The Search For Great Skin with SkinPhD

I am one of those people who are not blessed with good skin. I always have to work on my skin, follow a strict regime or even invest in expensive products. I was at a point where I needed new effective facial products. I came across the SkinPhD range. SkinPhD is a South African product launched in 2012, suitable for all races and sells worldwide. 

 

"SkinPhD is an advanced cosmeceutical skin and body range scientifically developed for all skin types, to nourish, balance and create a positive change in the functioning and appearance of the skin. As cosmeceutical range, our products rely on bio-active ingredients to provide beneficial changes in appearance of the skin, working beyond the skin surface to create true change" - SkinPhD website.

 

Below are the few products I purchased from SkinPhD and going to use in the next few months.

Cleanser -  Cleansing is the basic of skin care. It is important to find a good cleanser to cleanse your face of dirt and impurities while maintaining your skin's pH balance. Cleansing should effectively clean your face to make sure that it can take in all the benefits of serums and creams.

Eye cream - As you may know, the skin around the eye is more delicate, prone to dryness and quick to show signs of aging. It is important that one keeps this part of their face moisturised. It is said that one must start using eye cream in their late twenties. Even though I started using eye cream about three  - four years ago, I believe that for a black girl, starting the eye cream regime at age 30-34 is okay.  For me it is paying off because one skin therapist I saw last year complimented me but then again I was thinking "I am black, I don't crack easily". If you are under the age of 35, I believe in wearing eye cream once a day - at night to get the cream working while you sleep. Of course if I feel and look tired I sometimes wear eye cream during the day too.

Serum - Serums are water based and contain active ingredients, because of their concentration they are normally the most expensive product in most skin care ranges. I was introduced to a serum about four  - five years ago. Before then, I knew nothing about serums. The first serum I used was from the Innoxa range, which is now discontinued in South Africa.  I struggled to get a good affordable product after Innoxa so I moved between products, for the most part I didn't wear serum. When I decided to try SkinPhD, I knew I had to get a serum too.

 

 

 

Skin Supplement - SkinPhD offers a  range of skin supplements, I opted for the pigmentation perfect supplement because of my uneven skin tone. I've been developing visible unevenness on my forehead. This is the reason I decided to invest in the supplement, to give my skin extra boost of active ingredients and counteract the effects of photo aging and improve my skin texture.

 

Cream/Moisturiser - Moisturising hydrates the skin, locks in the ingredients which in turn prevents water loss through heat/wind. It is important that your skin maintains its water. Moisturising also help with skin cell regeneration, cells repair themselves quicker when the skin is hydrated and healthy.  Finding a good moisturiser is a life mission since your skin is the largest organ and your face is the first thing that people notice / look at. I've had my fair share of creams/ moisturisers that were either too oily or were drying my skin. The consultant at SkinPhD promised that I will not go wrong with  their Cellceutic Day Advanced Dermal Moisturiser.

 

SkinPhD's description of their products:

"Delicate Foaming Cleanser

Delicate Foaming Cleanser is a highly effective, gentle and non-drying foaming cleanser mild enough for everyday use. Containing peptides that improve the skins elasticity and smoothness, whilst removing all impurities from the skin surface, leaving the skin feeling refreshed, soft and rejuvenated.

Eye care balm

From the skin health range is designed for all skin types, colours and conditions. It is designed to provide moisture to the delicate eye area whilst giving the skin the needed nutrition to work at its best.

Dermotox Anti -Wrinkle Serum

A potent and highly effective dermatological preparation, formulated with a scientifically advanced botanical complex, with clinically proven tyrosinase inhibiting activity, synergistically combined with natural malachite extract, a mineral-derived inhibitor of oxidative stress, to effectively reduce blemishes, improve radiance and correct unevenness of skin tone associated with actinically damaged and premature aged skin. 

Pigmentation-Perfect

Pigmentation correction and skin brightening. Best for: Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin colour.

Effect: Advanced anti-oxidant, Improves barrier protection, Photo protector, Natural skin brightening, Rescue of UV damaged cells, Skin calming agent, Minimises the signs of photo-ageing, Improves skin texture.

 

Cellceutic Day Advanced Dermal Moisturiser

This intense day cream formulated to regenerate the skin’s barrier function will protect, repair and increase the production of collagen and elastin. It will leave you with a brighter complexion by improving dull skin texture. Regular use will stimulate skin cell cycles and improve dermal micro-circulation, skin nourishment, tone and smoothness" - SkinPhD Website

 

 

In a period of three to six months, I will update this post with a review on SkinPhD and how the product has/ is improving my skin.

 

 

 

 

 

*All photos are mine unless otherwise stated*

Splendid Experience at the Moroccan House

*On a quest to try out different cuisines, find new restaurants in and around Pretoria*

I was so excited about trying out a new restaurant,  having tried Asian, South American and European cuisines, it was time for Africa.  I searched around and I found the Moroccan House. Moroccan House is in Menlo Park on Atterbury Road, Pretoria. Moroccan House is owned and managed by Joehan and Louise Erasmus.

