#2 Medik8 Calmwise Serum Review
The serum that saved my bacon
Right after Christmas, I was down with a bug. I wasn’t sure whether it is just the ‘year-end flu’ that everyone seems to get or its the C-virus (my test results showed negative anyways). It turned out to be just a cold that dragged through to new year’s eve. I was sneezing and coughing so badly and was on anti-histamine over the 5 awkward days building up to New Year. I got better, but my skin went haywire. I was flushing, I had blotches all over the cheeks and skin was terribly sore and painful. I panicked, as I do. Constantly checking myself over the mirror, and yes - I am one of those people.
I stripped back to very basic skincare regime, focusing just merely on hydration, that temporarily calms the skin and prevent further aggregation but it was clearly insufficient to make the redness and itchiness go away.
Then I remembered I have a bottle of Medik8 Calmwise Serum in my stash and I immediately crack it open, brought it along to my staycation and used it both AM and PM.
What is in the serum?
This Jojoba oil based serum only contains 7 ingredients. We are all guilty at some time to cause irritation and sensitivity to our skin due to overuse or experimenting skincare products (if you are born / has skin conditions that requires medical attention, I am obviously not referring to you). So, when skin is angry, the best way is to strip to the minimal, focusing on hydration to let the skin repairs itself. Having only 7 ingredients in a serum requires very clever formulation, given that all of them are / will have to be carefully selected, proven to do its job and cause no further aggravation.
Brand specifically called out the two major ingredients:
Teprenone - A patented anti-redness active that helps to prolong the life of skin cells, enhancing the skin’s protective barrier and reducing sensitivity.
Organic Sage Extract - A powerful natural antioxidant that helps to soothe inflammation and calm irritation.
Who is it for?
This product is basically a chill-pill for the skin.
When skin feels sensitised or showing signs of impaired barrier, usually in one or more of the following conditions:
Redness / Erythema
Itchiness / sore
Flakey / uncomfortable to touch
Flare ups if you have eczema / rosacea / menopaused skin
I am almost certain that this will be useful for post in-clinic treatments like lasers / acid peels given that Medik8 are sold and used in professional clinics and saloons. It would be a useful serum to keep in the stash and resurrect it until the next skin-disaster hits.
How does it feels like?
Lightweight oil-serum that sinks in beautifully. It does leave a layer on the skin surface, which is basically what you want if skin is sensitised.
How do you use it?
The serum is only 15ml, half of a usual size of 30ml. The serum size usually is a good indication on how much you should be using. A few drops dabbed over cleansed skin is good enough. I used a full pipette in the evening as a single-step regime after cleansing.
Always follow up with a SPF in the morning, of course.
How does it work on me?
It took me 3 days and my redness and blotchiness is completely gone - that says it all. I did wear some foundation on top of the serum and SPF in the morning and it didn’t cause any pilling to the make up. I used way lesser (3-5 drops) in the AM as compared to a full pipette in the evening.
How does it smells like?
Very faint medicinal herbal scent that dissipate immediately upon contact with the skin. I suspect it is the organic sage :)
Would I repurchase?
Yes - 100% and I would recommend it. Medik8 is a brand that I trust, every product that I’ve purchased and used only have positive comments.
Let me know if you have tried it. Leave me a comment below or head over to my Instagram to chat further!