4 beauty influencers share the products that have changed their skin
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SWISSE WELLNESS PTY LTD.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN ANN COLLANTE
STYLING BY JAM BAYLON
MAKEUP BY GRETA KEDDIE
WORDS BY MAGGIE ZHOU
The cream of the crop.
Before the dawn of the internet, I imagine figuring out your skincare routine was simply a breeze. In this historically inaccurate musing, I envision myself strolling down to my local chemist and picking up whatever plain Jane bottle my eyes fall on.
Flash forward to 2023 and rave reviews, beauty hauls and endless product drops make our beauty regimen a whole lot more complicated. This much choice could kill a small, Victorian-era child – but at least they’d have glowing skin.
For more wellness advice, head on over to our Health section.
Technological strides and research developments are constantly evolving the beauty world. We harness the power of LED light, we’re taking our hyaluronic acid in tablet form (thanks Swisse Beauty) and we’re using enzymes, not granules, to exfoliate.
But how do we wade through the sea of beauty products, competing for a space on our hotly contested beauty shelves? We decided to tap some of Australia’s beauty influencers to hear what their all-time favourite skincare products are – products that they swear have changed their skin for the better.
But remember, it’s good to pair topical skincare needs with supplements to round out a holistic skincare regime. Swisse Beauty’s Multivitamin Complex Powder has a natural watermelon flavour and delivers vitamin B3, iron, vitamin C as well as key beauty actives marine collagen and sodium hyaluronate (a salt form of HA).
Maddie Edwards, she/her
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What is your skin type? What has your skin journey been like?
La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Serum has changed my skin and the way that I deal with breakouts. I use it every night as my first serum (I recommend layering your serums in order of whichever skin concern is your main priority). But I only use it on my t-zone where I break out because the skin on my cheeks is different so it’s obviously going to react differently to the product.
It gently micro-exfoliates the skin so there’s less chance of clogged pores, it brightens dark spots that have been left behind from old breakouts and the salicylic acid in it actually exfoliates the walls of your pores which helps clear the breakouts quicker. So, it acts as a preventative in a way and it also helps clear breakouts way faster than they would on their own.
Another product I have to mention is Amperna’s Probiotic+ DS Soothing Serum. I use this morning and night and have done it for nearly two years. I recently ran out and I couldn’t even go a couple of days without it. While I waited for it to arrive in the mail, I had to steal Mum’s. If you have red, sensitive skin, you need this.
Ruchi Page, she/her
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What is your skin type? What has your skin journey been like?
My skin type is balanced to combination, with dehydration at times. I also experience occasional congestion. My skin journey started in 2017 when I went off the pill and experienced constant hormonal breakouts and congestion. Slowly, I have regained my skin’s health by allowing my skin the time to heal and using products to topically replenish moisture and tackle post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and congestion.
What are the products that have changed your skin?
Go-To Skincare’s Much Plumper Skin Serum has changed my skin. In terms of hyaluronic acid serums, I have tried many. But this one is one of the few that actually maintains hydration all day long and feels beautiful on the skin (think, no tackiness). It didn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or congested with the product and it layered perfectly under moisturiser. No pilling, yay!
I use two to three drops on the palm of my hand and massage it into slightly damp skin, I then press it in with my fingertips. That tight, dry and uncomfortable dehydration feeling leaves immediately, but more impressively, the moisture replenishment lasts the entire day. A favourite for life!
I also love Sunday Riley’s Good Genes. I am prone to dull skin with dark spots so chemical exfoliation is a step I have fallen in love with. Not only does it make your skin radiate, but it also refines the skin so makeup application the next day is a breeze. I apply this once or twice a week at night, with a calming moisturiser over the top. I found this to help with congested areas, but it also evens out my skin tone by sloughing away dead skin.
My other favourite is Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum. My first introduction to retinol was this serum and it’s been a repeated product in my bathroom ever since. The texture is creamy and luxurious but its slow-release technology allows you to wear it day and night. (If you use this, you wouldn’t use a chemical exfoliator the same day, just an FYI.) It is such a fab way to introduce yourself to the chaotic world of retinol. I can’t go without this.
Kaydee Kyle-Taylor, she/her
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What is your skin type? What has your skin journey been like?
My skin type is combination but also sensitive at times. I have eczema which makes my skin really sensitive to products that are either overly fragranced and/or harsh on the skin. I have a lot of foods I can’t consume or that I’m allergic to which plays a part in having eczema.
My skincare journey started when I was a teenager. My mother always said to wear lotion daily to protect and hydrate our skin and I definitely trusted her advice because her skin is beautiful. Growing up in sunny Queensland, sunscreen wasn’t considered important because we’re Blak. It wasn’t until I turned 18 that I started learning the importance of sun protection.
The 2020 to 2021 lockdowns were the turning point in my skincare routine and journey. I started investing more in my skin and learning more about how diet can affect my eczema. Not to mention, I also had regular breakouts because of my job as a makeup artist.
My skincare routine has always consisted of the basics: a cleanser, a hydrating lotion and an exfoliator (which I only use twice a week at most).
What are the products that have changed your skin?
When I began investing in The Ordinary, I immediately started seeing results and my skin improve. It’s important – for a skincare routine and with anything in life – that perfect isn’t the goal.
Skin is textured and can drastically change over time. My goal was to learn more about how to manage my breakouts and to learn about my skin more deeply – about how to protect it and give it the love and care it needs.
Cetaphil is my best friend and it works hand-in-hand with The Ordinary. My one, all-time, can’t-live-without product is The Ordinary’s Niacinamide and Zinc Serum. I apply this in my AM routine after a Cetaphil gentle cleanse, followed by Cetaphil lotion and Mecca lip balm.
I use lightly exfoliating serums, creams or masks at night, like The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid, The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid Masque or Sunday Riley Lactic Acid Treatment. These are only done once a week or sometimes fortnightly. Changes I have noticed over the last few years are my scaring and pigmentation fading, my pores looking tighter, and fewer and more manageable breakouts.
Iain Jeffery, they/them
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What is your skin type? What has your skin journey been like?
My skin type is normal to dry, which is the opposite of when I was younger. I used to suffer from consistent, painful acne, but by learning about what works best for my skin, I’ve managed to move past that. As I’ve aged, my oil production has slowed so now I aim to keep my skin happy, hydrated and healthy!
What are the products that have changed your skin?
Finding a compatible retinol has been the best thing I’ve done for my skin. I love how the Medik8 Retinal range uses retinaldehyde (which I find works best for my skin) and comes in multiple strengths. I started lower and have worked my way up to this one. I use Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 10 two to three times a week, and it gives me all the glow, smoothness and well-ageing benefits that I want from retinol without any irritation.
With consistent use, I’ve noticed fewer breakouts, smoother-looking skin, and this lit-from-within radiance that I’m obsessed with. I also love the slightly thicker texture of the formula, it feels nourishing when I apply it, which I love.
Biobod’s Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum is the most beautiful hydrating serum that has never caused me irritation and I can always use it when my skin feels a little compromised. This beauty features probiotics that help replenish skin, while fan-favourite hyaluronic acid gives a nice boost of hydration.
I find this is the perfect thing to use day and night, but I love that it always leaves my skin feeling stronger. I notice more hydrated, radiant skin every single time. Plus, I love the fact it comes in a larger, 50ml size (compared to the standard 30ml). I never feel like I have to skimp on hydration when my skin needs it the most – heaven!
Some responses have been edited for clarity.
To check out Swisse Beauty’s Multivitamin Complex Powder, head here.
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