DRINQI- Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Highest Percentage) by Therin

We love products with hyaluronic acid, they work wonders for the complexion and have many benefits including smoothing, plumping and tightening the skin. As time-poor individuals here at The Amazing Blog we’re always looking for products that do the most but require the least amount of effort. Today we’ve found that very thing, and we’re thrilled to be the very first to review a new Australian natural skincare DRINQI Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Therin G is the founder of DRINQI, she’s originally from the UK but now embraces the ocean breeze and beach life in coastal Australia. With her extensive experience in the skincare industry, her beauty credentials are nothing short of impeccable. Not only is she an Industry Expert Advisor to Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (organic skincare), a private label formulator, a spa menu and treatment adviser but also a qualified holistic practitioner (in all spheres) - the list here is endless! Therin cleverly spotted a gap in the market and decided to focus her efforts on aligning quality with affordability, producing a trio of vegan performance-based serums that offer the very highest percentage of pure hyaluronic acid. There are no fillers, only a few simple ingredients other than the hyaluronic acid (think water and a natural food-based preservative). She is truly a skincare genius, and we couldn’t wait to see the results from her serum. Therin explained: “There are very few really powerful skincare ingredients that can be used and rightfully claim to be a youth elixir or a product that truly produces visible results, achieving the results they purport to be able to do.”  She went on to say “I am only interested in producing or supporting the very best ingredients and products. DRINQI Hyaluronic Acid is one of those rare products.” And so, Therin has created this extraordinary trio of powerhouse serums that offer the highest percentage of hyaluronic acid to be found in the beauty sector today. Something else that we applaud DRINQI for is their ethos supporting and giving back to the Aboriginal communities as well as pet and wildlife rescue see here.

As an ingredient hyaluronic acid (let’s call it HA), is a humectant that attracts water and is critical for maintaining skin hydration.  Not only does it hydrate, but as a molecule it can hold 1,000 x its weight in water. It’s natural and produced by the body and can be used as an injection, supplement, or in this case a serum. Many skincare products contain this ingredient but not in the same way as DRINQI. Competitive brands offer between 0.02% - 2% HA, yet DRINQI has produced a range of three serums from 3%, 10% to an astonishing 13%! How do you know which one to use? Well, it’s probably best to start with the 3% and see how you progress. The performance of the serum depends on the individual, i.e. someone 20+ may feel 3% is a  perfect starting point, whereas someone 50+ may want a higher strength with the potent 13% to achieve more significant results. As mentioned, the serums are vegan with the HA sourced from the fermentation of nutritious vegetables - nothing else. We also like that it’s safe to use even during pregnancy. This DRINQI serum fits into any skincare regime, no matter what other moisturiser or SPF you’re using. It’s also suitable for all skin types – even sensitive ones and is safe to use from ages 16-18 upwards. 

Before using they recommend doing a skin patch test (see their FAQ here ) as we do with any new skincare, simply apply a few drops to the inside of your arm and leave for 24 hours. Three of us used the 3% 10% and 13% serums twice a day morning and night with no issues. However, on a single occasion, one of us did get a little flushing (hormones?) otherwise it sank into our complexions without a trace. It’s so easy to incorporate into your skincare, just a few drops of the clear gel-like liquid on the fingertips and gently smooth into the face/neck and décolletage.  Our verdict? Skin looked dewier, plumper and after only a few days, we also noticed a difference in texture, fine lines and firmness. Will we be buying more? That’s a resounding yes from us all! The bottom line? DRINQI offers you the highest strength of one of the most effective natural ingredients, all at a very affordable price point. To purchase your 30ml bottle with pipette, the DRINQI 3% at £14, DRINQI 10% at £21.05 or DRINQI 13% at £26 here, with shipping at an approximate $10 AU to the UK. 

PHYT’S – Gommage Contact+ Gentle Face Scrub and Elixir Hydratant 24H

Today at The Amazing Blog, we’re reviewing a French salon brand new to the UK, offering the consumer organic skincare and cosmetics, as well as salon based treatments. We are talking about PHYT’S who have over 48 years of experience in the professional skincare sector.

PHYT’S was founded by Jean-Paul Llopart a biologist and naturopath and Rosanne Verlé a beautician. Since 1972, PHYT’S has used only 100% natural and organic ingredients, most of which are sustainably sourced locally in France. With products such as the Crème Absolue, the Masque Gommage Contact+ and the Sérum C17 Purifiant gaining cult status in France; and their five award wins in the global 2020 Beauty Shortlist Awards including Solaire Fluide Protecteur High Protection SPF50 and Men’s Oxygenating Cleansing Gel, they’ve certainly piqued our interest!

