Kindly gifted, but honestly reviewed. *Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. The treatments were provided, though the review thereof is based on the author’s experience and opinion. Reviews published on Aesthetic Appointment Journal are intended to be for information purposes only, and should not be regarded as a replacement for sound medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or skincare therapist if you have any concerns.*
I had the chance to review this niche South African skincare brand around three years ago, and a few of its excellent products have been in my rotation. Coming out of a dry, cold winter here in Johannesburg, I had yet another opportunity to revisit some Opalesce products, and my skin has responded quite pleasantly. It warrants a share.
The products I tested were chosen especially for my skin type by Dr Alastair Clark at the Sandton Aesthetic Institute. My skin is mature, but normal (sometimes dry, as it was coming out of the Highveld winter season). However, most products are suitable for all skin types.
OPALESCE CREAMY GLYCO-LACTIC CLEANSER (All skin types)
This is one of my favourites and I love it a bit more than I did the last time – it’s a phenomenal product if you like multitasking, as it is formulated to stimulate cellular renewal and is therefore an exfoliator as well, so it strengthens the skin and builds up your collagen and elastin.
This time round, though, I noticed that it was creamier than ever before, and when I checked with Dr Clark, he affirmed that more emollients had been added to the mix, without lessening the glycolic and lactic acids. The result is absolutely lovely – cleansed but hydrated skin, no tight feeling – and it lasts forever.
OPALESCE CLINICAL ANTIOXIDANT SERUM (All skin types)
This is such a satisfying serum! It’s a lovely potion of goodies that neutralise free radicals from UV damage and pollution – so, essential for city dwellers. A powerful antioxidant with ingredients like niacinamide, vitamins A and E, peptides, as well as smoothing jojoba oil and glycerin, among others, it just ticks all the boxes. I used it morning and evening after cleansing.
OPALESCE INTENSE NIGHT REPAIR (All skin types)
There is a Hydrating Day Repair cream in the range, which is more lightweight, and I would recommend this if your skin is not too dry. However, for my needs, the Intense Night Repair doubled up as my moisturiser and night cream, and this resulted in skin that looked refreshed as the days went by.
Due to the powerful antioxidants and soothing ceramides, my barrier was repaired and strengthened, and this resulted in hydrated, radiant skin. A little goes a long way (sometimes a pump is plenty) – but don’t forget neck and décolleté!
OPALESCE SPF50 FACIAL SUNBLOCK
This is light and very quick to absorb – a must for me, as some sunscreens are a bit tacky. It comes in a very handy, travel-friendly 50 ml tube, is water-resistant, offers broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB), and it can actually be used all over, not just the face. This is a really lovely, everyday sunblock, which also plays nicely under make-up.
OPALESCE HYDRATING HYALURONIC SERUM (Combination, dry, normal skin)
Another favourite from last time; although in my last review I mentioned that this serum was “…not essential – but great for those with dehydrated skin”. Well, the chickens have come home to roost and, with my dehydrated skin, this one became an essential!
This is now my ride or die, instant-gratification concoction – so effective for a plumper you! (I mean your face, obviously.) So good under a film of make-up or tinted sunscreen, it’s a lovely primer to make skin look really revitalised.
OPALESCE REJUVENATING EYE CREAM (All skin types)
I started using this cream a little while after I received the above products, simply because I’m a bit of a sceptic when it comes to eye cream: I have embraced my crow’s feet, I smile – a lot – and have an expressive face. The residue of whatever I’m using on my face usually gets tapped around my eye area. To be honest, I think an eye cream is lovely if you have the budget… but Dr Clark was persuasive and had a twinkle in his eye, so to speak.
Two weeks in, the fact is that certain ingredients (it contains squalane, peptides, vitamins E and A, plus sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which really retains water) have a powerful effect on the fragile skin around the eyes, especially if they’re a bit dark underneath or puffy in the morning. I quite like the effect 🙂 (especially if I’m going to apply make-up), so I think I’m swayed.
New goal: save up for the eye cream!
All the products in the range are free from petrochemicals, PEGs, SLS, ethoxylates, formaldehyde-donors, artificial colourants, artificial fragrance, and parabens. All the packaging is recyclable.
For more info, visit www.opalesce.co.za
About the author
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