Cleanse and treat the New Zealand way with Ao Skincare

I am always up for trying something new and the New Zealand line Ao Skincare intrigued me. Ao Skincare just launched in the US and is a dermatologist-led anti-aging cosmeceutical line.

Dermatologist Dr. Mark Gray has a chain of 17 clinics nationwide.  He noticed that a large percentage of people don’t stay loyal to their skin care brands.  Why? Mostly because products simply don’t live up to their hype, as well as because of the polarizing approach many companies take in the science vs. nature debate.

His vision?  To provide evidence-based skin care products with no compromises that are the perfect blend of science and nature.  This is what makes Ao Skincare different:

The Ao Skincare line has six products that are helpfully numbered so you know the order in which to use. I was sent two products to test:  #1 Cleanser – Prepare ($40) and #4 Serum – Restore ($120).

The #1 Cleanser – Prepare is in an airless pump, which I think is always good news for any sort of skin care. It comes out like a gel and you smooth it onto dry skin first, then add water to create a very light foam. It doesn’t have much in terms of surfactants so it cleanses without stripping the skin or making it dry.

The ingredients include:

Pure New Zealand Artesian Water sourced from one of the purest places on earth; an aquifer beneath the ancient Kauri forests in the lush far north of New Zealand.

Totarol, an extract from the New Zealand Totara tree that contains powerful naturally sourced antioxidants which actively cleanse the skin.

Phormium Tenax (Harakeke) Seed Oil, a hydrating oil with omega-6 linoleic acid that helps repair the skin barrier.

Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Seed Oil, with omega-3, alpha linolenic acid, which helps to maintain moisture in the skin and prevent drying and scaling.

I love this cleanser. It has no fragrance and it deep cleans beautifully. Although it has almost no foam after adding water, it does have enough slip to really work well with a device like the Clarisonic or the Luna. However, even just regular washing using hands gets a wonderful, somehow hydrating deep clean. In short, it’s great stuff.

The #4 Serum – Restore is a light serum that is full of peptides and vitamins that help repair, firm, and moisturize skin. Like the cleanser it is housed in an airless pump, which increases efficacy and longevity of the serum. (Why aren’t ALL skin care products packaged like this??)

The ingredients include:

Vitamins B3, B5 and C (Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) that work together as antioxidants to promote the appearance of firm skin.

Ferulic Acid, a powerful antioxidant, which also increases the stability and potency of vitamin C.

Peptides and Phenyl t-Butylnitrone (Spin Traps) – these diverse molecules perform multiple functions important for optimum skin health.

New Zealand Manuka Honey, which nourishes and draws precious moisture deep into the skin and encourages skin vitality.

I’ve been using this serum in the morning before moisturizing and at night after cleansing and toning. It has no fragrance and sinks in nicely, leaving my skin moist but not wet. I don’t even feel like I need to use an eye cream at night. So far my skin has loved this serum and it looks terrific. This is one bottle of product that I will completely finish and I know I will be sad when it’s gone.

The other products available from Ao Skincare include #2 Day Treatment – Fortify, #3 SPF 30 Sunscreen, #5 Night Treatment – Repair, and #6 Retinol – Rewind. There is also an option to purchase the entire range (in pretty cool packaging!) for 20% off.

I am very impressed with the New Zealand way of doing skin care and I hope you will take a look!  – Lisa