NEW: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque – Stressed Skin Saviour

We tend to define our skin as a particular type, ie normal, oily, combination or dry (sensitive is perhaps another).

But it’s never quite that simple. There’ll be times when our skin suddenly takes on a different characteristic – a spotty outbreak, red and inflamed, uncomfortably tight, and so on. 

The reasons can be many, including a change in the weather, central heating, intense exercise and post certain hefty cosmetic procedures like skin peels and laser resurfacing.

SkinCeuticals has just launched a new mask to deal with skin in need of a helping hand due to all of the above (and more). Phyto Corrective Masque contains a high concentration of green botanicals and other ingredients to intensely soothe and cool heat sensitivity, as well as improve hydration.

The formula is oil-free and has a lightweight gel texture – it drips off the finger slightly when you scoop it up so apply with some care.  It’s leafy green in colour, reflecting the mask’s botanical elements.

Key ingredients:

Botanicals – cucumber, thyme, olive and mulberry extracts to ease comfort
Dipeptides – to reduce the ‘perception’ of heat sensitivity
Hyaluronic acid – to replenish hydration

Apply a generous layer to clean skin (the face, neck and chest), avoiding the eye and lip areas. Rinse off after 15 minutes with cool water, or leave on for a more intensive treatment. It can be used daily (after sun exposure, a bath and exercise for example) or as and when needed (post procedure or when doing a lot of travelling say).

I’ve been trying out the mask after using some of my more intensive home skincare devices, most notably the HoMedics Newa. This is a skin tightening gadget which transmits heat in to the deep layers of the skin to boost the production of collagen: the skin can get quite hot (I’d better just add that the Newa has an in-built thermostat) and the treatment leaves skin warm (more than rosy cheeked) and red. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been popping on the SkinCeuticals mask immediately after to see if it aids my skin’s recover.

There’s definitely a ‘ooh ah, that feels lovely and cool’ moment as you apply it to irritated skin.  It does a good job of calming and dissipating some redness. It also makes skin feel more hydrated and comfortable. SkinCeuticals says clinical testing showed a 47% reduction in discomfort, and a 20% decrease in visual redness.

I’m impressed with this mask, which comes with great pedigree - SkinCeuticals is a premium brand beloved and stocked by many dermatologists. A 60ml jar costs £55. You can buy it here. More on SkinCeuticals here.

Post contains PR samples.