Moroccan House Facebook Page



 

This place is exquisite, Moroccan House offers a guest house,  La Riad the function conservatory, Moroccan Imports, La Terasse Rooftop Café and Moroccan décor rental & Catering division.  Beautiful ornaments and lantern lamps lead you to the  reception area.

 



 

I made a booking the day before so when we arrived everything was quick at the reception and the service was friendly. We were led upstairs to the rooftop café for our lunch.  The La Terasse Rooftop Café & Deli upstairs is the most intimate yet so exotic space I have ever been to. It is unbelievable that it is on a rooftop of a guest house in South Africa, the place looked like it is in the middle of a desert, a vibrant market in Morocco or on the shore of  a North African beach. 

It is said that the Moroccan cuisine is the culinary star of  North Africa, you can trace the country's history of colonisers and immigration through its traditional dishes. Moroccan cuisine has the Arab, French, Middle Eastern, African and Jewish influences.

DRINKS

My friends ordered the Moroccan Magic Juice: a blend of pomegranate, apple and pear juice with sparkling spring water.

 

I had a Moroccan infused cordial - ginger with a dusting of chilli. This homemade ginger drink definitely gave me that kick that Stoney ginger beer will give you. The beauty of this refreshing drink is that it didn't have too much sugar and had no acid.

THE FEAST

APPETISERS
Spicy Harissa Prawns


Served on a green salad

drizzled with sundried
tomato and preserved lemon
dressing.

Moroccan Tangy Chicken Wings

Roasted in a tomato & blue cheese basting with saffron, ginger and coconut milk.

MAIN COURSE

Lamb Tagine with Dates & Honey

 

Served in a tagine, is a traditional lamb tagine prepared with dates and honey. Served with couscous.

 

 

Chicken Bastilla /Pastilla: Served with a salad, is a Moroccan fusion chicken pie with layers of phyllo pastry, orange blossom water and roasted almonds with a rich chicken and egg filling, topped with mushroom relish.



 

 

Oxtail Tagine: Tender meat cooked overnight in a clay urn called Tangia with onion and subtle use of spices and herbs.

 

The stews are cooked in a Tagine; a cone shaped cooking vessel used in North Africa.  The unique shape allows the meat ( lamb & oxtail, in this case) to slow cook for a luscious, tender texture.  The main meals ( stews) were served with couscous;  a Moroccan staple food made from semolina grains and steamed in a colander like dish known as couscoussiere.

 

 

 

Of course not being privy to Moroccan culture, we didn't order tea. Joehan, the owner, offered us some tea and explained that Moroccans normally have about three cups of mint tea in one meal.  "Mint tea is traditionally served in small glasses, when it is served, the person poring the tea holds the teapot high above the glass so as to create a little foam in each person's glass. Moroccans tend to like their extremely sweet, but one may choose to use less sugar". Joehan sweetened our tea with honey. It was very tasty and delectable. A drink I could easily enjoy everyday.

 

DESSERT

Rosewater Brownie & Ice cream delight: With rose & saffron syrup and strawberries
Rosewater Cheesecake: Rosewater & Turkish delight cheesecake
Orange Blossom Cheesecake: Orange blossom & Turkish delight cheesecake

 

 

For desserts and cordials, rosewater and orange flower water are important ingredients in Morocco.  Also, in Morocco cooking is enhanced with fruits, dried and fresh like apricots, figs, dates, raisins etc.

 

I checked and took home a few Ghoriba cookies. The Moroccan cookies are chewy like macaroons and some taste like short-bread.  Moroccans generally have a sweet tooth, their cookies are sweet and rich. You can taste the spices like cinnamon in some of the cookies and some taste like chocolate macaroons.

 

 

 

La Terasse Rooftop Café & Deli

Found on their website "Hospitality and authenticity are key in the success of Moroccan House, and coupled with the owners' quest for excellence and attention to detail, our patrons are promised a matchless experience".

 

I can honestly say that the above quoted statement is a true reflection and more of what our experience was at the Moroccan House.  The food was exotic and delicious. We enjoyed all our dishes and drinks. The exotic spices used to prepare their dishes give the Moroccan cuisine the different flavours unusual to our cuisine here at home. Their service is excellent, they are here to please the client and go beyond that. I've been to a lot of restaurants where the manage will come and ask whether "everything is okay", at the Moroccan House it didn't feel like it was his duty to do that, it was sincere and he was on a mission to give us an unforgettable experience. Also, I was very impressed with their knowledge of the food they were serving us, how it is made in Morocco and why it is prepared that way. I liked their honesty when it comes to dishes that have been prepared  to suit South Africa, e.g pastilla made with chicken instead of dove.

Moroccan House is definitely a place I could be a regular at and a place to bring a friend to for that magical dining experience.  I suggest you visit Moroccan House if you are looking for a different dining experience coupled with top-notch service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* All photos are mine unless otherwise stated*