the belle lumiere

Flashback to 2008: My skin was HORRIBLE. Nothing I used seemed to help with my skin problems. I was red, blotchy and breaking out. I did a lot of research and tried a few different skin care brands that had received good reviews, but still nothing seemed to work. And then I stumbled across Dermalogica. Dermalogica has been the one brand that I have ever stuck with for more than a year, and will continue to do so in the years to come. I was lucky enough to discover that I lived near a skin care centre that do professional Dermalogica Skin Mapping. This is a process where they remove your makeup, sit you down under intense lighting and examine your skin. The skin care specialist was then able to tailor a skin care regime specifically for my skin, and gave me a list of alternative Dermalogica products that I could work into my routine. If you are able to find a skin care centre near you that offers this free service, be sure to book in! If this is not available to you, fear not because Dermalogica offers starter kits for each skin type or skin concern that you might have. I was lucky enough to be sent the Normal/Oily skin kit from the amazing online beauty store Adore Beauty to trial and review. The skin care kits contain a month’s worth of product so that you are able to properly try them out and see what the products do for your skin. (I would say that there is more than a month’s worth of some of the products though, the skin prep scrub and the cleanser will last me longer than that, I am sure)

This review is a little different than my others, I have opted out of the “what is not so great about this product” part of the review because frankly, I have never had any problems with any of the Dermalogica range.

Special Cleansing Gel

“Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a soap-free botanical blend of Quillaja Saponaria (a type of tree bark) and calming Lavender that foams away impurities without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry, while super-soothing Balm Mint helps calm sensitivity.”

This cleanser has been my “HG” cleanser since the very first time I used it. It’s one of those amazing cleansers – sensitive skinned girls, you will love this – that does not make my skin turn bright red after using it. It’s gentle but effective and my skin always feels really clean after using it. Clean but not in that tight ‘squeaky’ sort of way. It foams up really easily, and is fragrance free (a bonus for me). The Special Cleansing Gel has really helped to clear up the blemishes that were popping up on my skin, and taken a way the majority of the redness that I used to suffer from. Love it. Will repurchase until the end of time! (too dramatic…?)

“A skin-polishing scrub exfoliant with natural Corn Cob Meal that leaves the skin with a smooth, healthy complexion. Removes clogging surface debris, allowing for optimum treatment absorption. Gently polishes skin, leaving it feeling healthy, smooth and supple. Plant extracts soothe skin and help combat over-stimulation.”

The Skin Prep Scrub is the only manual scrub that I have ever used that does not leave my skin a lovely shade of “painful red”. Which is surprising because the grains are quite large, and you can really feel the scrubbing action when using it. I love the way that my skin looks the day after using this product. It literally glows. I love it, and I’m certain that I will repurchase this once I’ve run out of the trial size.

“Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner is an ultra-light facial spritz that refreshes and hydrates the skin while smoothing the surface. Helps condition skin to prepare for proper moisture absorption.”

My favourite thing about this toner is the gentle tingling sensation that it leaves on my skin. I also like the fact that despite my clumsiness and ability to somehow get any product I use on my face IN MY EYES it doesn’t sting or aggravate in any way. It leaves my skin feeling cool, refreshed and ready for my moisturiser. It has a very faint smell, but it’s nothing offensive (and is surprisingly hard to describe). The bottle seems to last forever too, despite the fact that I am quite generous with the product, and use it every day.

“The Dermalogica Active Moist is a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser which absorbs without a trace. A clever invisible barrier is created, to avoid pesky moisture loss. Silk Proteins are combined with extracts of Burdock, Sage and Cucumber to calm and hydrate the skin.”

Yet another of my “HG” products. Dermalogica Active Moist is the best moisturiser that I’ve ever used. I find it to be rich and nourishing enough to use at night, but light enough to be worn during the day without it feeling too heavy on my skin. It is not greasy at all, and sinks really easily into skin. I use this in the mornings and my skin feels soft and supple throughout the day. (why yes, I did just touch my cheek to confirm…!)

The Climate Control Lip Treatment is a life saver for me when I travel. It’s small enough to be carried around with you wherever you’re going (including on international flights), and packs a heavy moisturising punch right where you need it… On your lips. It is fragrance free, and sinks straight into lips to provide moisture, and protection from the elements. Great for anyone who works in an air conditioned office (like myself) and finds that their lips dry out during the day.

Sample: Precleanse – Hello, most amazing product ever. I love Dermalogica Precleanse. I am actually at the point now where I can’t wash my face at night without using it, because my routine never feels complete! It is an oil cleanser that is a pre-cleansing step to do before using your actual skin cleanser. (hence the name precleanse, ha.) You rub the oil onto dry skin, dampen hands, rub your hands over your face to active the product (it will turn into a white film on your skin) and then rinse off. The Precleanse is really great in helping remove sunscreen or makeup before getting down to the nitty gritty cleansing stage.

Sample: Skin Refining Mask – This mask is a lifesaver. I always have a second tube stored away in my cupboard incase I run out! I use this mask in skin emergencies, it never fails to clear things up for me. It is really gentle (another product from the range that does not aggravate my skin in any way) and leaves my skin glowing after use.

I would recommend Dermalogica products to anyone considering trying a new skin care brand. So please head on over and check out the Dermalogica product range available from Adore Beauty. (Adore Beauty ship to all locations within Australia & most of their products can also be shipped internationally.) What are you waiting for? GO NOW!