Things-we-missed-header
Skin Care Ingredients, Skin Care Tips and Trends, Skin Concern, Skin Types

9 Non-Essential Essentials for a Seriously Glowing Complexion

Basically a list of things we missed during the lockdown period!

P.S. We’re fully operational again! Shop all your favourite skincare products online—delivered to your door in the safest way possible.

1. Physical exfoliators

Remember the feeling of a freshly exfoliated face? It makes us go “ahh” just thinking about it. It’s no secret that exfoliating your skin can improve its radiance. Why? Just to recap: because it removes dead cells (which can make your skin look dull). BUT did you know that there are different types of exfoliators? Namely, physical, and chemical exfoliators.

Physical exfoliators, like sugar scrubs, use teeny-tiny grains to clear your skin of debris. Our advice is to always check the ingredients list and avoid large exfoliants (like fruit pits and nut shells) because these can do more harm than good. Think micro-tears and inflammation! No, thanks!

We missed these physical exfoliators…

2. Chemical exfoliators

There’s clean, and then there’s post-chemical exfoliation clean. Chemical exfoliators aid in cell turnover with the use of—you guessed it—chemicals. They work by loosening the bonds or glue between cells. Which chemicals should you be looking out for?

We missed these chemical exfoliators…

If you have dry skin, then look out for AHAs

AHAs, like lactic or glycolic acid, are water-soluble and focus on exfoliating your skin’s surface layer—revealing smoother, more luminous skin beneath.

NEOSTRATA Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel

R1,120.00
EARN 548 SkinMiles

If you have acne-prone skin, then look out for BHAs

BHAs, like salicylic acid, are oil-soluble and able to dive deeper into your skin. They have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

If you have sensitive skin, then look out for enzymes

Fruit enzymes, like pineapple, citrus, mandarin, willow bark, and papaya, gently dissolve only the dead skin cells, without damaging the newer skin underneath.

REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

R850.00
EARN 340 SkinMiles

3. Anything with retinol in it

Retinol (another name for vitamin A) is sort of the Jane of all trades of the beauty world. Its glow-inducing benefits include: encouraging collagen production, clearing acne, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and evening out skin tone. As with all things, great power comes with great responsibility. Since retinol thins the very top layer of your skin (which is a good thing), it can cause sun sensitivity. However, if you just apply sunscreen daily, then you’re golden (literally).

We missed these retinol creams…

sk.in flash 2 | restore shot

R1,153.00
EARN 461 SkinMiles

LAMELLE Correctives 3.0 RA Serum

R960.00
EARN 384 SkinMiles

SKINCEUTICALS Retinol 0.5

R1,655.00
EARN 1324 SkinMiles

DERMACEUTIC Activ Retinol 1.0

R1,605.00
EARN 642 SkinMiles

4. Vitamin C products

We could all use a little extra light in our lives, are we right? Enter vitamin C (or ascorbic acid). The miracle ingredient can soften the look of dark spots and help brighten the appearance of your skin. High-quality vitamin C products all have these things in common: L-ascorbic acid (the most active and stable form of vitamin C), 10-20% concentrations (a small amount is all that’s needed), and other antioxidants (like vitamin E and ferulic acid).

We missed these vitamin C products…

DERMACEUTIC Tri Vita C30

R2,160.00
EARN 864 SkinMiles

IMAGE VITAL C hydrating anti-aging serum

R1,920.00
EARN 768 SkinMiles

5. Clay masks

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: nothing says self-care like a face mask. Plus, there’s a mask for every skin type! So nobody gets left behind. Clay masks keep your skin fresh by removing toxins and stimulating cell regeneration. We love them for oily and acne-prone skin as they absorb excess oils and can help with unclogging.

We missed these clay masks…

REN Clearcalm Invisible Pore Detox Mask

Original price was: R680.00.Current price is: R598.00.
EARN 239 SkinMiles

DERMACEUTIC Mask 15

R1,230.00
EARN 492 SkinMiles

6. Sheet masks

Sheet masks are famous on Instagram—and for good reason. They’re super hydrating and are designed to soothe and calm dry, dull, or depleted skin. They contain high concentrations of mineral-rich waters and oils which leave your skin bright and glowing.

