Face time: establishing a skincare regimen with Kate Somerville
Hollywood's "guru of glow" gets us back on track
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my recent hiatus from The Beauty Blog – to focus on the SCMP’s re-launch of Destination Macau – it’s the importance of a consistent skincare regimen. The best products in the world won’t do you any good unless you actually use them, day in and day out. With that in mind, I went to skincare expert Kate Somerville for advice on how best to look after my skin and get it back in balance.
1. KateCeuticals Moisture Milk Cleanser
This creamy cleanser (HK$530) has a nice thick consistency and faint floral fragrance. After being massaged into the skin for a few minutes, it can be removed with a tissue or rinsed with water. Despite my sensitive skin, I usually rinse if off with water. It does a good job of cleansing without stripping away moisture, although those who wear a lot of make-up may want to use it twice or after a make-up remover. I follow this with KateCeuticals Replenishing Toner (HK$530), which my consultant advised would help remove any residue and gently exfoliate dead skin cells.
2. ExfoliKate Gentle
Having used Somerville’s legendary ExfoliKate before and experienced a bit too much tingling and redness, I was hesitant to try it again. But this time I opted for the Gentle version (HK$595) and found it did a good job of deep-cleansing the skin without causing any flare-ups – as long as I didn’t use it too frequently. Just be warned – it has a pungent herbal scent, which may take some getting used to.
3. DermalQuench Liquid Lift
One of Somerville’s hero products, this innovative booster (HK$870) is designed to deliver pure oxygen deep into the skin. It should be used after toning and before a serum. I can’t say whether my face is more “oxygenated” or not, but this is a fun and easy addition to my skincare regimen. Just spray the light, foamy liquid over the face and massage gently, even around the eyes – it sinks in almost immediately and the best part is you don’t have to wait for it to dry before moving on to the next step.
4. Quench Hydrating Face Serum
Because my skin is so dry, my consultant suggested layering on several products to hydrate and strengthen it. This clear serum (HK$775) has a slightly oily consistency but absorbs easily and leaves my skin looking and feeling plumper.
5. Nourish Daily Moisturizer
I usually shy away from piling on too many products, so I was hesitant to add yet another step to my new skincare regimen. But to my surprise, this cream (HK$595) managed to add moisture while balancing the oiliness left by the serum. It also comes in Somerville’s signature airtight dispenser, so you don’t have to worry about contaminating the ingredients every time you use it.
6. Mega-C Dual Radiance Serum
After several weeks of following my Kate Somerville routine (and enjoying softer and noticeably less sensitive skin), I’m finally ready to add this new product (HK$825) to my nightly regimen. The hi-tech serum boasts 10 per cent Vitamin C as well as sea buckthorn pulp oil and Vitamin E to do everything from diminish fine lines to brighten the complexion. Check back later for a full review!
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