Forget Expensive Facials: This At-Home Option is Just As Good

As a self-confessed skin-care enthusiast, I’ll try any concoction of moisturisers, toners, and treatments to keep my skin blemish-free and glowing. After spending a year on Isotretonin – an intense oral acne medication formerly known as Accutane – it’s safe to say I’ve tried and tested an overwhelming amount of brands in the skin-care game. After much trial and error, OleHenriksen became one of my go-tos.

While I’d happily spend my days trying out the latest cryo facial or celebrity-favourite non-surgical treatment on offer, my hectic schedule says otherwise. In a post-pandemic world, I’ve turned to more DIY options for at-home facials which is why I was thrilled to see the brand-new OleHenriksen Dewtopia 25% Acid Flash Facial (£40) launching in August.

Keep reading below for my full review of the product, as well as a few considerations to keep in mind before trying it out for yourself.

About the OleHenriksen Dewtopia Flash Facial

• It contains 25 percent exfoliating acids, including alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), and salicylic acid.
• Other key ingredients include soothing aloe juice and Scandinavian rowanberry water.
• Its lemon scent comes from the addition of naturally derived lemon sugar.
• It contains the highest concentration of acids in any OleHenriksen product.

What I Like About the OleHenriksen Dewtopia Flash Facial

As soon as I opened the lid of the pot, I was hit by a delicious lemon scent. Honestly, the jar smelt like a freshly-baked lemon drizzle cake, and it looked good enough to eat as well. The mask was a thick consistency with a gorgeous opal-like shimmer. It was easy to apply and a little went a long way, with one finger scoop (the professional way to measure any skin-care product if you ask me) covering my entire face. It appeared almost translucent and didn’t leave me unable to talk as it dried, like some clay masks do.

The formula had a slight warming effect and created a tingling sensation for a minute or so after I first applied it. In a slight panic, I grabbed the box and saw that a “a mild tingle” was expected, but it was the first time I registered how strong the 25 percent acid concentration in the product might be.

After leaving the mask on for the recommended five minutes, and not a second more, I washed it off with water to reveal a beautifully soft and shiny complexion. I was really impressed with the smooth texture it left after just one use. The AHAs, PHAs, and BHAs in the formula work together quickly to tackle stubborn dead skin cells, leaving my skin with a fresh and exfoliated feel to it. It also felt silky smooth to the touch – likely a byproduct of the formula’s soothing aloe vera and moisturising hyaluronic acid.

Because of my sensitive skin, I’ve always been apprehensive to try a professional chemical peel, so I can’t compare my results to an in-office treatment, but it does seem the Flash Facial is meant to deliver a similar effect. As Simone Shoffman, head of training at Laser Clinics UK, tells POPSUGAR, pro-grade peels are designed to target “a range of skin concerns such as acne, dull skin, and superficial pigmentation.” This is exactly what this product provides, with the added bonus of not having to leave the comfort of your own home.

How to Use the OleHenriksen Dewtopia Flash Facial

It’s really easy to use. Just apply an even layer to your skin, leave on for five minutes, and wash off with a damp cloth. Although it’s really important you don’t leave the face mask on longer than advised on the instructions, due to the strong concentration of acids.

Just to be safe, I’d follow up with an extra layer of moisturiser. Something like the Summer Friday Cushion Cream Moisturizer or OleHenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer would work well. If you’re using this in the morning or daytime, make sure to apply SPF before heading outside as exfoliating acids can make your skin more vulnerable to the sun’s rays.

What to Consider Before Trying the OleHenriksen Dewtopia Flash Facial

While the shimmering yellow goop looks innocuous enough, the product actually contains the highest concentration of acids within the OleHenriksen product family. Because of that, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to do a patch test before applying this to your face to make sure you don’t experience any reactions.

If you’re wondering how the Flash Facial acidic concentration compares to one you might get at a spa or clinic to use as a reference point, Shoffman says it depends on the type of chemical peel solution your aesthetician is using. “Our peel accelerator [at the Laser Clinics UK] contains a combined mixture of 20 percent lactic acid, 17 percent glycolic acid, and 5 percent mandelic acid with a pH of 3.” (This is so as not to disrupt the skin barrier; a healthy skin pH is anywhere between 4.5 to 5.5.)

The OleHenriksen mask contains a significantly smaller percentage of each ingredient in comparison, which helped put my mind at ease knowing that even if I left it on a minute or so longer than the directions stated, it probably wouldn’t cause any issues. Still, if you have super reactive skin, this might not be the product for you.

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