Since upping my skincare game in the last few months I’ve become a bit of an addict. Although I wasn’t totally sold on Drunk Elephant or the price tag! I did want to start investing more time and energy into my skin.
I started the process by trying out lots of “single-ingredient” brands, such as The Ordinary, Inkey List and Revolution Skincare. Trying to work out what did and didn’t, work for my skin.
About Facetheory
Facetheory felt like a natural progression from this. Their formulas are no-nonsense, you know what you’re getting with a clear INCI list and definitions.
It goes without saying that the brand is cruelty-free, but they are also vegan. This can be said of many brands but a defining point for me is that they offer an un-fragranced option for their fragranced products.
Now I love me a bit of fragrance, skincare for me isn’t just about the results but the experience. I know many are “anti fragrance”, especially those with really sensitive skin. So I think it’s a nice touch that they can still use facetheory products.
Another stand out is their returns policy. If you don’t like the product, you can return anytime within 365 days of using the product, no questions asked. Alas, I did have to use this service on one of the products I tried and I expected the process to be painful, but nope. One quick email and a returns label was sent over for me the same day, brilliant service!
Anyway onto the products!
Porebright Serum N10
This one promised to be a “light serum formulated with 10% niacinamide and azelaic acid to even out skin tone and reduce pigmentation, redness, and facial photoageing.”
Although I don’t have acne scarring I did want to try niacinamide to lessen some of the pigmentations on my skin.
It also contains a mild BHA, Salicylic acid, to help with the “porebright” element. Interestingly there’s also Azelaic acid in there, which is an ingredient that I’ve seen appearing a lot in skincare recently, I’m guessing due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Overall I’m really enjoying using this one. I use it in my serum step in the mornings, mainly as my main exfoliation happens in my PM routine, so this is a bit of a day time booster.
The formulation is very light for a serum, more of a “thick water” (is that even a proper word!). It soaks in quickly and doesn’t leave a tacky residue. It also plays well with the other products in my routine so far.
I haven’t been using it for very long, only a month, but overall I’m enjoying using it and seeing good results in terms of a reduction in redness and pigmentation.
You can purchase the serum direct from Facetheory, £14.99 for 30ml
Cera-C Pore Reducing Toner T1
“A lightweight toner formulated with ceramides and 5% niacinamide (vitamin B3) to balance oil, promote elasticity, and minimise pore size.”
Very similar to the serum in terms of the promise, but very different in the formulation. It still contains the niacinamide (lower concentration) but adds ceramides, lactic acid, stabilised Vitamin C and Vitamin B5 to the mix.
This one really didn’t agree with my skin. I used it in my nighttime routine after cleansing and it really felt like my skin was on fire. I guess this may have been the lactic acid as that would work to lower my skin’s PH but as I use a fairly strong AHA/BHA serum already I didn’t think that was likely. Either way, something in this was not my friend!
I also wasn’t a fan of the formulation. I love a toner that makes my skin feel fresh and ready for serums. This almost foamed a bit on application and went very sticky as it dried.
Sadly this one I didn’t use long enough to see any results so I did return it. Has to be said though the returns policy and customer service was excellent so big pluses there!
Glycomide Body Cream B1
I LOVE this! oh if teenage me had known about chemical exfoliation! I suffer from Keratosis Pilaris on my arms and legs, I have since my teens really. Over the years I feel like I have tried everything, scrubbing myself RAW on some occasions.
Now I’m older and (a little) wiser I’ve realised that chemical exfoliation is really the best way to go, I shudder to think what damage I did to my epidermis with all that scrubbing!
I use this daily on my upper arms and legs and I’ve seen a real improvement in my KP. It contains 9% Glycolic acid (so expect a slight tingle) within a thick and rich moisturising cream, made up of Rice bran oil, organic cranberry seed oil, and organic jojoba oil to provide rich hydration without any irritation.
Glycomide is not an ingredient I’ve heard of, but it contains “ceramide 3, a lipid which binds skin cells together, acting as a protective layer to retain moisture. Ageing and exposure to environmental factors cause it to decline. Glycomide can help replenish it, restoring your skin’s natural balance.”
So there you go! I can’t say if the Glycomide is essential to this working but I’m not complaining.
It’s worth noting that this is one of the products that has a fragranced and unfragranced option. I went with the fragranced option which was Bergamont and it’s lovely, including it in my evening pamper is a real treat.
You can purchase the body cream direct from Facetheory, £15.99 for 180ml
Facetheory Final Verdict
Not all amazing but still some great products! Out of the three, I will definitely be repurchasing the body cream. The serum was lovely but I like to experiment with my serums and try new things. If you haven’t tried facetheory but you value no-nonsense results in your skincare give them a try.
You can purchase all these products direct from Facetheory. Following this link to receive 20% off your first purchase (referral link)
