ESK Ultimate A And Ultimate A+ Serums

Vitamin A has been scientifically proven to help fight the ageing process where the skin is concerned, and if you’re looking for a product which delivers results without hype, ESK is one to put on your shopping list.

• What Is It: A range of two effective vitamin A serums in different strengths.
• Why buy: You can chose between a more gentle or strong vitamin A serum, they are no fuss, and do what they promise.
• The Details: ESK Ultimate A costs rrp $105 for 50mls, and Ultimate A+ costs rrp $115 for 50mls, available from www.eskcare.com.

Road Test

If you read this blog regularly you’ll know I’m a longtime fan of vitamin C in skin care, but one of my other go-to vitamins, and something I’ve used in my regime for years, is vitamin A. It all began with an interview with Joe DiNardo, one of the world’s leading skin care scientists and product formulators. Among other things we talked about vitamin A, which he described as a “rejuvenating molecule” and when applied topically, improves the density of dermal collagen, skin elasticity, tone and texture, and smoothes the skin’s surface. I trialled a vitamin A serum he recommended at the time, and was a convert. But I also learned there’s more to vitamin A in skin care than just wrinkle busting; it is also proven to help treat skin conditions, including acne. Fast forward to early this year and I was invited to road test two new vitamin A products from the anti-ageing brand, ESK. If you haven’t heard of it before, ESK is short for Evidence Skincare, and the brains behind it are the husband and wife team, Daniel Rubinstein and Dr Ginni Mansberg. If you’re a fan of local medical TV shows, you may recognise Dr Ginni from Embarrassing Bodies Down Under, and more recently, Medicine or Myth, on SBS. Dr Ginni and her husband saw a gap in the market for an evidence-based skincare range based on credibility and integrity, and without the marketing hype. They also wanted to formulate skin care products which used active ingredients in the forms, concentrations and formulations supported by the strongest peer review evidence, and without harmful chemicals, preservatives, perfumes or animal testing. The result was ESK, which is designed to suit a variety of skin types, as well as help reverse skin damage and slow the ageing process. Its two vitamin A products include ESK Ultimate A and ESK Ultimate A+. Ultimate A is the slightly more gentle version of the two which is a great start if you are new to using vitamin A overall. Active ingredients include retinal, which is one of the least irritating yet effect forms of vitamin A, also niacinamide or vitamin B3, and glycolic acid. Together these key ingredients aim to stimulate collagen production, improve skin elasticity and reduce hyper-pigmentation, along with delivering a boost to the skin’s essential barrier function. The creamy emulsion is lovely to use; just apply two or three pumps to the face in the evening. It’s slightly stronger companion is Ultimate A+, which contains the same three ingredients, with a stronger concentration of retinal and glycolic acid for greater skin exfoliation. This serum is ideal for more mature skins, anyone who has acne, and those with more significant pigmentation or scarring. As my skin is well used to using strong concentrations of vitamin A, this was the product I focussed on in my road test, applying two or three pumps to my skin at night. Besides being lovely to use - the formula is light and creamy, virtually odourless, and it melts into the skin quickly - it left my skin even more soft and smooth than normal, with the results intensifying over a two week period. If you’re looking for a no-fuss vitamin A serum which is easy to use and is backed by science, ESK is well worth considering.  

Beauty In Travel Loves

• The vitamin A range has two strengths - gentle and stronger - to suit most skins. 
• They are ideally sized for travellers.
• They’re backed by scientific evidence.
• The serums are free of harmful chemicals, preservatives, perfumes, and they’re not tested on animals. 

Insider Tips

• Vitamin A skin care products should only be used at night, and an SPF should be worn during daylight hours to avoid skin sensitivity.