OSKIA City Life Collection: Overview

OSKIA is one of my favorite brands. The British skincare line has a focus on nutritional support to the skin. By now you all know the Renaissance Mask is pretty much my all time favorite mask ever. OSKIA launched a CityLife line geared towards protecting the skin from pollution. The line is very high tech.

“The CityLife™ range is uniquely formulated and clinically-tested to target very specific pollutants and protect the skin from day to day exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution, including Ozone, PM (particulate matter), nickel and other heavy metals, and deeply damaging Singlet Oxygen, Peroxyl, Hydroxyl & Halogenated free radicals. The formulation process took 2 years of continuous clinical testing to ensure the very best results were achieved.”

You can read more about pollution and how it affects the skin on the OSKIA website HERE.

The CityLife Facial Mist is a delightful facial mist that has an earthy green scent. I find the neroli and basil scent so relaxing. I’m obsessed with the deep green packaging of the whole CityLife range. This started as being packaged in the plastic tube you see below but they recently repackaged it into a plastic pump which you see above. I did have problems after a little while with being able to pump from the original packaging. No issues with the new round. I love that this mist is alcohol free. OSKIA’s description of the ingredients is so good there’s no need for me to elaborate. This mist is pricey but I like it enough to repurchase it. It’s lightly hydrating and I’m liking the combination of antioxidants plus it has hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and niacinimide. Details per OSKIA:

A protecting facial mist that instantly hydrates, brightens, refreshes and helps protect against indoor and outdoor pollution as well as free-radical damage throughout the day. The non-film-forming formula chelates pollutants on the surface of the skin and prevents them from penetrating further into the epidermis.

Our micro-encapsulated blends of Astaxanthin & Malachite, EUK 134, Co-Enzyme Q10, Vitamin C & B3, O3 Yeast Lysate, Smithsonite & Camellia Japonica work in synergy to protect against indoor and outdoor pollution and improve & brighten skin. Low molecular hyaluronic acid plumps & hydrates. Niacinamide & Vitamin B3 & C brighten, Neroli & Basil oil help relieve tension associated with city living.

Benefits

• Protects from specific pollutants and free radicals throughout the day.
• Non-film-forming formula.
• Plumps.
• Hydrates.
• Brightens and helps improve skin texture.
• Refreshing, calming and detoxifying.
• Alcohol-free.

 

Key Actives:

EUK 134 – A remarkable self-regenerating Manganese molecule that combines destructive rogue Hydrogen & Oxygen free-radicals and turns them into water to hydrate. It protects against toxic effects of free radicals by mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. It scavenges Superoxide free radicals, eliminates Hydrogen Peroxide (H2 O2) and transforms ROS into water and Oxygen. Regenerates itself for 24-hour protection. Also prevents the formation of UV induced TT Dimer and Peroxide Lipids, which can also have a beneficial effect against UV induced cellular damage. Ground-breaking technology and the most valuable mineral active to date costing £20,000/kg.

MALACHITE – Rich in copper with a strong protective and radical scavenging activity, as well as a powerful detoxifying action due to its ability to stimulate gluthation reductase. Malachite is non-photo-toxic, combats daily stresses and also soothes.

O3 YEAST LYSATE – Proven to protect DNA and the natural lipid barrier against Ozone. Also, reduces fine lines.

ASTAXANTHIN – Anti-oxidant 6,000 times more powerful than Vitamin C & 550 times more powerful than Vitamin E.

CAMELLIA JAPONICA – From Korea, reduces heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Protects against arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel (all found in Particulate Matter PM & VOCs). Also increases dermal density to firm and reduce fine lines, increases hydration and reduces inflammation.

CO–ENZYME Q10 – Enzymatic co-factor (for a variety of enzymatic processes). Free radical scavenger/Anti-oxidant. Also, has a major role in controlling cell membrane dynamics, which play an important role in protecting cellular integrity from external pollutants.

SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE (VIT C) – Extreme anti-oxidant capacity and well documented skin health benefits. Has skin firming properties due to broblast generation, which reduces skin permeability. Chelates heavy metals to prevent absorption.

NIACINAMIDE (VIT B3) – Increases epidermal production of ceramides and also skin barrier layer proteins and their precursors (keratin, involucrin, laggrin), leading to improved barrier function and pore reduction preventing PM (Particulate Matter) from absorbing through the epidermis. Also a proven anti-inflammatory and has anti-oxidant capabilities.

MSM – Helps protect the skin against atmospheric pollution by supporting the skin’s protective barrier, structural integrity and reduces permeability of skin, which can help protect the skin against absorption of particulate, metallic and chemical pollutants. Also helps reduce the appearance of  fine lines & wrinkles. A smoother skin surface is less likely to trap microscopic particles of atmospheric pollution.

