Luxury Skincare Your Mum Will Love

Why not spoil your mum this Mother's Day with some gorgeous Aussie brand Skin Virtue products, created by an Aussie mum and much loved by celebrities.

Nina Gajic developed the hugely popular Skin Virtue range after suffering from problem prone skin as a teenager - and now the luxury range is fast becoming every woman's must have skin care routine.

The range was designed for sensitive skin and is suitable for all skin types. It promotes elasticity and suppleness to reduce visible signs of skin ageing, soothing and calming inflamed skin for a firmer and more luminous looking complexion.

“Aussie women need to focus on the health of their skin and create a night-time routine before bed to properly protect the skin they were born with, no matter how problematic it might be,” Nina says.

Nina developed the range after growing up in the 1970s, believing her skin needed to be “squeaky clean”.

It was a mantra that led to her over-washing several times a day – in turn leading to a years-long battle with constantly irritated and sensitive skin.

It eventually got so bad even water that wasn’t completely pure could cause her to break out in hives.

After trying everything dermatologists prescribed, Nina had her light-bulb moment: she needed to strengthen her skin barrier.

But it would be another 10 years of study and research before she could finally feel confident and comfortable in her own skin – and launch her own skincare range: Skin Virtue.

Now a mother, Nina hopes her four-year-old daughter Natalija will grow up with a better understanding of how to care for her skin – and, importantly, its own natural protective barrier against environmental damage.

Sydney-based Nina, 44, explains she had a long and hard struggle with teenage breakouts and skin irritation but, in trying to make it better, she only made it worse.

“I damaged my skin. I stripped it of all its natural protections and ended up with hyper-sensitivity,” she says.

It was not until a dermatologist remarked that her skin was like that of a baby which had not yet developed its protective barrier that it all finally made sense.

What followed was more than 10 years of research, testing and re-testing – during which time the former marketing and management professional returned to university to study an undergraduate degree and become a cosmetic chemist – before Skin Virtue was born.

“It took us a long time to come up with our unique formula, we kept changing things up and making our products better,” she says of the skincare range she developed and launched with her husband, Gary, and a team of leading dermatologists and scientists at their lab in Udine, in northeast Italy.

The couple recently launched the first Skin Virtue retail range in Australia, with more products due to launch soon.

While they set out to develop products for people with sensitive skin, the range is suitable for all teenagers, women and men. The 19 available products all contain antioxidants, with specific products targeted to different skin types, conditions and ages by helping the skin repair and reinforce its own natural protections so moisture within is preserved while harmful bacteria is kept away.

“The products are brilliant on their own and also work amazingly together” Nina says.

“It is an equilibrium of science and nature – natural ingredients that don’t harm the skin, along with scientific actives to deliver clinically proven results.”

Nina says skin types are genetically determined – you are born with the skin you are in – but many women do not understand how to identify skin types, which can make it confusing when choosing products.

Skin Virtue is divided into three ranges of products targeting different skin types: the Super Clear Collection is for skin prone to oiliness, or so-called combination skin; Pure Nourish is for “normal” skin and Future Advanced is for all skin types but targeting ageing skin concerns.

Oily skin types have overactive sebaceous glands leading to shiny skin, enlarged pores and breakouts. Combination skin refers to oily skin with dry patches, usually caused by harsh treatments trying to combat the oiliness only to end up with damaged patches.

Normal – or “balanced” – skin appears to have no visible concerns but, be warned, it can quickly end up dryer and more wrinkly than other skin types if not properly nourished as we age.

Dry skin types have under-active glands and a lack of moisture to protect and hydrate the skin.

All these skins types also eventually become ageing skin, showing signs of dehydration, volume loss, sagging and wrinkles, and uneven tones and pigmentation.

Nina’s mission is to help Aussie women take better care of their skin – and their health.

She hopes to take Skin Virtue global and help empower women everywhere to properly protect – and be comfortable in – the skin they were born with, no matter how “problematic” it might be.

“When I was a teenager having breakouts, I would cancel plans to go out and just stay home – I was miserable,” she says.

“Bad skin can be so debilitating and isolating for teenagers.

“With Australia’s harsh and dry climate, I think women were crying out for a product to both protect and nourish their skin. Our customers always come back for more and tell us how great Skin Virtue is.”

 

About: Skin Virtue is an Australian range of skincare products designed for people with sensitive skin but suitable for all skin types. It is designed to create healthy skin through a synergy of science and nature, using a three-phase system focusing on a healthy skin barrier, skin cell longevity, and targeted treatment. The range is cruelty-free – no ingredients or products are tested on animals – and has a high concentration of clean ingredients. Skin Virtue products are available from skinvirtue.com.au and selected beauty salons.