How to Get Your Skin Ready for Fall | Mintd Post Summer Skin Rehab

Life can be unpredictable we all know that. We tend to skip meals and binge on junk food when work gets hectic, go to bed late when we’re tired and postpone workout sessions at the gym when it’s pouring rain outside (oh yes, I will unwillingly admit guilt to all of the above). But we are far more likely to do what we intend to do and run our day in an efficient manner when we prepare ahead.

The same applies to taking care of our skin as the seasons are now changing, temperatures are dropping and the air is getting dry and crisp. Some of the same products we used in the summer months might now not be suitable to provide enough hydration and moisture on their own. We might need to supplement with certain serums or start layering on oils. Certain face masks might now be called upon to restore the radiance and glow we acquired during our summer vacation. It really can be a bit daunting and a tad overwhelming navigating the abundant realm of beauty products.

I for one will gladly take any tips and tricks to help me get my skin ready for the colder months ahead, which is why I so delighted when the Mintd September Box landed on my desk (for those interested, Mintd is a luxury subscription box I covered in detail here). Mintd takes the guessing out of exploring, testing and experimenting with products by providing a fail-proof lineup of star products for the month of September and every month for that matter! The September box has everything I need to help prepare and make my skin Fall ready, even when I personally might still be in a vacation state of mind.

This month’s theme is aptly called Post Summer Skin Rehab! It’s really all about keeping your radiant glow by ensuring your skin is adequately nourished and hydrated. It features brands stocked in Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Rosalena and Beauty Expert. There are five products in total, four full size and one travel size item, and I can’t wait to tell you all about them! Come, let’s dive right in…

Choosing the Right Face Mask

While regular cleansing removes surface dirt and grime, only a facial mask will wipe off dead skin cells and draw out impurities from beneath the top layers of the epidermis, thus unclogging pores and revealing a brighter and more radiant complexion.  Masks are also the best way to supply the skin with nutrients it needs to maintain, regain or optimize its balance and protect against premature aging. Mintd has done an excellent job curating a very unique and potent exfoliating mask from Anne Semonin and my personal favorites, Magic Stripes collagen eye patches for the sensitive eye area.

Anne Semonin Exfoliating Mask – Full Size

Anne Semonin products are so luxurious and the closest you can get to recreating that spa feeling within the comfort of your own home. This luxurious Parisian line is all about combining essential oils with mineral and marine ingredients to create a powerful and effective concoction of active ingredients meant to penetrate thru the deepest layers of the skin, helping it to detoxify and regenerate. The brand believes that regardless of age and skin type, any skin can be nourished, nurtured and revitalized. The Exfoliating Mask is no exception. Formulated with exfoliating seaweed, detoxifying extracts of rosemary, sage, yarrow and white nettle and absorbent kaolin, this mask breaks down the top layers of the skin to reveal a brighter and more radiant complexion. It draws everything out without aggravating the skin and without leaving it red and irritated. The results are the closest to a facial, making it the perfect mask to use on a regular basis or for a quick fix when you have let the skin unattended for a while.

Magic Stripes – Wake Me Up Collagen Eye Patches – Full Size

These Magic Stripes Wake Me Up Collagen Eye Patches are my favorites for a quick boost, perfect to revive tired eyes and inject some hydration around the delicate and sensitive eye area. Although the concept was not new to me, these concentrated cooling eye patches stand out by also delivering collagen and hyaluronic acid (my all-time favorite) directly onto the eye area. The cooling effect of the patches lessens swellings and helps diminish the appearance of dark circles. Hyaluronic acid provides the skin with an extra punch of moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines, small wrinkles and signs of dryness. Collagen increases the skin elasticity. They’re cruelty-free and formulated without parabens. The box includes 5 individually packaged pairs for a single application each.  They’re so easy to use:  simply take the patches out of the package and apply them under the eyes. They gently attach onto the eye area.  After about 20-30 minutes, remove the patches and tap any of the remaining essence into the skin. You can use these patches daily if you so desire, but I like to use them once week, at the same time with my Anne Semonin Exfoliating Mask.

