Oskia Eye Wonder Nutri-Active Eye Serum

The Oskia Eye Wonder Nutri-Active Eye Serum is not just an eye cream. It's an eye serum... The clue was in the name. I like the word serum because you can imagine some one has poured various liquids into special little glass vials and held them up to the light, tinkering around with a glass probe and a measuring device, whilst a smaller, mousey-looking man observes, writing down the results on his clipboard with his Parker pen. What I mean is there's some proper science going on here...

As with all Oskia products, the formula is based on MSM, which is key in the production and support of collagen - we all know how important collagen is in staying youthful. There are so many other clever ingredients in here but I'll point out what I think are some of the most innovative ones, because that seems to be what Oskia is all about - creating products that only use exceptional ingredients that have some clear results to their name...

First up we have arnica, commonly applied to the skin to lessen bruising. What a great idea! Together with another ingredient, Laminaria, and also Vitamin B3 they act to decongest, banishing dark circles for a clearer and brighter look. 

Next we have milk peptides and Galactoarabinan (GA, an alternative to collagen from the plant Larch) which works to lift and firm the skin for an instant boost. I can really feel this effect...

And we also have Swiss Apple Stem cells and these are derived from a rare variety of apple that was known for its resistance to shrinkage and wrinkling of the skin. Can you see where this is going? These stem cells help our own adult skin stem cells in repairing the skin and reducing the depth of wrinkles. 

As with all these ingredients Oskia's website highlights some very commanding research to explain what each one does in far more depth so for more information check it out here.

The Eye Wonder serum is a very lightweight texture and a little goes a LONG way. By a long way, I mean it will cover all of your face if you wanted it to. It's very cooling, very fresh, very pleasant to use either day or night. And I have been using it for several weeks now twice a day. 

My initial reaction was one of wonder, suitably enough being called Eye Wonder. It was quite strange! It did seem to lift and firm and tighten once it dried. And I say dried because it is more like a drying rather than an absorbing. This drying effect does the clever tightening part, giving a smoother looking appearance. But I'll be honest, I did struggle a little trying to work out how much to put on, not sure that this much was really right. The pump bottle delivers a massive amount! And because it goes so far and seems to feel like too much I started trying to use less, not wanting to overload my skin as well as not wanting to waste it (it's 58smackeroons!) So I was unscrewing the top to use just a dab instead. But you know what? After awhile, I was a little underwhelmed and realised that this wasn't perhaps the idea. The effects I was getting before were better so I have gone back to pumping out whatever the pump wants and massaging it in (lightly, obviously, we all know the rules) all over the eye area, as it says on the bottle, from temple to temple. I don't just mean delicately tapping just above my eye lid and just below. I mean above the brow to above the cheek, right across the temples, even across the bridge of the nose. Everywhere! Spread the love right? I'm not sure if this is the idea... but I think it works for me, it's such a light texture it really doesn't drag and once it goes kind of 'tacky' it pulls the skin into shape and you're laughing! Clever, clever stuff.

Trying to decide if it's had any life changing effects is really tricky because I have to say I am much happier with my skin now, more so than I have been in long, long time. And this is totally down to changing my ways and choosing genuinely clean and pure products. The overall appearance of my skin has definitely improved. I'm really impressed with Oskia's range and the ethos behind the brand. And I'm in firm support of the research that goes into each ingredient. The Eye Wonder serum is lovely to use, with a very clever instant boost effect. As for diminishing wrinkles, it's hard to tell and that's surely down to the test of time, whether I end up with a face like a saggy grey tracksuit or a brand new lycra one-piece. 

But I like to put a little investment in and a little trust too so I'm going to continue to use it and you can watch my face... It'll be like Play Your Cards Right - higher... lower...no,  higher! 

Oskia Eye Wonder Nutri-Active Eye Serum 

£58 for 15ml (which is quite large for an eye cream)

Oskia Renaissance Mask

If you remember on the Oskia, A Love Story post I boldly declared my new found feelings for a nutrition-based skincare company after never having tried the products. Brave! you might say! I'd say Thank You! But that's how I am, I wear my heart on my sleeve. And here's what happened. Cupid, in the form of the lovely people at Oskia, sent to me some products to try. My heart sings, my lashes flutter, once again I think love is in the air.

Oskia bases all their products on MSM which is the most bio-available form of sulphur, known as the beauty mineral. It boosts collagen production and repairs and regenerates skin. Other ingredients in the Renaissance Mask, plucked from the grocers as well as the laboratory, include natural fruit AHAs, papaya enzymes, lactic acid, ribose, butterbur, Swiss garden cress liposomes and prebiotics. Wow.

To spotlight a few of those, AHAs help to exfoliate skin on a more molecular level, unbinding cells instead of scraping them off! Ribose has an oxygenating effect on cells which improves luminosity (with some very scientific charts and graphs to prove it here.) And papaya enzymes work to decongest pores for a thorough cleanse.

