>>>beauty banter: THE ULTIMATE REGIME FOR ULTRA GREAT SKIN AND WHY SQUALANE IS AMAZING

To state the very obvious, all beauty products are made of ingredients. Some of us aren't phased by what's inside the jar and others, fairly enough, like their lotions and potions all lovely and natural and plant based thank-you very much. Personally, I am most motivated by the results a product yields than anything else, however I do like a blend of natural and pharmaceutical ingredients to achieve these results with appreciation that the power of nature can be driven to deliver by science.

Being results orientated, I always want to know how I am going to achieve them, so naturally I come full circle and take an interest in the ingredients that deliver results. The ultimate desired result is perfect skin – all soft and smooth and balanced and glowing. To achieve this you need a perfect balance of oil and moisture in the skin. One such ingredient that I kneel at the alter to is Squalane* – the holy grail of achieving balanced and hydrated skin. Squalane is a botanical lipid derived from olives, which has a very similar molecular structure to the lipids in our own skin – therefore has an amazing affinity to skin, meaning it hydrates and balances very effectively.

The incredible efficacy of Squalane is utilised to the fullest in one of my very favourite skincare ranges, Ultra Facial by New York skincare brand, Kiehl’s. Kiehl’s is renowned for their incredibly effective skincare built on over a hundred years of expertise in pharmacology. The Ultra Facial range consists of cleanser, toner, moisturisers and a masque (which I raved about here) and is designed to gently yet effectively balance and nourish the skin with skin loving ingredients, like Squalane, apricot kernel, sweet almond and avocado oils.

I adore this range because it is so simple yet so effective. With so many wonder products on the market promising the elixir of youth/surgery in a tube/immortal skin, packed full of the latest scientific technology and intensive botanical ingredients, I often find some of them really miss the mark with basic skincare essentials such as properly cleaning the skin and raising hydration levels while keeping skin soft and moisturized. The Ultra Facial range looks boringly basic and sans bells and whistles and that is because it is. I am guilty of getting carried away with miracle claims, exotic buzz-word botanicals, and promises of an out of this world glow and sensational skin smoothness. Sometimes my over eagerness is rewarded with results but more often than not it can leave my skin in a state of stress with rashes of dryness that only liberal layers of Hydrocortisone can cure. With this in mind I have learned that it is key  not to underestimate the power of a very simple, straightforward and basic skin care routine. There is such value in keeping your skincare routine simple and straightforward, focusing on hydrating and balancing the skin with simple formulas that utilise effective, reputable, dermatologist recommended and trusted ingredients. 
The fruits of my simple skincare routine labour over the past six months have meant that my skin is thoroughly hydrated, balanced, soft and plump, as well as being more susceptible to soaking up all the goodness of weekly masques and light peels and the occasional slathering of a new serum or essence. 
If your skin is normal or normal dry, I can not recommend the Ultra Facial range enthusiastically enough. It gently drenches skin in skin loving ingredients and balances skin to perfection, setting you on the right path for a quest to complexion perfection.

Ultra Facial Cleanser
The most delightfully gentle cleanser ever. Ultra Facial Cleanser lightly lathers on contact with wet skin with a sugar derived foaming agent.  It removes dirt and grime from the daily grind thoroughly and leaves skin feeling super soft and never tight or dry.  It is safe and superb for sensitive skin. The scent reminds me of my first ever cleanser, Johnsons PH 5.5, I get all nostalgic with every use. 

Ultra Facial Toner
A very milky, lotion-y toner, full to the brim with the magical Squalane, this toner instantly hydrates skin post cleanse. Toner restores the PH balance of the skin and helps everything else you put on top sink in more effectively. This toner is so gorgeously hydrating I often think of it as a mini serum, and extra generous glug of moisture.

Ultra Facial Moisturiser
My favourite moisturiser, ever. I would drink this like milk at breakfast time if I could. Ultra Facial Moisturiser is a super-rich, incredibly nourishing formula in the light consistency of a lotion. It thoroughly drenches skin with moisture and balances it with a high concentration (it’s the second ingredient on this list after water) of Squalane. It also contains glycerin (which attracts and binds moisture to the skin), beeswax, sweet almond, avocado and apricot kernel oils for extra love and nourishment. I use this morning and night - during the day it makes my skin look soft and hydrated all day long underneath foundation and I relish rubbing this in every night before bed. It sinks in quickly, hydrating the deeper layers of the skin, while leaving a nice plump dewiness on the surface to make skin feel soft and moist that you can still feel in the morning. Skin that gets a bit sheeny throughout the day may prefer this at night time only. If your skin is normal-oily try out the Ultra Facial Cream, which, despite cream traditionally being heavier than lotion, is actually lighter. It still hydrates skin nicely, however contains a little less Squalane for those that want less oil in their moisturiser.

* Not to be confused with Squalene, primarily obtained from shark liver oil. However the two are almost chemically the same. No doubt decades ago our skin products did actually contain Squalene, but rest assured, the Squalane found in the Ultra Facial range is derived from olive oil.