Introducing SkinCeuticals New Products for 2016

SkinCeuticals, the authoritative brand in anti-oxidant skin care, has just recently launched its new products for 2016 and a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend the launch event where special guest speaker Ms. Jennifer Bedran, SkinCeuticals’ Skin Education Expert, introduced the said new products.

Product samples
(photos taken by me)

Ms. Jennifer Bedran

SkinCeuticals is not new to this blog and if you have been following for some time, you would know that the brand combines powerful state-of-the-art medical procedures with premium products, to make sure patients achieve optimal skin health and anti-aging benefits from all treatments. During the event we were introduced to three new products and an innovative 'lunch-break' rejuvenating Gel Peel treatment, of which we had a live demonstration by Ms. Bedran herself.

Let's have a look at the new anti-aging innovations from SkinCeuticals, starting with Metacell Renewal B3. Metacell Renewal B3 utilizes a patent-pending aqueous emulsion to deliver a high concentration of vitamin B3 to address early signs of photo-aging (aging due to sunlight). While signs of sun damage appear at different intensities according to skin biology, lifestyle, sun protection behaviour, and skincare regimen, they have a multiplicative effect, creating a prematurely-aged appearance. This comprehensive daily emulsion visibly improves these early signs of photo-aging by increasing cell turnover to resurface skin, help re-clarify and even out the skin tone, and improve the appearance of wrinkles and surface elasticity.

Next is Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. Aging skin is significantly more susceptible to lipid depletion: the loss of natural compounds in skin’s surface, present in the form of ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids. This lipid loss compromises the skin’s natural protective barrier, resulting in visible signs of accelerated aging, as skin loses its ability to effectively self-repair.

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-aging cream formulated with a maximized concentration of lipids. This unique anti-aging lipid correction cream contains the first 2:4:2 cholesterol-dominant ratio to help restore skin's external barrier while potently nourishing aging skin for improvement in signs of accelerated aging, such as dry and rough skin, laxity and loss of fullness.

Lastly for new products, we have Phloretin CF Gel. Phloretin CF Gel is a new, powerful serum-in-a-gel antioxidant featuring a patented combination of 2% Phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic Acid), and 0.5% Ferulic Acid to neutralize free radicals induced by environmental stressors such as UVA/UVB and pollution which may lead to visible signs of accelerated skin aging. Phloretin CF Gel diminishes hyperpigmentation, accelerates cell-renewal and retexturizes skin. Its comforting gel base makes it ideal for normal to combination skin and non-serum users. I have a few samples of the Phloretin CF anti-oxidant concentrate myself and my skin loves it whenever I treat it to the product so expect excellent results with its new counterpart as well.

Following the new products presentation, we assisted to a live demonstration of a new rejuvenating gel peeling which is being dubbed as the 'lunch break' peeling as it literally does not take more than 30 minutes to complete. The skin is instantly brightened following this treatment and the best part of it all is that contrary to other peeling treatments, there is no redness on the skin whatsoever!

Ms. Jennifer Bedran applying the 'lunch-break' peel on her model for the night
(photos taken by me)

The new SkinCeuticals products and the Gel Peel are now available exclusively from Persona in Ta’ Xbiex, where expert staff await you to help you  tailor your own personalized skincare regimen.

All photos courtesy of Persona Med-Aesthetic Clinic unless otherwise stated.

Here comes the sun...

...and with it melanoma awareness campaigns which bring forth the risks associated with sun exposure and the link with potential cancer development as well as how you can examine yourself better. The month of May is dedicated to Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness hence Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre, in collaboration with its team of dermatologists and SkinCeuticals, is offering a number of free consultations for mole assessment throughout May in the light of the importance of early detection and prevention of melanoma.

Melanoma is the most common skin cancer which arises from melanocytes, a type of cells located in the basal layer of the outer skin, which stimulate the tanning process when exposed to UV rays. Aggressive forms of this type of cancer can metastasize to any organ in the body, hence the importance of early detection.

The effects of sun exposure are cumulative, hence every exposure adds to damage caused to the skin which even though it may not be visible at a young age, it is still potentially harmful. A combination of factors such as depletion of the ozone layer, more skin revealing fashion and tanning beds gaining popularity have led to a significant rise in melanoma cases over the past years, even locally.

