Albion Excia Whitening Skincare
There are some brands that just seem to work great for my skin, and Albion is one of them. So, I was very excited when I received a press kit containing a selection of products from the Albion Excia Whitening skincare range, and would love to share them with you today!
Albion’s Excia range of skincare is one of the Japanese brand’s more premium lines, and contains technology that work on skin cells’ receptivity to skincare products. The Excia Whitening range, in particular, represses melanocytes in the skin, limiting their ability to produce melanin, thereby leaving skin clear of spots. This is achieved by the use of ingredients such as Artemisia Extract and Pancratium Extract. It goes one step further, by preventing the formation of new melanocytes through the inclusion of Ononis Spinosa Extract. This inhibits existing melanocytes in the skin from reproducing and deactivates tyrosinase (an enzyme that catalyses the production of melanin).
Of course, a youthful complexion is more than just clear and spotless. Albion Excia Whitening also work on revitalising fibroblast cells in the skin to stimulate collagen metabolism, producing new collagen fibres to replace old weakened ones, so that skin is plumped up from within. This is possible through the inclusion of Blackberry Lily Extract, which also stimulates hormone receptors in skin stem cells to strengthen their ability to transform into beautiful skin cells. Citrus Depressa Extract and Curcumae Longa Extract prevents glycation in the skin and breaks down existing Advanced Glycation End Products, thereby preventing signs of aging such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, stiffness, accelerated aging and compromised barrier function.
I know it all sounds extremely science-y, and I was unable to find much research online to support the claims. So, let’s deal with the products on a more superficial level – i.e. sensorial feel and how they work on me.
The Albion Excia Whitening system begins with cleansing, and there are 2 types of cleansers.
Albion Excia Circulating Watery Cleansing Cream
Albion Excia Circulating Watery Cleansing Cream [SGD99 for 150gm] is a fluffy cream that effectively removes all traces of makeup and impurities trapped in crevices of the skin. The actual full-sized product comes in a jar but as you can see, the deluxe trial-sized one that I have comes in a squeeze tube. I massage a quarter-sized dollop like the one above all over my dry face at the end of the day, and then rinse off. It leaves me skin feeling comfortable and effectively removes most of my makeup (I still require a separate cleanser for my eye makeup).
Apart from some of the key ingredients mentioned at the start of this post, this cleansing cream also contains some orange juices to soften the skin. Interestingly, it also contains Poria Cocos Extract (fu-ling), which is an Asian herb, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties . Psidium Guava Leaf Extract is an antioxidant with antimicrobial functions.
Excia Circulating Essence Foam
Albion Excia Circulating Essence Foam [SGD90 for 150ml] is a delightful cleanser that effectively cleanses my face without stripping it of its natural oils. The actual full-sized product comes with a pump dispenser, and I’m not sure if it foams up automatically when pumped through. But the sample I received comes in a simple pour bottle, and the product itself is a clear colourless watery fluid. However, the smallest amount is sufficient as it foams up when I work it between my palms. I use this on its own in the mornings, and as a 2nd cleansing step in the evenings after the Cleansing Cream.
Peppermint Leaf Extract has antimicrobial properties and helps tone the skin, minimize pores, reduce swelling and restore skin elasticity. Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract helps to reduce appearances of wrinkles, and Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of tyrosinase activity to prevent formation of melanin.
The next step following cleansing is to soak the skin!
Albion Excia Whitening Extra Rich Milk SV
Albion believes that it is important to rehydrate the skin immediately after cleansing, and so the Excia Whitening Extra Rich Milk SV [SGD197 for 200gm] is the very next step of the routine. There are 2 versions of this milk lotion, the one I have here is meant for normal to dry skin, whilst an alternate Excia Whitening Rich Milk SV is for normal to oily skin. It is a somewhat thick milky fluid that is typical of fluid moisturisers, and feels the same way on the skin. Albion recommends that you apply this with a cotton pad to boost absorption, and I personally agree that it feels much better patted on with a cotton pad than if I tried to apply with my fingers.
This is actually a newly reformulated product, and has been improved with the addition of ethyl oleate to ensure all the active ingredients penetrate instantly to fill the skin with moisture. Indeed for a rich fluid such as this, the Albion Excia Whitening Extra Rich Milk SV absorbs really well, and my skin feels good to go after the next step.
Albion Excia Whitening Lotion SV
The newly reformulated Albion Excia Whitening Lotion SV [SGD197 for 200ml] is the 3rd and potentially last step of the skincare routine. Indeed, for me, this is where I stop in the day time. It is a thin, runny, milky white fluid that is designed to be applied with a cotton pad to bring back that refreshing feeling. It also feels quite hydrating, and seals in all the goodness of the preceding steps.
If necessary, you can add on a serum or a cream as a 4th step. In the daytime, I would add on a serum of my choice, but for evenings, I’m loving the Albion Excia Whitening Eternal Stem Nova Cream.
Albion Excia Whitening Eternal Stem Nova Cream
The Albion Excia Whitening Eternal Stem Nova Cream [SGD328 for 30gm] is a new addition to the range, and is a luxurious yet beautifully lightweight gel-cream. It comes at a hefty price tag that is on the higher end of the market, but a tiny bit really goes a long way. I love that it does not feel heavy at all, but feels so amazing on my skin.
Even though the ingredient list looks very similar to the other products in the range, the effect is the most noticeable on my skin. Every night that I applied this, i woke up to plumper and more luminous skin that looks more “awake” regardless of how little sleep I had.
Conclusion
I have been using this Albion Excia Whitening kit for the past 3 weeks and have really enjoyed every bit of it. To be honest, I don’t have any pigmentation concerns at the onset, and any improvements to the inner layers of the epidermis will only manifest over a much longer period. What I can attest to, is that my skin feels nicely hydrated, plumped and toned. My favourite pieces from the selection that I’ve tried are the Circulating Essence Foam, Whitening Lotion SV, and Eternal Stem Nova Cream.
All the new and reformulated Albion Excia Whitening products are now available at Albion counters at Takashimaya and Metro in Singapore.
This post featured products that were kindly sent to me for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
Oh, I’ve heard of Albion quite a bit, but the price! Eeps!
I know……… *sad eyes* Not all Albion is priced so high though, most of the products especially the Exage range are more affordable. This Excia range is on the premium end. Do check out some of their offerings! I love the Eclafutur pre-serum which I think you’d enjoy as well!