Publications
- Move over *insert any celebrity skincare line*, Yearn Skin has launched with a bang.
- Sister duo Nadia and Natasha Michael cofounded Yearn Skin after struggling to find affordable products targeting hyperpigmentation with darker skin in mind.
- The range features recognised fighter ingredients such as vitamin c, alpha arbutin, glycolic acid and more with a product for every skin type.
South Africa’s latest skincare brand, Yearn Skin, launched this week with an inaugural range targeting hyperpigmentation. The range features some of the most celebrated ingredients for unwanted marks including niacinamide, vitamin c, alpha arbutin among others. The Yearn Skin also includes products that are suitable for sensitive skin, oily, dry and acne-prone skin.
Sister duo Nadia and Natasha Michael created Yearn Skin to address the rarity of formulations for darker skin tones that were affordable. This range costs between R290 and R635, and features two types of cleansers, two serums, a toner, moisturiser, mask and an oil.
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In an intentional effort to educate the customer, Yearn Skin has a glossary of ingredients on its website that will power a jolt of excitement through any skincare enthusiast as well as succinct instructions on its packaging to give the novice a nudge in the right direction.
The products come in minimal, clean packaging with monochrome coloured outer packaging and all-white with an accent colour that matches outer packaging. You’ll immediately notice with their inner packaging that hygiene was top of mind because their pump bottles come with a transparent lid and their moisturiser and serums come in a twist and pump bottles to maintain cleanliness and the design of their tubs that accommodate cleanness as well.
As a person who indulges in skincare as a part of my self-care, I have to admit the ergonomics of this packaging – twisting, pumping, clicking – add to the fun.
With all the beauty you are met with before even coming in contact with the actual products, I think we can agree that the aesthetics are aesthetic enough to put on the gram. Rest assured the beauty extends beyond the packaging because the creators of Yearn Skin have committed to prioritise efficacy and had the range tested by dermatologists.
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I managed to try out some Yearn Skin products, while it’s still early to give you a detailed review on the products – I’ve only been using them for a few days but I can certainly share my first impressions and what you can expect.
I’m well acquainted with niacinamide because I’ve been using it to address my acne scars so I was excited to try the gel cleanser, which has it as one of its main ingredients. This fragrance-free cleanser has a light consistency and glides easily on your skin (but be careful not spill any product on your counter) leaving an ever-so-slightly cooling sensation. A bonus, it’s also generously sized at 125ml.
The choice of whether or not to include fragrances in this range was thought through. Nadia, a co-founder of the brand, says, “We have only three of eight products that contain fragrance (most of which are wash-off products). It was a very difficult decision to mainly have fragrance free products. We had to decide if sacrificing user experience was worth it.” And adds, “Scent is such a personal thing… either you love it or hate it.”
The Active Brightening Facial Cream has a mild, pleasant scent and its consistency is thick (thicc, thique – whichever intensive spelling floats your boat). Because of its richness, it may be ideal for those with dryer skin, for me personally I would have it on rotation for the colder, dryer seasons. With this said, a little goes such a long way with this one so the 50ml should last you a lifetime – not literally, unfortunately. I enjoyed its velvety finish and would say it’s suitable for both those who love a dewy finish and those, if any exist, who would rather not have a slight glow.
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For my night-time skincare routine, I’ve been enjoying the Vitamin C oil. It has a light consistency and soaks beautifully into the skin. I also appreciate that it comes in an opaque bottle, these are often recommended to protect the active ingredients from deteriorating fast due to light exposure.
This range features powerful, hardworking ingredients that can be intimidating for beginners or raise caution for those with sensitive skin. When it comes to this, easy does it.
Nadia says, “We are strong advocates for the acronym KISS…keep it simple silly. We encourage our customers to really understand their skin type and condition. Educate themselves on active ingredients that can assist them. Then take it slowly… don’t use many products at one time. Slowly test one product and build on it gradually. And like anything in life be kind and patient with your skin.
Would you like a detailed skincare review? Let me know here.
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