Deep Dive into DermoProf Skincare: Review
- Terri-Ann
- Oct 1, 2020
- 8 min read
Can you believe that we're still living through a global pandemic?
I am so proud that we're all still here *insert applause* though it sometimes feel like the world is completely topsy-turvy at best.
Any who, the reason I'm quarter to existentialism is as a direct result of South Africa reaching level 1, the lowest of our 5 levels of lockdown, and freedom and a sense of normalcy finally feels within grasp. Not long after level 5 of National Lockdown was announced and my skin started breaking out like crazy. A combination of stress (about health, not being able to go outside, adjusting to working from home and living in a teeny tiny apartment with no direct sunlight) and panic buying random skincare products left my skin worse for wear.
Eventually, I reached out to my Instagram Fam about suggestions for skincare. My search criteria was as follows:
1. Somewhat affordable
2. As eco-friendly/sustainable as possible
3. Actually work especially with break out prone skin
I received some amazing suggestions (check my Instagram highlights called 'S K I N' if you're curious). You know how it is with the algorithm. You say what you want out loud and you shall receive a curated list of suggestions in the form of advertisements ( so much for privacy, but it's a great hack if you're looking for something specific and a Google search just isn't cutting it). In my case, I started seeing a ton of ad's on my Facebook and Instagram for DermoProf Skincare. Being the product nerd that I am I stalked their website and the pits of Google for an ingredients list and alas. Not much. However, after seeing Bushraa Kamaldien (@bushraa.lab) post about the brand I decided to give it a shot because it:
Met my budget requirements
Had pretty good reviews
Was a local brand (which is sustainable in a way) #ProudlySouthAfrican
Was not complicated skincare at all (no 11-step what-what's)
The products are scientifically backed (developed by a pharmacist)
Let's talk value.
DermoProf is excelling at producing quality, affordable skincare. The ACnClear set consists of 1 x ACnClear cleanser and 1 x ACnClear Cream and is currently being sold in limited edition 60ml bottles (with 50ml being the usual size) . So that's 2 x 60ml products that are retailing for R145.00. I cannot stress enough how affordable this is. Granted this is a sale price (50% off) and the usual price is R290.00, but I'd definitely still say that's reasonable considering the efficacy and size of the products. The Dry Relief Serum (now called Balancing Serum) is marketed as a blend of natural oils that can provide relief for dry skin challenges. Now when I first read that I was like 'hmm, my skin is oily I don't need this' but I headed over to the FAQ section (leave no stone unturned y'all) and this, this is where I really fell in love. It read:
Hydration of the skin is very important because dehydrated skin can result in a negative feedback mechanism that causes over-stimulation of the sebaceous/oil glands and in turn, aggravates comedones and breakouts
I tell you. Negative feedback mechanism. Flashback to first year biology. The scientist in me is quaking. I was literally so excited! (if you are a skincare nerd and already knew this please bare with me).
Firstly, because I knew diddly-squat about taking care of my skin so this was news to me. SECONDLY. Every product for oily/combination- skin is always going on and on about matte/ oil control and blah blah blah. What if I don't want to look like a piece of paper when I'm done washing my face? I, with the oily skin, also want to glow and be hydrated and plump. mxm. So this piece of information- to me- was gold. Either way, coming back to the serum. It retails at R270.00 for 25ml which is round about the market standard for serums and things.
My first order (to Stellenbosch on June 1st 2020) I was charged R65.00 courier fee and my two subsequent orders (July 28th to Stellenbosch and September 18th to Pretoria) I was charged a R78.00 courier fee. R78.00 seems to be the flat rate from my experience- so do keep this in mind when ordering. However, you will also notice that my orders are kind of spread out as the products tend to last to just short of two months (with use twice daily). Although I seemed to have crummy luck. The first order my serum broke like two days after it arrived *crying* and in with my second order, during the move the cap fell off the cleanser and it got squished in a bag and I lost a lot of cleanser in the process * crying intensifies*. So keeping that series of unfortunate events in mind, you'll probably find that the products at their current size should last two months using an average of 1.5 pumps of each product at each wash.
What's Inside?
I'm sure, like me, you are super curious as to what's inside and how does it work. Lest I should be the one to accidentally spill trade secrets - I will refrain from listing the entire ingredients list in order as listed on the bottle (am I being dramatic?). I will instead list ingredients I found interesting in each product in no particular order.
