Formerly EFL teacher and IT consultant, now relocated to Marseille, France. Final year biochemistry ...
Formerly EFL teacher and IT consultant, now relocated to Marseille, France. Final year biochemistry student, my passions are perfumery and making my own natural cosmetics / body care products.
Member since:12.12.2007
Reviews:148
Members who trust:148
Skin type: All How it works: Natural enzymes gently shed dead cells thus stimulating the skin's natural cell renewal cycle.
About Elemis
Elemis is a luxurious skincare brand that also operates spas around Britain. They are using the latest technological advances in anti-aging skincare combining it with natural active ingredients. I've started using their £45 Booster Facial that consists a half-hour skin analysis and consultation followed by of a half-hour facial treatment. (I've never actually paid £45 for a session but either £30 or £35 as there was always some kind of promotion running when I booked).
Packaging
As most Elemis products it comes in a simple but elegant white packaging that has the silver embossed logo and product name written on it. The 200 bottle itself is slightly transparent white plastic and has a plastic pump lid. The bottle is recyclable (it means you can screw off the pump and fill it up with something else after you've finished it).
Skin Problems
Since the age of 24 I've been struggling with eczema and rosaceous complexion due to an apparently very common allergy to some extent to nickel and a very high sensitivity to chrome. These heavy elements are essential for our body but only in traces and an overreaction can occur in the immune system when the an excess of the substance accumulates and is deemed as poisonous to the body.
Chrome can be found in practically everything we come into contact across in our modern everyday lives: detergent, bleach, washing liquid, processed food, flour, leather, paint, makeup, stainless steel, cement, dyed fabrics, hair dye and cosmetics just to mention a few.
My allergy to chrome banned me from using soap at home, the
liquid hand wash at public places or at work. As a substitute I make my own hand wash liquid and otherwise carry some home-made hand wipes with me (these are cotton wool pads that I impregnate with natural Aloe Vera gel).
The abstinence form the irritants did work but after having eliminated the toxins (most of them were caused by soap and makeup) and my skin calmed down, I noticed that I wasn't getting any further improvement in my looks.
I was scared that I haven't been looking after my now 'very sensitive' skin properly and I'll pay the price later when its natural deterioration sets in after the age of 30.
I booked my first Elemis Booster Facial treatment in Debenhams last July. The skin on my face was analysed and a page was printed off where I could see the 6 photos of my each focusing on a particular feature such as wrinkles, pores, bacteria or UV exposure. (They always stress that this is the actual momentary glimpse of the face and not a fixed state)
However they do pinpoint to the consistent weaknesses and symptoms that you're skin might be suffering from: the most common of these are: dehydration that cause wrinkles, bacteria around the nose and the chin, dilated pores and skin cells damaged by UV rays.
After your skin analysis comes the consultation which is basically a product demonstration where they will try to sell you all the products designed to help with your specific skin problems. OK, just joking, they do ask lot of questions and ask you to tell about your complete regime at home including what products you're currently using.
I have combined skin which means black spots (oxidised pores full of bacteria) and greasy areas are centred on and around my nose and chin but the rest of the face tend to be dry and in sometimes even red dry and patched especially on the cheeks.
The blackheads are pretty hard to get rid of given the limitations of what anti-bacterial products and hydrating (?) facial cleansers I can use that won't cause an allergic reaction but will eliminate bacteria.
L'Oreal Pure Zone Deep Exfoliating Gel Wash contains soap - which does kill bacteria but makes my skin very dry and flare up Neutrogena Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Scrub is a grainy scrub - this did not dry my skin or cause irritations but I haven't noticed a any reduction in bacteria around the affected areas.
I had been using these alternatively over the course of approximately 6 months.
Skin analysis
Since July Elemis and I were first concentrating on eliminating rosacea from my face which we manage to reduce a medium-severe to a practically mild-ish state.while the photos still showed an enourmous black spot areas on my nose and chin with only the bacteria infected areas having lessened.
So last December, on my fourth facial, I asked if they had any daily cleansers that were capable of doing all the important things I needed which were:
Protease stimulates the skin to make new cells. When we're young our body does it naturally without telling it, but with age the renewal slows down which results in aging skin.
