What's a cosmeceutical and do I need one?

If your beauty vocab has been limited to words like simple, fuss-free and all-in-one, it’s time for an update on what’s new in skin care. Far from basic, the cosmeceutical market has opened the doors to a whole world of effective, scientifically developed products that are the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Cosmeceuticals are applied topically and contain biologically active ingredients that are said to have medical or drug-like benefits that work on the deeper layers of the skin. So if you’re looking to make a difference as well as see a difference in your appearance, take our master class on the brands that are bringing out the big guns in skin care.
DMK
The DMK skin care system works with the skin and uses amino acids, other proteins, enzymes and fractioned oils from plants to create an environment in which skin can thrive. The company’s beta gel solution is an immuno-boosting serum formulated to treat everything from acne to burns to premature ageing and helps with healing and skin regeneration.
Environ Skincare
Environ creates products with the highest permissible levels of vitamin A in cosmetics. While vitamin A is found in many creams, Environ uses the derivitive of Retinyl in the ester form called Retinyl palmitate and Retinyl acetate. The skin cells easily convert Retinyl palmitate into retinoic acid, which then expresses all its benefits on the DNA of the cells. Even better, vitamin A helps prevent and reverse established photo-ageing and improves hydration. In particular, the brand's AVST range is very active with high levels of vitamin A.
John Plunkett
John Plunkett Cosmeceuticals use combinations of proven active ingredients to produce results. The company’s Eventone Fine Line Eraser uses active ingredient Snowflake to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in a similar way to injected botox. Studies have even found that Snowflake helps block the contractions that cause skin creases, resulting in fewer lines and a reduction in the appearance of existing lines. So it’s botox-worthy results without the botox – hallelujah!
PRIORI
PRIORI’s Cellular Recovery Serum, $199, spauniverse.com.au, includes the ingredient DNA Enzyme Complex that works by mimicking the body’s DNA repair enzymes to boost their effect and help reverse the damage to DNA caused by free radicals. This in turn leads to diminished fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. And anything that helps repair cellular damage is something we’d be happy to use.
Ultraceuticals
The brand’s new Ultra Calming Treatment Cream contains a soothing blend of ingredients to actively calm irritated or inflamed skin and for post-treatment care. Key ingredients include Allantoin for potent healing and soothing of irritated skin, as well as helping it stimulate cell regeneration, Panthenol for its moisturising qualities and Vital ET for rapid reduction of redness and inflammation.
What skin care range gives you the best results?
24 Member Comments
Ultraceuticals hands down the best I have used
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I definitely need more than one of them, I've tried a couple of the brands and found them to be highly effective, great products
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I definitely need more than one of them, I've tried a couple of the brands and found them to be highly effective, great products
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The only one I haven't heard of is DMK. Does anyone know where you can get it. Meanwhile I'll have a look online as it sounds very promising.
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Sounds so lovely
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I definitely need a refreshment!
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I have yet to find my holy grail of skin products. Would be lovely to try these ones.
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if only I could afford these :(
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Heard of all except DMK. Like to try them all
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Never heard of cosmeceutical before but I wouldn't mind trying all of these!
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And yes I NEED them :)
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I will be looking into the plunketts one for sure! I think the grades of some skin care has really come up...unfortunately so has the prices! I've recently been using some Alpha H products and I've found they have amped up my skincare regime. The first 'cosmeceutical' product I tried was one by an awesome Australian company called POD however unfortunately they closed down their business a few months ago. I think they were ahead of their time and am lovingly using my last bottle of the best cleanser I've ever used! Will be a sad day when it no longer pumps anything out!
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Ha ha ha - I think it's amusing that you've used all-in-one as the antithesis for cosmeceuticals, as that's what many of them claim to be!!
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I tend to use Ella Bache, it works well on my skin.
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Never tried any of the Ultraceuticals range, but would love to!
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I do like the sound of these and if i could would love to try the Priori and see if it works on my skin
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Oh boy I would so love to try Priori, probably not in this lifetime though with that price tag.
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I haven't used any of the brands listed above but I've heard a lot about Ultraceuticals.
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PRIORI sounds like something I need.
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I have some John Plunkett product I am yet to try.
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A product that can mimic the results of Botox without injections, sounds wonderful.
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I like lovely natural and organic products that are kind on my skin.
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