Sisley Velvet Nourishing Cream
In an industry where new products are launched daily, it takes a lot to stand out, especially in the skincare arena.
Unsurprisingly, Sisley has done just that. The new Velvet Nourishing Cream (R2480) is one of my favourite launches of the year. Most face creams target either dehydration or dryness, but few tackle both effectively. (If you don’t know the difference, read this post.) The reason for this is that oil and water are generally not good stable mates, and to get both to penetrate your skin is no mean feat.
The brand has had the Confort Extreme range for 15 years, that, until now has had a day and a night cream, but have no combined both into one super cream to tackle tightness, dryness, discomfort and dullness.
Obviously, having a cream that protects your skin during the day and repairs at night, you need a pretty serious formula. If you have dry or dehydrated skin, it often means you have an impaired barrier, so that needs to be addressed, too. The formula is a very special because it contains saffron flower (how fancy?) to soothe irritated skin. It is joined by Pro-Vitamin B5 to act on inhibited cellular stress messengers.
To add oil back into dry skin, the formula contains a combination of omega 3,6 and 9 in the form of cottonseed, macadamia and sunflower seed oils. Japanese Lilyturf extract from Japan has been added for its ability to survive drought, so helps to activate lipid synthesis to restore barrier function.
Dehydration is addressed at two levels: on the surface as well as deep down. Sugar wheat extract, vegetable glycerine and Pro-Vitamin B5 all act together to add moisture, restore hydration levels and help the skin to retain moisture. Long term hydration is targeted by Padina Pavonica extract to boost the skin’s natural moisture reserves, and the Japanese Lilyturf acts to promote tighter junctions between cells to reduce moisture loss at the cellular level.
Daytime protection is supplied by buckwheat seed extract and vitamin E acetate that provide antioxidant protection to maintain the skin barrier. By night, shea butter works to regenerate, hydrate and sooth the skin, ready for the next day.
I’ve been using the cream for 3 weeks now, and have noticed a huge improvement in the condition of my skin. It is far less dry than usual, and I’ve been testing a new retinol, and have had no flaking or itchiness at all. My skin is plumper and my complexion more radiant. If you suffer with agitated skin, be it from external or internal factors, this cream truly does what it says on the box; it comforts, calms and repairs the skin without causing breakouts.
