Skincare is the perfect example of the modern consumer’s lack of patience and eternal quest for instant gratification. In reality, no product heals infections overnight, eliminates lines completely or quells blemishes in a matter of days. There are some services, however, that either provide an instant glow or with ongoing use, plumper, calmer skin. Among these are the oxygen facial, something I experienced thanks to Aussie luxury skincare brand Intraceuticals.

Started by serial entrepreneur Anthony McMahon, the brand fits in both the science-based and luxury skincare categories, and caters to a variety of concerns from lines associated with aging, to blemishes tied to adult acne. McMahon proves his prowess by demonstrating that he understands the best way to launch a successful business is to farm out different operations to people with more experience. This resulted in the hiring of celebrity skincare professional and healer Michelle Peck and beauty business guru Deirdre Burke. While the former is known for keeping A-listers such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow smooth and radiating, the latter is known for helping to catapult major beauty ingredients, such as vitamin C and mineral makeup.

I was lucky enough to hear about the brand from Burke and have an oxygen facial from Peck. Peck’s skills are top notch and upon observing a comparison, after the oxygen facial was complete on one side of my face, I couldn’t kill the ear-to-ear grin on my face because the results are pure magic. The treatment calms redness, plumps up the skin and results in a beautiful, even-tone glow. Talking to Peck, however, showed me that her skills might not be the only reason “M” keeps her close by. She has the knowledge and wisdom about living healthy and the grounding of an individual who has lived many lives and found a successful path. It’s the practice of healthy eating, exercise, and eastern and western medicine, as well as her skincare expertise, that make Peck an amazing ambassador for this brand.

Center to this brand is the use of high grade hyaluronic acid. But, anyone that knows skincare understands that the medium is truly the message–transmission is as important as any ingredient because if the product cannot get past the first layer of skin, nothing much else matters. The treatments are effective because the “therapeutic-grade oxygen under pressure” helps transmit the other ingredients, such as those in the serum, including low-weight hyaluronic acid and vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Starting with the Rejuvenate line, the company employs a bit of salicylic acid, green tea, glycerin, and vitamin C for what appears to be a collection that moisturizes, combats lines and provides a barrier to shield the skin from moisture loss. The eye gel is refreshing and according to the company, is said to be a cult favorite for smokers. For those without any major lines or blemishes, Rejuvenate seems to be a great line to moisturize skin and prevent further aging or environmental damage.

For a bit more TLC, however, with a focus on hyperpigmentation, the Opulence line is a must-have. The combination of arbutin and vitamin C to lighten, hyaluronic acid and squalene to hydrate, and vitamin E to help fight free radicals results in a soothing product that is just moisturizing enough and regulates skin tone, by calming  red areas by blocking the enzymes that stimulate discoloration. This was achieved by using the cleanser once a day, at night, followed by the hydration gel, and the cream in the morning. But that wasn’t a result achieved alone.

I began using Intraceuticals products after quitting birth control after 10 years. Any woman knows this results in yoyoing of hormones which leads to frequent breakouts, all weeks of the month. Peck told me to expect this hormonal side effect for months, while the body adjusts. This led me to the realization that I might not have given most products the time required to truly assess their efficacy. So I gave these products a few months. With the exception of a few holiday weekends and the random mask, I only used Intraceutical products. Beginning with the new adult acne line, Clarity and switching to Opulence, I was able to regulate my skin, with a just a few random blemishes. Regular use of the clarity cleanser, followed by the treatment gel twice a day, and the blemish repair wand to treat on the go. At the heart of clarity is a combination of ingredients that cut inflammation and sebum production, and kill bacteria that cause acne. The product line also helps to regulate cell turnover, which results in healthier pores.

Using these products made me realize that no item, however effective or strong, makes one immune to the demand for a good moisturizer each morning. I am now a fan of the Opulence Brightening Cream, partially because the brightening complex does add that indescribable glow and offers to perfect base for a light coat of makeup, mainly undereye concealer, cream (try Body Shop) or powder blush (try Mistura), a neutral shadow (try Alima or Estee Lauder) and a coat of black mascara.

These items are a bit pricey, with a range of about $39-149. However it’s important to remember that a product’s price takes into account not just the ingredients and packaging, but the research involved to create the item and the salaries of the people running the company. Click here to learn more about Intraceuticals or to buy products.

Click here to learn about the different Intraceuticals treatments.

