Home > Product Range > Rationale Skin Care > The Essential Six

The essential six is a medically designed protocol that will both protect your skin and treat most skin conditions such as; acne, blackheads, rosacea, oily skin, sensitive skin, wrinkles, pores, sun damage and pigmentation.

Cleansing is only at night – over cleansing of the skin can disrupt the natural balance and function of the skin. Skin naturally cleanses itself (to an extent), and the rationale behind cleansing only at night is simply to remove make-up and excessive oils without stripping the skin. Even in those with acne, over-cleansing can cause a rebound in sebum/oil secretion.

No moisturisers have been included in the essential six items – moisturisers do not actually improve your skin, they simply coat and cover your skin to help it feel less dry. The improvement in dryness is only temporary and it does not address any underlying issues of the skin. Exfoliation of dead skin is the key to reducing dryness, and this is usually done by the retinaldehyde and skin refining serum.

A recommended regime for the essential six items is to apply as follows (to be applied in this order):

AM

1. Niacinamide serum
2. Rejuvenating serum
3. Neutraliser concealer SPF 25

PM

1. Preparatory cleanser
2. Retinaldehyde
3. Skin refining serum

The following are a description of the available products.

Niacinamide Serum

Patient benefits:

• Helps protect skin immune functions.
• Improves signs of sun damage, including wrinkles and dryness/roughness.
• Ideal as maintenance treatment for hyperpigmentation.
• Helps regulate sebum production.
• Reduces sensitivity/anti-irritant.

Product usage:

• Niacinamide serum may be used morning and night.
• May be used over entire facial area, neck, chest and backs of hands.
• Should not be used in combination with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E (Rationale Rejuvenating Serum), and zinc oxide sunscreen (Rationale Daily Dose SPF 25+)

Rejuvenating Serum

Patient Benefits:

• Helps defend against UVR and formation of free radicals.
• Boosts skin immunity.
• Promotes firmer skin tone and softer texture.
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines.
• Improves translucency.
• Helps fade pigmentation and unclogs pores.
• Aids moisturisation.

Product usage:

• Use sparingly in the morning.
• 2-3 drops is sufficient for the entire face.
• A tingling sensation may occur on application, due to the low pH of the product. This normally disappears after 30-60 seconds.

The serum:

• Rejuvenating Serum consists of clinically established concentrations of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E in a propylene glycol serum base.
• As a category, antioxidant vitamins help to defend skin against free radicals, which are generated during exposure to UV radiation and other environmental aggressors such as pollution. They can also improve skin function and reduce signs of photo ageing.
• Rejuvenating Serum is in a propylene glycol base which improves penetration into the stratum corneum and creates an anaerobic environment to keep the product stable.
• pH of Rejuvenating Serum is 2.8 Low pH (<3.5) is considered essential in L-ascorbic acid products for dermal preparation and efficacy. Due to the acidity of this formulation, some patients will notice tingling or prickling sensation after application. This quickly subsides.
• Vitamins A, C and E work synergistically both in the skin and in the serum to prevent oxidation and degradation of vitamin potency.

Neutraliser Concealer SPF 25

Patient Benefits:

• Natural Mineral Sun Protection-Nanoised zinc oxide provides high SPF, broad-spectrum protection. Tested to stringent Australian standards. TGA Approved sunscreen. Helps prevent premature ageing, pigmentation and other signs of sun damage. Soothing formulation.
• Anti-oxidant Defense-Vitamins A, C & E help further neutralise harmful free radicals caused by ultraviolet radiation.
• Optimal Hydration – Intense moisturisation using the skin’s own Intercellular Lipids and natural Moisturising Factors.

Other Features:

• Unique, all-in-one formulation-sun protection, anti-oxidant and moisturisation combined.
• Invisible, low-sheen finish with nononised zinc.
• Ideal for sensitive skin.
• Ideal for patients with organic (chemical) sunscreen allergy.

Need to know:

• Daily Dose SPF 25 contains 12.5% nanonised zinc oxide.

