Super-hydrating, fast-absorbing, and so dreamy. Does that sound like a moisturiser you need? Editor Trudi Brewer shares an anti-ageing beauty buy that delivers without the hefty price tag.
Face creams come and go in my line of work. But anything stacked with hyaluronic acid (HA) gets my attention. The latest, Essential Energy from Japanese beauty brand Shiseido, promises to give the skin 24-hours hydration with a blend of symbiotic ingredients. Before I share the virtues of this cream, let me remind you why I am addicted to hyaluronic acid. Dozens of studies have proven HA delivers, attracts, and retains moisture in the skin. That is because your body makes it. It's a naturally occurring gel-like sugar found in your joints, the skin and your eyes, essentially it keeps your body well lubricated. This superstar moisture binder holds a thousand times its weight in water while attracting moisture to itself, increasing hydration. However, as we age, natural moisture levels in the skin drop drastically, and that lack of moisture is one of the main culprits of skin wrinkling. So onto this new Essential Energy cream, read what's in it and why I like it.
Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream, $89.
To help you reduce your plastic waste, Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream Refill, $69 is available. This cream is free of parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, and pore-blocking mineral oil. It's also versatile; Essential Energy can slip into any skincare routine and become your day (under sunscreen) and at night moisturiser (over serums). Essential Energy suits all ages and skin types from dry to combination, and even sensitive.
What's in it?
When it comes to hyaluronic acid, size matters; the hyaluronic acid in this cream is both purified and micronised in three forms Hyaluronic M and L which are extracted from lactic acid and super bio hyaluronic acid, which is oil friendly. In this cream the HA molecules are tiny, not only do they hydrate the skin's surface, they absorb quickly and penetrate deeply. The other star ingredient in this cream is panax ginseng root extract, a prized superfood in Korea when harnessed in skincare; it's a natural skin balancer. If fine lines and wrinkles are your concern, ginseng extract helps boost circulation in the smallest blood vessels, in turn ramping up your collagen production. In addition, ginseng's coffee-like energising properties helps brighten and revitalise a dull complexion. For blurring the look of sun damage, the antioxidant properties in ginseng protect your skin from free radicals and act as a shield from environmental damage. Finally, those same antioxidants also help balance oil production. The best news is that hyaluronic acid and ginseng play nice together because they both actively boost moisture in the skin. Other ingredients include citrus peel, rosemary (which stops hyaluronic acid degrading) and Ichiyakuso flower extract, which help strengthen and smooth the skin.
Why do I like it?
First up, the texture of this cream is gorgeous. It’s lightweight and fluffy and my ageing face drinks it up. In saying that, less is more, so make sure you use the spatula supplied. I have been a tad heavy-handed slathering this on my skin because I adore the non-greasy, dewy glow it gives my face. It offers what I want from a face cream - a smoother and more supple-looking complexion while prepping my skin for foundation.
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