I love living in a big, beautiful city like Cape Town. We’ve got the mountain. We’ve got the sea. But we’ve also got pollution and lots of it. In fact, some cities have more than 161 days of unhealthy breathing air per year and, after just eight hours of being exposed to it, your skin can bear a gram of pollutants.
Pollution has become a big buzz word in beauty as we learn more about how its effects are a major contributor to ‘inflammaging’. (This is when chronic micro-inflammation goes unchecked and ends up causing sensitivity, break outs, dehydration, premature ageing and more.)
Keen to see how much pollution’s floating around your face right now? Get clicky clicky over here to try Dermalogica’s new app. It lets you type in your location and it gives you a skin pollution index and even goes as far as listing the dominant pollutant in the area.
Anyway, I’ve been very aware of inflammaging for a while now – every dermatologist I’ve chatted to in the last while recognises it as a concern – but got to learn about it in-depth at a recent Dermalogica launch for a very cool new addition to their line up – Daily Superfoliant (R1 180).
We all know about the brand’s best-selling Daily Microfoliant but now its been supercharged to go beyond just cleansing and refining. Thanks to an array of new ingredients it also aims to detoxify, protect against free radicals and prevent inflammatory pollutants from adhering to your skin.
So, what exactly’s in the mix?
First up, the heavy weight here is activated charcoal to help absorb micro-pollutants. (As Superfoliant is pH neutral, it assists in opening up your pores so its easy to nab anything that shouldn’t be there.) It also contains AHAs (lactic and malic acid) plus papaya enzymes to gently lift away dead skin cells on a chemical level, not just a mechanical one. Last, but not least, it also makes use of niacinimide (vitamin B3), a soothing antioxidant.
More good news? The Superfoliant’s on a mission to land ’employee of the month’ and doesn’t stop working when you wash it off. It also serves up an ‘anti-adherence’ complex (a mix of botanicals that includes sea moss and algae) that remains on your skin on a microscopic level to help you fend off pollutants as you head off into the big smoke.
I’ve been using new Superfoliant for a while now and its fabulous. I’ve compared it to the Daily Microfoliant and it’s definitely the teensiest tad more scrubby but still gentle enough to use every day. As far as the invisible shield bit goes, like I said, this is microscopic so you don’t feel or see a thing – aside from smoother, more refined-looking skin, that is.
If you’re looking for a fab face scrub or are already hooked on the Daily Microfoliant but want the added benefits of pollution protection then Superfoliant is going to seriously impress. Also, while it’s part of the Age Smart line, there’s nothing stopping anyone from using it. In fact, I reckon younger skin hassled by blemishes would be ideal candidates due to its charcoal content and soothing properties.
Want to try it yourself? You can pick it up at any salon stockist as well as online or a Dermalogica concept store where you can also get a complimentary Face Mapping session.
There’s another way to get your mitts on Dermalogica’s Superfoliant too! The brand’s kindly given me one to give away PLUS their new Age Smart Age Reversal eye complex, a potent retinol-infused eye cream worth R869.
There are two ways to enter. One is to simply leave a comment on the blog telling me what the pollution level of your city (you can find out over here) OR what your favourite Dermalogica product is.
The second is to hit me up on twitter with ‘Hey @lipglossgirl! I’d love to win a @DermalogicaSA hamper’ and be sure to include the link to this post.
In order to qualify, regardless of which way you enter, you have to be following Dermalogica on Instagram OR twitter. They’re @DermalogicaSA on both accounts.
This competition closes at 5pm on Wednesday the 15th of March 2017 and is open to South African residents only. The winner will be drawn from either pool and decided via a random number generator.
Good luck girls!
Love, love
Leigh
This competition is now closed. Congrats to winner Nikhat Hoosen.
Lipgloss is my Life 
My city Durban is 77, very high risk
Pollution index is 37 for Cape Town CBD right now…
I got a score of 33 for Cape Town. Would LOVE to try the Superfoliant it looks amazing!
82 for Sandton JHB. I definitely need this product 😁
Yoh! Highest score yet! Good luck hun x
Stellenbosch is 42! Not surprising with all the fires here.
74 for Durban Central.
43 in Bethlehem
I got a level of 37 for Cape Town. Such a nifty little feature. Think I will use it everywhere I go. The Superfoliant sounds amazing.
Hi Leigh….SPI is 80 for Centurion…..I really want this product!! 🙂 Favourite product at the moment is the Breakout control and the oil control lotion!
Fav product is the Daily Microfoliant
My favourite product is the daily resurfacer, individually packaged exfoliator pads that fit on your finger making it very easy to use for lazy girls like me, I’ve started using dermalogica in November and can notice the difference in my skin would be great if I could add this to my range.
Whoa, we need some of this product to rain down on us… Randburg = 82 Hazardous risk
of accelerated skin aging…I guess it’s not just the stress levels then
30 in my hood. Think it’s hovering at the old age home up the road.
43 Polution Index here in Cape Town, high risk 😫 I don’t want to age quickly! I have full faith that Dermalogica can slow down those pesky lines 👍
Wow I got a 43 result for cape town now..what a wake up call..my skin really needs this.. Thank you for sharing this with us..
My Favorite Product is the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque.
