WITH January coming to a close and my New Years Resolution to start going to the gym gradually becoming more of a distant memory, I took it upon myself to sign up for a year’s membership at my local gym. As someone who hasn’t exercised regularly for the past two years, this was a big step. Not only for my weekly routine and general wellbeing but also for my skin. I have always been susceptible to breakouts but at times that I could be well prepared for and be able to manage, it seemed that throwing myself full swing into gym three times a week introduced a whole bout of skin issues that I couldn’t seem to control with my usual skin regime.
This was when I turned to Swedish beauty brand Verso. Launched in 2013 it is relatively new to the skin care industry, but with their youth comes a unique and new way of approaching skincare. Distinctive for their low ingredient count and science-driven combinations, Verso quote that their ultimate goal is ‘to make it easier for our customers to combine a healthy skincare routine with busy contemporary life by offering products that deliver performance without fuss.’ Their packaging is simple, their ingredients are few and the transition of their products in your skincare regime is seamless and undisruptive.
Verso Acne Deep Cleanser
In the search for a simple cleanser and spot treatment, I opted for the Verso Acne Deep Cleanse and Verso Blemish Fix. The Acne Deep Cleanse is an unclogging and exfoliating cleaner with a high concentration of salicylic acid for purification of skin prone to acne. It is unabrasive and gently unclogs pores of excess oil and dirt, a crucial selling factor for me and my gym routine. After washing my face in the mornings I use a small blob of the cleanser, rubbing it on my damp face to create a foam, I also use it every evening after a gym session or before bed.
The Verso Acne Deep Cleanse includes other ingredients like Niacinamide, which increases the production of collagen, Turmeric, which supports the effects of Niacinamide, and also Portulaca, a purified extract with soothing and itch-relieving properties. You won’t notice an immediate effect, but over the course of six weeks gradually my breakouts completely disappeared!
Verso Blemish Fix
I followed my deep cleanse with the Verso Blemish Fix, an effective anti-blemish formula with Retinol 8. It was new scientific insights about the rejuvenating properties of the vitamin A derivative Retinol 8 that propelled Verso into existence. With the help of clinical tests supervised by doctors from Karolinska University Hospital in the early 2010s, Verso founder Lars Fredriksson created a formulation that proved to be eight times as effective and half as irritative as traditional Retinol. In addition to Retinol 8, the Verso Blemish Fix is made up of the same key ingredients as the Verso Acne Deep Cleanse, Niacinamide, Turmeric, and Portulaca plant extract. Portulaca has been proven to reduce skin erythema (redness of the skin), which for me was another key selling factor!
Together, the two products introduced a necessary and effective solution to my unpredictable gym skin. Of course, sweating can be a great way to detoxify your skin but without proper precautions, sweat can really take its toll on your complexion. I learnt this the hard way! Verso skincare offers products that help your skin to breathe again, and you can rest assured that their simple and unfussy ingredients won’t add to the skin issues you’re already suffering from.
by Lily Rimmer
To view and buy the entire range of Verso products visit here
Verso Acne Deep Cleanse, £35
Verso Blemish Fix, £80