Written by Janu Yasotharan
What seems to be the second wave of COVID-19 in Canada has extended the time we are spending without human touch and has also increased the importance of self-care in times of isolation. Personally, skin care has been one of the ways for me to treat myself to a moment of zen. I think this was the case for many people, as I found myself reading an influx of reviews on what people were using and why. If I’m being totally honest, I wasn’t really sure that I’d be able to differentiate between their whys and mine. Needless to say, I was extremely intrigued when I heard that Dermalogica was offering virtual consultations with their Professional Skin Therapists.
Since 1986, Dermalogica’s Skin Therapists have brought healthy skin to life through human touch, education, and personalization. Dermalogica’s founder, Jane Wurwand, and her passion for working with her hands, is what inspired the brand's approach to skin care. Through virtual consultations, Dermalogica is now empowering the average skin care consumer to bring the in-store experience and results home with the help of a licensed professional.
I sat with Professional Skin Therapist Nyssa Grays for 30-minutes to get the low down on my skin. She guided me through my skin journey from the comfort of my home on a Zoom call. The questions Grays asked me varied, but they all helped her understand what my needs were. Some of the basic questions we got into were if I had any allergies, medications (which can impact our hormones and therefore our skin), metal implants, what my current routine was etc. Then there were questions I wasn’t used to- I was asked if I wore glasses and if I had any sinus issues. It comes down to the fact that when we wear glasses, sometimes the weight of them leaves indents on the bridge of our nose, and at other times, we just need to do a better job of cleaning our glasses (not just the lens!) since they sit on our faces for extended periods of time. The question about sinus issues gave her some clarity around my lymph nodes, and also gave her a better idea of whether or not I may have a sensitivity to smells. These detailed and thorough questions, amongst others, and my expressed needs helped Grays narrow down what my routine would look like.
The icing on the cake with this experience was that not only did Grays email me my unique Skin Fitness Plan, there was also the option to have the products ordered to be drop shipped to me right there and then. Even better, I have the option to rebook a free follow-up consultation with the same Skin Therapist to ensure I feel comfortable using my products at home. Having the best Dermalogica solution for me with a lifestyle approach for my personalized home care and having access to this wealth of resources has me incredibly comfortable and beyond excited for my Skin Fitness Plan.
Book your personal consultation here. And if you’re curious in the meantime, here are some of the products recommended to me based on my skin care goals:
This maximum-strength exfoliant gives me all the benefits of a retinol but is super fertility journey friendly, which is exactly what I need. It is made of a unique complex of phytoactive AHA extracts, Lactic Acid and fermented plant enzymes to help reveal new, firmer skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by removing dulling surface debris without causing dehydration.
Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque
This mask is packed with powerful, concentrated vitamins A, C and E, and Linoleic Acid to help restore skin and enhance skin barrier properties. It is also made of antioxidant vitamins C and E to help shield skin from Reactive Oxygen Species (free radicals), and nutrient-rich Algae Extract to help moisturize and soften my skin while Pro-Vitamin B5 helps nourish. Basically, this is my one stop shop to revive damaged skin from years of lack of sunscreen and preventative care.
After years of looking for the perfect moisturizer and only having used oils, my skin is parched. I learned that the skin needs a combination of both hydration and lipids (water *and* oils). Case in point: adding oils to dry skin doesn’t relieve that tight feeling that so many of us with dryer skin feel. This ultra-nourishing moisturizer is packed with Hyaluronic Acid, which helps enhance the skin’s moisture content, and our BioReplenish Complex which restores lipid balance to dry, depleted skin. All of this is rounded out by our prebiotic Chlorella Algae complex which helps rebalance the skin's natural microbiome, all for healthy-looking skin.
