So a few years ago, I started working with one of my absolute favourite skincare brands, Dermalogica. In my opinion, they run one of the best influencer programmes out there and I’ve absolutely loved incorporating their products into my routine over the past year. I did a brand roundup post on them last winter and I thought it was about time I posted an up to date version, taking you through all of the products I’ve tried so far and talking a little and my personal hits and misses with the brand. Although these products are gifted, my opinions are always my own and we’re going to get really into it. We’re going to get into ingredients, price points, results and I’ll lay out all of the Dermalogica products I love and the ones I wasn’t so thrilled by.
Odds are if you’ve had a facial they probably used Dermalogica. Developed by dermatologists, their no-frills attitude to skincare is what’s made them a household name. When they release something new it’s always incorporating the newest skincare ingredients in a way that’s not only hyper-effective but they think about everything, from the ease of application to scent, to the size and shape of the bottle. Whenever anyone asks me what brands I’d recommend for a skincare newbie I always say Dermalogica, it’s pricey but you do truly get what you pay for and the products will actually work, it’s an investment.
So running through the products in routine order, we’ll start with the cleansers.
Pre-cleanse oil
The fact that that call this the pre-cleanse makes me so happy, I’ve been double cleansing for years and believe it’s truly the best way to clean your face. Your first clean (what this oil is for) will remove any pollution, dirt, makeup or sunscreens on your face and leave you with a blank canvas that you then use an activated cleanser to actually deep clean your skin. This oil smells incredible and lasts forever and (because they’re geniuses and think of everything) this oil is lightly scented to help you wind down and get ready for sleep. It conditions the skin with essential fatty acids and turns into a milk emulsion when mixed with water.
An absolute 13/10 product that I can’t be without, makes taking off makeup so easy.
Special Cleansing Gel
Ok so I will admit that when I first started using this I wasn’t blown away, it’s essentially a gel cleanser that lightly foams when mixed with water. It doesn’t contain soap which is great because it’s not going to strip your skin. However, because I have combination skin I rely on my cleanser to balance the oils in my skin and keep me blemish free and this didn’t pack that punch. I’ve been using it as my morning cleanse or if I’m having a breakout and my skin is a mess then I’ll grab this because I know it’s not going to irritate my skin or make things worse.
A solid 6/10 if you had more balanced skin then I’d highly recommend this, but for me just not enough oomph in the results.
Skin Smoothing Cream
This was one of the first Dermalogica products I got truly hooked on about 2 years ago, the perfect gel/cream formula that sinks in really fast and leaves my skin velvety smooth. I used it religiously as my day cream and it became a firm favourite of mine. The perfect base for adding tanning drops as well for anyone who loves the tan luxe face drops this is ideal.
9/10 as close to perfect as a very basic moisturiser can be, will suit no doubt nearly all skin types
Face toner
So just to clarify, this is definitely a toner that comes in a spray bottle rather than a face mist. It’s very wet and it dispenses a generous amount. So with that in mind, I found it was really good for adding extra hydration to my routine, but I didn’t find it actually gave my skin that much better tone and waiting for it to completely dry before adding my serum was a bit of a pain. Nice on no makeup days to keep your skin hydrated but nothing game changing just as part of your AM/PM routine.
6/10 nice to have in the routine but not an essential step for me
Daily Microfoliant
A very special product. The original powder exfoliant and by far the best. Personally, my skin loved the charcoal superfoliant version that little bit better but overall these are amazing exfoliators. I always use mine in the shower because they tend to get a little messy, but essentially you pour a 10p sized amount of the powder into wet hands, lather it into a foam and then apply to your face. When you add water it transforms completely and it gives the best deep morning cleanse, perfect for bad skin days to start a new without drying out for skin or aggressively scrubbing.
Prisma Protect SPF 30
As someone with acne prone skin the idea of wearing an SPF 30 gives me shivers, normally they’re thick and they’re full of oils that I know will break me out overnight. Without being dramatic (although fear that ship has sailed) this product has completely changed that. This is more like a velvety day cream than a sunscreen but is has serious SPF power, when I was in the Canaries in March this is all I wore on my face and I didn’t burn even a little, nor to my surprise did I break out from it. Now it’s a complete non-negotiable in my routine and sits so well under makeup. This pioneering new formula is light-activated and has ingredients in it that boost your skins natural luminosity when you’re outside. So not only does it protect your skin from UV, it harnesses the power of light to actually improve your skin. MAGIC!
Skinperfect Primer SPF 30
Another skin-perfecting SPF, this primer evens out skin tone with a subtle tint and minimises the appearance of pores and lines. This stuff after a long weekend is a godsend! It helps under eye concealer sit so much better and last longer and you won’t have to worry about makeup slipping into your pores throughout the day. I always thought of primer as a take it or leave it kinda product but every time I remember to use it I’m always so glad I did!
There we have it! So glad I did an updated post, if you missed the first one I did, you can find it here. Otherwise, head to a Dermalogica store or concession to test out the products for yourself and let me know if you do try any.
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