The oil of the bitter orange appears a safe and nourishing natural essential oil that continues to creep into the cosmetics sector. According to the U.S. government unit National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, topical uses of neroli, the oil derived from the bitter orange flower, include fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. According to the company site AromaWeb, neroli essential oil can also be used topically for maturing and aging skin, scars and stretch marks. Among the many cosmetics brands using neroli are L’Occitane, haircare line John Masters Organics, The Body Shop, Malin & Goetz and Laura Mercier, among others. However, we prefer a few recent skincare products with neroli and other essential oils and roots to nourish skin.

British skincare company Liz Earle Beauty offers a great night skin treatment called Superskin Concentrate with neroli, rosehip and argan oils with a touch of lavender, chamomile and natural vitamin E for a soothing oil that moisturizes overnight. The added bonus is knowing Liz Earle products are created with earth-friendly cosmetics curators in mind, with a background in botany.

Also from the United Kingdom, REN offers a variety of exotic skincare items for the face and body, with widespread acclaim from many celebrities. The biggest appeal of REN is the seal on their products that shows they have no sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic colors and fragrances, and silicon items. The neroli and grapefruit body wash with bergamot fruit water and other natural citruses is a delicately scented shower gel that cleans without drying and would appease even those averse to citrus scents.

California-based In Fiore announced a new high resonance water-based face product called Crème de Fleur, which appears an amazing concoction of acids, minerals, proteins and vitamins. In Fiore claims that the base of high resonance water enables better absorption of the ingredients into the skin cells. Aside from common ingredients such as shea butter, safflower and avocado oils, and green tea infusion, it features marshmallow root and calendula infusions to treat inflammation; borage seed oil to treat swelling and skin conditions including dermatitis; cell rebirth promotion by the growing element of sea buckthorn, and of course neroli to aid healing among dry and aging skin.

While consumers grow more and more educated, we encourage readers to review labels and ingredients listed on cosmetics and skincare packages as they do on food boxes. This is necessary as food is more regulated than cosmetics. It is up to the consumer to determine how safe these products are because though we don’t ingest them, we absorb them. We feel safe recommending these three items but as always, we leave the decision in your hands.

Where:
The 1-ounce superskin Concentrate is $70. Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is available at STUDIO Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Califnoria, and at Brown’s Apothecary in Miami, Florida. For more information on Liz Earle products, visit the Liz Earle website. REN mini body set is $26.50 for a travel-size set of Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash, Damask Rose Ramnose Biosaccharide Body Cream, Neroli and Grapefruit Zest Body Wash and Grapeseed Jojoba and Shea Butter Body Cream. For more on REN products or to purchase products,
visit the REN Website.
A 1.67-ounce jar of In Fiore Crème de Fleur retails for $150. For more information on In Fiore products or to purchase items, visit the In Fiore Website.

Baobab extracts from the African tree with the same name are found in many skincare products, from Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Collection, to makeup products at The Body Shop, to Shea Terra Organics’ long list of lines. Baobab comes from what many refer to as the Tree of Life, partially because of its ability to hold water. According to research from the U.S. government unit, the National Research Council, Africa has many fruits that aren’t being fully used that could help fight malnutrition and improve environmental stability, including: baobab, aizen,balanites, butterfruit, ebony, marula and tamarind. The research comes with oversight from the Panel On African Fruits & Vegetables, which features professionals in the U.S., Australia and Mexico. According to the study, baobab is safe to eat and use on the skin. It is packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, and the trunk of the tree can store water. Both the fruit and the leaves can be eaten. According to PhytoTrade Africa, it could also enter the edible wellness sector in spaces such as smoothies and pulpy fruit bars.

The Paris-based SheerinO’Kho brand offers one luxurious product with a baobab and jojoba base, complemented by moringa, Indian senna, and essential oils such as rose, Uptown/Downtown Summertime. All SheerinO’Kho products are free of parabens, artificial colors or fragrances. Packaged in a glass, Uptown/Downtown Summertime is a creamy, fast-absorbing solution that could be used a summer moisturizer or as a thick serum before a thin sunscreen or daily winter moisturizer. It has a faint smell from the essential oils that makes it perfectly feminine.

Another luxe product with baobob is from London-based facialist Sarah Chapman. After about three years or research and development, she launched her skincare collection, Skinesis. The collection includes an amazing, oil-based night treatment called Overnight Facial. The rich paraben-free blend features vitamins, peptides, omega oils and essential oils that help restore moisture and a natural glow. Between the two products, skin is restored to a natural glow, with one bonus: beautiful bottles that adorn one’s night table.

Where:
The SheerinO’Kho Uptown/Downtown Summertime is $108 and the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial is $89. Both are available at the SPACE.NK website and the New York store in SoHo. For more information on the brands or to see other products, visit the Space.NK website..