PHYT’S has grown from their specialised treatments for the face, body, and hair; to makeup, dietary supplements and even baby products. With all this expertise, Phyts has fast become a global company with distributors in over forty countries. With its unique approach to cosmetics, in 2009 PHYT’S became the first fully-organic certified makeup line. The company’s organic focused methodology and ingredients have certainly made it into the distinguished brand that it is today. The two products that we’re reviewing today are the Gommage Contact+ Gentle Face Scrub and the Elixir Hydratant 24H water infusion.

Let’s start with the Gommage Contact+ Gentle Face Scrub this product has a warming scent of ylang-ylang and cloves, it’s ideal for all skin types, especially those who tend to react or a sensitive complexion. This effective yet gentle product helps to eliminate dead skin cells and removes impurities. To use first cleanse the skin then lightly apply the product to face and neck. Leave it on for at least 2 - 5 minutes, then delicately massage the area so that the scrub starts to roll or peel. Rinse the skin, pat dry and follow with a nourishing serum and moisturiser. The scrub’s ingredients have anti-ageing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties; these include ylang-ylang which balances oil production and cloves, which help to reduce fine lines and maintain moisture. Priced at £24.99 for a 40ml tube from here

Next, we used the Elixir Hydratant 24H, which is perfect for any dry or dehydrated skin types, it offers an all-day-long added water infusion as it moisturises and holds hydration in the skin. PHYT’S tests showed that by using this Elixir Hydratant the skin hydration increases by 88% even six hours after application. It’s an intense lightweight serum that plumps and revitalises the complexion. The product is easy to apply, simply put a few drops onto clean skin morning or evening which can then be followed by other products in the range. We loved the pale lavender colour, the light floral scent and the hyaluronic acid. The actives are extracted from wood, aloe vera and hazelnut oil, all of which help to keep the moisture locked in. We can happily report back that we found these both to be impressive ‘must-have’ products, and we’d certainly buy more. Priced at £55.99 for a 30ml bottle here. These products can be used together or alone. The Gommage Contact+ and Elixir Hydratant 24H are both available from Beauty Fresh here.

Facialderm Advanced Neurocosmetics – 05 Anti-Pollution & Anti-Stress Serum and C1 Anti-Ageing & Anti-Stress Moisturiser

We all experience different skincare issues from time-to-time either with redness or dehydration, which can be triggered by environmental issues or stress. Today at The Amazing Blog we’re excited to introduce to you Facialderm, who have begun a skincare evolution with their innovative neurocosmetic range and patented technologies.

Founded in 2004, Facialderm’s parent company Sensalia Labs prides itself on bringing the future to cosmetics. Recent winners in The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2020 for Best Beauty Breakthrough Brand (innovation), they offer unique formulas based on new technologies in neuroscience which are then applied to their skincare. After all, the skin and the brain are connected. In simple terms, they explain: “Stimuli perceived from the outside through nerve receptors in the skin, are transmitted to the brain and processed by it for interpretation.” These are related to wellness and energy, which in turn focus on the reduction of facial stress.  Facialderm has a range of five customisable serum boosters and two creams all of which are formulated with Neurophroline™. This is an inhibitor for the production of cortisol, the stress hormone and acts on its consequences such as accelerated ageing, flaccidity of the skin and decreased luminosity. Neurophroline™ is an extract based on tephrosia purpurea, a plant native to India and also a key ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine. Let’s talk about the technical stuff: The Neurophroline™ in Facialderm’s products claim to reduce up to 70% of cortisol production in just two hours. Neurophroline™ also increases up to 163% the amount of beta-endorphin released by the cells, a natural and pain-relieving peptide. All products have natural ingredients, where they refer to them as ‘earthceuticals’ (concentrated plants) and ‘seaceuticals’ (concentrated sea plant) power.

We tried the 05 Anti-Pollution and Anti-Stress Serum which is detoxifying and moisturising with antioxidants and vitamins to protect the skin from dehydration, solar radiation, pollution and REM/blue light. Apart from the Neurophroline™, there are antioxidant plant extracts ginseng, apple, peach, wheat and barley;  as well as marine glycogen (protections against blue light) and vitamin B5 which activates cell regeneration to soothe itching, redness and irritation. Suitable for all skin types, we applied 3 - 4 drops alone (or you can mix with another product in the line), it absorbed quickly leaving skin feeling soft, we also liked the slightly fruity/ginseng fragrance.

