If you haven’t tried any Stratia products yet, you’re truly missing out. Stratia is a brand founded in 2016 by Alli Reed, and since its original conception its become quite a hit amongst skincare lovers across the globe. The inspiration of the name comes from our Stratum Corneum – the name for the skins top most layer.
Stratia create products using researched and renown skincare ingredients, with effectiveness and results at the forefront of the formulations. One key component of each product is that they have been formulated to maintain a strong moisture barrier. Sometimes we forget the importance of a strong barrier, so having a brand that focuses on this when it comes to formulating products is amazing.
I was extremely lucky to be sent the whole range to try last year, and I’ve been slowly incorporating their products into my routines. I had been wanting to try their skincare for a while – especially the infamous Liquid Gold moisturiser due to all the positive reviews I had read about them.
My verdict of the whole range is that I absolutely love the products. They work extremely well, delivering the results as promised and have the nicest textures and formulations. This is a brand where you could easily use the whole range as a full routine, or you can incorporate some of the products into your existing routines.
VELVET CLEANSING MILK
What is it?
A rich, moisturising, non-foaming, milky cleanser that gently removes dirt, makeup and sunscreen from the face. The best thing about this is how gentle it is thanks to its focus on barrier repair in addition to cleansing. After cleansing with this, your skin will never feel stripped, tight or dry.
Targets
Dirt, Excess Oil
What’s in it?
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters – Water-soluble form of olive oil that gently removes makeup, dirt and sunscreen.
Rice Bran Oil – Moisturises the skin whilst dissolving stubborn buildup of dirt and oil.
Aloe Vera – Helps to heal and soothe skin, calming irritation and moisturising at the same time.
Who is it for?
Though the brand say that it’s designed for those with normal to dry skin, I actually think that everyone could use this and get on well with it. It’s particularly nice in winter when your skin needs something gentle and hydrating to cleanse with.
How to use
Use every morning and evening to clean your skin prior to applying serums. I’d say it works best as a second cleanse if you are a double cleanser. You can use this on dry skin but I prefer using it on slightly damp skin.
SOFT TOUCH AHA RESURFACING TREATMENT
What is it?
This is a leave-on exfoliating treatment that will reveal glowing, baby-soft, smooth skin. What I like best about this is that the acid of choice is Mandelic Acid which is a lot gentler than some of the other exfoliating acids used in treatments such as this. It’s great for brightening and exfoliating the skin as well as clearing clogged pores.
Targets
Dullness, Dryness, Uneven Texture, Hyperpigmentation, Clogged Pores
What’s in it?
10% Mandelic Acid – Exfoliates the skin, brightens, fades dark spots, stimulates collagen and and all with minimal irritation.
Chamomile Extract – Soothes the skin to prevent irritation.
Allantoin – Another skin soother and moisturiser.
Who is it for?
For anyone who has dull or dry skin that wants to achieve a healthy looking glow to their skin. Also good for anyone who has the occasional breakout because it keeps pores unclogged.
How to use
For me, this is an evening treatment. I would use this 2-3 times a week as the only active in my evening routine. The brand suggest you can use this daily once tolerance is built up, but that feels a little bit overkill for me. Of course you should always follow with a sunscreen the next morning after using this.
C+C VITAMIN C SERUM
What is it?
A 15% Vitamin C serum designed to brighten the skin, stimulate collagen and provide antioxidant protection. Vitamin C is great for protecting the skin against free-radicals caused by the sun and pollution. This serum uses L-Ascorbic Acid which is the gold standard form of Vitamin C. It’s housed in a creamy-silicone base that feels silky and hydrating on the skin. It’s certainly a glow-getter, I’ve seen a much brighter skin since using this.
Targets
Hyperpigmentation, Dull Skin, Lack of Firmness
What’s in it?
10% L-Ascorbic Acid – The purest form of Vitamin C. Provides the skin with antioxidant protection, stimulates collagen and brightens the skin.
5% Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate – An oil-soluble form derivative of Asorbic Acid that helps fight free radicals.
Coenzyme Q10 – Another antioxidant that’s found naturally within the skin.
Bisabolol – Soothes and calms the skin.
Who is it for?
Everyone! Seriously, everyone can benefit from using a Vitamin C or antioxidant serum in their routines. I like this one because it’s been formulated to be gentle and kind to the skin.
How to use
I use this in the morning after cleansing or after using a hydrating or exfoliating toner. Due to the silicone base, you do need to be a bit careful with layering this one or else you may get a bit of pilling. I tend to only use one serum in my morning routine, so I generally manage to avoid the pilling. It’s best to let the product absorb a little bit before applying moisturiser.