This is what I like about Oskia, the decisions on the ingredients used are made on the basis of  convincing research and facts, giving you products that work. As you know, I don't believe in the use of harmful synthetic chemicals especially when there are similar, high-performing substances which can be harnessed from nature. And when science can be used to back that up, then bring on the pie charts!

So then, the Renaissance Mask. It comes in a pleasingly heavy jar and kind of reminds me of a melty sorbet. Or a strawberry cream centre. It's fruity! And kind of gooey in an edible sort of way. But don't waste it eating the stuff - get it on your face! For it claims to brighten and resurface the skin, with those AHAs exfoliating away the dead outermost layer of the skin revealing a more radiant complexion. Here goes...

It massages in very nicely, turning a milky colour so you know it's working. And to reiterate, it smells delicious. Like breakfast for the skin! Then you need some patience to wait 10 - 15 minutes before removing with warm water. It's very pleasant to wear, whilst you are waiting, as it doesn't dry out or feel too sticky. Although, with most masks you do have to look like you might have gently dipped your face in a custard pie. But that's OK. It's part of the fun isn't it?

Rinsing with warm water takes a few goes and maybe a quick wipe with a cheeky flannel but it does indeed reveal a brighter complexion! My skin felt very, very soft - thanks butterbur. And it did look clearer and smoother and more even. 

You see, I had a very late night, so was feeling particularly puffy and achy-faced this morning when I used it. But the process of using the Renaissance Mask - massaging it in, the energising smell, obviously the ingredients used - all breathed sweet life back into my tired face! And left me not only looking brighter, but feeling it too! 

Oskia, you had me at hello.

Oskia Renaissance Mask is £48.50 for 50ml

Available at online at Oskia and Apostle and in store at Liberty's

Oskia, A Love Story

With it being nearly Valentines day I have to confide in you, I'm harbouring an intoxicating and dizzying love for Oskia skincare, never having used it.

It all started with a spare hour I spent wondering around the beauty hall in Liberty's. I didn't mean to fall in love. I just did. I was actually just looking at the Korres stuff because they have a natural tinted moisturiser I wanted to investigate. And as I walked aimlessly around, perusing the various counters and shelves, I came across the understated seduction of Oskia, on an unassuming stand with no heavy promotion, no blazing signs nor annoying shop assistant to sidestep. Just subtle and beautiful and sleek. And expensive.

Oskia's ethos is nutritional skincare, with its fundamental ingredient being MSM. This is not a little sugary chocolate sweet, nor a messenger service by a computer giant. It's methylsulfonylmethane, a naturally occurring and most bio-available form of sulphur.

Known as the 'beauty mineral',  it's found in plants and helps boost collagen production. It helps skin defend itself from the saggy and sad effects of ageing by bolstering itself with lovely, delicious plump new skin cells that make you look healthier and youthful.

But I won't know because I can't afford it.

To indulge my new found love I tested out the Perfect Cleanser, on my hand obviously, I didn't go rubbing it all over my face right there on the shop floor! And without having actually used it (properly) I can confidently say it is divine. It's like a very thick oil or a silky, milky balm. It's velvety. It's smooth. It feels nourishing. I did in fact want to rub it all over my face right there on the shop floor! But it would be better to use with water which does in fact turn it into a milk, removing dirt and all the rest for beautifully clean skin. It seemed a very luxurious cleanser and made my skin glow after tissueing it off with a bit of toner from somewhere else... (thanks Korres) It feels like it's worth every penny and every pound.

Equally the Day Cream is a silky lotion that for whatever magical reason did just convince me that it was going to to take my skin out for a good meal and maybe give it a kiss goodnight. A girl can dream.

Oskia say they use 98% natural or nature-identical ingredients. Although this suggests a little scientific synthesising, according to them, this means that we are talking about pioneering bio-active ingredients that are clinically proven to work. With nature comes a bit of science to formulate products that will support and rebuild skin cell health through the provision of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and glucides. These work to fight current and future signs of ageing. For the record the other 2% of ingredients are Eco-cert and Soil Association approved preservatives. So they certainly are doing their best. 

One point that Oskia make, and one that I have been wanting to discuss on this blog, is that beautiful skin needs feeding like any other organ in the body. If we don't eat enough of the nutrients our bodies need then it shows. We feel tired, lack the ability to fight off infection and skin looks lack-lustre. Every organ needs nourishing on a cellular level and since the skin is the largest organ of the body it surely needs feeding. So they also offer MSM tablets you can take which support your skin from the inside too.

So, as I've mentioned, the products are expensive. If you're feeling rich or you are rich I very much recommend spending your money on products that approach skincare in this natural and holistic way. You could certainly pay a lot more for a lot less if you compare to other luxury skincare brands.

And if you are feeling particularly touched by this Romeo and Juliet style love-affair (I'm pretty sure the cleanser loved me too) then feel free to send me your purchases instead. All of you.

Oskia Perfect Cleanser £38.50 for 150ml
Oskia Nutri-Active Day Cream £52.00 for 30ml
Available from www.oskiaskincare.com and Liberty's