We all know that you can’t really go wrong with Sothys skin care, but this great company has introduced its Cosmeceutical Anti-Ageing Shield Creams and Serums. They have created unique, dual-action cream emulsions to address both the primary cause of ageing skin (such as free radicals, sun damage, glycation, etc) and the effect that ageing has on a particular skin (loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles, slow skin cell division, etc).

There are four grades of cream and serum intensity suited to the needs of a particular skin age. They contain messenger peptides to boost the natural system of damaged DNA fragments, so that cells can activate signals to repair themselves.

The potency of Sothys Anti-Ageing Skin Care System multiplies in each grade of skin ageing when a corresponding Cosmeceutical Serum is used in conjunction with the Anti-Ageing Shield Crème.

Another important active ingredient is hyaluronic acid, a natural skin filler to plump out the dermis layer (by retaining water within) and to stimulate collagen production (essential for increasing skin firmness and skin density).
Diana’s review: With a pleasant and subtle floral fragrance, these creams and serums deliver pretty impressive results.

After two weeks of using them I can safely say that my skin had become considerably softer, more glowing and with less visible pores (I hate enlarged pores!) even though I’ve been through some pretty stressing times lately.
Overall, the serum did a good job of helping to balance my combination skin/ It delivered moisture and reduced the usual redness where my skin needed it, yet was not too creamy so that I could apply it twice a day, in the morning and at night without feeling like I was overloading my face with creams.

I tend to apply the anti-ageing shield cream quite liberally and although it seemed like a lot in the first 30 seconds, my skin “sucked” it in leaving no greasy residue, only beautifully soft texture.
Priced between AU$115 and AU$150 per bottle some may feel this treat is a bit on the dearer side, but is money well-spent as far as skin care products go. Besides, you can always grab yourself a good deal on www.skinsentials .com.au with the lowest prices guaranteed and other perks such as free bonus products or discount coupons.

A blackhead or whitehead can expel its contents to the surface and heal. Or , the follicle wall can rupture and inflammatory acne can ensue . This rupture can be caused by random occurrence or by picking or touching the skin. This is why it is important to leave acne prone skin relatively untouched.

An inflamed lesion can sometimes completely collapse or explode, severely inflaming the surrounding skin, and sometimes engulfing neighboring follicles.

BiON products can achieve remarkable results with each patient within three to four weeks. Most acne products try to kill the acne bacteria with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. They don’t address the other issues that cause acne, such as excessive sebum production. Benzoyl peroxide can cause premature skin aging, slow healing and is associated with increased skin cancer risks, for instance.

BION acne treatment regimens effectively control acne in more than 90% of the cases, frequently resulting in no visible appearance of acne. These products are more effective than many antibiotics and prescription treatments, with the only exception of Accutane (which, however, has serious side effects that are not present with BION skin care products).

ACNE TREATMENT REGIMENS: BiON has treated hundreds of clinical test patients to determine the most effective product combinations and regimens for each condition and skin type. These suggested regimens have proven to be the most effective in treating and getting rid of acne.

Acne – Oily, Combination or Normal Skin
Light, Moderate or Severe Acne

AM

Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Salicylic-Glycolic Gel – Apply very thinly, lightly rub into skin to disappear, leave on
Green Tea/Clay Poultice – Apply very thinly to problem areas and rub in to disappear

PM

Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Salicylic-Glycolic Gel – Apply very thinly, leave on
Green Tea/Clay Poultice – Apply more liberally than in AM, rub into skin, leave on

Note: For severe acne cases Acne Inhibiting Gel can be added to the twice daily regimen, following the Salicylic-Glycolic Gel and before the Green Tea/Clay Poultice.
Note: If the Poultice rolls or doesn’t absorb when applied, the Salicylic-Glycolic Gel has been applied too liberally and is creating a barrier.

