From gentle body care products to a unisex fragrance and a potent vitamin C serum, these are the products our editor has been enjoying the past month.
essence Hydro Hero 24H Hydrating Tinted Cream SPF15 (R113.95)
What they say: The Hydro Hero 24H Hydrating Tinted Cream combines foundation, moisturizer and sunscreen in one product. Thanks to the buildable, light to medium coverage, the BB Cream creates an even complexion with a fresh, natural finish. The weightless, oil-free texture is made of 88% natural ingredients, is enriched with hyaluronic acid and is free of alcohol, silicones or perfume.
The product feels pleasant on the skin and won’t clog pores.
What we say: “I’m a sucker for a BB cream, especially during summer, and this one ticks all the boxes. It has a lovely creamy-but-light texture that melts into the skin and is easily blended. It offers light to medium coverage and blurs imperfections. The formula is buildable, so you can work your way up to fuller coverage if needed. It feels light on the skin and offers all day hydration, which I love. It’s going to be my go-to BB cream this summer.” – Anien, Editor
Epimax Emollient Body Washes (R89.95 – R99.95)
What they say: Three pH balanced, non-irritant emollient body washes have been added to the Epi-max® Original, Baby & Junior and Oatmeal ranges. Each range has its own distinctive colour and is free of artificial colourants and fragrances, as well as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and are not tested on animals.
Epi-max® Emollient Baby & Junior Body Wash (R89.95): A soothing, non-irritant emollient body wash for babies and children is now part of the distinctive lilac range and comes in a pump bottle. It can be used daily to gently cleanse and soothe sensitive skin prone to dryness and in dry skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
Epi-max® Emollient Oatmeal Body Wash (R99.95): Packaged in a green pump bottle, Epi-max® Oatmeal Body Wash is an ultra-caring pH balanced emollient wash for very sensitive skin that tends to be dry. It’s safe for the whole family and can be used daily to cleanse, soothe and moisturise the skin, and prevent dryness.
Epi-max® Emollient Body Wash (R89.95): This gentle emollient body wash for all skin types, including dry skin and in dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, is part of the original range and comes in an instantly recognisable yellow pump bottle.
What we say: “Epimax has been a staple in my home for as long as I can remember. I always keep a tub of lotion nearby, as it’s the perfect product to moisturise skin post-shaving, it’s soothing after too much time in the sun and it’s my go-to when my skin is sensitive or reactive. I was delighted when I heard they’ve launched body washes, as I much prefer a liquid soap to a bar of soap, and I struggle to find something gentle enough (and that’s not overly fragranced). I love that there’s an option for everyone in the family and that all the variants are non-irritant and free from fragrances and colourants. The Oatmeal variant is my favourite, but I’d happily use any of them, any day!” – Anien, Editor
Benefit WANDERful Blush (R495.00)
What they say: Bring the cheeks of your wildest dreams to life. The WANDERful World blush collection features a shade range that’s bursting with colour. These silky-soft powder blushes feel ultra-fine and weightless. They’re buildable, blendable and oh so beautiful. Sweep effortlessly onto cheeks for a soft-focus, airbrushed effect.
• Sweatproof, humidity-proof, smudge-proof
• Non-comedogenic
• Freshwater Pearl & Synthetic Sapphire give a luminous, light-reflecting glow and help skin look smooth & radiant
Available in 12 shades.
What we say: “I never leave the house without a hint of blush, and I’m always on the lookout for new formulas that offer the perfect balance of colour and glow. These new blushes by Benefit are fantastic – they offer high colour payoff, they have a beautiful subtle shimmer, they blend well and you only need a tiny bit of product to cover the cheek area. There are 12 different shades available, each one designed to suit both light and dark skin tones. I’ve been using Willa, a soft neutral-rose shade that’s beautiful for spring.” – Anien, Editor
Endocare Radiance C Ferulic Edafence Serum (R1140.00)
What they say: Endocare’s C Ferulic EDAFENCE® Serum is the most advanced anti-pollution, antioxidant, and regenerating product that defies the limits of anti-oxidative skincare. It delivers intense skin protection against pollution, sunlight and tobacco smoke thanks to powerful antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, where vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid assist with the improvement of skin moisturization.
