, I noticed a natural shine on my skin and an overall brighter complexion.
Medik8 Retinol 10TR+ Intense - Emily
What it is: A retinol serum formulated with climbazole, a compound proven to boost the results and anti-ageing benefits of vitamin A without increasing irritation.
My experience: Retinol is one of my fave anti-ageing skincare ingredients so when I saw Medik8’s Retinol 10TR+ Intense, I jumped at the chance to try it! I use this serum of a night and apply around three drops and massage gently into my face, neck and decolletage. The texture is slightly oily but really lightweight and doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind. After a week of using this serum I can already see the difference it is making to my skin! My skin is smoother and my complexion brighter. I will be buying and using this serum over and over again!
Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid - Steph
What it is: A glycolic acid based formulation that works overnight to brighten, revitalise prevent premature aging and improve the appearance of the complexion.
My experience: Liquid Gold is one of my top-rated holy grail skincare products! It is a liquid exfoliator which means that it resurfaces and sloughs away that top layer of dead skin using the acids in the formula, and not any harsh particles or scrubby parts. I use this every second night and am always amazed by the grime it removes even from my ‘clean’ face. If you’re new to the product it may tingle as your skin gets used to it, but that tingly feeling is all that rough skin being melted away. It leaves you with smooth, clear and more radiant skin with regular use. Over the two years or so I’ve been using this my skin looks so much more even and my dark spots and pigmentation has significantly improved. I use this for preventative ageing and to tackle any breakouts as well! It’s such an amazing product and I’m always so impressed with how radiant and glowy my skin looks in the morning after using this and leaving it on overnight.