Acne – Dry or Sensitive Skin or Acne Rosacea
Light, Moderate or Severe Acne

AM

Bacteriostat Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Follicle Clearing Lotion – Apply thinly following cleansing, leave on
Green Tea/Clay Poultice – Apply very thinly to problem areas, rub in to disappear
Moisture Complex – Optional, for dry skin. Use as needed, leave on

PM

Bacteriostat Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Follicle Clearing Lotion – Apply following cleansing, leave on
Green Tea/Clay Poultice – Apply more liberally than in AM, leave on
Moisture Complex – Optional, for dry skin. Use as needed, leave on

Note: For severe acne cases Acne Inhibiting Gel can be added to the twice daily regimen, following the Salicylic-Glycolic Gel and before the Green Tea/Clay Poultice.
Note: If the Poultice rolls or doesn’t absorb when applied, the Salicylic-Glycolic Gel has been applied too liberally and is creating a barrier.

Folliculitis Barbae (In-Grown Hairs),
Normal, Combination or Oily Skin

AM

Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Salicylic-Glycolic Gel – Apply following cleansing, leave on
Note: Perform treatment after shaving, rather than before

PM

Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Salicylic-Glycolic Gel – Apply following cleansing, leave on

Folliculitis Barbae (In-Grown Hairs),
Dry and/or Sensitive Skin

AM

Bacteriostat Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Follicle Clearing Lotion – Apply following cleansing, leave on
Moisture Complex – For dry skin. Use as needed, leave on

Note: Perform treatment after shaving, rather than before.

PM

Bacteriostat Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Follicle Clearing Lotion – Apply following cleansing, leave on
Moisture Complex – For dry skin. Use as needed, leave on

Blackheads & Whiteheads
Normal, Combination or Oily Skin

AM

Cleanser (Antibacterial or Bacteriostat) – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Other skin care products – Apply as usual

PM

Cleanser (Antibacterial or Bacteriostat) – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Blackhead/Whitehead Controller – Apply amply following cleansing, lightly rub in, leave on
Other skin care products – Apply as usual

Note: When using Controller with other products always use Controller as the first item after cleansing.
Note: Use Controller twice daily until blackheads disappear, in about 2-3 weeks, or until whiteheads disappear, in about 3-4 weeks. Then use once daily to maintain results.
Do NOT let treated skin become dry or plugs will harden again and not dissolve.

Oil Absorption – Excessively Oily Skin

AM

Glycolic Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
Other skin care products – Apply other routine products such as acne products
Oil Absorbing Gel – Apply thinly after other skin care products
Make-up – Apply (if desired) following Oil Absorbing Gel

PM

Glycolic Cleanser – Cleanse to remove Oil Absorbing Gel and proceed with the normal evening skin care regimen

Note: If going out in the evening, Oil Absorbing gel can be applied again and even reapplied over make-up.

Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores): At the first sign of a bump or inflammation, apply Acne Inhibiting Gel to the area 2-3 times daily for 2-3 days. Using this method, the herpes simplex sore will not develop.

To buy BION skin care products, visit our online beauty warehouse.



Whether it is the gradual loss of skin tone, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, sagging skin, or a combination of these concerns, most of us (and by “us” I mean most people on the wrong side of 40) would like to find that magic wand that will reverse all signs of aging. That magic wand is yet to be discovered, but there’s something we can do to delay and even reverse to some extent the damage our lifestyle and the sheer passing of time have done to our skin.

A facelift is said to be rejuvenation, but it is only superficial. It involves the removal of sections of the skin, pulling the remainder of the skin tight and possibly shortening underlying muscles to hold the skin in place. No real rejuvenation takes place, but rather we create the “appearance” of rejuvenation.

The real skin rejuvenation causes changes at the cellular level of the skin, which improve the various functions and the appearance of the skin.

So what can we do to achieve this change and truly rejuvenate our skin? It may sound quite basic, but here it is:

• Encourage new skin cell growth
• Neutralize skin damaging free radicals
• Encourage collagen production
• Increase the skin’s moisture content
• Improve the skin’s ability to protect itself

And now the big question: HOW do we achieve that?

Believe it or not, there’s a lot you can do from the comfort of your own home and you don’t even need to break the bank. So let’s take them one by one.

