The line between cosmetics and pharmaceutical products has never been so blurred, with all sorts of products claiming they cosmeceutical value. The definition of a cosmeceutical is a 'product that works on the skin with high active ingredients' and it's important you recognize which do that, and which promise you lots and don't deliver.
Medik8 is a British grown brand, developed to provide results without the irritation that you might find ins some other active products. They cater to everything from spot prone skin to ageing skin, and have a range of complementary products on offer.
I've been trialling the betaCleanse and C-Tetra serum in a bid to get my unruly skin under control. I've been suffering with redness and blemishes for some time now, and am very impressed with the results.
The betaCleanse is a simple to use foaming cleanser, with 1% L-mandelic acid and 2% salicylic acid, and lathers up really nicely. It can handle my heavy duty foundation,and leaves the skin with the skin feeling squeaky clean, without the tightness I associate with other blemish products. It contains no parabens or SLES, and includes tea tree oil to calm any sensitive areas.
It's interesting they're using L-Mandelic acid, as it has low irritant properties, unlike most other acids on the market. Acne is caused by an overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands and this helped regulate my skintone.
I used with with the C-Tetra serum, which I applied once a night. The Serum comes in a tiny 30ml bottle, but you only need two drops, so it last a really long time. It has been created to provide a stable antioxidant combination, and uses stabilised Vitamin C to penetrate the skin. They've chosen not to go with the commonly used L-asorbic acid (regular vitamin C) as they believe this formula is more effective.
It felt a little strange to be applying the rich serum onto my oily skin, as I couldn't help but worry it would cause more breakouts. However I only used it once a day (in the morning as advised) and it seemed to provide a nice smooth base for my makeup. It felt velvety smooth on the skin, sinking in ultra quickly, though it took a little practise to use the pipette correctly.
2 months of following this routine, with the betaCleanse used morning and night and the C-Tetra used most mornings and my skin has improved at least 50%. The blemishes have died down, it's clearer and looks fresher, and thanks to the regular applications of serum feels really smooth. It's not an overnight solution as you will have to stick with it for at least 6 weeks, but I promise you'll see results.
They've put a lot of thought into their products, as even the packaging is carbon neutral, meaning not only are you helping your skin, you're being kind to the environment.
Get betaCleanse for £22 and C-Tetra Serum for £34 at Medik8