SMITHSONITE – Chelates heavy metals found in VOCs and PM (from industry and exhausts). Also, anti-glycation effect and protects DNA.

NEROLI & BASIL – Alleviates stress and enhances mood, great for oilier skins.

 

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Smithsonite Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbyl (Vitamin C) Phosphate, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract (Astaxanthin), Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Ascorbyl (Vitamin C) Tetraisopalmitate, Cocoyl Proline, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ethylhexylglycerin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate Lysate, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Malachite Extract, Lecithin, Camelia Japonica Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Olus Oil (Vegetable Oil), Sodium Benzoate, Geraniol**, Linalool**, Limonene**, Eugenol**

* Organic
** Natural component of essential oils

CityLife I-Zone Lip & Eye Balm is a dual purpose lip and eye balm. Details per OSKIA:

A highly protective, nourishing anti-ageing balm designed to help protect the entire eye orbital, lip and upper lip zones (and any other areas in need of special protection) from the harmful effects of indoor and outdoor pollution. Astaxanthin & Tocopherol (Vitamin E) provide extreme anti-oxidant protection against pollution and free-radical damage. Retinol (Vitamin A) Palmitate helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage. Collageneer® (a patented active from White Lupin) helps firm, plump, contour and lift. Avocado oil enriches the protective lipid barrier. Light diffusing Mica helps visibly enliven.

Benefits

• Protects the delicate eye & lip areas from the effects of day-to-day pollution and free radical exposure.
• Plumps, firms, contours and lifts.
• Nourishes and hydrates.
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage.
• Great under makeup or highlights the eyes & lips on its own.

 

Key Actives:

RETINOL (Vitamin A Palmitate) – improves the appearance of sun damaged, dry and mature skin to reveal soft, supple texture.

ASTAXANTHIN – a powerful antioxidant, 6,000 times more potent than Vitamin C, protects throughout the dermal layers from free radical damage, responsible for the ageing process, and sun’s damaging UV rays while also improving elasticity.

WHITE LUPIN SEED – (Collangeneer) is a patented active that boosts Collagen I synthesis and the formation and quality of the collagen matrix to firm and improve elasticity for improved facial contour. In vivo trials showed a 92% increase in firmness & 72% reduction in sagging facial contour (at 2%, 25 women over 89 days).

MSM – reduces inflammation, boosts the power of Glutathione and increases the production of pheomelanin, the type of melanin that is found in fair-skinned people, relative to eumelanin, the darker type of melanin, to reduce pigmentation. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and calms breakouts.

MICA – reflects light to enliven skin.

 

Ingredients

Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Mica, Silica, Retinyl (Vitamin A) Palmitate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract (Astaxanthin), Lupinus Albus (White Lupin) Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Limonene**, Linalool**

*Organic

** Natural Component of Essential Oils

The balm has a thin texture and it’s easily dispensed from the tube. It’s portable which is one thing I like. This balm has avocado & sunflower oils plus shea butter (hydrate and soften), astaxanthin & vitamin E (antioxidants) plus vitamin A & white lupin (anti-aging). It’s got a slightly pinky peach color with pink mica. I liked this and I found it hydrating yet not too greasy or heavy. On the lips it was kind of not totally smooth like I prefer. There was a slight gritty texture to it. I hated that this separates a lot and I would squeeze out a ton of oil if I didn’t shake it up first before dispensing. In the winter this was solid so it was impossible to shake it up. Due to the kind of meh overall feeling of this and I hated the way it separates I wouldn’t buy this one again.

The CityLife Concentrate is the star of the show. This started out as the white booster shown below. It’s now been repackaged into a larger size and pump design which is a nice improvement. Details per OSKIA:

Our team of scientists spent two years formulating and continuously testing to create a powerful, intense and highly concentrated booster that offers unrivalled skin protection. It’s one of the first clinically-proven products to protect against specific indoor and outdoor pollution, including Singlet Oxygen, Peroxyl, Hydroxyl & Halogenated Free Radicals, Nickel, Iron and other heavy metals, Ozone & PM 1μm (Particulate Matter).

OSKIA’s micro-encapsulated blends of Astaxanthin & Malachite, EUK 134, Co-Enzyme Q10, Vitamins B3, C & E, O3 Yeast Lysate, Smithsonite & Camellia Japonica work in synergy to provide a defence against multiple free-radicals, Ozone, Particulate Matter, smoke and airborne metals that can cause inflammation and sensitivity, cellular damage, loss of elasticity, hyper pigmentation, dark spots and reduced cellular activity. Suitable for: all ages, all skins.

