Although I’ve never really been prone to breakouts, or spots or oily skin, the one skin woe I have is dryness. No matter how much moisturiser I put on, how hydrating my foundation is or how much moisturising face wash I use, the pesky dry flakes seem to return after just a few hours, leaving my make-up in tatters and my self confidence low. Dry skin, although a minor problem in the grand scheme of things, can really take its toll and last month, I decided enough was enough. I changed up the products I was using (for the zillionth time) and vowed to use not only a hydrating cream but a serum too.
S5, a relatively new brand to hit the beauty market, offer an extensive selection of beautifully crafted products targeted at dry skin sufferers. Keen to try anything once, I got to work using their Vitality Mask, Replenish Serum and Restore Cream on a day to day basis, measuring the differences meticulously each morning in the mirror – and I was absolutely delighted by the results.
The Replenish Serum, which targets dry and scarred skin, hydrating and rejuvenating it gently rather than to the point it stings – is by far my favourite discovery. Applied with a pipette, it’s a little thicker than the majority of serums but it melts in under your normal moisturiser and leaves my skin flake free for at least another 5 hours. It has a gorgeous marzipan-esque scent, which is very fresh and uplifting – and the soft feeling it creates is honestly unlike anything else on the market I’ve tried. At £44, it’s a high end product, similar to those from Dermalogica and the like – however with such a dramatic effect (and in little under two weeks) I would definitely recommend it as something to try. Different things work for different people, but I’ve certainly found my match in this product.
The Vitality Mask claims to refine and perfect – repairing stressed and tiring looking skin and illuminating it from within. You apply a thick layer to the surface (best in the shower as the steam helps open your pores), leave for 3-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. If I’m completely honest, I didn’t notice a huge difference. The mask was gentle enough not to react with my overly sensitive skin, which was a positive – but the redness I’ve suffered as a result of my dry skin means that any difference to the illumination goes unnoticed. It’s a lovely mask to refresh yourself in the morning and wake up your skin, but I didn’t notice a huge difference otherwise. I think the more noticeable changes were from the former product (see above).
The Restore Cream is deliciously whipped (a weird description I know, but the texture is amazing) and melts into your skin without any assistance. It hydrates the skin’s surface, leaving it soft and supple – and the smell – also reminiscent of marzipan, is sweet and awakening. At £39, again it is quite a high end product however if you’re looking for a moisturiser that works to combat dry skin – it is certainly worth a try.
I was really intrigued by S5 Skincare before trying these products – but after using all three for a couple of weeks, I’m even more interested in what the range has to offer. The scent of the range is absolutely gorgeous and the packaging is certainly dressing table worthy. Watch this space – I guarantee you’ll be seeing lots more of these products very soon!