- Daily protection for the skin against pollution, sunlight and tobacco smoke
- Advanced skin brightening
- Reduce lines and wrinkles
- Oil-free and quickly absorbed
- Contains Growth Factor
What we say: “I use vitamin C serums religiously, but I’ve come across a few in the past that were too harsh for me, and left my skin red and sensitive. Because of this, I’m very particular about which vitamin C serums I use. I love the C Ferulic EDAFENCE® Serum from Endocare, because it offers potent antioxidant protection without aggravating my skin. I really enjoy the texture, scent and consistency – it smells fresh and absorbs easily. I can always see an improvement in my skin’s radiance and tone when I’ve used this serum for a few weeks, and with summer coming up, it’s going to be one of my go-to hyperpigmentation fighters. I love the brilliant airless dropper packaging – it dispenses the perfect amount of serum every time, ensuring 80 pumps per bottle, and making it impossible to squirt out too much or too little.” – Anien, Editor
Emporio Armani Stronger With You Oud Eau de Parfum 50ml (R1560.00)
What they say: Stronger With You Oud is a fougère oriental woody fragrance composed by Cécile Matton (MANE), the perfumer who crafted the original Stronger With You scent. Stronger With You Oud’s new interpretation of the scent takes the sensual signature of Stronger With You and infuses it with the powerful, abundant, and woody oud note, which blends with mysterious lavandin and alluring vanilla for an evocative effect.
The fragrance opens with the aromatic effervescence of juniper extract, warmed by the spicy richness of saffron accord and elemi essence. At the heart is lavandin grosso, sourced from Provence in the South of France, with the note obtained via hydro-distillation. The sensual, floral, and aromatic lavandin lends a sense of mystery to the fragrance and fuses with the spice notes. The fragrance’s base is defined by oud butter, a scent with woody and smoky facets, with a powerful, sensual, and precious fragrance emblematic of the Middle East and Africa. Derived from the wood of the agar tree, the oud is of 100% natural origin, obtained via hydro-distillation.
What we say: “I’ve never met a Giorgio Armani fragrance I didn’t like, and Stronger With You Oud is no exception. This is a unisex scent, and while I can see it being popular among both men and women, I feel it leans slightly more towards the masculine, and as such, my husband snatched it up as soon as it landed on my desk. I love its warmth, its spiciness and its sensuality. It’s long-lasting on the skin and suitable for both daytime and evening. The bottle design is absolutely stunning and luxurious, and it mirrors the luxury of the scent itself.” – Anien, Editor
Body Botanika Lemongrass Hand and Body Collection (R35.00 – R89.00)
What they say: Body Botanika is a proudly South African brand that manufactures its products in Cape Town. They are known for using high quality raw materials to produce products that are vegan, produced in small batches, free from nasties like parabens and petrochemicals and are made using natural extracts. The Body Botanika Lemongrass Body Collection has been developed with natural essences. Lemongrass Essential Oil is known for its many benefits, such as being anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and being a natural cleanser. It also contains vitamin E for hydration and protection along with shea butter, argan oil and cocoa butter for extra moisture. The range consists of a Hand Wash, Bath & Shower Gel, Body Balm, Hand Sanitiser, Soap Bar and Hand & Body Lotion.
What we say: “Lemongrass is one of the favourite scents, so I was excited to try this new range by Body Botanika. I’ve really enjoyed using the products. The Hand & Body Lotion has a permanent spot on my bedside table as it doesn’t leave an oily or greasy residue on the skin, so I can apply it to my hands any time of the day. The Hand Wash and Bath & Shower Gel have also become firm favourites – they gently cleanse without stripping my skin of moisture and smell great. I love supporting local and I adore body care products infused with natural ingredients. This range is a real winner for me.” – Anien, Editor