NOTE: Due to the Vitamin C content, there is no need to use another Vitamin C product in your routine. EUK-134 does not sit well along side Vitamin C which is naturally acidic. We have spent 2 years perfecting this formula allowing our micro-encapsulated Vitamin C and EUK-134 to work perfectly and safely together.

Benefits

• Clinically-proven to protect your skin from specific pollutants and free radicals.
• Offers free radical protection by up to 97.7%.
• Protects against 98% of air-borne particulate pollution above PM 1μm (smaller than 2.5μM).
• Reduces environmental and oxidative stress.
• Highly anti-oxidant and detoxifying.
• Improves skin tone & texture.
• Additional major skin health benefits.

 

Key Actives:

EUK 134 – A remarkable self-regenerating Manganese molecule that combines destructive rogue Hydrogen & Oxygen free-radicals and turns them into water to hydrate. It protects against toxic effects of free radicals by mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. It scavenges Superoxide free radicals, eliminates Hydrogen Peroxide (H2 O2) and transforms ROS into water and Oxygen. Regenerates itself for 24-hour protection. Also prevents the formation of UV induced TT Dimer and Peroxide Lipids, which can also have a beneficial effect against UV induced cellular damage. Groundbreaking technology and the most valuable mineral active to date costing £20,000/kg.

O3 YEAST LYSATE – Proven to protect DNA and the natural lipid barrier against Ozone. Also, reduces fine lines.

ASTAXANTHIN – Anti-oxidant 6,000 times more powerful than Vitamin C & 550 times more powerful than Vitamin E.

CAMELLIA JAPONICA – From Korea, reduces heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Protects against arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel (found in Particulate Matter PM & VOCs). Also, increases dermal density to firm and reduce fine lines, increases hydration and reduces inflammation.

CO-ENZYME Q10 – Enzymatic co-factor (for a variety of processes). Free radical scavenger/Anti-oxidant. Also has a major role in controlling cell membrane dynamics, which play an important role in protecting cellular integrity from external pollutants.

SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE (VIT C) – Extreme anti-oxidant capacity and well-documented skin health benefits. Has skin firming properties due to fibroblast generation, which reduces skin permeability. Chelates heavy metals to prevent absorption.

NIACINAMIDE (VIT B3) – Increases production of ceramides, barrier proteins and their precursors (keratin, involucrin, laggrin), leading to improved barrier function and pore reduction preventing PM (Particulate Matter) from absorbing through the epidermis. Also, a proven anti-inflammatory and has anti-oxidant capabilities.

MSM – Helps protect the skin against atmospheric pollution by supporting the skin’s protective barrier, structural integrity and reduces permeability of skin, which can help protect the skin against absorption of particulate, metallic and chemical pollutants. Also, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. A smoother skin surface is less likely to trap microscopic particles of atmospheric pollution.

SMITHSONITE – Chelates heavy metals found in VOCs and PM (from industry and exhausts). Also anti-glycation effect and protects DNA.

MALACHITE – Rich in copper with a strong protective and radical scavenging activity, as well as a powerful detoxifying action. Malachite is non-photo-toxic, combats daily stresses and also soothes.

The serum has a really light texture with an intense orange brown hue. It has kind of an herbal meets citrus scent. This serum is designed to mix into other serums not to be used alone. I listed the directions and caution statement from the brand below. They discuss not applying it neat or straight out of the bottle directly onto the skin. This combines EUK-134 a very powerful antioxidant with two vitamin C derivatives. It’s also got powerhouse niacinimide & astaxanthin, CoQ10, yeast extract, vitamin e. I love OSKIA’s use of MSM in everything. It’s a sulfur compound that helps support the skin and tissues. Smithsonite and malachite are unique. I’ve been seeing more malachite in skincare lately. They help with protecting your skin from environmental stress and oxidation.

EUK-134 is a powerful antioxidant but it doesn’t play well with vitamin C or acidic products such as acid serums or toners. OSKIA has micro-encapsulated the vitamin c they use so they can be effective together in this serum. It’s advised not to mix this with any kind of other vitamin c. I would put this in a peptide or hydrating serum. It functions like a booster serum. Vitamin c derivatives don’t give me the same brightening effects as good old ascorbic acid but they are great antioxidants with collagen production stimulating benefits. If you want to try a well rounded booster kind of antioxidant serum that’s not your typical style I would try this one. It’s high tech and unique. I hope one day I get the chance to try it again.

 

Directions Add 1 part (drop) of Concentrate to 3 parts (drops) of your usual skincare product. Blend in the palm of your hand and massage evenly into skin. Works very well with serums, oils and foundations. Due to the Vitamin C content, there is no need to use another Vitamin C product in your routine. EUK-134 does not sit well along side Vitamin C which is naturally acidic. We have spent 2 years perfecting this formula allowing our micro-encapsulated Vitamin C and EUK-134 to work perfectly and safely together.

