Tag: Somme Institute

Best Masks for an At-Home Facial

Best Masks for an At-Home Facial // Belle Belle Beauty

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to do more at home facials. Since weekly spa treatments aren’t really in the budget, I’ve been adopting some at home versions and have been pleasantly surprised by how results-oriented they can be. Here are some of my most favorite masks and treatments I’ve used lately:

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask is the class spa mask loaded with Hungarian thermal mud to nourish while cleansing the skin. For all skin types, this traditional experience leaves my skin feeling uber-clean but also enriched and radiant. The white clay helps draw out oil and toxins, but without leaving my dry skin feeling stripped.

bliss ‘No Zit Sherlock’ Breakout-Busting Rubberizing Mask is what I turn to when I am feeling a little congested (in the skin that is). If I were a black head, I would shutter if I saw me whipping this stuff up. The mix-it-yourself mask transforms into a rubbery, thick texture that sops up oil and clog-causing debris. Seaweed, tea tree and menthol nourish and calm while cleansing.

Sisley-Paris Black Rose Cream Mask is a great mask when my skin is feeling a little sensitive. The rich formula infuses skin with vitamins and plant extracts to rejuvenate and plump. Fine lines are diminished and tone is brightened. If I am slightly red or irritated from dryness or too much retinol, the black rose cream soothes and softens skin.

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask is my dream travel companion. I haven’t been brave enough to wear this alien-looking mask on the actual plane. But every time I happen to have one, I immediate apply for a little pick-me-up once I check into my hotel. The cotton is soaked with vitamins, organic acids and minerals to return skin to normal operating behavior. Radiance and moisture are back in the game.

Somme Institute ‘Boost’ Mask, a warming mask, is particularly pleasant in the winter. The warming action increases blood flow, allowing for nourishing delivery of minerals and enzymes. The spicy, pumpkin scent sounds seasonal, but you’ll be drawn to it all year long.

Shop my favorite masks here:

Somme Institute 5-step Regimen and Boost Mask

For the past several weeks, I’ve been using the Somme Institute 5-step Regimen. While I used different eye creams and added in a minimal number of other treatments, I was consistant with the Somme Institute products to ensure I could measure results (except SPF – see below). I felt that was important with this particular system because the delivery system and philosophy was specific and distinctive. The 5-step Regimen includes:

  • Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser – A non-foaming cleanser containing patented MDT5. Deep cleans skin without irritation or over-drying and dissolves dirt and oils without clogging pores.
  • Step 2: Transport – Soft cotton pads infused with MDT5 and AHA exfoliate dead cells on the skin’s surface, unclogging blocked pores while delivering highly-engineered vitamins thus improving resiliency, hydration and encouraging cell renewal.
  • Step 3: Serum – advanced technology that combines a potent, stabilized form of Vitamin C along with a high concentration of MDT5 to strengthen skin elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines.
  • Step 4: A-Bomb – a lightweight cream containing MDT5 and high levels of Vitamins A & E help soften fine lines and wrinkles while targeting problem areas.
  • Step 5: Double Defense (SPF 30+) – lightweight, water-resistant lotion with SPF 30+ and Parsol 1789 to help protect your skin from premature aging while locking in vital moisture.

Somme Institute uses a patented technology to achieve vitamin and protein delivery. The MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology) promises to transform the skin while treating with vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E. This is a fairly active skin care line as every step contains these vitamins. I was instantly met with some breakouts which I was told could be expected as the process delivers the treatment deeper than usual in the skin. But, as promised, those blemishes cleared up quickly. My skin did look clearer and more even, but wasn’t quite as radiant or hydrated.

My two concerns were with the A-Bomb (moisturizer) and Double Defense (SPF). The A-Bomb too lightweight for my dry skin. I felt I had to use an especially large amount. And I had a reaction to the SPF and was unable to use it (but my skin can be unusually sensitive to SPF). Instead I used La Mer SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid. That being said, I think this is a brillant line for someone with younger, problem skin who is on the oiler side and isn’t too sensitive. The system is easy to use with proven efficacy.

The Nourishing Cleanser, while not foaming, balanced my skin while removing makeup and dirt. I fell in love with the Serum. Vitamin C wasn’t a part of my regular routine. I will continue to purchase Serum as I honestly have seen some improvement in my redness. It also contains extracts of Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Geranium, Lavender, Marigold and Galbanum to calm and soothe the skin. And a real star for me was Transport. I love a good AHA pad. And these caused zero irritation. My pores were clear and skin looked more even.

My favorite part of the line, not part of the 5-step Regimen, was the Boost Mask. Back in the day, Biore made a warming cleanser that fascinated me. This Boost mask is the same deal. It gently warms up as you work it into your skin, increasing blood circulation and enhancing the MDT5 technology.  The pumpkin enzymes increase cellular regeneration while Kaolin absorbs excess oil, dirt and impurities. It is perfect for an evening bathtime ritual.