Product Usage:

• Use everyday. Begin with Rationale Niacinamide Serum and Rationale Rejuvenating Serum for maximum anti-oxidant protection. Then apply Rationale Daily Dose SPF 25 liberally to all sun-exposed areas. To apply, use fingers or a sponge to massage product evenly into the skins surface.
• This product may be used in a clinical setting, after procedures such as IPL, to calm the skin and conceal any redness.

Preparatory Cleanser

Patient Benefits:

• Gentle cleansing – no detergents.
• Non-irritant solvent formula.
• Contains antioxidant vitamins.
• Helps soothe and calm skin.
• Moisturising.
• Oil free.
• Suitable for most sensitive and/or acne prone skin.

Need to know:

• Rationale Preparatory Cleanser is a solvent-based cleanser suitable for all skin types. Gently removes make-up and debris without irritation.
• Detergent-based (foaming) cleansers can strip the skin of Intercellular Lipids and Natural Moisturising Factors. This causes sensitivity, irritation and rebound overproduction of sebum, leading to acne.
• Creamy cleansers (oil-based) can clog pores.
• Rationale Preparatory Cleanser has the luxurious look and feel of a creamy cleanser but is actually oil-free.

Product Usage:

• Preparatory Cleanser may be used morning and night.
• Will remove all make-up, including eye make-up.
• For dry skin – wet face with lukewarm water. Lather cleanser all over face and neck. Leave on skin for a few minutes to soften and moisturise. Tissue or sponge off. Leaves a moisturising layer on the surface.
• For normal to oily skin – wet face with lukewarm water. Lather cleanser all over face and neck. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Retinaldehyde Serum

Patient Benefits:

• Provides outstanding retinoid benefits with low irritancy profile.
• Smoothes and clarifies skin tone and texture.
• Increases skin hydration.
• Assists repair following UV exposure and sun damage.
• Illuminates complexion and helps fade pigmentation.

Need to Know:

• Use RAL and non-irritating alternative to RA, where patients are intolerant of RA therapy or are non-compliant due to side-effects.
• As with all retinoids, avoid use during pregnancy.

Product Usage:

Use nightly. Cleanse with Rationale Preparatory Cleanser. Apply a few drops of Rationale Retinaldehyde Serum to face, neck, chest and backs of hands. Follow with Rationale Skin Refining Serum and Rationale Moisture+ or Enriched Hydration.

Skin Refining Serum

Patient Benefits:

• Gentle chemical exfoliant.
• Improves skin tone and texture.
• Helps unclog pores and prevent breakouts.
• Erase fine lines.
• Fades epidermal pigmentation.
• Promotes hydration levels.
• Helps decrease sensitivity to topical irritants and improve stratum corneum barrier function.

Product Usage:

• The Skin Refining Serum is normally used at night after cleansing and before moisturisation.
• Patients will experience a tingling or prickling sensation upon application of the product. This quickly subsides. On subsequent applications this sensation will become less pronounced.
• Skin Refining Serum should be left on the skin (not rinsed off).
• Patients may notice the stinging sensation temporarily returns when they apply moisturiser over the Skin Refining Serum. This is caused by water on the skin temporarily lowering pH. This sensation will also quickly subside.

Contraindications/Precautions:

• Patients with sensitivity to salicylic acid.

FAQ’s:

How does Skin Refining Serum work?

Skin Refining Serum helps exfoliate by lowering pH, activating the enzyme Cathepsin-D, which releases excess surface comeocytes.

What is the pH of Skin Refining Serum?

The pH is 3.8 to 4.1.

What is the balance of AHA and BHA in Skin Refining Serum?

Skin Refining Serum contains 18% hydroxy acids, 13 % AHA (hydrophilic exfoliant) and 5% BHA (lipophilic exfoliant).

Why is exfoliation so important?

Exfoliation is important for cell differentiation, the process by which keratinocytes migrate and transform to construct the stratum corneum. As we age, the rate at which keratinocytes migrate slows considerably. This results in a tired complexion, and can also have negative consequences for conditions such as skin cancer. Exfoliation helps to normalise the speed of the differentiation process, resulting in healthier, fresher skin cells on the surface more often. Regulation and enhancement of exfoliation may improve many skin conditions including melasma, acne and rosacea.

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