Typology Skincare Review- Best Buys UK
In Depth Review of French Brand Typology and Best Buys for all Skin Types
I am so blessed to have received a sample selection of Typology products to review (disclosure- ad/gifted), I’ve been trying them out over the last few weeks to bring this run down of some of their fabulous products. Typology is a French brand, all of their skincare is made in France. In a typical Franch way, the brand is very stylish and beautifully designed. The Typology philosophy is pared down formulas, with fewer ingredients, and I’m all for that. I think one of my favourite things about Typology, is their commitment to keeping their packaging as environment friendly as possible. Their boxes are all card, they use aluminium tubes- which is the only metal that can be recycled repeatedly, their package are designed flat so they can be be posted easily, which is helps save carbon emissions.
Given the recent news on climate change, sustainability is more and more important. I love that this is central to the Typology brand. I’m all about the skincare for sure, but the environmental impact of my shopping is becoming a bigger factor in my purchasing decisions.
Typology In a nutshell
- Deliver to UK and Europe (also USA, but there may be custom charges)
- Minimalistic packaging, designed to be recycled
- B Corp certified- A certification of excellence in sustainability, transparency, environmental friendliness and accountability
- Peta approved
- Mostly fragrance free
- Simple minimalistic ingredients lists
- They display percentages
- Stunning packaging- looks rich!
- Mid range pricing, 30ml products are around £20, but you can get smaller sizes for less
- Lovely shopping experience- the website is beautiful to look at, easy to navigate and you can easily get advice about your purchasing with their “Diagnostic Test”
- Available from Typology.com
I got my selection of products by filling in their easy to navigate regimen builder which asks in depth questions about your skin to select the best products for your skin issues. It’s a lot more responsive than The Ordinary’s version, which has suggested some really random products for me in the past. There are questions like “How does your skin feel as the day progresses?” and “How does your skin normally react to products?”, so it really gets a feel for your skin.
The Typology Diagnostic Test suggested for me- Periodic Serums, Eye Contour Serum Q10 3% + Macadamia Oil, Plumping Serum Hyaluronic Acid 3% + B5, Prickly Pear Oil, Firming Moisturiser 0.2% Retinol + Tsubaki Oil, Hydrating Cleansing Bar with Palmarosa, 7 Ingredient Cleansing Oil.
Typology Periodic Serums- Woman 2001 Review
This is a set of four serums designed to be used at sequential weeks of the menstrual cycle. This is one of my favourites out of the products I’ve tried. There are 4 little dropper bottles in a lovely card box (very recyclable), each product has it’s own effect suitable for the changing skin of a woman in her natural cycle. Which isn’t to say that you wouldn’t enjoy these if you don’t have a hormonal cycle, you could just use whichever of the Periodic serums suits your skin that day. I don’t know about you but I’m not that switched on to my menstrual cycle so I haven’t been exactly religious about which week I’m on and which serum I’m using.
For me, the biggest changes in my skin as my monthly cycle progresses is that it becomes oilier and spottier around the time of ovulation and around my period
Serum Periodic 1 Hydrating and Soothing- Main Ingredients- Cornflower water (soothing), Glycerin (hydrating), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydrating), Aloe Vera Juice Powder (soothing), Bisabolol (soothing)- This is a thick milky serum with no scent, it’s very pleasant and hydrating, good for irritated skin. It isn’t sticky and it doesn’t pill. I’ll say that it is a little tricky to get the serum out, and Typology have put a little instruction leaflet in with the serums. You have to empty the dropper, reinsert with pressure still on the bulb, then release. I would love a much bigger bottle of this serum, it’s lovely.
Serum Periodic 2 Glow and Bounce– Main Ingredients- Sugarcane extract (hydrating), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (anti oxidant, good for acne), Blueberry, Orange and Lemon extract(exfoliation)– A similar texture to the Periodic 1, a thick moisturising serum. I think that the desired effect of this serum is exfoliation as there is a warning to wear sunscreen (do that anyway!). It doesn’t sting going on, I think any exfoliating effect is going to be mild. There is orange and lemon oil in this, which may be irritating but it has no discernible citrus smell to me.
