Quick Reviews #13

REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial*


The latest overnight treatment from REN promises to firm, brighten and illuminate your skin while you sleep, leaving you with a glowing complexion when you wake. It works in three phases:

Phase 1: Lactic and Glycolic Acid exfoliate and brighten the skin.
Phase 2: Glycogen and Magnesium boost cell vitality and revitalise the skin.
Phase 3: Sodium Lactate gradually raises the skin’s pH level, leaving the skin plumped up and rejuvenated.

It is designed to be used alone, but you can layer it as well – you can apply a serum beforehand, or a moisturiser afterwards if you want your skin to feel a bit more comfortable. I have tried all three options and didn’t notice any difference in terms of efficiency. It does tingle a little on application, but it subsides quickly and shouldn’t cause any redness/irritation (or at least, it doesn’t with me). This product is recommended for all skin types, except sensitive – however I have been using it 2-3 times a week for the past few weeks and have experienced no adverse reaction.

So, the million dollar question: does it work? Honestly…I can’t tell. I don’t wake up feeling like I look that much better, and I think for the price, the results have been a little underwhelming for me. It’s not that I don’t like it – I think the concept is great and I love REN as a brand, it’s just that I can’t see an obvious improvement, which is what I was expecting.

If you wanted a product that was going to instantly brighten and refine your complexion, I would recommend either the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask or the Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial – both are excellent.

Retails for R620 and is available here.

Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate*


Raise your hand if this sounds like you: in the morning, your skin has a healthy radiance with a smooth texture, but by the evening it appears dull and dehydrated, with more pronounced lines and a rougher texture? *raises hand*.  Have you ever wondered why that is? Well, while skin is dedicated to repair at night, during the day it is battling to protect itself from environmental aggressors and oxidative stress, which is why skin can look fatigued/dry/dehydrated by the end of the day. The new Daily Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl’s contains a highly concentrated blend of 100% natural origin ingredients, specially designed to reduce daily environmentally-induced oxidation and to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier.

Daily Reviving Concentrate contains the following key ingredients:

Ginger Root Oil (essential oil): protects skin cells from UVA-induced peri-oxidation and significantly reduces inflammation. It is also know to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
Sunflower Seed Oil (botanical oil): increases skin hydration, reduces the appearance of redness and improves skin smoothness. Also a brilliant anti-inflammatory.
Tamang Oil (botanical oil): this oil’s emollient properties lock moisture into the skin.

To ensure optimal efficiency, the Kiehl’s chemists selected a specific delivery system that would mirror the way the skin defends itself. The essential and botanical oils not only create a protective layer that diminishes the penetration of environmental aggressors which weaken the skin, but they also serve as a reservoir of benefits that continuously provide daytime hydration and boost the skin’s ability to defend itself throughout the day.

Does it work? I am delighted to report that it absolutely does! I have been using it every morning for the past few weeks and I am thrilled with the results – my skin looks glowy and healthy, and my makeup applies beautifully. I use it in conjunction with my SKOON products (after serum and before moisturiser) and I find that by the end of the day I’m definitely not looking as fatigued or dehydrated as I usually would, and my skin maintains a nice sheen throughout the day without the help of a hydrating mist. I never really applied my mind to protecting my face from oxidative aggressors during the day, as I was always so focussed on moisture, moisture, moisture (dry skinned girls, I know you’re with me on this one)! However, after reading up about the science behind the formulation of this product, it all just makes such perfect sense! This has become a new skincare staple for me and it is definitely one that I can see myself repurchasing.

If you’re on the combination/oily side and are concerned about using an oil in the daytime, don’t be. The oil is lightweight and absorbs in a jiffy so you won’t be able to see/feel any residue. Jules has sampled this product and it worked wonderfully on her as well.

Well done, Kiehl’s, you’ve done it again *slow clap*.

Retails for R700 and is available at Kiehl’s stores nationwide.

*PR Sample