DIVINE X ZERO
DIVINE Finds are a deeper dive into products, new and old, that we love. Our first in this series is ZERO by Skin Academy, a new 100% natural, plant-based, vegan beauty brand from the UK that is now available in Canada exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix.
We love that the products are made with botanical ingredients that are certified as being 100% derived from natural sources. The fragrances are plant derived with a blend of sweet orange, chamomile, ylang-ylang, geranium and jasmine. But it’s not just what’s inside that counts with these products. The packaging is sustainable and every part is recyclable. Some products come in recyclable glass jars with compostable bamboo lids. You can even upcycle them by using them to hold your jewelry or office supplies! Other products are packaged in recyclable tubes made from sugarcane ethanol. The outside packaging is also recyclable.
The range features six skincare products that cover everything from cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing for your face to a luxurious hand and nail cream. Let’s take a closer look at the ZERO line:
ZERO by Skin Academy: What Makes it Different
Holly Wagman, Head of New Product Development at Skin Academy had the following to say about ZERO:
“As a beauty brand developer, it was important for me to think outside the skincare jar and ensure that all aspects of ZERO products and packaging were as safe for the environment as they are for our skin.”
Another unique thing about ZERO products is that they were created to be suitable for all skin types and textures, even sensitive skin. Since Holly has dealt with skin issues, from an early age, it was a priority for her to create a range that can work for people with similar concerns.
“I’m fortunate to have been surrounded by business and beauty expertise my entire life, but what really inspired me to join Skin Academy was a desire to reimagine traditional skincare. I personally suffered from ultra-sensitive skin and eczema, and I learned in my teenage years that I had to be very selective with the products I used on my skin. My face was sensitive, especially around my eyes where my eczema was more prevalent. So, although skincare runs in the family, it became more of a personal quest to understand the origin of ingredients, their properties and benefits.”
Here is a summary of our thoughts on the product lineup. I used the products on my dry, sensitive skin:
ZERO 100% Natural Face Wash 100ml
ZERO products are all natural and this gel cleanser is no exception. It contains a unique blend of coconut oil, sweet almond oil and sacha inchi seed oil. Here are some benefits of these hero ingredients:
- Coconut oil is known to reduce skin inflammation, is hydrating and possesses anti-microbial properties. It is also known for its skin-repairing properties.
- Sweet almond oil is also known as a “carrier oil” meaning that it can carry other oils more deeply into your skin. Believe it or not, this oil is known to dissolve excess oil on the skin, making it the perfect ingredient for a cleanser.
- Sacha inchi seed oil is a plant native to Peru that produces large, edible seeds rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, and vitamins like A and It can hydrate without clogging pores and help feel skin feel smoother.
First Impressions: If you are looking for a good, gentle cleanser, this is perfect. The fragrance is best described as barely there. The gel cleanser turns into a slightly thicker emulsion after applying it as directed. It removed makeup well, did not cause any irritation, and my face did not feel tight or dry after cleansing.
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart/ Pharmaprix $26.99
ZERO 100% Natural Face Scrub 100ml
Exfoliating your skin helps remove excess oil, dead skin cells and pore-clogging surface debris. It will help your skin look brighter, and also helps your other skincare products absorb more effectively. ZERO 100% Natural Face Scrub uses finely ground apricot seeds to gently exfoliate. The scrub also contains coconut oil, sweet almond oil and sacha inchi seed oil to nourish and soften the skin. Exfoliate two to three times a week for best results.
First Impressions: ZERO 100% Natural Face Scrub is a winner. It has the perfect amount of “scrub” meaning that there is enough ground apricot seeds to exfoliate but it was very gentle and didn’t feel too abrasive. My skin felt smoother after one use.
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix $26.99
ZERO 100% Natural Day Cream 50ml
A day cream is truly meant to hydrate and moisturize your skin. It should be nourishing, but not greasy. Active ingredients like retinoids or glycolic acids should be avoided in day creams as they can irritate the skin when exposed to the sun. ZERO 100% Natural Day Cream is enriched with shea butter, which is known for its natural healing properties, and coconut oil to hydrate and nourish your skin all day long.
First Impressions: ZERO 100% Natural Day Cream is lighter than the night cream but still moisturizing. My skin felt hydrated and smooth all day long. The cream absorbed quickly and didn’t leave a tacky residue behind, nor did it break down my makeup.
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix $34.99
ZERO 100% Natural Night Cream 50ml
During the day, your skin acts as a barrier to pollution, UV rays and bacteria. At night, you need to repair and rejuvenate your skin as you sleep. A night cream helps repair tissue and promote cell renewal. ZERO 100% Natural Night Cream is a plant-based cream that nourishes and rejuvenates your skin as you sleep, enriched with shea butter and green tea extract. Green tea extract is a gentle antioxidant. It contains polyphenols (plant compounds that have a variety of health benefits) and has skin-soothing properties.
First Impressions: ZERO 100% Natural Night Cream is a thick, rich cream. My skin felt hydrated but not greasy after using it. The light citrus fragrance was pleasant, but almost undetectable, like the day cream. My skin felt more hydrated and smoother in the morning.
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart/ Pharmaprix $34.99
ZERO 100% Natural Eye Cream 25ml
The skin around your eyes is more delicate and can be more prone to dryness. An eye cream can specifically deal with the more fragile skin in the eye contour area. ZERO 100% Natural Eye Cream, once again, uses shea butter and coconut oil to hydrate and nourish the skin around the eyes. Use your ring finger to apply eye cream in a gentle patting motion. It is the weakest finger on your hand so there is no harsh pressure. Use this eye cream before you apply sunscreen during the day – sunscreen should always be your last step to provide maximum sun protection. A good rule of thumb for your night-time regimen is to apply your skin care products from lightest to the heaviest depending on the consistency of the product. The lightweight product will target skincare concerns directly, and the heavyweight products will penetrate through, reaching the deepest layers of the skin. since it’s “heavier”.
First Impressions: ZERO 100% Eye Cream felt more lightweight, but as emollient as the other creams. The cream did not sting or burn, and it moisturized the area nicely.
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart/ Pharmaprix $29.99
ZERO 100% Hand and Nail Cream 50ml
Dry hands are a universal concern right now. Soap, hot water and hand sanitizers all have drying effects on the skin. To combat dryness, use ZERO 100% Hand and Nail Cream as needed. The nourishing and moisturizing hero ingredients, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, sacha inchi seed oil and shea butter, will help to heal and restore your dry skin and maintain moisture.
First Impressions: ZERO Hand and Nail Cream absorbed quickly and easily into my hands. They were left feeling soft and smooth, but not greasy. The citrus fragrance of the ZERO skincare line is the more detectable in the product, but it is still subtle, pleasant, and so understated.
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart/ Pharmaprix $19.99
I’m always worried about trying new skincare products because my skin is sensitive and prone to rashes. I had no reactions using ZERO! The products are already receiving awards, the brand is committed to the environment and cruelty-free and, a HUGE bonus, it’s affordable! These are all things that I look for when purchasing products. If you geta chance, check out the ZERO brand in the regular beauty aisle at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, or in their online store and let us know what you think about this DIVINE Find!
