Spring is here and we’ve been given insider’s access to the latest launches from Sephora. As the new season charges forward, it’s also time to update your skincare, makeup, and hair care routines. Find out what are the game-changing trends we spotted, and the products that come with it. Watch this space for our reviews as we test drive these products.
Microbiome skincare
The word ‘probiotics’ is the wellness world’s new favourite catchphrase next to ‘meat alternatives‘. It is known as the good bacteria that keeps your gut healthy, it promotes numerous health benefits including preventing inflammation, reducing blood pressure, and combating digestive disorders. Then there are prebiotics, which acts a ‘fertiliser’ that stimulates the growth of probiotics, and postbiotics, the metabolic byproducts of when probiotics feed on prebiotics. Confusing? Yes. Complex? Even more so when it comes to the microbiome, the new buzzword for probiotic skincare.
The microbiome is essentially the skin’s colony of billions of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The key to a happy one (and flourishing skin) is balance. As prebiotics help to fuel probiotics to work best, a combination of both protects the skin barrier. Gallinée was the first beauty brand to introduce the concept of the microbiome into mainstream beauty lexicon. Founder Marie Drago, a French pharmaceutical doctor, created the brand based on the idea that you should be feeding your skin bacteria the same way you should feed your gut. Gallinée’s popularity continues to surge with new launches including this season’s Eye Contour Cream that contains its signature probiotic blend, and algae extract with an anti-wrinkle effect for the most reactive of skins.
Hot on the heels of Gallinée this season is South Korean skincare brand Dr Jart+. It has created Jartbiome, its own collection of microbes that is found in healthy, mature skin, and is what anchors its new Vital Hydration Solution Biome Essence. Together with Vital Aid — its patented hydrating solution — and triple hyaluronic acid, and prebiotics to fuel the jartbiome, it’s targeted at restoring skin’s moisture by balancing the skin’s microbiome level. When using it for the first time, tip the Intensive Blue Shot of malachite, an extract of a crystal said to improve skin firmness, into the essence, shake well and leave the contents to fuse before application.
Proving that microbiome skincare is the next big thing, Peter Thomas Roth has released its Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream that targets every modern-day skincare concern, including pollution and blue light. A pre/pro-Biodefense complex works to balance and defend microbiome health. The result is a hardworking cream with a number of claims, including fighting environmental stressors, slowing down the loss of elasticity, and preventing fine lines and wrinkles.
In the same vein, Supergoop’s Mineral Eye Cream includes probiotics, in a blend of pomegranate and caffeine, to brighten undereye circles and reduce puffiness.
Topical treatments that work
Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8 may just be the thing that replaces your monthly trip to your dermatologist. It works as a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, and is applied topically instead of via injection. It contains eight supercharged hydrating ingredients that not only moisturise skin at the surface, but penetrate deep into the skin’s lower layers. Typically, the molecules of hyaluronic acid are too large to offer this level of penetration. The serum’s number one ingredient is the PrimalHyal Ultrafiller that acts like a derma filler sans the injection. Newly introduced to the market, it’s said to quickly hydrate skin and restore antioxidant defences that combat free radicals that minimise collagen production.
Another topical treatment we’re excited about is the Dr Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting and Refining Serum. It works the way a dermatologist would treat your pores for acne-plagued and blackhead-clogged complexion. The clarifying serum contains the brand’s very own Alpha Beta acids that work to shed dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin. Phytic Acid Pentasodium dissolves the waxy plugs embedded deep into pores. Farnesol inhabits the growth of bacteria to prevent breakouts. For best results, apply the serum after an application of the Alpha Beta peels.
A natural flush
Forget the heavily contoured Kardashian-style cheekbones. We’re embracing a rosier, more natural flush when it comes to blush.
K-beauty brand Moonshot has released its Air Blusher, a three-shade range that glides on beautifully thanks to a diffusing texture that provides cheek with a translucent wash of colour.
Wander Beauty Double Date Lip and Cheek boasts a lip and cheek duo with a light tint on one end, and a balm on the other to fake glass skin, or a soft, satin sheen on your lips.
Jill Stuart’s Bloom Mix Blush compact contains five blush and highlighter shades in light-as-souffle textures that melt upon application. You can also mix the shades to create your own signature blush look.
The Nudestix Magnetic Plus Paint has got to be one of our favourites. It’s not just a blush; it can also be used as a cheek and eye colour. The formula is a pleasure to apply as it is feather-light with a blurring effect. It’s available in soft, and flattering nude shades.
Hair care takes precedence
We hear the phrase “hair care is the next skincare” season after season but it has never been more apparent than now with scalp health more widely recognised as the root of hair problems. The Act + Acre Scalp Detox made waves in the beauty world for its cold processed method that ensures the active ingredients in its formula remain fresh and potent. Plus, without the use of heat in its technique, it saves 90 percent of the energy typically used in a high-heat production process. The Scalp Detox is a weekly vitamin rich-oil treatment that deep cleanses and moisturises the scalp. It’s best complemented with the nutrient-rich hair cleanse that combats free radical damage and strengthens hair shaft.
To lock in the moisture from cleansing your hair, lightweight styling oils remain a favoured haircare product for the season. Olaplex has released its first of the kind oil: The No. 7 Bonding Oil. The reparative liquid strengthens and hydrates, while boosting shine and softness. Best of all, for those who regularly heat style, it offers thermal protection for temperatures of up to 230 degrees.
Likewise with the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil, it’s chock-full of fortified rosehip oil, almond oil, algae extract and B-vitamin to treat dry and damaged tresses. Bonus points goes to its non-sticky texture.