TWO-STEP SKIN PREP: INSIDE DR SEBAGH'S INDISPENSABLE MULTI-MASKING ROUTINE

Flawless skin in just two steps!
Although these masks are amazing alone, using them together supercharges their Ageing-Maintenance benefits. Once you do The Two-Step you’ll never go back! Keep reading to find out why…

This iconic orange formula is the secret to many a glowing red carpet complexion and is loved by celebs including Anna Friel, Kelly Rowland & Elle Macpherson.
In just five minutes the potent formula banishes dullness, boosts radiance and leaves skin soft and smooth thanks to Dr Sebagh’s combination of Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid.
Rather than using harsh physical exfoliants such as beads, grains or husks which can damage the surface of your skin, Deep Exfoliating Mask is a purely chemical exfoliant – essentially an at-home chemical peel which leaves skin fresher and glowing whilst boosting cell turnover.

Lactic & Azelaic Acids
Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid work together in Deep Exfoliating Mask to remove dead skin cells and in doing so encourage the proliferation of healthy new skin cells (skin cell turnover). This improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles because the older, dead unhealthy skin cells are removed, making way for younger, healthier cells in deeper layers of the stratum corneum.

Lactic Acid is a well-known Alpha-Hydroxy Acid found in dairy products and is the acid responsible for sore muscles after exercise. However, when applied to your skin it acts as a powerful exfoliant helping to dissolve the corneo-desmosomes (bonds) between corneocytes (dead skin cells) on the outermost layer of the stratum corneum, melting away dead skin cells.

Although its molecular size is slightly larger than that of glycolic acid which makes it ever so slightly less penetrating, it is a gentler AHA more tolerated by sensitive skin types. What’s more, lactic acid has humectant properties, helping the skin to attract and retain moisture making it the ideal chemical exfoliant for dry skin. 

Azelaic Acid is not part of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family and does not exfoliate skin in the same way as AHAs. Whilst it is a milder exfoliant than Lactic Acid, it boasts a whole range of other skin care benefits, making it a real multi-tasking ingredient.

Azelaic Acid is a dicarboxylic acid found in grains (wheat, barley, rye etc.) and is produced by a type of yeast that occurs naturally on our skin. It is a truly multi-tasking ingredient which can address multiple skin concerns. It is naturally antibacterial, working to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria in skin cells. It is both keratolytic and comedolytic, i.e., it inhibits over-proliferation of the skin cells that line hair follicles which leads to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. It acts as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals to reduce inflammation and soothe the visible signs of skin conditions such as rosacea. Finally, Azelaic acid inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase which is responsible for the production of melanin. This makes azelaic acid a great ingredient for preventing and reducing pigmentation, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Apply Deep Exfoliating Mask for 3-5 minutes two to three times per week. Rinse to reveal radiantly polished skin.

Step 2: Skin Perfecting Mask

An exfoliating mask is key in order to shed dead skin cells and impurities from the surface of the skin. However, it is important to follow this step with Skin Perfecting Mask to clear the pores of all debris. By exfoliating first, you will ensure Skin Perfecting Mask performs at its best, for maximum deep-cleaning and pore-purification.

Dr Sebagh Skin Perfecting Mask is a clarifying, anti-pollution formula, packed with minerals. Based on special naturally absorbent and astringent kaolin clay from Brittany, it cleanses skin, absorbing excess oil, tightening pores, soothing and evening out skin tone. Simply apply and wait for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

Kaolin Clay
Dr Sebagh’s nickname for Skin Perfecting Mask is ‘the vacuum cleaner’, due to its kaolin clay-based formula. Kaolin is a type of soft clay found in nature that is typically white in colour. However, the kaolin in Skin Perfecting Mask is a pink clay sourced from Brittany which gives the mask its colour.

As a mineral clay, kaolin is electromagnetically charged, making it unrivalled in its capacity to bind to sebum. Its principal benefit, therefore, is absorbing excess oil and drawing out impurities from deep within pores to target blackheads, minimise pores and mattify the skin.

Despite being naturally astringent, unlike other mineral clays, Kaolin does not draw moisture away from skin and is gentle enough to be tolerated by all skin types. Plus, Skin Perfecting Mask’s biotech formula includes Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids, particularly the rare palmitoleic acid which ‘cushions’ skin for ultimate softness and suppleness.

Kaolin is also known for its soothing capacities, helping to reduce inflammation and promote skin healing. It has mild antibacterial properties which are boosted in Skin Perfecting Mask by the addition of non-sensitising Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil.

The texture of kaolin clay makes it a very mild exfoliant which encourages blood flow to the skin, stimulating cells and refining skin texture. When used regularly, it brightens and tones skin, leaving your complexion refreshed and rejuvenated.

Environmental Protection
Because kaolin clay is gently astringent, Skin Perfecting Mask can be used up to four or five times per week and Dr Sebagh recommends that you do so, especially because of its ability to protect your skin from pollutants long after it has been rinsed off.

Note: we do not recommend carrying out your Two-Step Skin Prep routine more than twice a week, as over-exfoliating with AHAs in Deep Exfoliating Mask can disrupt your skin barrier. You can, however, use Skin Perfecting Mask on its own on 2-3 other days during the week.

Skin Perfecting Mask contains a Polysaccharide Environmental Protection Factor (EPF) complex formulated with Biosaccharide Gum-4, known for providing global protection against pollution. Produced through a patented biotech process, Biosccharide Gum-4 is the only active able to protect skin against a variety of pollutant microparticles without clogging pores and allowing the skin to breathe.

Polysaccharide EPF in Skin Perfecting Mask forms a non-occlusive, protective matrix on the skin that prevents particles from penetrating the epidermis. Its protective film shields skin from pollutants, heavy metals, surfactants and even absorbs UV rays (thanks to Biosaccharide Gum-4 and a UV-light absorbing salicylic acid benzyl ester.