We missed these sheet masks…

FILORGA Lift Mask

R200.00
EARN 80 SkinMiles

IMAGE I-MASK hydrating hydrogel sheet mask

R185.00
EARN 74 SkinMiles

LAMELLE Dermaheal Growth Factor Sheet Mask

R150.00
EARN 60 SkinMiles

7. Toners

Toner (or beauty water, as we like to call it) is an essential part of our skincare routine. In the past, toners used to contain high concentrations of alcohol. As a result, they were incredibly dehydrating. So not glowy. Today, toners are designed to help your skin absorb the rest of your skincare products. They do this by prepping your pores and balancing your skin’s pH level.

We missed these toners…

If you have combination skin

Look out for BHAs and AHAs. These acids gently exfoliate without irritating your skin

OBAGI C-Balancing Toner

R840.00
EARN 336 SkinMiles

SKINCEUTICALS Equalizing Toner

R840.00
EARN 672 SkinMiles

If you have sensitive skin

Look for hyaluronic acid, glycerine, antioxidants, and ceramides. These ingredients replenish and repair your skin barrier.

EXUVIANCE Soothing Toning Lotion

R655.00
EARN 262 SkinMiles

SKINCEUTICALS Equalizing Toner

R840.00
EARN 672 SkinMiles

If you have acne-prone skin

Look for ingredients that work to remove excess oils, like BHAs and fruit enzymes.

OBAGI CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy

R1,140.00
EARN 456 SkinMiles

SKINCEUTICALS Blemish + Age Toner

R890.00
EARN 712 SkinMiles

If you have dry skin

Look for gently purifying ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerine, vitamin E, and aloe vera.

EXUVIANCE Soothing Toning Lotion

R655.00
EARN 262 SkinMiles

8. Serums

Serums have magical powers. OK, not really. But they are packed with potent ingredients. Serums absorb into your skin—to target specific skin concerns—on a deeper level. Elixirs, potions, or whatever you want to call them… there’s a galaxy of serum options to choose from.

We missed these serums…

For smoothing

#HyaluronicAcid #Peptides

DERMACEUTIC Hyal Ceutic

R1,080.00
EARN 432 SkinMiles

sk.in marvel | hydro shot

R1,235.00
EARN 494 SkinMiles

For hydration

#VitaminB5

DERMAQUEST Essential B5 Moisture Matte

R1,895.00
EARN 758 SkinMiles

For potent protection from UV radiation

#VitaminC #VitaminE

sk.in gloss | radiant shot

R1,529.00
EARN 611 SkinMiles

9. Moisturisers rich in hyaluronic acid

What if we told you that we have the secret to plump and dewy—in other words, glowing—skin? In a word, hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid—found naturally in the body—is a sponge-like molecule that helps your skin maintain as much moisture as possible. If your skin is on the drier side, then look for hyaluronic acid moisturisers.

We missed these moisturisers rich in hyaluronic acid…

IMAGE VITAL C hydrating water burst

R1,345.00
EARN 538 SkinMiles

ALPHA-H Balancing Moisturiser And Gentle Exfoliant

Original price was: R1,049.00.Current price is: R949.00.
EARN 379 SkinMiles

EXUVIANCE Total Correct Hydrate

R1,480.00
EARN 592 SkinMiles

Be a little kinder to yourself (and your skin).

Yours in skin,

Dr Alek and the SkinMiles Team.

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About Dr Alek Nikolic

Dr Alek Nikolic was born in South Africa and received his MBBCh (Wits) in 1992 and in 2000 he received his MBA (UCT). He has been in private practice for 24 years and is the owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, which has offices in Cape Town. Dr Nikolic specialises in aesthetic medicine and is at the forefront of the latest developments in his field. He is very driven and has lectured extensively and has performed live demonstrations throughout South Africa and Internationally including Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Monte Carlo, Prague, and Warsaw. Dr Nikolic’s focus is on skin care, skin ingredients and cosmetic dermatology treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, Botox, and Dermal Fillers. He has performed over 20 000 procedures to date and as such is responsible for training numerous medical practitioners both in South Africa and internationally. Dr Nikolic is one of the founding members of the South African Allergan Medical Aesthetic Academy and chaired its inaugural launch in 2012. The Allergan Academy provides essential training to keep up with the latest technology in aesthetics. Dr Nikolic holds the advisory position of Allergan Local Country Mentor in Facial Aesthetics and is the Allergan Advanced Botox and Dermal Filler Trainer. He is Vice President of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA) and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

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