Papain is derived from Papaya and breaks down proteins into smaller molecules (the blobs that make your skin bumpy and uneven)
This product is best used in place of soap (never use soap on your face to start with). To open the pores, gently dab your skin with warm water. Place a pea sized amount of product into your palm. Gently massage into the skin avoiding the eye area (it does sting the eye, but only mildly). The wash does not lather, it's rather silky and smooth, almost warm. It washes away easily. It's not a cream, so it doesn't feel oily at all.
Rinse with warm water then with a splash of cold. The cold water will close the pores. It is recommended to follow with Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum and at least 30 SPF sun block cream.
Aftercare: * Very Important *
By removing a layer of dead skin cells of your skin, your new, young cells are exposed on the surface. You don't want pollution, UV rays and other environmental hazards damage these young cells straight away. That's why Elemis recommends with Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum and at least 30 SPF sun block cream. This is all written in the packaging and bottle. I'm personally using L'Oreal SolarExpertise Active Anti-Wrinkle & Anti-brown Spot SPF 50 which I had at home already.
Other usage:
The neck is another area that dehydrates most with age and where the first wrinkles appear even before the first wrinkles on your face. So the neck and décolleté area needs the exact same treatment as the face.
I am now using Elemis to cleanse my neck in the morning and evening. I haven't actually increased the amount of product I apply to face and neck as I realised I've used too much on my face to start with. For face and neck area I still only need a pea sized amount.
Result:
This is the first product ever that makes my face feels 'squeaky clean' just like your hair when you washed it with a shampoo it really loves. A product that removes grease, but does leave the natural oil layers on. It was the same silky touch to my face when I touched it after rinsing and gently dabbing with a towel. It was cleansed, taut but elastic, smooth and dirt free with a gentle natural layer on. I could immediately tell that my skin was free of dead cells as its colour changed from a light beige to an almost translucent pink. I'll try to post pictures next time around!
Longterm benefits:
I haven only been using Elemis for a month as my next facial isn't due until the beginning of February. I can already feel the difference in not having to fear another flare-up or red-patches because of the other cleansers due to soapy or abrasive agents in them. I'll update the review when I get my results from my next facial.
How long does a bottle last?
Applying it twice daily I've used about 20 ml of the product in a month. It contains 200 ml so it should last until 10 month. The product says its shelf life is 6 months which is due to the active ingredients which deteriorate quickly. In that case it should be sold in a smaller size or kept in the fridge. I'll ask about this at my next appointment.
Price / where to buy
RRP is £25 and is available in department stores (John Lewis, Debenhams) and online from Elemis: http://www.timetospa.co.uk/ and http://www.salonskincare.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/1809
Conclusion
I heartily recommend this product. Elemis is an example of skincare that is a must in the 21st century. Unfortunately most giant brands have not realised this and their harsh products continue doing damage to our more and more sensitive skins.
Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash stimulates the skin's natural cell renewal ... more
cycle, actively smoothing and refining, whilst gently sloughing away dead skin cells which dull the complexion. Skin is prepared for maximum skin resurfacing results f...
This limited edition size daily facial wash stimulates the skin's natural cell renewal ... more
cycle, actively smoothing and refining, whilst gently sloughing away dead skin cells which can dull the complexion. A deeply cleansed, deeply moisturised and smoot...
Postage & Packaging: £2.95 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Help your skin to look and feel smoother and more radiant with this Elemis Tri-Enzyme ... more
Resurfacing Gel Mask and Facial Wash set. The Tri-Enzyme duo contains Resurfacing Gel Mask (50ml) and Resurfacing Facial Wash (50ml). The mask is designed to improve ...
Postage & Packaging: £4.45 Availability: 3 to 7 days
Advantages: CALMS THE SKIN MAKING IT LESS IRITATED,GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY,SEE THE RESULTS IN THE FIRST USE Disadvantages: MAKES THE SKIN A LITTLE BIT DRY
Advantages: CALMS THE SKIN MAKING IT LESS IRITATED,GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY,SEE THE RESULTS IN THE FIRST USE Disadvantages: MAKES THE SKIN A LITTLE BIT DRY
exceptional by (31%):
very helpful by (69%):