Finding the Right Cleanser and Moisturizer

IOMA Paris Expert Ritual – Full Size

IOMA Paris was a new discovery to me this month, and such a luxurious and lush experience! IOMA Paris is one of those exclusive brands that you hear about and hope to one day be able to indulge and treat yourself. They are a Parisian skincare company (so chic!) that describe themselves as ‘evidence-based’ or skincare by evidence. They don’t make bold claims and ask you to believe in them and their luxurious products. You try the products and can simply see the results for yourself. In the States, most of us are not as lucky to experience this brand as their products are only available at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores and a few products are available at Saks online and FeelUnique online. You see why subscribing to a service like Mintd comes in handy!

The Mintd September Box includes the IOMA Paris Expert Ritual, a pre-arranged selection which incorporates four different treatments into super handy travel-size doses. All paraben-free and all dermatologically tested. The set is meant to enable a comprehensive and nurturing skincare regimen to be sampled by the customer or used on-the-go.  It includes:

IOMA Fresh Gel Eye Makeup Remover (2 doses x 1ml)

I’ve had a hard time finding an eye makeup remover that’s gentle enough not to irritate my sensitive eye are, but that’s effective enough to remove even the most stubborn traces of mascara without tugging at the skin. This is it: the IOMA Fresh Gel Eye Makeup Remover! It does an excellent job thoroughly dissolving and removing my eye makeup while soothing and refreshing the delicate eye area. In fact, it goes a step above that and works to help condition the lashes and increase their volume and length.

IOMA Flash Youth Eye Contour Concentrate (2 x 1ml)

This is the kind of eye treatment that does the trick, especially on those days when I feel like my only option is going back to bed. Although the sample size appears small, I managed to use it for 4 straight days in the morning and in the evening, by dipping my La Mer titanium eye applicator into the balm and gently applying all of over my undereys. The balm felt so soft and velvety and did an excellent job moisturizing and brightening the eye area, reducing puffiness and the appearance of dark circles. Some key ingredients I wanted to highlight for those interested: Omegasis (to moisturize), Hydrasome (to hydrate), Novhyal+MG2 (to regenerate cells and smooth fine lines) and Caffeine (to tackle puffy eyes and dark circles by stimulating circulation).

IOMA Youthful Moisture Cream Day and Night (2 x 1ml)

This is an anti-aging cream that protects, moisturizes and hydrates, while plumping the skin and improving its elasticity. Formulated with Soya and Cotton Oil, this rich cream aims to stimulate cellular activity and boost collagen production, relaxing and regenerating the cells in the epidermis. I’ve used the sample four times (two mornings and two evenings) and I’ve already added the cream to my list. After each use, my skin looked plump, felt soft and hydrated.

IOMA Lip Lift (1 dose x 1ml)

Infused with anti-aging properties, Hyaluronic Acid, and Cupuaco Butter, this product works to plump, smooth, restructure and moisturize the lips. Perfect to use as a lip treatment in the evening or any time your lips need a little pick me up throughout the day. It does an excellent job taming dry patches and ensuring lipsticks, especially those with drying long-lasting formulas, apply smoothly and seamlessly.

Adding the Right Face Oil

Rosalena Frank & Sense Face Oil – Full Size

My love of face oils is no secret here and the Rosalena oils have got to be my all-time favorites! Yes, this is a pretty bold claim, but I’ve been using their oils daily and faithfully for almost half a year now and even dedicated an entire blog post to this particular brand, read here. I adore the brand and rave about their products to anyone who crosses my path (if you follow me on Instagram as well @DailyCatL then you’d already have seen it). The Rosalena brand comes to us from London with love and was created by two amazing human beings, Maja and Helena, two busy moms who understand that ultimately we are the products we use: what we apply on top of our skin is absorbed into our bodies and can impact the quality of our lives, physically and mentally, in a positive way or in a negative way. Rosalena products are 100% natural, formulated purely from plant ingredients, purely plant goodness and purely food for the skin. No added preservatives or artificial ingredients or chemicals. No hidden ingredients or ingredients with names we can’t pronounce. The oils are light, fast-absorbent moisturizers that come in the form of an oil instead of a cream. Unlike a cream, the molecules in natural plant oils are so small they penetrate into the skin’s cells that lie directly beneath the surface of our skin. That means these oils can take the place of your moisturizer or can be applied on top of your moisturizer to seal everything in. The choice is entirely yours.

