Road Test: I tried Kit’s new plant-based alternative to retinol
IMAGE VIA @KITSKINKIND/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DEANA STEPANIAN
Unearthing the secret to smoother, kinder skin.
Implementing daily stress-relieving rituals has been an overarching goal of mine this year. I’m prone to sudden bouts of anxiety, so the stillness that comes with intentionally taking time for yourself and dousing your skin with personalised concoctions is unmatched. Plus, finding and sticking to a skincare regime that works for our skin and the world we exist in is a game-changer for our wellbeing.
When it comes to skincare that’s made to combat the stressors of urban living, Australian beauty brand Kit more than provides. Last week I was lucky enough to visit Hobart, Tasmania with Mecca to try out Kit’s new No.4 Concentrate. Alongside a selection of writers, editors and content creators, I plunged into an icy river at Kunyanyi (Mt Wellington) and was coached through Wim Hof’s famous breath work method. It’s safe to say we definitely put the product to the test.
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Before I dive into all its wonderfully unique ingredients and how the product should be used, let’s talk a little about concentrates in general. Formulated as a highly concentrated mixture of active ingredients, concentrates directly address and target specific areas or skin types. In saying that, it’s extra important for those with sensitive skin to ensure we’re not suffocating our epidermis with ingredients that might harm it, so picking the right concentrate is key.
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As someone who tried retinol once and ended up with flaky, painful and discoloured skin, the magic of Kit’s No.4 Concentrate lies in one of its key ingredients, bakuchiol. Known as nature’s retinol, bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant and is renowned for its retinol-like effect. This makes the No.4 Concentrate ideal for people looking for a plant-based alternative to an ingredient that’s often harsh and can result in further dryness.
Along with bakuchiol, the concentrate also contains bladderwrack, blueberry, aloe vera and Tasmanian pepper berry. As a seaweed extract, bladderwrack is full of moisturising and antioxidant properties, and Tasmanian pepper berry is a native Australian botanical with anti-inflammatory and collagen-enhancing benefits.
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Jordie Johnson, a Skincare Specialist at Mecca, tells me that the No.4 Concentrate is especially helpful and suitable for those with “a sensitised or reactive skin type”. I’m fairly low-key when it comes to skincare, and often opt for just one product – Kit’s Universal Face Lotion has been a go-to for me for a while now. But while on the trip, I ventured out of my comfort zone and used the No.4 Concentrate each night before applying my Kit (F)A.C.E Serum and finally the Universal Face Lotion.
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My skin is often dry, textured and bumpy, so I avoid wearing face makeup as much as possible because the end result usually looks patchy. But after patting this bad boy on my skin and letting it work its magic overnight, I had to test out how a full face of makeup looked. While new products usually take more than a few days for me to notice any changes, my skin felt smoother and my makeup was sitting better.
Most importantly though, Kit’s No.4 Concentrate didn’t make my skin immediately break out in a rash-like cluster of tiny whiteheads like many new products do. With simple yet powerful ingredients, Kit’s No.4 Concentrate is here to stay as part of my nighttime ritual.
You can get your very own No.4 Concentrate in Mecca stores and online here.
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