*Disclaimer: The product was provided by Sandton Aesthetics Online Store, though, the review therein is based on the author’s experience and opinion. Aesthetic Appointment reviews are intended to be for information purposes only, nor should they be regarded as a replacement for sound medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or skincare therapist if you have any concerns*
About the brand
Dr Alastair Clark and Dr Genevieve Marks, (South African Aesthetic Doctors) have developed a range of skincare that provide their clients with a home care regime to supplement clinical treatments.
Cosmeceuticals have a higher concentration of active ingredients and are effective in anti-ageing as well as improving the skin’s function.
The ingredients are sourced in America and Japan and are mixed and bottled locally by a local laboratory and expert compounder. In addition to Dr Clark and Dr Marks there has been input from a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, chemist, pharmacist and manufacturing expert. The ingredients are tested at the source. No animal trials are done, all testing is done on human volunteers. SAI also do comparative visioscanning of skin on an ongoing basis to measure the products objectively.
Products I tested out
I am always excited when yet another proudly South African product is up for review – especially when the creators are respected doctors such as Dr Alastair Clark and Dr Genevieve Marks. Their SAI range is quite extensive and is ideal for most skin types, in the range is:
- Glyco- Lactic Creamy Cleanser
- Hydrating Day Cream
- Intense Night Repair
- Rejuvenating Eye Cream
- Skin Resurfacing Lotion for exfoliation
- SPF50 Facial Sunblock
- There are two serums: Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum and Clinical Antioxidant Serum
- And the SAI Pure Collagen Renew (oral supplement)
Glyco-Lactic Creamy Cleanser
R595.00 (120ml)
Usually, I just want a cleanser to do the job of cleansing, but this one apparently goes a step further. I’d suggest that if you are wearing make-up, you remove it with micellar water first, before using this cleanser, as it contains lactic acid and glycolic acid, so avoid the eye area. But if you’re up for a multi-tasking product, this one’s for you, as it removes dirt in addition to exfoliating at the same time. It’s really creamy, comes in a whopping size 120ml, the pump dispenser delivers more than you need, so use a light hand. My skin feels intensely clean after use, but definitely not dry – it’s really good!
SAI Hydrating Day Repair
R795.00 (50ml)
This is a lovely day cream that absorbs beautifully – again, you don’t need a full pump. It made my skin feel really hydrated all day – the key ingredient being Pro-Vitamin B5, which also acts as an anti-inflammatory – great for combatting all the damage caused by sun exposure, pollution and other stress factors.
SAI Intense Night Repair
R837.00 (50ml)
This is a much richer formulation, wonderful for those with dry skin, but it’s not sticky. It absorbs easily and makes my skin feel like velvet (especially after using the Glyco-lactic Creamy Cleanser).
Wonderful ingredients like niacinamide and retinol to improve skin function but also ceramide-rich with Omegas 3, 6 & 9 – you can’t possibly go wrong with this one.
SAI Rejuvenating Eye Cream
R920.00 (15ml)
Not an essential in my book, but those with a healthy budget will want to include this treatment – it addresses dark circles and puffiness due to the caffeine and other lovely peptides and gold-standard Vitamin A, known for its powerful anti-ageing properties. I really liked using this product, especially under makeup, as it absorbs quickly and does not pill.
SAI Skin Resurfacing Lotion
R920.00 (50ml)
Ok, so this is not for the faint-hearted – it’s like bringing in the big guns and I loved it. But, you might not if you have very sensitive skin, so take it easy. It’s got a 10% Lactic acid content and 5% Glycolic – so it does tingle quite a bit (my skin is hardy, but it definitely turned rosy for a while). You’ll love the scientific fact that these acids enhance cellular turnover and rejuvenation. The aloe vera and other oils and butters calm the skin down after a while, so persevere! This is a goodie – to be used at night.
P.S. Do not forget sunscreen the next day!
SAI Hyaluronic Serum
R810.00 (50ml)
This serum is really lovely – not essential – but great for those with dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid (in medical-grade skincare formulations) is an amazing ingredient – a humectant that holds a massive amount of water, so the results are instant and that’s why it’s so popular – instant gratification. As far as hydrating serums go, this one is effective as well as giving you a generous amount (50ml!) This might be a key product going into the dry winter months.
SAI New Clinical Antioxidant Serum
R1007.00 (30ml)
For me, this would be an essential serum in my skincare regime. Any antioxidant really defends the skin against the environmental factors that cause skin ageing. This one is really powerful, with all the key ingredients that are effective, based on scientific results: Niacinamide, Vitamin A palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Vitamin E – a super antioxidant that enhances the antioxidant properties of other antioxidants.
Final Thoughts
I love the simple, pure white packaging, the large pumps (they deliver more than you need so press gently) and most of all the price – the generous amounts of product give you a lot of bang for your buck. I also love that they’re South African!
For more information, www.sandtonaesthetics.co.za/store
Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.
📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
