The latest DIY skin peel takes a powerful antioxidant with a gentle skin hydroxy acid and the result brighten-looking skin says Editor Trudi Brewer.
Post-summer skin is dull. It can be blotchy and often it feels dry. If this describes your complexion right now, a facial peel maybe just what the doctor ordered - but with this treatment, it can be done in the comfort of your own home. Here's how it works
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment, $299.
What is it?
An antioxidant rich, DIY facial peeling kit recommended for continuous use, at night, over four weeks.
What's in it?
A supercharged antioxidant, known as Idebenone, (unique to Elizabeth Arden Prevage) and a gentle but effective polyhydroxy acid (PHA). This new skin acid has been popping up in lots of peels and creams and it's a game-changing for dull and sensitive skin. Here's why. It has the ability to exfoliate the skin, in a less irritating way than the alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) touted as the holy grail in skin brightening back in the 80's. The gradual, and gentle way PHA peels the skin means you should not experience redness or that tingling feeling, and that is due to the larger molecular size. This means all the action happens on the surface of the skin, rather than penetrating too deeply into the skin, which is where the risk of irritation occurs. Alpha hydroxy acid, (AHA) is also present, but a very low dose, which helps speed up the skin’s natural cell turnover, as well as phosphate salts, which gently cleanse the surface of the skin, and keep the pH of the skin low, and calm. Finally, Idebenone a synthetic, supercharged antioxidant, similar to coenzyme Q10, helps to protect the cells of the skin from environmental damage, long term this antioxidant corrects the look of fine lines, uneven skin texture, and dryness.
How do these ingredients work together?
The blend of PHA and AHA are what helps shift the build-up of dry skin from your complexion by gently exfoliating and speeding up the skin cell turnover. While the Idebenone protects the newly revealed cells that are the reason your skin starts to look smoother and feel more hydrated. Together they work in perfect harmony to help renew and revitalize a dull complexion.
How does it work?
Each dropper bottle delivers increasingly higher concentrations of the skin acids and antioxidant combination over four weeks. The idea is that the gradual introduction of these skin brightening ingredients helps to refresh the look of the skin, without causing irritation and sensitivity common with skin peels.
Why do we like it?
Customized skincare is bang on trend right now, and this progressive peel is both clever and effective. It works over a month, slowly and gently to resurface and brighten the skin. The first thing you will notice on week one is that your skin will feel smooth, and the other skincare you use will absorb much quicker. By week three, (I have one more week to go) my makeup glides onto my skin and I need less to cover the look of uneven pigmentation around my jawline, after a summer sitting poolside (even though I use SPF every day). It's those subtle differences in my skin that make me think for almost $10 a day or $75 dollars a week (the kit cost $299 for four weeks supply) it's a step in the right direction when it comes to getting my glow back.
How to use it?
Apply at night on freshly cleansed skin, making sure you shake the bottle lightly to mix the ingredients before each application. Follow the instructions and move from the bottle marked Phase 1 to Phase 4 over the course of a month - and don't forget to apply the liquid to your neck and chest as well - it's here you notice uneven skin texture and sun damage, which is tricky to shift.
Shop at Life Pharmacy and enjoy 15% off makeup, skincare and fragrance until Saturday 27th April. Start earning Living Rewards points here