The Frank & Sense Oil is an all-season beauty oil rich in anti-oxidants and bio-active ingredients that rehydrate, regenerate and nourish. It is the perfect antidote for seasonal skin changes, especially effective post sun repair and to combat the drying effects of winter, so perfect no matter the weather or time of the year. I’ve used this oil daily for a few months now, sometimes just in the evenings and sometimes both in the am and pm. One of my favorite evening routines incorporates the use of a Retinol product after cleansing and toning the skin, followed by Sunday Riley Tidal and a few drops of the Frank & Sense Oil on top. I wake up to clear and bright skin that feels nourished and hydrated.

This bottle of Frank & Sense contains specifically chosen ingredients such as:

Buriti Oil – helps the skin fight the damaging rays of sun and combat free radicals while moisturizing and protecting against the harshness of dry winter conditions

Frankincense – has calming and soothing properties for the skin as well as for the busy mind

Organic Seabuckthorn – alleviates sunburn and promotes cell rejuvenation

Natural Vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant which fights free radical damage and helps cell renewal for a fresh, younger looking skin

Organic Rosemary Antioxidant CO2 – a new generation antioxidant

Organic Safflower Oil – hydrates and moisturizes the skin, while oleic acids brighten a dull complexion

Calendula – naturally repairs and refreshes the skin (perfect for dry and irritated skin)

Evening Primrose Oil (high dose of GLA’s, Omegas 3 & 6) – combats premature aging and wrinkling

Neroli, Rose Otto and Roman Chamomile – a revitalizing combo to sooth, nourish and repair skin and mind

Organic Rosehip Seed CO2 Extract – a natural active ingredient that nourishes skin for a smoother and firmer appearance

I am so impressed with the Mintd team for curating this beautiful oil for their September box. In my opinion, this here is the perfect product to have in your beauty stash to help you transition and address your skin’s needs as we say good bye to summer and transition into fall.

Protect the Hands

Haeckels Hand Balm – Full Size

This beautiful and natural hand cream has made it into my little ‘bedside beauty stash’, as it’s effective and delivers immediate results. Formulated without parabens and other harming chemicals, this balm hydrates and nourishes my hands and nails, without leaving a greasy residue. Seaweed and geranium extracts provide essential vitamins to help the skin repair itself by replenishing damaged cells. The scent is very pleasant and relaxing, very spa-like: fresh, delicate and herbal.

Final Thoughts

I am the type that likes every aspect of my skincare routine to be one big ‘ahh’ moment, as I think the more you enjoy it the more likely you are to stay consistent and to actually take care of your skin the way it’s meant to and the way it needs to. Skincare products are very personal. There isn’t a brand or product that fits all. Having had the incredible opportunity to try the Mintd subscription services for two months now, August (read here) and September, I have to say their choices in terms of both brand and product selections, have really struck a chord with me. They’ve managed to bridge the gap and curate products that are generally effective, do what they advertise to do and deliver results. Not to mention that the attention to detail and presentation of the Mintd boxes is simply impeccable, as seen in photos. Mintd has earned the title of crème de la crème of the subscription box world, and without a doubt, now we can all see why.

Mintd has kindly offered 10% off the first box with promo code 10OFF1STD.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the post. What are some of your tips and tricks for getting your skin Fall ready?

Mintd September Box Details

Box features: 4 Full Sizes and 1 Travel Size

Premium brands stocked in: Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Rosalena and Beauty Expert

Value of box: £ 139 or approximately $ 185

Cost of box: £ 65 or approximately $ 87 per month or they just launched a bi-monthly service (every 2 months)

Total savings: £ 74 or approximately $ 98

Ships to: UK, W. Europe, North America and Australia