After spending over 3 weeks in the tropics (translate: summer in Singapore and Taiwan), my skin felt a little shell-shocked when I returned to the damp and chilly weather that Melbourne winter is almost synonymous for. The lotions I had been lathering over my visage just didn’t cut it anymore. With the heater and the fire place going almost day and night (hey I’m not complaining!), even the night-time moisturisers weren’t hydrating enough anymore. What a lucky #firstworldproblem to have, needing new skincare for the winter season?!

Talk about serendipity, just whilst I was scrolling through the beauty section of Net-A-Porter, wondering why luxurious skincare costs so much, and lamenting over the fact that you can’t trial the products over the pages of the Internet, QV skincare got in touch. This Australian founded, family-owned skincare range has been in my family’s vernacular for years, thanks to an early recommendation from a doctor friend, their non-greasy formulations, dermatologically-tested products and that iconic blue and white logo which I used to get confused with a shopping strip in Melbourne’s CBD.

But QV has had a bit of a face-lift since I last purchased it from the local chemist. QV has upped the ante with a new face range that looks and feels more luxe, and Kate Ritchie is now their ambassador. Apparently she discovered the QV difference after having her daughter.

I love the slogan: “where beautiful skin begins“. It’s quite an understatement considering QV was founded by renowned chemist Gerald Oppenheim after being approached by the dermatology ward of Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Hospital! He and his wife Rae, a nurse, developed a low irritant skincare product (the QV Bath Oil, named in honour of the hospital) to help restore and maintain healthy-looking skin.

My husband likes that QV Skincare isn’t scented. I’m thrilled that there are no nasty irritants for the sake of the little ones. And I also love the idea that QV supports the skin to naturally repair itself!
I was sent a couple of products to try: the Nurturing Night Cream, the Revitalising Eye Cream, the Ultra Calming Moisturiser and the Baby Bath Oil.

The Nurturing Night Cream is my all-time favourite. I love that it smells and feels luxe, but it’s very affordable. Thanks to its creamy formulation, I can perform a mini face massage whilst applying it. It leaves skin feeling supple and nourished. I’m so besotted with it that it actually lives in my hand bag now because it also doubles as a hand cream!

I only started using eyecreams recently to combat the effects of sleep deprivation: fine lines, dark circles and puffy eyes. So the Revitalising Eye cream does exactly what it promises: it revitalises. Just a gentle dab across the brow line and under the eye socket aids lymphatic drainage and reduces pain from technology strain. Every night, my finger tips dance around my eyes with the creamy formulation like I’m playing the piano.

I was skeptical at first with the Ultra Calming Lotion as I’ve never heard of active ingredient Avemide 15™ before. Turns out that it’s an extract from oat kernel. Since we eat ‘Goldilocks porridge’ at home, the lotion was a great fit. Although I technically don’t have sensitive skin, I crave calm. This unscented, hydrating lotion now also lives in my handbag because it’s perfect for moisterurising the kids’ hands after washing, and it serves as a timely reminder to ‘keep ultra calm and carry on’ with whatever I’m doing!

The Baby Bath Oil is another one of my favourites. I find bathtime a joy and delight but in winter, once the kids are out of the bathtub it’s a sprint to get them dressed quickly to ensure that they doesn’t catch a chill. Who has the time to moisteurise them from head to toe? But thank to the Bath Oil, I don’t have to! It’s has already moisturised my kids’ skin whilst they were playing in the bath! No more mother’s guilt!

Since trialing these products, I have been raving about QV skincare to my friends and family. Not only are the products affordable and effective, they don’t break the bank! That means, I can resume my perusal of the editorial pages of Net-a-Porter mag…