Kiwi skincare heroes Snowberry take a respected formulation approach that balances natural ingredients with science that helps prove each product’s effectiveness.
The considered approach means the Wellsford-based brand doesn’t rush its release schedule, so you know when there’s a new product, it’s big news!
This month sees the arrival of not one, but two new products: Star Bright Tone-Perfecting Light Serum, $45, and Star Bright Light Moisturiser, $55.
The lightweight, easy to use skincare releases are intended to help balance, brighten and nourish all skin types, but they are especially useful for those that have easily-irritated, oily or break-out prone skin.
If you have this skin type, you’ll know it’s a delicate tightrope-walk to ensure skin remains hydrated and cared-for without tipping the balance and ending up with a flare-up or break-out.
Key ingredients to brighten and balance
With Snowberry continually leading the way in sustainability, science and bio-discovery in skincare, the brand’s chief scientist Dr Travis Badenhorst says the ingredients in these new naturally derived skincare releases were carefully chosen with reactive skin in mind.
“These two formulations provide necessary ingredients for younger, oily or irritated skin. When used together, they provide the A’s, B’s and C’s to your skin needs.
“In the Star Bright Tone Perfecting Light Serum anti-inflammatory activity comes from Andiroba oil, Niacinamide (Vitamin B), Panthenol and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (licorice extract). Niacinamide has an added benefit of regulating the amount of oil being produced by the glands in your skin, thereby helping to control acne and oily skin.”
He points out that interestingly, acne-prone skin contains lower than normal levels of linoleic acid (omega 6), an essential fatty acid that the sebaceous glands use as a normal component of sebum. This lower level has been suggested to play a part in eventual hyperkeratosis and comedone (blocked pores or pimples) formation.
“For this reason, Snowberry includes Harakeke Seed Oil, which contains up to 75% linoleic acid, to help with acne breakouts and normal skin function.”
Star Bright Tone Perfecting Light Serum recently won the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NZSCC) ‘Best Cosmetic Formulation’ award.
Key ingredients in the Star Bright Serum Moisturiser are Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Vitamin C), Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters (Ceramide) and Squalane, all items skincare-savvy consumers will know are respected for their skin transforming abilities.
“Skin needs squalane and ceramides to function optimally so we included them to help your skin, help itself! In addition, a potent level of Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, a stabilsed form of Vitamin C, fights free radicals, boosts collagen production, increases skin radiance and helps to repair photo-damaged (sun-damaged) skin. “
Used together the two products are ideal to nourish and improve oily, irritated skin, and maintain a youthful-looking glow.
Also on it’s way in March is Snowberry’s third addition to the new Star Bright collection, Star Bright 2-Phase Micellar Cleanser and Makeup Remover, $30, a gentle micellar cleanser that hydrates, nourishes and removes makeup and impurities while maintaining ideal oil balance of the skin.
New Zealand Olympic medalist and world champion snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is the new brand ambassador for natural skincare brand Snowberry.
Oily skin needs moisture
Sometimes those with very oily or acne-prone skin have a tendency to avoid or think they don’t need moisturiser, but this is a mistake, says Dr Badenhorst.
“It feels like a skin-care conundrum – moisturise when your skin is already oily! It is a common misconception that putting a moisturising cream on top of a breakout will only make it worse. In actual fact, not moisturising will have the opposite effect of what you would think.
Dr Badenhorst refers to a quote from Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist to explain.
“When the skin is dry, it can be more irritated and make acne look and appear worse,” says Dr Nazarian. “With acne, the issue is inflammation in the skin—most acne responds better and improves when you calm it down. Therefore, moisturising is helpful.”
This doesn’t mean you should reach for any old moisturiser.
“You still have to be careful around the ingredients they contain. Avoid a hydrating cream that is occlusive or comedogenic. Choose an oil-free, lightweight moisturiser and ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Nazarian. “These will help make your skin stronger and to maintain more water and hydration with continued use.”
Dr Badenhorst says the Star Bright products are formulated with this pertinent advice in mind and summer is the perfect time to adopt them into your routine.
“Summer heat as well as air conditioning can dehydrate your skin, so it’s important to keep it moisturised. If your skin is or becomes oily, it may be a sign that your skin could be dehydrated. Your body will step up the production of sebum, to protect itself from drying out.”
- Learn about Snowberry’s other top-performing serums or the brand’s dedicated 22-hectare Snowberry Gardens in Wellsford that provides many native ingredients to superpower its skincare.
- For more, visit snowberry.co.nz.
