Intimate skincare has gained a lot of popularity globally, but in SA, we’ve had very few options. SKINSTEM™ is here to change that. Proudly South African, these products are specifically created for the bikini area, targeting issues such as pigmentation, hydration, unwanted ingrown hairs and to improve the overall appearance of the V-area.
Gentle yet effective, SKINSTEM™ products were designed to help women have a positive relationship with their most sensitive area. Not sure what to expect from the range? Our editor put it to the test – here’s what happened:
“A beauty editor who has never tested intimate skincare products before? Guilty as charged. But in my defence, us South Africans haven’t had much opportunity – until now. SKINSTEM™ is SA’s first intimate skincare range and I was really excited to try it out. Why do we need skincare for our intimate areas, you may ask? The answer is simple – why not?
It makes complete sense that we should use skincare dedicated to our bikini area. After all, most of us go through some form of hair removal such as waxing, shaving or laser, which may leave your skin feeling dry, taut or uncomfortable. Plus, it’s a delicate and sensitive area, meaning it’ll really benefit from the nourishment offered by good quality skincare.
My biggest skin concerns in this area is dryness and ingrown hair. I had laser hair removal many years ago, so I’ve given up waxing, but I still need to do a little home maintenance. I use an electric trimmer and occasionally a razor, which isn’t the best option but it really gets the job done. This tends to leave my skin feeling a little dry, and sometimes even flaky.
When I put SKINSTEM™ to the test I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’d never used products specifically designed for this area before. The range consists of an exfoliator, a serum and a moisturiser, all of which are free from potentially irritating ingredients like colourants, fragrances, parabens and sulphates.
The V-Exfoliator has been my saving grace as I am prone to ingrown hair from time to time. It’s a dual exfoliator, consisting of small granules that mechanically exfoliate the skin as well as enzymes (AHAs, to be exact) that remove cells by breaking them down enzymatically. I love that the scrub feels very gentle on the skin – the granules are fine and gently slough away dry skin cells without leaving my skin feeling sensitive. This product is a must-have in between hair removal sessions as exfoliating is the key to avoiding ingrown hair. I use it two or three times per week to keep my skin soft, smooth and ingrown-hair-free.
If you regularly shave, wax or pluck, chances are your skin may have a little bit of an uneven tone, or may have become a bit lax. The V-Serum is designed just for that – it contains a variety of nourishing ingredients like vitamin C, nutri peptides and salicylic acid to brighten and hydrate the skin while restoring firmness. I love its quick-absorbing texture. It feels light and soothing on the skin and absorbs fast without leaving a sticky residue.
And last but not least is the lightweight V-Cream, a moisturiser formulated with brightening and anti-pigmentation properties, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and a variety of different vitamins. This moisturiser is designed to help combat dryness and discolouration, while improving the overall health and appearance of the skin.
It has a non-greasy formula that, like the serum, absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Another bonus is that it helps soften coarse hair and regrowth.
It’s been almost two weeks since I embarked on my SKINSTEM™ journey and I have to say that I am really impressed with the quality of the products. Each item is filled with fantastic ingredients and is free from harsh ingredients that may irritate delicate skin. I enjoy the textures and the formulas: I love that both the serum and moisturiser are ultra-nourishing and feel luxurious on my skin, and I love that the exfoliator retains a gentle formula while sloughing away dry and dead skin cells.
Since using these products I’ve had less ingrown hair and my skin has felt softer, smoother and more hydrated.
The packaging is beautiful and looks so lovely in my bathroom, and honestly, the fact that the brand is produced locally just makes it even more appealing to me. If you’ve yet to try intimate skincare, I suggest you give it a go, and I can highly recommend SKINSTEM™ as your chosen brand.”
Anien, Editor
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