Whether you're naturally on the rosy side, are noticing stress wreak havoc on your skin or just went overboard with actives, there's no better feeling than soothing that tight, itchy feeling and flushed cheeks.
Unlike a standard facial, the latest addition to Rationale's treatment line-up focusses on repairing and strengthening vulnerable skin, leaving your post-facial complexion cool, calm and collected—not blotchy and blushed. Below, marie claire's Beauty Director walks through the new The Integrity Restorative Facial.
The Lowdown
If your skin is stressed, overly sensitive or dehydrated, Rationale’s new Integrity facial can help by restoring the skin barrier with soothing lipids. Over time, this will not only fortify skin, but may also allow more sensitive complexions to graduate to previously intolerable stronger actives and treatments.
The Blow by Blow
In a dim room with relaxing tunes, a clinician double oil-cleanses so that skin is soft and clean. Next, a calming exfoliant balm smooths skin with solidified jojoba oil spheres that dissolve when massaged into skin. This is a hands-on facial designed to boost circulation, skin comfort and radiance with lipid-rich formulas. The lymphatic massage technique is firm, sweeping motions (not the pitter-patter of fingertips) that is probably just what stressed skin needs. Between each step, a warm towel refreshes skin and preps for the next formula. To follow, there’s an antioxidant infusion and nourishing lipid mask, as well as a blissful arm and head massage. An hour later, we float home.
The Results
Afterwards, our skin feels soft and calm, and looks luminous. For some, this might be enough to graduate to stronger actives; others may need several sessions before skin feels truly resilient.
The Cost
$230 at Rationale.
At-Home
Send yourself to calm skin boot camp with a pared back skincare routine featuring anti-inflammatory antioxidants and niacinamide in comforting textures to rebuild your skin barrier and reduce redness.
TRY: PAI SKINCARE Light Work Cleansing Oil, $68; sephora.com.au
Cleanse oil, makeup and irritation away and replenishing skin's moisture with a nightly massage of this antioxidant-rich oil-to-milk cleanser.
TRY: RATIONALE #1 The Serum, $174; rationale.com
This signature serum restores calm and clarity to stressed and sensitive skin whilst gently working to boost luminosity.
TRY: DR. DENNIS GROSS B3Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Repair Face Cream, $115; mecca.com.au
Niacinamide and adaptogens work together to soothe irritation and speed up skin’s repair process, cocooning skin in an ultra-rich cream.
This article originally appeared in the October 2020 issue of marie claire.