A wonderful and absolutely effective product for my skin. My skin looks great and feels good and is well hydrated. Perfect for the warm climate that effects My skin and leads to dryness.
My fave product is Daily micro exfoliant / Cape Town index for today 28 and main pollutant is smoke particles!
Currently at 34 with smoke particles being the main pollutant. Very interesting to know. Thank you
Oh em geeee! Loving this!! I am obsessed with their Daily Microfoliant, it’s my #1 exfoliator!!
I checked the pollution in Durban and we are at a very high risk (66) with fine particulate matter being the dominant pollutant. Accelerated aging – NO THANK YOU!!
Durbanville 39, my favourite Dermalogica product would have to be the Daily Microfoliant.
Cape Town @ 10:50 am – The Skin Pollution Index says its 35 at a moderate risk of accelerated skin aging. and the dominant pollutant is Nitrogen Dioxide.
would love to try out Dermalogica’s new daily superfoliant powder exfoliant to lower my risk of accelerated skin aging.
Port Elizabeth is 52. Wow i did not expect that.
Cape Town, WC 12:20pm is 26! Best news ever was Dermalogica announcing this new product! Working at a Manufacturing Plant this will be my new best friend! Barrier Repair & Daily Microfoliant is my absolute necessity.
My fav dermalogica product is the skin hydrating masque
Skin pollution index is 28 here in CT and the dominant pollutant is nitrogen dioxide with moderate risk of accelerated skin aging (aw man). Wonder if any place has a low risk *packs bags in preparation*
Congrats hun! You just won that Dermalogica hamper! Will be in touch in a bit to get all your details for the PR.
So apparently moving from CT to PE, didn’t help my skin at all! 52 in Port Elizabeth 😦
Holy smokes! Jozi’s pollution is a high 64. I’m in need of a Cape Doctor in the form of Dermalogica.
Cape Town @ 20.49 is 17
favourite product is the daily resurfacer…does wonders for my skin
Charcoal Rescue Mask is awesome as is the MediBac skin clearing mask both are effective yet gentle.
Hiiiii 🙂
Durban is 29 today .. not too bad but it seems to fluctuate to like 81 :-O
my faaaaaaaaaaaaave dermalogica product is the multivitamin power recovery mask, its so soothing 🙂
The pollution index is at 25 for Morningside, Durban. I’d love to get my hands on this!
Moderate risk 31 & my favourite is theit charocal mask & face wash 😍 my twitter is @stylepretty2 & instagram is @stylewithmepretty
My favourite product at the moment is the superfoliant powder exfoliant. With the 56 rating of pollution in the Cape Town CBD at only 11:30 AM this product is a must. Pollution statistics are so scary!!!
42 in Randburg! 🙂
Favourite product has definitely got to be the ultracalming mist 🙂
45 in Century City, Cape Town right now 😦
39 in Port Elizabeth! Fave product is the Precleanse…it’s amazing!
My fave product at the moment is the Ultra Calming Mist.
Pollution index in Cape Town today is 44. Eina!
48 for Glenwood Durban , oh dear!
Bulwer st. Dundee kzn is high risk 50 % literally sitting on the fence! Hoping to make a difference
Pretoria East at a whopping 69! 😳
Would love to win – just adore Derm’s products! 💕
From Port Elizabeth with 62!
Pretoria…63…. I’ll admit,I really thought the extra trees here would help more 😒
Worcester -31
Durban North is 55 😦 thought it would lower! Would love to give Dermalogica Superfiliant a try!
My favourites are PreCleanse & Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque 👌🏻❤️ Also live in Cape Town so pollution level will be same as yours 🌫
I got a 35 for Cape Town and my favourite product is the Special Cleansing Gel!
My favourite Dermalogica product is….all of them! Seriously I would have to say it is combining the Hydrating & Multi Vitamin masque as an overnight masque. Shared on Twitter. And Cape Town today was 37.
The Skin Pollution Index for Klerksdorp is 65 – very high risk!
Shared on Twitter and following and loving Dermalogica on Twitter
Eeek Cape Town today is 44. Also shared on twitter – this Superfoliant looks amazing!
My favorite Dermalogica product is the Dermalogica skin hydrating masque.
My favourite product is the antioxidant hydra mist. It refreshes my skin when it feels parched and leaves it dewy and plump.
Love it.
Fav product is the pre cleanse
Cape Town at 37 today. I’ve never owned any Demalogica products would love to try the Superfoliant.
Eish! Pretoria East is 72!!!!!
Amanzimtoti – level is 71!! Wow that is awful news indeed!
Love Dermalogica products but just cannot afford the price tag….one that I have used that was gifted to me by my daughter is the Phyto Replenish Oil
Edenvale -JHB level is 62
I have only used the intensive moisture balance and it is great, a bit pricy but a great product
55 here in Century City, Cape Town.
Durban level is 72
Cape Town CBD is at 63 – yikes!
love the active moist oil-free lotion which I have tried before
JHB Edenvale level is 62
I love using the Phyto Replenish Oil
The level in Kloof in KZN is a shocking 75
I have not tried any Dermalogica products
level is Kloof KZN is a shocking 75
My city is Milnerton, Cape Town and the pollution level is 37
Cape town at 43% I would looove to win this! skin care is only on my radar of late and it’s scaring me!