The ACnClear Cleanser has gentle surfactants (cleansing agents- just like in hair care) such as Sodium Laurel Sulfoacetate but the one I found interesting is Cocamidropropyl Betaine which is also found in the Nature Box Shampoo which my hair wasn't fond of. Fun fact: Cocamidropropyl Betaine is naturally derived (usually from coconuts) and is considered low risk for sensitizing skin. It's also worth a mention incase you have a coconut sensitivity that extends to your skin. Power ingredients such as Mandelic acid and Tea Tree Leaf oil also make an appearance in the cleanser. Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that works by exfoliating the skin and is a popular skin care ingredient for a reason. It is more gentle than glycolic acid and helps regulate sebum production, unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Tea tree oil has natural disinfecting properties and is commonly used in acne treatments. I once read a study that found that tea tree oil is a gentler but similarly effective option compared to Benzoyl Peroxide, but don't quote me on that.
The ACnClear Cream is a powerhouse of potent skincare ingredients. Some of these ingredients include Niacinamide, Mandelic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Salicylic acid, Bacopa Monnieri (an Ayurvedic herb), Allantoin, Retinyl Palmitate and Tea Tree leaf oil. You see what I mean?
Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3 or Nicotinamide. It's an ingredient that plays nice with other ingredients in your skin care routine. This ingredient has been shown to boost the hydrating ability of moisturizers- so that's great. Linoleic acid or vitamin F provides moisture and that "plumpness" I so craved and it's good at fortifying the skin's barrier. Green Tea Extract has been rumored to provide anti-inflammatory benefits while providing protection agains collagen degradation and skin discolouration. Salicylic acid is a cult favorite in the fight against breakouts. It is a beta hydroxy acid that aids in exfoliating the skin and keeping pores clear. Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) is thought to stimulate cell regeneration. Allantoin is there moisturizing, hydrating, exfoliating and soothing the skin. Last but not least, Retiny Palmitate is the "less effective" cousin of Retinoic Acid. But really they just mean gentler, due to the "decreased efficacy" of Retinyl Palmitate it is better suited for long term use where it has numerous benefits such as increasing cell turnover (leading to better skin tone), stimulating collagen production and unclogging the pores. Interestingly Dimethicone is an ingredient in the ACnClear Cream that boggled my mind for a bit. As a natural hair curly girl of sorts we're sort of trained to stay away from silicones, but after a bit of reading it became apparent that silicones are mainly used for their sensory properties. They provide a matte finish (gasp and gag) and seem to be popular in skin care for oily skin/ large pores. While I am not impressed with that- the product does not disappoint and makes up for it with a bunch of other moisture-retaining ingredients I guess.
The Balancing Serum contains a blend of oils ranging from grape seed oil to watermelon seed oil. Grape seed oil contains an polyphenol called proanthocyanidin (which sounds potent to me) that acts as an antioxidant thereby possibly having a protective effect on your skin from free radicals brought on by UV exposure etc. Watermelon oil is chock full of linoleic and oleic acids and is apparently known as an acne fighter. It's non-comedogenic and is good at dissolving sebum and maintaining moisture. I won't get into all the other oils- I'm sure you can agree that there's a bunch of good stuff going on here.
Overall no fragrances were listed in the ingredients list which is great, as so often it's the fragrances that our skin can react badly to in products.
The Experience.
I loved the simplicity of the two-product system and the serum. Initially it felt weird not reaching for a face mask or a toner. I didn't know how to spend self-care Sundays lol. But at the same time it saved me a lot of time and because of how simple it is even on your laziest day you can still get around to washing your face twice a day. The products don't smell like anything in particular- I do get hints of tea tree and I can't put my finger on it-but I'd describe it as fresh.
My skin has responded super well to the products and routine. Within the first two months I saw a significant reduction in inflammation/ redness of the breakout on my forehead. With my second purchase and the addition of the Balancing Serum to the routine my face responded immediately. I could immediately feel a change in my sebum production- I no longer had to dab my forehead throughout the day because of excess oil production. My breakout had subsided and the scarring decreased. Pictures speak louder than words, so I will include a few images of my journey with DermoProf.
As you can see from the pictures above. The changes seen in the first month are quite significant! Similarly, if you scroll through the images below. It is evident just how much my skin has changed in the last 4 months.
My skin journey, like my hair journey is ever changing and evolving. I am constantly learning how to do better and be better ( that counts for inside and out). It would be remiss of me to not mention the profound impact that the DermoProf products have had in my life. As a content creator - my face is all over my little space on the internet and my self-confidence took a huge knock when my skin took a knock. DermoProf products have improved my skin and now I am confident to rock foundation free looks again (my last 4 portrait posts on Instagram have all been foundation free). I am looking forward to continuing my journey with DermoProf using the PigmentoB range for even skin tone that they have gifted me. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Thank you for stopping by :)
If you want to shop your own DermoProf products after reading this review click the link below to go directly to their website
Full disclosure: This review is not sponsored by DermoProf. The company has generously sponsored the prize for the competition running on my Instagram page and gifted me with 1 x PigmentoB set. I have purchased the PigmentoB serum to incorporate into my skincare routine. The link above is not an affiliate link. I receive no compensation for any purchases made through the link.
Comments