London winter 1 – Gio 0
Last year, the harsh London winter weather caught me totally unprepared and beat my skin to a pulp. Ouch!
This year, I’m determined things will be different. When the freezing cold attacks again, it’ll find me prepared.
My shield is already up. It’s the oily kind. Only, it’s not that oily. I know, that just confused you even more, sorry!
Let’s start again. I’m using a facial oil. Those are awesome at strengthening the skin’s barrier and locking moisture in. When the harsh winds will start blowing on my face, the oil will it make it oh so hard for them to break through and suck all the moisture out of my skin. Ah, take that you nasty cold weather!
What oil am I using atm? Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil. Here’s how it works:
What’s In Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil?
CAMELLIA OIL TO MOISTURISE SKIN
Camellia japonica seed oil is one of the lesser known oils,isn’t?
It’s a lot like olive oil, which is my fave (I’m Italian, after all). Like olive oil, it contains plenty of oleic acid, a fatty acid that creates a barrier on the skin to seal water in, so it won’t evaporate into thin air when you need it the most.
Oleic acid also has soothing properties, so if your skin is irritated, this can help calm it down. But it’s not the best thing for oily skin. It can clog pores and make you breakout. Well, nothing is perfect, isn’t it?
The other oils, such as chia seeds and tamanu, do give a little helping hand to the camellia seed oil. But that’s the one that does the heavy lifting.
Related: The Complete Guide To Facial Oils In Skincare
CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE TO MOISTURISE SKIN, TOO
Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is loaded with fatty acids that moisturise skin, leaving it softer and suppler.
Lighter in texture, it basically has all the moisturising properties of coconut oil without its comedogenic potential.
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Texture
Surprisingly not that oily. It leaves no oily residue on my skin. And not because my skin is so dry, it laps it all up anyway (my skin is combo, if you’re wondering).
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
It’s the last step of your skincare routine at night. You don’t need moisturiser with it. But if you want to use them together, moisturiser goes first. Or you can mix it with moisturiser and be done with it.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I love using Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil because it leaves my skin so soft and smooth. The temperatures here have just started to chill, but so far my skin has been showing no sign of dryness. It doesn’t feel tight after washing. It’s not rough. It doesn’t flake.
Ok, the weather isn’t that horrible to completely destroy my skin yet, but this oil is definitely doing something right because my skin looks great. Just this morning, I was told it glows!
An oil can certainly help there. And no, it’s not shiny. More like dewy. And nope, no breakouts. I’ve been using it for a month and the only pimples I’ve got where the usual two suspects on my chin. You know, those who always make an appearance during that time of the month.
Mind you, if your skin is oily or acne-prone, stay away from this. I don’t recommend oils for your skin type because the chances they’ll give you a breakout are higher.
I’m pretty sure once we’ll be in the thick of winter I’ll switch to something richer, but for now this lightweight oil is doing just fine. I simply add two or three drops to my moisturizer (it can be used on its own too) to supercharge it and I can head out the door knowing my skin’s well protected.
Who Is This For?
Dry skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
Oily, acne-prone skin.
Packaging
A white and grey bottle. It’s not the prettiest, but it’s practical.
Does Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This feather-light treatment oil rapidly absorbs to reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. | True. |
| Strengthens the skin’s natural barrier. | True. |
| Hydrates to help smooth the appearance of fine lines. | True. Anything that moisturises skin makes wrinkles look smaller. |
| Shields skin against free radical damage. | I think this means it creates a protective barrier on the skin that protects it from pollutants that may cause free radical damage. It helps, to an extent. But it can’t single-handedly protect from all free radical damage. |
Price & Availability
$76.00/£68.00 at Dermstore, Feel Unique, Look Fantastic and Ulta
Do You Need It?
If you have dry skin and need the extra moisture in winter, you’ll like this.
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Methoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Propylene Glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Limonene
Isn’t mixing it with your moisturizer wasting it,especially when it’s so expensive? Why don’t you layer it on top of your serum and under your moisturizer? I’d think that the antioxidants and stuff would have a difficult time doing good stuff for your skin if moisturizer is sorta acting like a barrier? Like wouldn’t silicones also prevent the facial oil from being absorbed somewhat,and wouldn’t the silicones act as like a wall to repel the oil and keep it on top ?
Sunday Riley looks like they have some good facial oils. But dang! They’re so expensive! Next time I go to Sephora I’m going to request samples!
Hannah, oils are a kind of moisturizers that often has ant-aging benefits too so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with applying them after moisturizer. They too create a barrier on the skin so if used before moisturizers, they could actually hinder its absorption. As for silicones, they have a particular molecular structure with wide holes in between so the antioxidants will still find the way to get through,