Kindly gifted, but honestly reviewed. *Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. The products were provided, though the review thereof is based on the author’s experience and opinion. Reviews published on Aesthetic Appointment 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.*
It’s always exciting to introduce new skincare products from the market, especially when they are truly and proudly South African. Paola Chellew spent four weeks with a select few locally made ESQ Skincare products and reports her impressions.
ESQ stands for Essential Skin Quotient, and is the creation of Juliet Bowley-Urqhart, a microbiology and biochemistry graduate who believes in the power of melding science and nature. Using scientifically proven ingredients from botanical sources, each ESQ Skincare product is meticulously formulated to target specific areas or issues regarding the skin.
When it comes to “natural products”, I’m always on the lookout for particular ingredients that will satisfy the needs of my mature skin, just as you would if you had a challenge like hyperpigmentation or rosacea. You want a solution or an improvement that is equal to the money you have invested in your skincare. So, personally, I expect good hydration, brightness, and radiance to follow if I’m using good-quality skincare that contains the right quantity and quality of ingredients.
Below are the products I tested for over four weeks:
Recommended retail price: R580.00
This is a toner that packs a punch! Older skin needs help with sloughing off dead cells, which give the surface of the skin that dull look. And this toner does the trick.
It’s a great chemical exfoliator. Now don’t get your knickers in a twist because I used the word “chemical” – it uses 7% glycolic and lactic acid, which you need if you want that “glow”. It’s balanced beautifully by cucumber extract and aloe vera, which soothe any irritation, as well as a dose of vitamin B5 to keep skin hydrated.
My skin is quite hardy, so I started using this product every other day, but you can use it two or three times a week at first, building up to daily use. It’s great for skin tone and promotes collagen production. It also preps the skin for greater absorption of your next product.
I would definitely add this to any skincare routine – it’s simply a superstar.
Hyaluron Advantage Soothing Face Serum
Recommended retail price: R540.00
Containing inulin, allantoin, and hyaluronic acid, this lovely serum is to be used on clean skin morning and evening, especially if your skin is in need of soothing and moisturising. Inulin is a great skin conditioner, especially for sensitive skins. Allantoin is also predominantly used to reduce any irritation, and hyaluronic acid is effective in maintaining moisture levels in the skin. This product comes in a whopping 50 ml bottle with a pump dispenser. It will last you a long time, as a little goes a long way.
Nature’s Botox Liquid Gold Face Serum
Recommended retail price: R560.00
This was the product I was really intrigued to try because, as the name suggests, it promises some punchy benefits! The formula is really lovely and absorbs almost immediately. It also has a pleasant smell, which dissipates quite quickly (ideal if you are a no-fragrance person).
Scientifically speaking, it contains highly effective actives, namely coenzyme Q10 (collagen production) and Argireline® Amplified – a peptide that targets wrinkles. It also contains vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and hyaluronic acid, which work together to brighten, moisturise, and firm up the skin. After four weeks of use, I am really pleased with how my skin looks and feels.
ActivAge Age Reversal Eye Cream
Recommended retail price: R390.00
I have often mentioned that if you are on a budget, eye cream should be the least of your worries – after all, you cannot avoid getting lines around your eyes; it’s a part of ageing and living! Sure, it’s beneficial to keep the area moisturised and, if you have hardy skin (like mine), you can pat any residue of product around the eyes to keep the skin hydrated, but this little gem is competitively priced, and you literally need a drop to reap some hefty benefits.
It contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, Agireline® (great for muscle relaxation), and a shot of caffeine for de-puffing. It’s a great primer for eye make-up too, almost line-blurring when it is absorbed. I don’t suffer from dark circles, but I would venture to say that this formula would address them. I have loved using this eye cream. In fact, it may have changed my mind!
In closing
So, all in all, true to its name, this skincare range lives up to bringing you the essential ingredients for healthy, functional skin – in the right measure, or quotient. The packaging is pleasing, with airless pump dispensers giving you just the right amount of product.
Highly recommended!
For more information, visit www.esqskin.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. Since entering her 60s, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly sidelined 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”.