The Beauty Diary by Rebekah Scanlan: Products to help suffering skin
Coles is shaking up the beauty aisle with a new line of budget products made by the same people behind a luxury Aussie brand.
Finding affordable skincare products that work just as well as the luxury, much more expensive versions is the definition of the “holy grail” to beauty lovers.
This week, Coles stepped in to help those on a budget with good value products, and already the range is being applauded by experts.
Australian skincare brand LPO, short for Little Pot Of, hit supermarket shelves this week and already it is being snapped up by keen shoppers.
But while you’d be forgiven for thinking the 10 new products have been made with budget ingredients, you’d be mistaken. Everything from LPO is dermatologically tested, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben and sulfate-free.
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Cosmetic chemist Armelle Sebbag works for Avenir Ingredients in North Sydney and worked with the brand to source quality ingredients.
“Like high-end luxury brands, LPO products are based on scientifically tested ingredients like Australian botanicals and natural extracts that are proven to support healthy looking skin and include active components,” she said.
And best of all, Ms Sebbag said the formula is clinically proven to increase the production of Tenascin-X and collagen to smooth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
A Coles spokesperson told The Beauty Diary the products are made by the same people who make some luxury skincare brands in Australia, a fact that will blow your mind – it did mine!
One of the brands – which can’t be named for confidentiality reasons – sells its eye cream for almost $150, yet LPO’s eye serum – made by the same people – is just $32. Hello.
The LPO range, which is only available at Coles, consists of Micellar Water ($13.00), Mist Toner and Gel Cleanser ($15), Face Scrub ($20), Renew Day and Night Cream ($28), Resurfacing Mask, Rewind Day and Night Creams (each $32) and an Eye Serum, (also $32) that is rumoured to bougie rival brands like Drunk Elephant and La Mer – which can cost as much as $400.
Despite only hitting shelves a matter of days ago, shoppers are already impressed – with one mum saying the skincare items were “really good value for money”.
Coles gave The Beauty Diary a sneak peek of the range and I’ve pulled out my two faves for you guys, plus I’ve added some other skincare goodies that are helping me beat the dull, drying effect winter has on my skin.
COLES LPO PURIFY MICELLAR WATER
Available at Coles nationally
Price: $13
Micellar Water is a firm fave for removing makeup. It’s leaves no icky residue and you avoid splashing water all over your bathroom floor like I do when washing my face with running water. But when some brands charge over $60 for a bottle, it’s an item I can live without – especially as water is free. But at this price, I’m very happy. The formula is made up of antioxidant rich Australian Botanicals which are gentle but still really effective – even my waterproof mascara came off when doused on a cotton pad. After my skin felt soft and moisturised, without that dry, tight feeling some “cheap” products are notorious for. The only thing I wasn’t 100 per cent sold on was the rose scent, however it’s very light and not overbearing. Overall, I was really impressed.
LPO PURIFY HYDRATING MIST TONER
Available at Coles nationally
Price: $15
While I’m still not entirely convinced toning mists are an essential skincare item, I do love them – plus experts argue they are great when used on clean skin before applying a serum or moisturiser as it helps skin absorb the goodness in them. If you’ve been sitting on the fence unable to justify splurging on an item that’s not a necessity I totally understand, which is why I’m obsessing about this baby. It’s super refreshing, has a calming effect on irritated skin and has a gorgeous delicate floral scent that gives skin a hydrating pick-me-up. It can also be used as a setting spray over make-up too or to give your face a refresh throughout the day. If you’re not sold on mists, give this one a go – because if you don’t like it you’ve not thrown too much money down the drain. However, I’m certain you’ll love it.
TRILOGY VITAMIN C REVITALISING EYE GEL
Available at Chemist Warehouse, trilogyproducts.com.au
Price: $34.95
I’m a huge fan of vitamin C products as it’s an ingredient that works wonders on my skin, leaving it brighter and with a lovely glow – and Trilogy is an actual wizard with it. You can apply this eye gel straight from the tube to your face, no fingers needed, as the dispenser has an ergonomic finish that doubles up as an eye-roller. The gel itself is lovely and cooling on the skin which depuffs tired eyes and gives eye-bags a nice zhuzh. It definitely lightens dark circles as well, giving the area an overall brighter appearance. One thing I would say is I found I got piling on the skin when using, so I started being a bit less liberal with my application which solved the issue.
SAND AND SKY AUSTRALIAN EMU APPLE ENZYME POWDER POLISH
Available at adorebeauty.com.au and sandandsky.com
Price: $72.90
Sand & Sky are no strangers to Instagram hype. The brand’s Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask literally started the face mask selfie trend while the cute buckets the Pink Clay Smoothing Body Sand comes in have been spotted in many a bathroom #shelfie. But the Emu Apple Enzyme Powder Polish topped its predecessors by having a 10,000 strong waitlist before fans of the brand even knew what the new product was. Thankfully, it lives up to expectations. While a powder-based exfoliator may seem a little confusing at first, all you have to do is pop a teaspoon worth on your hand and mix with water. At that point it foams up while still having a gentle grainy texture to buff away dead skin cells, leaving skin smooth and bright. After my skin looks noticeably dewy and beautifully fresh. Despite being gentle, it’s scrubbing power comes from papaya enzymes which are a natural exfoliant. It also has a whole bunch of other fruit derived goodness in it, such as emu apple and Kakadu plum. This is such a delight to use.
ACEOLOGY BRIGHTENING TREATMENT MASK
Available at aceology.co
Price: $69
I bloody hate peel-off masks usually. They pinch and pull out tiny hairs you didn’t even know existed and don’t get me started on how messy they can be. However, this doesn’t have any of those faults. The metallic formula glides on smoothly – you can use the brush provided or just whack it on with your fingers – and sets without dripping anywhere or making a mess. After 20 minutes, you can start to feel it getting loose around the edges and it simply peels off. After, skin is bright and glowy, without any of the pain other peel-off masks can have. In case you can’t tell from the reviews in this week’s column, I am into brightening products – but if you have other skin concerns, Acelogy have also created “detoxifying”, “firming” and “lifting” varieties of the treatment mask – so there’s something for everyone. While I love the brand’s gel sheet masks, they can get a little slippy – making this treatment mask my new favourite.
GO-TO PINKY NUDEY LIPS SUPER BALM WITH SPF 15
Available at Mecca and gotoskincare.com
Price: $17
Winter is well and truly upon us, creating that awful side-effect so many of us get in cold weather – chapped lips. I am notoriously picky with my lip products, not by choice, but because the average chemist-bought chapsticks just don’t work for me. However, I’ve found the natural formula on this is nourishing and doesn’t leave them feeling thirstier than they were to start with. It also has a gorgeous pink tint to it and SPF protection, which even in winter is a must-have.
This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad free.
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