Their products have taken the industry by storm and I am here to put them to the test and see if they worth the hype.
Having heard about the brand a lot I decided to have a look at their range and see for myself what the fuss about. First things first I was surprised by how inexpensive the products were. I went forward and added the one I was after to my basket and continued to the checkout. There it was. A small notification box informing me there’s free shipping on orders over £25. Little do I need to say I went straight back to the shopping page on the hunt for more products to fill my basket. Please don't give me the judgmental look, I’m sure you’ve been in this situation before…probably more than once. I mean why pay five quid for delivery when you can invest the same money on a product and get them all for free. It's a win win!
A few days later and I had the pack in my hands. Five products to fit the needs of my oily skin. Here they are in order of use.
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
An exfoliating facial to retexturize the skin, correct uneven skin tone, deep cleanse the pores and give a glow from within.
How does it work? It basically causes a minor chemical burn on the upper layer of the epidermis which will trigger the skin’s defence mechanism. This repair mechanism will stimulate the collagen production that helps skin appear plumper, fresher and younger diminishing fine lines and visible pores along with hyperpigmentation over continuous use.
It does sound really good and here’s the catch. This is a very strong exfoliant and it comes with warnings. It should only be used by professionals or people who are used to chemical exfoliation. As I have mentioned in the past I am a big fan of acid exfoliants and have been using them religiously for the past year, therefore I am a good candidate for this product. However, after trying it I can say with confidence that even if you’ve never used acids before you can still give it a go. The only difference is that you need to build your skin’s tolerance towards this solution. The way to do it is easy, all it takes is patience. Gradually increase the application time every two times you use it. For example, the first two times limit the exposure to three minutes, next two times take it up to five and so on. By following this simple guide you can still enjoy the benefits a chemical exfoliant has to offer without the fear of irritation.
I use it once per week before bedtime to let my skin repair during the night waking up to beautiful fresh looking skin in the morning. FYI it does sting a bit upon application either you’re experienced or not but nothing too bad. Peeps, don’t forget your sunscreen, now that you’ve started the repair process you have to protect your skin against sun damage.
Salicylic Acid 2%
This is a BHA liquid to gel solution perfect for oily skins.
It unclogs the pores by penetrating deeper into the epidermis, this way not only it “cleans” the surface but “cleans” the walls of the pores as well, leaving them purified while it keeps your skin matte. It has a light consistency and is absorbed really quick. I am not a fan of gel-like exfoliants as sometimes they can leave a tacky feeling behind but this one sinks nicely into the skin. I use this once a day at night when the recovery process takes place to help clarify the skin. It doesn't really have a smell and doesn't sting at all. The only downside is the size of it, it comes in a 15ml bottle compared to all the other serums from the brand that come at 30ml. I went through it really quick and I’m already on the second bottle. It’s a good product and it does what is supposed to. That’s a thumb up!
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
I’m gonna start by saying this: One of the best products I have ever used!
I’ll try not to waffle too much but it’s so hard because this product is a game changer. I’m going to talk you through all the details but first, here's some history. Niacinamide also known as Vitamin B3 was primarily used for aged skin as it has proven benefits against hyperpigmentation, sun damage and fine lines. It helps the collagen production and boosts your skins barrier function by increasing the number of ceramides. Ceramides are the lipid molecules that hold the skin cells together - think of them as the glue in between two pieces of paper. An increased amount of ceramides result in better skin elasticity that restores moisture levels and helps skin fight against environmental attacks such as pollution, UV rays, smoking, free radicals etc. Another great benefit of Vitamin B3 is the anti-inflammatory action that helps calm acne papules and pustules, commonly known as spots.
I guess you’ve been wondering how can this product help oily skins. Here’s the tea.
Over time pores can become stretched from overproducing oil and while Niacinamide works by creating stronger bonds between the cells it tightens the pores making them not only appear smaller but reducing their actual size. Tighter pores mean controlled sebum activity, less sebum equals to less oils making it to the surface. By restoring the cells elasticity pores are shrunk back to their natural shape. The product targets oiliness by adding Zinc in the formulation. Even though when you think of beautiful skin Zinc is not the first thing that comes to mind it boosts the skin’s immune function that helps prevent inflammation caused by build up of oils. Also, it regulates the apoptosis which is the cell turnover as part of skin’s natural renewal process. These two ingredients together, Niacinamide and Zinc, reduce the amount of oil production which means fewer possibilities of clogged pores in the first place.
Overall this lightweight serum it’s a great addition to any regime and all skin types can benefit from it.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The one ingredient that has everyone talking about.
You have probably heard a lot about it unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past ten years. Hyaluronic acid can be naturally found in the human body hence why is rare to be rejected compared to chemical emollients. It attracts moisture to the skin by holding up to 1.000 times its own weight in water. By creating this moisture barrier it makes skin smoother and softer, plumps it and soothes it. Sensitive skins can benefit from it as it won’t irritate you while providing moisture to keep skin comfortable. The watery consistency makes it great for combination and oily skins as it hydrates without any residues that can clog pores. It’s lightweight enough for acne prone skins too, it will sink in straight away replenish the moisture loss caused by any medication without contradicting it.
Day after day I have noticed my skin was more “bouncy” and soft to touch. I ended up replacing my normal moisturiser with this one during the recent hot days to avoid any breakouts and it worked wonders.
Squalane
A plant-derived substance with moisturising properties.
It has an oily consistency and a little goes a long way, it does sink in quite quick compared to any other oils without feeling greasy and seals in the moisture. I promised you that all of my reviews will be honest and I have to admit that out of all the products I tried this is my least favourite. It didn't cause me any breakouts and it did leave my skin very soft but I can’t see myself using this every day. It provides a great level of moisture that dry skins can find beneficial but my oily skin doesn't really need it. Having said I can confirm it comes handy when those dry patches make their appearance.
Also here’s a little secret inspired by Instagram. I’m sure most of you have seen people using oils as primers to give skin a more dewy look so I thought to try this hack with Squalane, it is an oil after all. Boy, it did work! My skin looked so smooth, almost like airbrushed with a glow from within. If not a dewy look is not your thing though and you like a more natural makeup you can just pop a drop on the cheekbones to give some definition without having to add highlighter.
Final thoughts
Having tried all the products for a fair amount of time let's answer the question. Do they worth the hype? They do. Not only they deliver their promises but they are so well priced you can have a complete skincare regime without breaking the bank. Effective yet budget friendly I recommend to give the brand a try. Have you tried any products from them? Let me know what you think.
Cheers darlings,
Apo xX
No comments
Post a Comment