Having shared the collaboration between Ren Clean Skincare and Zitsticka on my Instagram Stories last week, there was a lot of interest as to how the collaboration works and can the products come together to create a routine - the answer to that is shared in this post.
We all, at some stage in our lives, suffer from breakouts and blemishes and the market is saturated with products, some of which I have found to be quite harsh on my skin. I am one of those people who does suffer with blemishes but not so much breakouts, it is very rare I will get a spot of any spots, the only problem I was ever plagued with is coldsores, though I have found a solution that works for me in helping to keep them at bay.
The routine with Ren Clean Skincare and Zitsticka is one that is really easy to follow it involves the use of 4 products from 5 and it is really easy.
Step One - Balance and Calm with Clearcalm Clarifying Clay Cleanser. This is one of two Kaolin based products that my skin will allow, anything else my skin feels as though it has been set on fire.
Enriched with Kaolin Clay, this cleanser is creamy, non-drying and works to draw out excess oil and impurities and alongside it is Willow Bark to help minimise the pore appearance and then Mayblossom extract which helps to keep your skin clear. I have a full review of this cleanser on my blog.
Step Two - Purify and Mattify with ClearCalm Invisible Pores Detox Mask. Designed to help detoxify and rebalance skin, it is said to be a perfect mask for oily and combination skin types.
This is one of the few products from Ren that I have not tried, so I am looking forward to giving it a go. This mask is enriched with a clarifying blend of Kaolin Clay which helps to soften and soothe the skin whilst helping to absorb excess oil and draw out impurities and dead skin cells. Then there is Blue Algae Extract, something you might recognise by its more commonly used name Spirulina, its job is to nourish the skin and help limit those feelings of dryness or tightness. Then there is also the inclusion of astringent Lavender Oil to help calm and refresh the skin.
Step Three - This is where Zitsticka comes into your routine with the choice of two products.
The first product is Killa, Microdart patch for the early-stage zit. These patches are described as being designed for underground and emerging blemishes deep beneath the skin surface.
Working in as little as 2 hours, the patches work as part of a two step programme.
- The first is with a swab called Cleana which you use to wipe the surface above which the zit is making its way through. The job of the swab is to help decongest pores and eliminate bacteria with a dose of tea tree, priming the affected area for step two.
- Then step two is patches. Each patch features miniscule self-dissolving microdarts that flood the core of early-stage zits with actives such as niacinamide and acne-archenemy salicylic acid. Moisture magnet hyaluronic acid ensures skin stays hydrated throughout, preventing further irritation.
Said to be completely pain-free, the Killa patches come with a whole host of praise.
The second product from Zitsticka is the GOO GETTER Surface Zit Hydrocolloid Patches.
These patches are said to work to swiftly flatten and shrink late-stage, surface spots while absorbing impurities and accelerating the healing process all the while helping to prevent the urge to pick and squeeze. These patches are designed to draw out impurities and goo to the surface before absorbing and draining the fluid. Not only that, as it draws the goo out, it also treats the area surrounding the spot with a whole host of ingredients such as salicylic acid which digs dirt out of pores; hydrocolloid which creates a moist environment to encourage skin regeneration; niacinamide to soothe redness and even the skin tone; tea tree to help unclogs pores and finally vitamin C to brighten while also preventing lasting cell damage.
Step Four - ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel and its job is to help keep the skin clear of imperfections and helps control surface oil.
This treatment is infused with a whole host of ingredients such as Willowbark, a naturally derived precursor to salicylic acid that helps clear spots without irritation. Then we have Maritime Pine and Thyme Complex which soothes skin, while aiding recovery and reducing the potential for scarring. Finally there is Prebiotic Chlorella Extract which supports the skin microbiome and helps re-balance healthy bacteria. Working together, these ingredients help to reduce redness, spot size and potential scarring as well as being deeply moisturising and helping to re-balance your skin's microbiome. Again, I have a full review of this treatment on my blog.
Together these products create an easy to follow, non-faff routine to help with blemishes and breakouts without having to resort to expensive, harsh chemical filled products.