Finding the perfect skin care routine is a lot like searching for your soulmate – at times it is nearly impossible but when you stumble across the perfect match it is a magical feeling. The world of skincare can be overwhelming at times particularly when it comes to choosing a daytime and a night-time routine. With beauty shelves brimming with an array of essences, boosters, serums, oils, and moisturisers, picking the right products can be a task in itself never mind which ones deserve starring roles in the morning and evening?

A solid night’s sleep can be the foundation for a great day -  it can improve our mood, attention, memory, productivity and also offers a multitude of long-term physical health benefits including having a restorative effect on our skin.  So how you get your skin ready for the day versus bedtime is a totally different ball game as your skins needs differ. During the day, your skin is in defence mode as it is exposed to pollutants, UV rays, free radicals,  dirt, bacteria, and blue light emitted from laptops and smart phones all of which wear down your skin cells and damage the dermal proteins responsible for a smooth and resilient complexion. Yet the hours we spend asleep are actually among our most constructive. Your body repairs and recharges itself during your sleep cycle and skin is at its most industrious - eliminating toxins, regenerating cells,  (In fact between 11pm and 4am cell production can actually double), and producing more collagen as it does its best to undo the day’s damage from the external aggressors it’s been in contact with. As you sleep your immune system is functioning at its maximum capacity too and skin is much more permeable making it much more receptive to the skincare products you apply.

But sometimes modern life puts those rhythms under constant attack. Interrupted sleep patterns cause the essential skin processes to slow down and hectic lifestyles, elevated stress levels and anxiety cause your body to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol which can contribute to inflamed, puffy and dull looking skin. And did I  mention it’s a whole new chapter when you hit your 40’s, 50’s and beyond and the declining production of the hormone oestrogen wages its own private war to deplete us of skins essential scaffolding (the collagen and elastin that keeps skin smooth and supple) and exhaust skin of even a hint of sparkle. With age there comes a significant decrease in the amount of hyaluronic acid, conditioning ceramides and other important lipids that’s produced too, leading to dryness and increased sensitivity.

With all this in mind and because the importance of beauty sleep is definitely no fairy-tale, Gatineau scientists have made all your skincare  dreams come true with a new generation pillow-proof overnight solution for skin that has been disrupted by life.  Powered by science and balanced by botanicals Age Benefit Night Elixir is a potent age-defying restorative formula and your skin’s perfect ally to help reverse the stressful onslaught caused by modern lifestyles, guaranteeing you wake up to that coveted youthful vibrant glow. Supercharged with a carefully curated cocktail of actives, this targeted performance-driven treatment kickstarts your skin and maximises its ability to repair and renew itself whilst you catch some much-needed slumber.

The star ingredient of the show focuses on ‘Encapsulated Retinol’ a breakthrough ingredient and a revolutionary form of retinol (aka Vitamin A) wrapped up inside a carrier system. When it comes to defending the skin against lines and wrinkles and maintaining a healthy glow there is no ingredient in skincare that is more lauded than traditional Retinol. Hailed as one of the most powerful anti-ageing ingredients it translates countless improvements for its ability to increases cellular turnover, stimulate collagen and elastin production, improve the appearance of sun damage and boost skin radiance. It’s proven to be an absolute miracle worker but unfortunately there is a catch! It has got a reputation for sometimes being a little unpredictable, it can be volatile to air and UV light which can cause it to lose its effectiveness, and it can be intolerant to certain skin types triggering sensitivity and irritation.  

Encapsulated Retinol works similarly to regular Retinol; however, it delivers its powers into skin a little differently. Encapsulated Retinol has been housed in a carrier system to protect its integrity and improve its ability to penetrate into the skin effectively before the active ingredients are released. It’s different from traditional Retinol  because it is more stable and efficacious, having the ease of travelling and targeting the skin cells where it is most beneficial and is even better at reversing the signs of ageing without ANY side effects so you can reap the benefits (smoother, refined, plumper and luminous skin) without the sensitivity. This a game-changing ingredient that will ramp your skin up to a whole new level! 

Boasting a hefty dose of the ancient Ayurveda Saffron Extract, otherwise known as ‘Red Gold’, this is one of the world’s most precious, rare, and expensive spices, due to the fact the flower is harvested by hand only once a year in South-West France. Saffron makes for a powerful supporting act as it contains high levels of Crocin (which is what makes the spice red incidentally), a super powerful antioxidant that not only fends off pollution but encourages skin to exude luminosity whilst acting as an anti-inflammatory blanket to irritated complexions. Thanks to Saffron Extract’s rich Vitamin content of Vitamin A and C and antioxidant rich manganese, it  unifies skin tone and minimises the appearance of dark spots to promote a more even complexion whilst counteracting the effects of dwindling collagen levels.

And with industry-adored Hyaluronic Acid, this has to be everyone’s hydration hero as it is designed to soak your skin in water and ensure it remains soft and supple. Naturally found in the skin to maintain hydration, Hyaluronic Acid (HA)  decreases rapidly with age (sob) resulting in dullness, fine lines, and uneven skin texture. HA is  essentially a ‘moisture magnet’ that attracts moisture from the atmosphere but even more impressive it can hold 1000 times its weight in water making it the perfect thirst trap for dehydrated skin cells. Say hello to a dewy ageless complexion.

To tie a bow round this age defying formula it has been laced with a Tetrapeptide complex (a complex sequence of four leading-edge peptides) which offers a one-way ticket to pillow plumped cushiony skin whilst working to block pigmentation flaws.  Let’s remind ourselves about peptides - Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins (collagen and elastin).  Peptides are small enough to penetrate the skin and once they pass your epidermis layer, they send a signal to your skin to start repairing itself by triggering a boost in collagen production.  This tetrapeptide goes one step further as it has the magic power is to fade hyperpigmentation (aka age spots) and even out the skin tone by acting as a tyrosinase inhibitor (the famous enzyme needed to create melanin) and blocking the transfer of the melanin up into the top layers of the skin. And you can be safe in the knowledge your skin will be very well cared through the night as this delectable Elixir offers both immediate and long-term antioxidant effects thanks to the power of Vitamin E which works hard to block damaging free radicals from the skin’s surface - just  like a protective winter coat.

So, if you have misplaced your radiance, if your skin  needs a new lease of life, if you are looking to wage a war on the signs of the passage of time then look no further as Age Benefit Night Elixir, with its velvety melting texture, is the ultimate foil to bring unprecedented vitality to skin and promote lasting beauty inside and out.

Lucy x

How to use:
Apply one pump every evening and massage into skin. Follow with your Age Benefit Moisturiser