1. You can encourage new skin cell growth through exfoliation. Exfoliation means eliminating the outermost layer of dead skin cells and is one of the most basic and important steps in stimulating new cell growth. Exfoliation can be accomplished through a mechanical method (scrubs or microdermabrasion) or through chemical means (products containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), for instance).

2. When it comes to neutralizing skin damaging free radicals, antioxidants are the buzz-word in the skin care world. Apart from consuming foods rich in antioxidants, topical antioxidants are vital in boosting the skin’s natural protection from free radical damage. Strong antioxidants have been shown to provide several benefits to our skin:

• Add a youthful glow to your skin increasing hydration and tone
• Maintain collagen levels
• Protect from future signs of aging
• Improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin
• Reduce the appearance of age spots and discoloration

Antioxidants usually work like sponges that soak up or quench free-radicals, which makes their activity quite limited. Medik8’s Firewall, on the other hand, works not only like a sponge but also like an enzyme pump. It sucks-up free-radicals, converts them into bi-products and then expels them from the system. It can process millions of repeated conversions before losing activity, making it more effective than other well known products.

3. The next step is to encourage collagen production. Retinol has been shown in several clinical trials to combat common skin-ageing concerns such as facial wrinkles, lines, folds and a loss of firmness by stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid production. Retinol has also been proven to improve skin clarity and texture, promote anti-pigmentation plus demonstrate anti-acne and pore-minimizing effects, all leading to a more youthful skin appearance. What more could you ask for?

4. Moisturizing is an extremely important element in any facial rejuvenation regimen. Moisturizing not only hydrates but also locks in the skin’s own natural moisture content and helps the skin’s overall ability to heal and protect itself.

Some of the most important ingredients to look for when selecting a moisturizer are Pantothenic Acid, also known as vitamin B5 and Hyaluronic Acid. The Pantothenic Acid effectively enhances the skin’s moisture-retention capacity as well as promoting skin rejuvenation and wound healing, whilst the Hyaluronic Acid is capable of holding up to 1000x its own weight in water and hence helps to restore critical moisture to dehydrated skin, increase skin’s suppleness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.. Pantothenic Acid is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and an anti-itching active, helping to soothe stressed irritated skin.

5. Last, but not least, sunscreen is an indispensable part of any anti-aging strategy. Physical sunscreens (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) provide much better anti-aging benefits than chemical sunscreens because physical sunscreens, work by reflecting the photons of light up and out of the skin so there is no absorption of energy. Unlike chemical screens, the physical sunscreen type of photoprotection produces no free radicals and no secondary skin damage, whereas the chemical ones prevent a larger degree of the initial sun damage but allow secondary free radical damage, which adds to the speed of the skin aging process..

I know it’s always easier said than done, but what should a good daily rejuvenating skin care regimen look like?

Here are the recommended regimens with two of my favourite brands:

Skin rejuvenation with BION

AM

1. Glycolic Cleanser or Cleanser for Normal Skin (if your skin is more dry or sensitive, use Mineral Cream Cleanser) – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
2. Moisture Complex or Line Reducing Complex – Apply thinly and rub into skin
3. Ultra Moisture Renewal or Intense Moisturizer and Eye Cream – Optional
4. Titanium Dioxide Sunscreen – Apply following other products and before make-up

PM

1. Glycolic Cleanser or Cleanser for Normal Skin (Mineral Cream Cleanser for dry or sensitive skin) – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
2. Vitamin A + Antioxidant Complex – Apply thinly and rub into skin
3. Bio-Essence Nighttime Calcium Complex or Line Reducing Complex- Apply and rub into skin
4. Ultra Moisture Renewal or Intense Moisturizer and Eye Cream – Optional, apply as needed

Skin rejuvenation with Medik8

AM

1. oneCleanse antioxidant rosemary foaming cleanser or creamClense gently exfoliating mandelic acid cream cleanser
2. Pretox injection-free alternative to Botox (products from this range as needed) – Optional
3. C-Tetra (for mid-20s to mid-30s) or CE-Tetra (late 30s onwards) pro-collagen synthesis super antixidant serum
4. White Balance depigmentation serum or Dark Circles under-eye dark circle formula (as applicable)
5. Hydr8 pro-collagen hydrator followed by your favourite SPF, if desired (although Hydr8 will offer SPF 25 protection)

