Optimal skin condition depends on probiotic microbes living on the skin - that's the Esse credo. Esse products promote the growth of beneficial microbes because the South African brand uses prebiotics to selectively feed good microbes. This optimises skin health to slow down ageing in the long term. We caught up with Esse founder Trevor Steyn for an interview, and asked him five questions about the new Hyaluronic Serum.
Esse has launched a new serum. What are the applications for hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is most commonly used in facial care, as it moisturises and plumps the skin. When used correctly, it also has a calming effect and helps to inhibit inflammation.
What are the special properties of Esse hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most important components of the body. It enables the joints to move and allows the muscles to glide smoothly over each other. But hyaluronic acid is also an essential component of the skin. It is produced by cells in the skin and is found there in particularly high concentrations in the basal layer. Here, hyaluronic acid stores water and helps repair tissue. Because Esse uses a hyaluronic acid that is easily absorbed, it supplements the body's natural reserves at the basal layer level.
The new serum is particularly well absorbed by the skin. How is this possible?
Hyaluronic acid is a polymer and therefore consists of macromolecules. In order for a molecule to penetrate the skin, it must be small, but if it is too small again, this leads to inflammation of the skin. The effective zone here is between 9.9 and 1.3 micrograms - Esse usesthe optimal volume of hyaluronic acid. As a result, Esse's Hyaluronic Serum improves skin hydration in the basal layers, fights inflammation and helps with tissue repair, which has an overall positive effect on the condition and health of the skin.
What skin types is hyaluronic acid suitable for?
Hyaluronic acid is suitable for most skin types as we have around 15 grams of hyaluronic acid in our bodies, with around a third being broken down and re-synthesised every day. By incorporating hyaluronic acid into our skincare routine, we are supplementing our existing levels and this leads to an overall improvement in skin health. My tip: Hyaluronic acid is most effective when applied to damp skin (any esse toner is optimal for preparing the skin for the serum).
What is the optimal skincare routine to slow down skin ageing?
Most importantly, maintain an optimal skin microbiome for barrier function stability. Our skin has an amazing ability to balance itself, but we tend to throw it out of balance when using numerous cosmetic products. My first advice would be to reduce the intensity of cleansing. Only cleanse to remove make-up, never in the morning. This way it is easier for the skin to feel balanced. The products should also contain valuable anti-ageing ingredients.
Overall, however, when it comes to skincare, less is more. The most important question to ask yourself when choosing a skincare product remains, "Will my microbes be happy with it?"
Esse is an organic facial skincare line that has been loved by our Saint Charles Cosmothecary customers for years. The facial line does particularly well with problem skin, as the prebiotics it contains help the skin to regenerate. The new Esse Hyaluronic Serum is available now at the Saint Charles Apothecary online store, as well as in our Saint Charles Cosmothecary.