REWIND VITAMIN-RICH HYDRATING SERUM
What is it?
A light-weight vitamin rich serum designed to hydrate and brighten the skin. It does an excellent job as a hydrating serum, and I love the fact that they’ve added in some extra skin-brighteners to make it a little more multifunctional.
Targets
Dryness, Dehydration, Dullness, Fine Lines & Wrinkles
What’s in it?
DMAE – Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increasing skin firmness.
Niacinamide – Brightens and firms the skin. Regulates sebum production. Helps retain a healthy skin barrier.
Hyaluronic Acid – A moisture magnet – takes moisture from the air and absorbs it into the skin, causing a plumping and smoothing effect by way of hydration.
Who is it for?
This is another product from Stratia that everyone can use. Those suffering with dryness or dehydration would find this really beneficial in their routines, but other skins types will also enjoy using this. Hydration is so important to a healthy skin.
How to use
Apply after cleansing and before moisturiser. If I was using this and the C+C Serum in the same routine, I’d apply this first then the C+C Serum.
FORTIFY RESTORATIVE FACIAL OIL
What is it?
A facial oil containing the best skin-friendly plant based oils that really lives up to its name. It’s designed to help strengthen and build a healthy skin barrier by using a blend of Omega Fatty Acids. It’s quite a lightweight oil that absorbs quite nicely without leaving a greasy residue.
Targets
Dryness, Dehydration, Sensitivity, Damaged Skin Barrier, Dullness
What’s in it?
Camellia Seed Oil – Moisturising and calming towards the skin.
Tamanu Oil – Soothes the skin and provides antioxidant protection.
Squalane – A lightweight oil most identical to lipids found naturally within the skin.
Who is it for?
This is for those of you who have dry or dehydrated or sensitive skin. It’s ideal if your barrier is sore, sensitive and impaired.
How to use
I like to apply this underneath a moisturiser or mixed in with a moisturiser for an extra boost of hydration and skin nourishment. Mixing it in with the Stratia Liquid Gold is just *chefs kiss*. You only need a couple of drops of this to see the results.
NIGHT SHIFT ENCAPSULATED RETINOL NIGHT CREAM
What is it?
A encapsulated retinol based night moisturiser packed with skin-soothing ingredients.
Targets
Fine Lines & Wrinkles, Dullness, Dryness/Dehydration
What’s in it?
0.15% Encapsulated Retinol – Retinol is a gold standard anti-ageing ingredient due to its ability to promote skin cell turnover. It minimises fine lines & wrinkles and promotes collagen production in the skin.
Ceramides – Skin-identical lipids found in the skins natural moisture barrier. They help to promote a healthy skin barrier
Centella Asiatica (Cica) – An anti-inflammatory, barrier restoring, skin soothing ingredient.
Who is it for?
Anyone who wants to incorporate retinol into their routine, but doesn’t want the irritation that can come with it. It’s been formulated to be kind to the skin thanks to the added barrier boosting and soothing ingredients.
How to use
Use in the evening, preferably after a nice hydrating serum to minimise the irritation. If new to using retinoids use for 2 nights a week to begin with and slowly build up to nightly use. Always follow with a sunscreen the next day.
LIQUID GOLD LIGHTWEIGHT SKIN-STRENGTHENING MOISTURISER
What is it?
A superbly light-weight but ultra nourishing moisturiser. Everyone who has used this loves it and I can totally see why. It’s probably the product Stratia is most known for. It has everything you could possibly want in a moisturiser, from supremely hydrating to barrier-restoring ingredients. It’s immensely rich in ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. Definitely one of those moisturisers that is perfect for all skins.
Targets
Damaged Skin Barriers, Dryness, Dehydration
What’s in it?
Ceramides – Skin-identical lipids found in the skins natural moisture barrier. They help to promote a healthy skin barrier
Sea Buckthorn Oil – Rich in fatty acids to support your skins natural moisture barrier.
Niacinamide – Brightens and firms the skin. Regulates sebum production. Helps retain a healthy skin barrier.
Who is it for?
Everyone! I haven’t come across a person who doesn’t like this or doesn’t enjoy using it. It’s one of those moisturisers that is just perfect and you enjoy using.
How to use
Apply day & night after serums.
Stratia have also recently released a peptide based moisturiser named Interface. Interface boasts a three-peptide complex that aims to stimulate collagen production and skin protiens. I haven’t tried it myself, but going by what I have seen over on Instagram, it’s another hit from the brand.
In terms of the future, I’m not sure what they have up their sleeves, but I personally would love to see a Stratia sunscreen from them or perhaps even an eye cream. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on them in the future to see what they come up with…
What is your favourite Stratia product?