We then combined this with the C1 Anti-Ageing & Anti-Stress Moisturiser which is best suited for normal to dry skin. Its ingredients include hyaluronic acid, chrondrus crispus (an extract of red algae), providing cells with the energy necessary for their metabolism to aid the process of regeneration and tissue repair. Caviar extract also helps to slow down the ageing process, and rice extract to help with cell longevity slowing down the process of cell senescence. The cream feels luxurious, almost whipped in texture; regenerating and soothing on the skin it left skin our supple and hydrated. We applied day or night after using the Serum and massaged into the skin to promote absorption.  We like that this can be customised with any of the Facialderm Serums as a ‘booster’ in the cream too. The 05 Anti-Pollution & Anti-Stress Serum 30ml, can be purchased here for £34.95, and the C1 Anti-Ageing & Anti-Stress Moisturiser 50ml for £34.95 can be purchased here.

These dermatologically tested, and cruelty-free products are packaged in bright colour-coded glass bottles and jars. As mentioned previously, this intelligent skincare range can be personalised to target specific skincare issues, while the advanced neurocosmetic technology uses their Neurophroline™ to limit the production of stress hormones. Best of all, it’s available at a very competitive price point!

Dr Russo - Once A Day Sun Protection SPF 30 & SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel

Good skin starts with prevention, and here at The Amazing Blog we’re always on the lookout for the best SPF and suncare. Today we’ve got one of our #amazingfinds, meet Dr Russo’s Sun Protection Invisible Face Gel ideal for protecting the complexion and combatting harmful rays when out and about. 

The founder Dr Luca Russo is renowned internationally for his work in reversing sun damage and premature ageing. He is a London-based cosmetic and dermatologic surgeon who lecturers on skin rejuvenation. This sun protection gel features Dr Russo’s innovative long-wear SPF technology that creates a force-field on the skin to deflect the harmful sun’s rays. His philosophy is to protect the skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30 and SPF 50 sunscreens and potent antioxidants throughout the day, followed by reversal agents that stimulate new collagen production and repair all signs of photo-ageing. The beneficial ingredients are antioxidants, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. All of these repair existing signs of DNA damage, inhibit tyrosinase, help to maintain elastin and collagen levels, reduce glycation of proteins and soothes inflammation, so the skin becomes stronger, more luminous and resilient. These ingredients also help repair existing signs of damage, as well as stopping the production of melanin which causes dark spots. The product is free from PABAs, parabens, artificial fragrance and compatible with all sensitive skin types.

The formula is light-weight, non-greasy, and does not leave a chalky film on the skin, making it perfect to wear everyday under makeup. Protect, moisturise and repair your complexion with a single sweep with this once a day application.  It keeps skin protected and is waterproof and sweatproof for up to 80 minutes. The product comes in SPF 30 and SPF 50 variants, to apply, use the unique click brush applicator, sweeping the product over the face and neck area. It retails for £26 for 15ml and can be purchased here. In a 15ml bottle, this is the perfect size for your handbag or to take on a bike ride.

Regenovex - ActiFlex and Gel

As most of us at The Amazing Blog are regulars at the gym or do our morning run, we’re no strangers to muscle soreness or the odd joint problem. Tired of having to put off training when suffering from injury or stiffness, we were happy to make the discovery of the brand Regenovex that have produced Regenovex ActiFlex and Regenovex Gel, for aiding joint and muscle pain.

Regenovex products are thoroughly researched by a team of experts who have designed blends and formulas to end your joint issues. Both the Actiflex capsules and the Gel contain their unique patented Bionovex® oil, which is a marine oil with its origins in New Zealand’s Green Lipped Mussels. The Green Lipped Mussels used in Bionovex® Oil are harvested and sourced only from the clean, clear and fresh waters of New Zealand. Both products are also rich in hyaluronic acid, ETA (eicosatetraenoic acid), an Omega-3 fatty acid.

Regenovex Actiflex capsules are suitable for everyone (except those who are either  pregnant or with shellfish allergies). The pack come with 30 capsules that are free from artificial colouring, preservatives and yeast. The composition enhances collagen formation, and supports muscle and bone functions with a lubricant and cushioning effect to restore flexibility. It is recommended to take one capsule a day, or if it’s your first time you can take 2 a day for the first 10 days.

Similarly, Regenovex Gel has a similar effect but is topically applied, and can deliver up to 80 applications in just one small 40ml dispenser. It is ideal for immediate a joints pain relief and has a cooling and soothing effect. We recommend carrying it on your kit-bag to apply after training, massaging the gel into joint areas that hurt. Enhance your muscle and bone performance with the Regenovex ActiFlex capsules here 30 capsules for £25.00, or get your bottle 40ml Regenovex Gel  here for £10.99. Both are also available in Lloyds Pharmacy Stores nationwide.