3 Must-Haves From SkinCeuticals For Glowing Skin

Do you live somewhere right now where:

1. It hurts to breathe because your lungs freeze due to the cold?
2. Exposed skin will freeze in 30 seconds?
3. It’s colder in your hometown than it is on Mars?

Welcome to my reality, friends! Today clocked a bone-chilling -31C with the windchill factor in lovely Ottawa, ON and my skin is paying for it. I’ve been hibernating to preserve my poor face! Simply walking from my house to the car turns me into a Domsicle in record time.

Many of you have written to me asking for some dry skin advice, so I’m here to serve some up. Over the past several months, I’ve been testing out some hydration-rich products and services that have proven to be serious skincare savers. Let me start with the Hydrafacial.

Hydrafacial

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dominique Baker (@dominique.baker)

A couple of months ago, I visited the Ottawa Skin Clinic and was treated to a hydrafacial. It was heavenly – a big “recommend”.

This non-invasive facial detoxifies skin leaving you looking bright and glowy. Seriously – afterwards, I looked like I had just returned from the most relaxing vacation.

This gentle 5-step facial starts with cleansing, followed by exfoliation and a light acid peel which removes dead cells revealing the glowing skin underneath.

Your esthetician will then perform a light extraction using a suction cup-like device (no painful squeezing), and then your skin is infused with antioxidant serums, peptides and a lush hyaluronic acid to plump your glowy skin. Personally, I loved every second of it and got a couple of my good friends hooked on the service.

The Ottawa Skin Clinic uses SkinCeuticals products for this treatment, and they worked so well for me that I took a few home. Read on to learn more about my fave SkinCeuticals goodies.

SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser

If you are looking for a soothing, gentle cleanser to baby your winter-worn skin, SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser is for you.

Wintry conditions mixed with indoor heating saps the moisture out of your already dry skin. This Soothing Cleanser effectively cleans and removes all traces of makeup (removed my black-as-coal liquid eyeliner in a pinch) without leaving your face feeling tight and dry.

Use this cleanser the night after having a facial treatment such as microneedling, injectables or any sort of facial peel. It’s soap-free, full of botanical extracts such as orchid extract (calming, restores skin’s smooth surface) and cucumber extract – high in Vitamin C and amino acids which serves to hydrate and nourish skin.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel

OK. This beauty blogger right here has tried her share of serums that seem like they do nothing, nada…except drain your wallet of precious dollars.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel is NOT one of those serums. You will find that this serum goes on truly like a gel, with a smooth slip that feels cool and soothing.

This serum is the most interesting green shade, which makes sense as it is formulated with thyme, cucumber, and olive leaf, among others. This ingredients also give it its earthy, herbal scent.

Soothing and calming, this serum is ideal for both those suffering from slightly dry skin to those suffering with acne.

One of the pleasant effects you’ll benefit from by using the Phyto Corrective Gel is lightening of brown spots and overall skin brightening. This gel contains a natural alternative to hydroquinone which lightens and brightens skin, and clears up blemishes.

Trust me when I say that the Phyto Corrective Gel will always have a spot in my skincare arsenal. It has been integral in banishing breakouts.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is a skincare hero…and it better be as it costs a pretty penny. At $175, it makes your wallet scream, but it is WORTH IT!

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is a heavy hitting Vitamin C based serum. Everyone by the way, should be using Vitamin C-based skincare. Vitamin C works effectively to smooth skin, reducing the fine lines and greatly diminishing discolouration.

Vitamin C also brightens skin, something that is so needed during the dead of winter (sigh). Incorporating this little wonder vitamin into your skincare routine – I promise – will take you from sad and sallow, to hot and JLo in no time.

So, what is Phloretin, you ask? Phloretin is derived from apples and root bark of fruit trees such as apple, pear and grapefruit. It neutralizes damaging free radicals, speeds up cell turnover (hello, soft skin!) and again, helps beat discolouration.

How To Use Phloretin CF

After cleansing your skin in the am, apply a few drops to your face and neck before apply your other skincare. Feel free to use on the back of your hands too.

This serum may darken after opening thanks to its Vitamin C content. Don’t worry though – it’s still effective. Also, be sure to use it within three months of opening the product!

With regular use, I noticed that Phloretin CF really tempered my oily skin and my skin seemed much more even and bright. I had quite a few acne scars (hyperpigmentation), and after two months of use, they have virtually disappeared.

Bye Bye Dull Skin

Using these three skincare heavy hitters is a surefire way to kiss dull skin goodbye. Available at spas and dermatological offices, I highly suggest you seek them out and give them a try. If you have questions, check out the SkinCeuticals website here and read up on everything the brand has to offer.

Alternatively, head to your favourite spa and speak to a licensed esthetician to determine which SkinCeuticals products are best suited to your skin…and go get your glow on.

*In partnership with SkinCeuticals and The Ottawa Skin Clinic