The following points to help protect your skin from the sun cannot be stressed enough:

• seek shade and avoid the sunniest hours of the day, roughly between 11.00 and 16.00. 
• when outdoors, try to protect your skin as much as possible, wearing a hat, sunglasses and clothing that covers you skin. 
• use a high factor broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF50+) throughout the year. In the summer months it is important to re-apply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours throughout the day when exposed to the sun. 

Lately, the incorporation of antioxidants plus sunscreen in our skin care regime is starting to get more importance as benefits include an increase in protection against UV and IRA rays. Recent studies show that IRA (infra red radiation) is also responsible for skin’s photo-damaging effects, hence modern sun protection should include filters, that provide IRA protection as well. Whereas sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB radiation from the outside, antioxidants work from the inside, protecting against free radicals formation and DNA damage to skin caused by UV & IRA rays. Studies show that even the best sunscreen, when applied, offers up to 55% protection against UV damage, but when combined with a powerful and well-formulated antioxidant, protection levels rise even up to 98%. For this reason, Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre is giving a free sunscreen with every purchase of one of the SkinCeuticals Anti-Oxidant products. You will also be helping a noble cause as 5% from all SkinCeuticals sales made during 2015, will be donated to Hospice Malta at the end of the year.

Self examination is also a very important factor in the early detection of melanoma that is not to be overlooked. A popular method is the ABCDE method where A stands for Asymmetry in shape, B is for Border irregularity, C is for Colour difference, D is for Diameter (large > 6mm) and E is for Evolution that marks a change over-time.

‘Dermatologists world-wide insist that there’s nothing healthy about a sun tan, therefore through this campaign, we hope more people will become aware of the dangers of unprotected or inadequately-protected sun exposure’, says Kate Demanuele, General Manager of Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre. ‘Prevention and early detection measurements of skin cancer, can save lives, therefore we hope this campaign will have its needed impact on people’s lifestyle and their skin health.’

For more information about Persona's melanoma awareness campaign check out their website, Facebook page or contact them on 21340366 or info@persona.com.mt. Products can also be purchased via the website.

Event | SkinCeuticals Launch by Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre

Last Friday, I was invited to Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre's SkinCeuticals Launch event at the lush Westin Dragonara Hotel Ballroom.

I must say that it was a very well organized, chic and glamorous event - there was even a red carpet for guests to walk on and have their picture taken, something which me and fellow bloggers Steph and Elaine have taken good advantage of ;) Delicious food and a well stocked bar also characterized the event  which took place in very elegant surroundings featuring the SkinCeuticals logo colours, black and white.

The event started with Mr. Peter Apap, director of Persona making his introductions and a speech by Her Excellency Mary Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta (left picture below) ensued where she acknowledged the charitable act of Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre donating proceeds from their yearly SkinCeuticals sales to Malta Hospice Movement and the Malta Association of Dermatology and Venerology (MADV).

In turn, various experts on the subject, including a SkinCeuticals educator from Dubai (right picture above) delivered very well informed presentations about skin health, the brand itself and we wear also introduced to the latest three products to join the SkinCeuticals family.

SkinCeuticals was founded in 1997 by Dr.Sheldon Pinnell, a pioneer of cosmeceuticals in the US and a dermatological authority boasting 100 published papers on the subject and 4 patents, all of which belong to SkinCeuticals products. The brand lives up to its motto (Prevent, Protect, Correct) through anti-ageing breakthroughs with antioxidant technologies in the products they formulate. Research and innovation are the very core of the brand, thus rewarding patients and clients with the results they are after. The brand is very exclusive with only a handful of countries selling it around the world and it is only prescribed by medical professionals. In Malta, the authorised stockists are of course Persona.

During the cocktail party which followed the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to have their skin analysed through Visia - a machine that 'sees' deep within your skin to help you find the best possible skin care regime and products. All three of us bloggers had our skin analysed but a full consultation would take around an hour so an appointment at Persona is definitely recommended. There was also a SkinCeuticals Bar with products available to sample.

All in all, I really enjoyed my time at the event and I am very much looking forward to trying out a handful of samples we were given.

Check out Persona on Facebook and their website for more information on the services they offer and purchasing of products.