Effective serums, creams and masks to have in your skincare emergency kit

ActivCalm Quick Soothing SOS Serum, $160, ést.lab

Credit: ést.lab

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Commonplace in urban living, stress and pollution can manifest on skin as redness and sensitivity. Calm things down with this soothing serum that promises to reduce redness by up to 60 percect in an hour thanks to the 10 percent Alkaline Amino Acid extract in its formula, which reduces erythema, a type of skin rash. There is also alteronomas ferment extract to counter oxidative stress, as well as hydrolysed yeast protein to reduce inflammation and boost moisture, with sodium hyaluronate providing deep hydration.

Floral Recovery Calming Mask, $105, Fresh at Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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Peony, cornflower, cherry blossom and passionflower extracts work to calm redness and sensitivity, while vitamin C and squalane help to improve skin strength and hydration, so that your skin can better defend against pollutants and free radicals. The overnight mask has a lightweight texture that cocoons the skin to deeply soothe while you snooze. It can also be used as a daytime SOS treatment: Simply dab a small amount on sensitive areas for instant relief.

Molecular Barrier Recover Cream Balm, $130, Allies of Skin

Credit: Allies of Skin

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This leave-on overnight treatment is packed with skin-loving peptides, ceramides, and niacinamide to soothe and help repair compromised skin. It also boasts an innovative new active ingredient, MossCellTec, a biotechnologically-produced moss that supports skin repair and resilience. The balm-like texture melts into skin like a cream to form a veil that acts like a bandage to aid repair and help skin restore its strength.

Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner (Dry) - Normal to Dry Skin, 160ml, $48, LANEIGE at Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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The seventh iteration of the Water Bank series boasts the new Blue Hyaluronic Acid, an exclusive ingredient reportedly 2,000 times smaller than conventional hyaluronic acid (which was used in previous versions), allowing for faster absorption and deeper penetration. This lightweight toner is also fortified with Beta Pro-nol Complex, which works on improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture, ensuring that dry skin stays hydrated.

Cicapair Calming Gel Cream, $44, Dr Jart+ at Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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Containing centella asiatica (or cica) as its main ingredients, it’s been rumoured that tigers rub and roll in this grass to accelerate wound healing. This soothing cream has a gel-like texture that not only calms redness and soothes sensitive skin, but also refreshes skin.

The Indigo Overnight Repair, $142, Tatcha at Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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This serum and moisturiser hybrid contains Japanese indigo extract to sooth and restore irritated skin; ceramides to replenish hydration; and mondo grass root to balance the skin microbiome. The whole idea behind the formula is really to allow the skin barrier to reach a healthy state so that it is strong enough to fend off aggressors, while retaining essential hydration. Plus, this cream also harnesses skin’s natural circadian rhythm, so it’s able to optimise skin repair when you sleep. Who doesn’t want beautiful skin when they wake up?



This article was first published in Harper's Bazaar.