English Version | Snake skin

We mean: renewed skin. We do not mean to talk about snakes in its figurative sense, that is, those  who lie and trick us, but we’re referring to this animal’s name to highlight its enviable capacity to change skin. And since September is a month of new beginning, we mimic this nature’s ritual by using what the Beauty industry has provided: peelings.

Pedro Vasconcelos, Journalist 

Promises: to exfoliate the skin's surface and unblock pores to reduce texture. Vogue's word: this mask was an impulse buy from the early days of the pandemic, those nebulous times when success on TikTok began to be synonymous with a product's success. The brand's affordable pricing was the only catalyst needed to satisfy my curiosity, fueled by the hopeless boredom of confinement. Some remarks are necessary if you're interested in this product: it's very potent, it's a mixture of extremely strong acids, and if you have sensitive skin, I'd say avoid it altogether. That said, I have sensitive skin myself, with the exception of my nose, but it was precisely because of the texture, oiliness and size of pores that this chemical peel turned out to be so perfect. I use it only once a week, followed by my strongest moisturizer because, despite its effectiveness, this mask is also very aggressive. I don't recommend applying it all over my face, but if you have any problematic areas, this solution can be a miracle.

Joana Rodrigues Stumpo, Journalist 

Promises: to accelerate cell renewal, improve skin texture and promote luminosity. Vogue's word: the fact that I have an incredibly oily face, which has already gone through terrible acne phases, made me recognize, early on, the importance of using a (good) acid, less aggressive than the usual peeling. Nothing renews the skin like a night serum that works its magic while we sleep, without damaging or irritating the complexion. Over the period that I tested this product, I felt a huge difference in the radiance of my skin. After the morning wash, what used to be a dull, tired face now easily glows without the help of an highlighter.

Mariana Silva, Journalist

Promises: radiant skin - eliminates dead skin cells, refines skin grain and evens out the complexion. Vogue's word: I consider myself pretty fearless when it comes to peeling masks, because very few have a visible effect on my skin. That's why I was surprised when I applied this Caudalie mask. I immediately felt that it was an effective product. The first time I used it, I couldn't even endure the recommended ten minutes - not because of pain, just fear, as I was feeling a slight and unusual tingling. I admit that I expected to see some redness, but after rinsing my face with water I only confirmed that my skin's characteristic oiliness had diminished. After a few uses I eventually got used to the ritual of applying this mask twice a week. I'm starting to notice slight differences in the pores of the T-zone, but I think that with (more) regular use I can expect even better results. 

Ana Murcho, Features Editor

Promises: to reduce wrinkles and expression lines, improve skin elasticity and stimulate the skin renewal process. Vogue's word: this face gel contains 15% partially neutralized glycolic acid (equivalent to 6.1% free glycolic acid), and it is precisely this "magic ingredient" that exfoliates the skin's surface, helping to smooth its texture and stimulate the skin renewal process. The result is a peeling effect that, unlike other products of this kind, does not “dry out" the skin. This moisturizing action is achieved by the presence of aloe vera, which helps reduce irritation. Since it is impossible to see the impact of a continuous application (more than ten days), I can guarantee, even so, that the purpose is fully accomplished. The tone of my skin, until then altered by a few too many rays of sunlight, was suddenly evened out - after only the second use.

Translated from the original on The Gossip Issue of Vogue Portugal.Full credits and stories on the print issue.