Caution This is a highly concentrated product and must be blended before application. Do not apply neat. Do not exceed the suggested dose. Due to the Vitamin C content, there is no need to use another Vitamin C product in your routine. EUK-134 does not sit well along side Vitamin C as it doesn’t like acidic environments. We have spent 2 years perfecting this formula allowing our micro-encapsulated Vitamin C and EUK-134 to work perfectly and safely together.

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Smithsonite Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl (Vitamin C) Phosphate, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Cocoyl Proline, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract (Astaxanthin), Ascorbyl (Vitamin C) Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Glycerin, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate Lysate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Polysorbate 20, Lysolecithin, Malachite Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camelia Japonica Flower Extract, Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Silica, Olus Oil (Vegetable Oil), Sodium Benzoate, Limonene**

*Organic

** Natural Component of Essential Oils

The CityLife Cleansing Concentrate is a great foaming gel cleanser. I love the airless pump. It’s got a slim smaller size and I’m obsessed with the green color and earthy green herbal scent. This has a low pH and is non-drying. It’s perfect for normal to oily skin types. I like the smaller size as so many cleansers put out these huge tubes and I can never finish them. My skin feels clean and never stripped when I use this. I like mine in the shower with my Foreo Luna Mini in the morning but it is a nice second cleanse at night to detox the days pollution away. This is a detox cleansing gel with a refreshing kick and I like it enough to buy it again. Details per OSKIA:

A refreshing and gentle cleansing concentrate for environmentally stressed complexions. Leaves skin pollutant and makeup free, fresh, calm and pH balanced. Vitamin F & Aquacacteen, a refined cactus stem cell elixir, calm, hydrate & protect irritated skin. Willow Bark extract & Phytic Acid gently exfoliate. Malachite, rich in copper, protects against environmental oxidative stress and detoxifies. Vitamin A, C & E boost skin health & protect. MSM, the most bio-available form of sulphur, Eucalyptus & Lavender soothe. Pro-Vitamin B5 conditions.

Benefits

• Leaves skin thoroughly clean, calm and refreshed.
• Protects against environmental oxidative stress.
• Detoxifies.
• Removes pollutants, sebum and makeup.
• Highly anti-oxidant.
• Hydrates, soothes and calms irritated skin.
• Perfectly balances the complexion – pH 5.5.

 

Key Actives:

Six months or so after the initial CityLife launch the CityLife Detox Mask came out. This is a detox modeling style peel off mask. Details per OSKIA:

A detoxifying and calming 100% natural peel-off mask that neutralises free-radicals & environmental impurities, leaving skin feeling hydrated, conditioned, plumped and free from ageing pollutants. Utilising ultra-advanced technology to speed recovery, this cooling mask continues to work while set and gently peels off to leave skin calm and free of pollution, irritation or redness.

Housed in a unique dual-phase sachet so there is no need for messy bowls and mixers.

Key Actives:

This seems to be sold out on a number of sites which I’m not surprised of. I don’t think this had the best reviews with OSKIA fans. The idea was to have a pouch and you blend the two ingredients (powder & liquid) together in the pouch before opening without the need for a bowl and mixing like usual for a modeling style peel off mask. While I was able to mix them in the pouch pretty good, dispensing was a mess. You can see my fingers below from trying to get it out of the pouch before it set fully and dried. I would cut this open next time I use it and mix in a bowl. Applying with a spatula would also be preferred to using my fingers. It was a little chunky on application but I think that could be solved with a good bowl stirring versus pouch mixing.

This has the nice herbal OSKIA CityLife scent and the typical cooling and hydrating effect of a modeling mask. My skin felt firmer, hydrated and revived after use. OSKIA did add like a blue glitter to this. It looks cool against the black but it’s not really necessary. The set comes with four masks and it’s priced high which is typical for modeling masks. I’d be curious to see a nice wash off version of this mask launch one day. That might be more well received. Most the reviews I read of this were mediocre mostly due to the consistency and messy application. I didn’t think it was bad or anything, just messy and the texture is not smooth. Maybe a different way to mix it would be the best for this product. I’m not a huge peel off or modeling mask fan. I like one now and then but the mess limits how often I want to use one. I probably wouldn’t repurchase more for that reason than any other.

Overall my picks from this OSKIA line is the cleanser, concentrate and mist. I like the unique combination of antioxidants and anti-pollution benefits for the skin. I’m totally digging the green herbal scent of the CityLife line as well. As always it’s OSKIA so it’s great quality and ingredients.