Natural, affordable and it actually works? Sign us up.
When it comes to beauty, we try to keep our routines as natural as possible and stay clear of toxic ingredients. With the abundance of natural products now available in the market, choice is definitely not a problem. But, there’s one major issue no one in the industry is talking about: natural beauty products just aren’t accessible to everyone.
As beauty editors we’re super lucky to get to try the latest natural formulas but the unfortunate fact is the average beauty consumer doesn’t have that luxury. For many, natural beauty is out of reach due to the steeper price tag, especially when it comes to anti-ageing products with powerful natural actives. From a brand perspective we do get it –plant-based ingredients are more expensive to source than synthetics.
Finally, things are changing – we’re ecstatic to announce the first natural anti-ageing skincare range available in supermarkets. With products starting from $14.99, New Zealand made brand Glow Lab’s new Age Renew® range encompasses a regime of eight products developed to specifically meet the skincare needs of women 35+.
View this post on Instagram
About the range
What we love about the range most (besides the price!) is that real women were at the core of product development. Glow Lab conducted extensive research, speaking to New Zealand women in their 30s, 40s and 50s about what they really wanted from their skincare; hydration, skin firmness, fine lines and UV protection. The result? A natural anti-ageing skincare regime that is affordable, beautiful to use and most importantly works, thanks to the inclusion of clinically proven, active ingredients.
The science
“My team and I carefully selected only the best naturally derived active ingredients proven to scientifically work, such as Lumicease™ and Bel-Even™,” assures lead chemist Dr Gillian Worth.
Glow Lab has a team of cosmetic chemists on site with decades of combined experience in cosmetic science, who in addition to formulation, are proactively involved with development and quality control every step of the way.
“Lumicease™, found in the Age Renew® Total Defence SPF15 Moisturiser, has been proven to protect and strengthen skin cells against light damage by up to 61 percent,” explains Dr Worth. While natural actives like Bel-Even™, utilised in the Age Renew® Recovery Night Cream, combat loss of elasticity. “This active is proven to improve skin density by up to 70 percent after four weeks.”
Our tried-and-tested favourites
Below are our favourite hero products from the eight-piece range. A great way to get a feel for the range is the affordably priced Starter Kit ($29.99), which includes mini sizes of the Cleansing Balm, Total Defence SPF15 Moisturiser and Recovery Night Cream.
Glow Lab Age Renew® Cleansing Balm
What it promises: Boosted with hydrating botanicals like Macadamia and Coconut Oils, this nourishing cleansing balm melts away long-wear makeup and impurities. It transforms into oil upon application and leaves behind skin that is clean, supple and silky smooth.
Our verdict: “I love a good balm or oil to melt away makeup as the first step of my double cleanse and this one is a joy to use. It comes out as a balm but turns into a silky oil as it’s massaged without dribbling down my face in a watery mess. The fact that it’s not heavily scented with essential oils has extra appeal for me.” – bh’s Tracy
Glow Lab Age Renew® Total Defence SPF15 Moisturiser
What it promises: This lightweight daily moisturiser is boosted with Lumicease™, an ingredient clinically proven to protect and strengthen skin cells against light damage by up to 61%. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and brown spots while defending against the ageing effects of UVA, UVB, blue light and environmental pollution.
Our verdict: “As a beauty editor it’s non-negotiable to start my day with a moisturiser that offers SPF, but, isn’t too heavy – demanding right? This one from Glow Lab ticks all the boxes for me thanks to its light formula that melts into the skin, smells fresh and makes me feel confident that my skin is moisturised and protected from the sun. Did I also mention that I love that I can throw it in the shopping trolley when I need a top up?!” – bh’s Sarah
Glow Lab Age Renew® Recovery Night Cream
What it promises: Nourish and repair skin overnight with this night cream which includes active anti-ageing ingredients to keep skin supple and youthful. Bel-Even™ is one of these actives, proven to improve skin density by up to 70% after 4 weeks, leading to improved skin elasticity.
Our verdict: “I’m a huge fan of Glow Lab after the Best in Beauty 2019 award-winning purple shampoo recently changed my life and took my itchy, highly sensitized scalp from 100 to 0 in one wash – so I was particularly excited to try the Night Cream from the new Age Renew range. In winter, with every heater possible blasting at all times, I find my complexion needs lots of extra hydration and TLC, and this was the perfect salve. Rich but not greasy and filled with super-nourishing shea butter and jojoba oil, I applied it over my serum as a final step before bed and woke up with plump, soft and hydrated skin. It’s a yes from me.” – bh’s Amy
This article is brought to you in partnership with Glow Lab Age Renew®. Glow Lab Age Renew® is available now at supermarkets nationwide. Head to glowlab.co.nz for more information on the full range.