PM

1. oneCleanse antioxidant rosemary foaming cleanser or creamClense gently exfoliating mandelic acid cream cleanser
2. use Medik8 Titanium skin needling device to prepare the skin for increased serum absorbption.
3. followed by Retinol Eye TR under-eye night serum and Retinol 3TR advanced night serum
4. White Balance or Red Alert (as applicable)
5. Firewall broad spectrum antioxidant
6. Pretox injection-free alterntiave to Botox (products from this range as needed)
7. Hydr8 Night resveratrol cell longevity hydrator

Obviously, you need to adjust these sample skin care regimens to your particular needs, just keep in mind the general rule: Cleanse, Prevent, Correct, Hydrate, and finish off with Sunscreen. Another point to remember is that Retinol should be applied before serums or antioxidants.

Happy Rejuvenation Everyone!

Looking in the mirror can be a terrifying experience at times. If you’ve been partying all night, if you’re a new mum or simply need to perk up your looks and boost your spirits, you need to add some glamour-inducing treats into your beauty regime. Beautification has been proven, throughout history’s toughest times to raise morale and with this instant complexion boost, this incredibly effective treatment is an absolute must.

What to do:

• microdermabrasion treatment followed by
• The Lift non-surgical facelift (a mask of mineral powders, fruit extracts and enzyme boosters that work to gently stimulate circulation and increase blood supply to help restore the skin’s muscle tone and elasticity),
• C-Tetra or CE-Tetra from Medik8 (age-adjusted Vitamin C serum),
• The Lift collagen cream, then finish off with
• a hydrating cream (Medik8’s Hydr8 or BION’s Moisture Complex would be a good choice) and
• a good SPF.

This will rejuvenate, revitalize and plump up your skin like not even a sound beauty sleep can do. At the end of the 75-minute treatment your skin will look and feel 10 years younger!How to maintain the effect: purchase The Lift (10 treatments in one box – $235), C-Tetra or CE-Tetra (30ml – $78.20 – $135.70), a good hydrating cream (our Sothy’s creams are absolutely divine!) and your SPF moisturiser (I would recommend either BION’s award-winning Titanium-dioxide sunscreen or Sothy’s tinted SPF) – all this should keep your skin young and beautiful for a good couple of months.

Now, many customers have pointed out that they don’t have a microdermabrasion machine lying around in a corner and I had to admit: neither have I.

So the question is: how can you achieve those fabulous results without leaving the comfort of your own home?

Well, as I (and a whole bunch of very clever people) always say: “where there’s a will, there’s a way”, just follow the routine below:

• cleanse thoroughly (use BION’s Glycolic Cleanser or oneCleanse from Medik8)
• apply The Lift Mask and leave it on for 30 minutes
• remove the mask with a really hot, wet towel (you can put a wet towel in the microwave oven for 30sec – 1 min)
• use a skin needling device (a roller with tiny needles specifically designed for personal, cosmetic use at home to enhance the penetration of all the active ingredients to follow)
• apply Medik8’s Firewall or Vit C serum followed by Medik8 Retinol 3TR Serum and allow to absorb
• apply the Lift collagen cream and finish off with a good SPF (once again, I can’t help, but recommend BION’s award-winning Titanium-dioxide sunscreen or Sothy’s tinted SPF – they really are that good)

If you do this routine at night, finish off with Hydr8 Night from Medik8 instead of the SPF.Just like in the case of the in-salon treatment, you will see instant results, but regular use is what really makes the “miracle” happen.

See what my clients had to say about this:

“When I walked out of your salon, WOW! did I receive a lot of awesome hot comments especially I look gr8 and just glowing. THANK YOU SO MUCH!”

“I simply can’t believe the transformation! I’m 67 this year, but after having the ultimate complexion booster at SlenderBody even my husband was stunned and usually he doesn’t even notice when I’m having something done! I think I’ve become instantly addicted to this treatment. Thank you, girls.”