Looking after the skin you’re in is a constant battle, no matter if you are enjoying summer waves, autumnal mountain biking, winter snowboarding, spring hiking or just walking your dog on the beach.

Everyday our skin is exposed to environmental elements like sunlight, harsh winds, dirt, air pollution and other factors which cause oxy radicals to form in the skin. These oxy radicals attack the skin's collagen layer and break it down, causing lines and wrinkles to appear.

You need to moisturise, but which one to choose? There’s a dazzling and often confusing array out all there, all promising to relase your inner Goddess and it’s a big, big business.

According to Datamonitor's Skincare: Global Industry Guide, in 2007 the global skincare market was valued at A$49.5 billion and is expected to be worth around A$58.2 billion by 2012 – that’s a jump of 17.6 per cent. So there’s a lot of money committed to convincing us to use one brand over another.  

Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Of course, we all know that the best way to prevent wrinkles and skin aging is to wear sunblock with a high SPF, wear a hat, don’t smoke, moderate your alcohol intake and avoid tanning salons like the plague.

However, ExplorerGirls cannot live by sunblock alone, so all in the name of science, I tried out a multitude of potions, lotions, creams ranging from the scientific to hope-in-a-jar to give you the lowdown on what balms work and what’s just plain barmy!

No One Solutions Fits All
Remember, that skincare is a highly personal issue and what makes one ExplorerGirl’s skin look luminescent, can make another look as though she’s auditioning for the witch role in Wicked. Just because one cream works for your girlfriend does not mean it will work for you, as you’ll see below. So always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test a small patch of skin before applying all over your face.

Me, Alison – a surfer and volunteer firefighter tested DesertPEA’s Bush Honey Night Cream (rrp$34.00) and Grass Lily Rich Moisturiser (RRP $36.00).
 
“With very dry skin thanks to so much time in the ocean, I found both products worked really well”.  “In particular, the Bush Honey Night Cream was really effective, my skin felt smoother the next morning”. The DesertPEA range is made from Australian botanical extracts, essential oils, clays and cold pressed vegetable oils and contains no chemical emulsifiers, harmful preservatives or synthetics.

After testing SkinCueticals Hydrating B5 Gel ($118.15), my skin really felt and looked smoother and more hydrated. “It felt lovely and light and the dropper made it easy to apply. I really liked this lotion, however, the price is 1/10th of new longboard”!

Next I also tested the Natio Glow Skin Brightening Face Balm (RRP $14.50) and while the cream felt refreshing and did make my skin look smoother, the fragrance which includes lavender and geranium smelled good enough to eat! “This was also a good cream to wear under makeup at night. Plus, my husband really liked the fragrance!”

Then, I used the Natio Intensive Moisturising Night Cream (RRP $17.25) for normal to dry skin which “felt rich and creamy without being greasy and made a good hand cream too. I really feel that the Natio range is also great value for your dollar.”

You’d think that after all this I would be skin-creamed out, but no, in the interests of EG research, I also tested the Ayurda range.
 
“Ayurda’s Nourishing Cream (RRP $74.95) and Skin Rejuvenator (RRP $74.95) creams were light, contained almond and sandlewood and worked well; my skin definitely felt more hydrated. Ayurda’s Oliana Oil (RRP $29.95) was also really nice; it felt lovely and made my skin texture feel smoother without being greasy”.

In keeping with the philosophy of the name - Ayurada follows the ancient Ayurvedic beauty principles that "nothing should be applied on the skin if it cannot be taken internally", the products contain no harmful chemical, preservatives or synthetic chemicals and was named in the annual Nature & Health 2009 Healthy Living Guide Natural Beauty Awards. 

For all you girls with oily skin I grabbed a few testers with the same problem.

Emma – a volunteer firefighter and one-woman small business dynamo, with oily skin, to test the SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture for normal-oily skin ($105.65). She had mixed results.

“It didn't feel very thick or creamy when applying and left my face a bit wet”, she reports. “I think it made my skin oilier overall and I had lots of under the surface bumps as well as breakouts”, says Emma. “I was surprised that it didn't have any SPF in it as it is standard for most good quality skincare moisturisers”, she says.

Her friend Leah tested the DesertPea Quandong Regenerating moisturizer for normal – oily skin and reported that while it felt OK when applying, it made her face oilier than normal and she had some breakouts which is very unusual.

Love Your Skin Tips
•    You only need a small amount to get a great result. Too much application can result in a greasy or overly dehydrated skin.
•    Skin lotions alone won’t make you look and feel fabulous – a nutritious diet, exercise and a positive attitude are also important
•    Price does not guarantee results
•    Keep trying different products until you find a brand that suits – but give your skin a chance - Unless of course the product stings or makes your skin feel like its burning
•    Testers at the chemist or department not supervised by staff store may be contaminated – so be careful
•    Always follow the manufacturers instructions

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Alison Aprhys

Photos courtesy: Natio, SkinCeuticals, Ayurda, DesertPea