Serum Periodic 3 Hydrating and Astringent- Main Ingredients- Glycerin (hydrating), Xylitol (hydrating), Glucose (hydrating)- This is packed with humectants to draw moisture into thirsty skin. It does contain alcohol and you get that cool dry down sensation that alcohol gives. It has a similar texture to the rest of the Periodic serums- thick and hydrating with no stickiness(hydrating). It’s a nice serum.
Serum Periodic 4 Mattifying and Anti Blemish- Main Ingredients- Glycerin (hydrating), Zinc PCA (a natural moisturising factor which reduces oiliness and bacterial production). Zinc PCA is the sort of supportive ingredient you need around the time of your period when oil and zits are at their worst. Periodic 4 is mildly mattifying, hydrating and unscented.
All four of these serums are a lovely addition to any skincare routine, they’re hydrating and pleasant, definitely recommend, even if you don’t happen to have a monthly cycle.
Eye Contour Serum Q10 3% + Macadamia Oil Lab 1014 Review
Ingredients list- Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Oil
This is a great anti aging oil for mature, dry eye areas. It has 3% Q10 aka Ubiquinone, which is a coenzyme that increases metabolic energy in the skin and reduces free radicals. Check out this In Vivo study. Q10 slows aging and increases skin resilience by reducing free radicals in the skin. Q10 naturally reduces as we age, so it’s a great addition to an anti aging routine. Typology’s Eye serum has 3% Q10, which is a decent amount.
As well as Q10, there is also Macadamia nut oil, which is said to be the closest oil to the skin’s naturally produced sebum. Macadamia does have a comedogenic rating of 2-3, so those prone to clogging might have an issue. For those of us with dry skin (and I do suffer with this as I’m using tretinoin on my under eye area), Macadamia is a lovely rich oil with essential fatty acids to nourish the skin.
Typology Eye Contour serum has a rich thick oily texture and a beautiful golden yellow texture. It has no fragrance. You don’t need a lot, just a tiny drop on your finger tip is enough to tap into the eye area and deeply moisturise both under eyes. A really lovely oil for treating crepiness and preventing under eye aging.
Plumping Serum Hyaluronic Acid 3% + B5 Lab 1001
£21.90 for 30ml
Ingredients HA 3% + B5- Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid.
It’s a similar product to The Ordinary’s HA + B5, a gel like hydrating serum but it has a less tacky feel. I also haven’t noticed the pilling effect that I get with The Ordinary’s HA. It’s the sort of thing I like to use alongside a watery mist to help work it into the skin to help boost hydration. The ingredients include Sodium Hyaluronate, which is a salt of hyaluronic acid. Sodium Hyaluronate is a smaller molecule than Hyaluronic Acid, which means it absorbs better into the deeper layers of the skin.
It also has 1% Aquaxyl, which is a complex of molecules related to Xylitol designed to support the action of Hyaluronic Acid and boost hydration. Panthenol aka Vitamin B5 is great for the skin, it’s both moisturising and sooting- a great pairing for HA.
In terms of the feel and performance Typology HA is great. It has a really nice feel, it spreads well and absorbs well. It doesn’t pill or feel sticky once it dries down.
Firming Moisturiser 0.2% Retinol + Tsubaki Oil LAB-2004
Ingredients-Aqua (Water), Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Diglycerin, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycine Soybean (Soybean) Oil, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Levulinate, Retinol, Sodium Anisate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide
The Retinol + Tsubaki oil moisturiser has the chic packaging that we expect from Typology, it comes in a metal tube, so the delicate Retinol is safe from air degradation. It has a good concentration of pure Retinol in a moisturising base, making it a great choice for someone starting their retinoid journey. Typology advise that it can be used in the morning and the evening.
Tsubaki oil isn’t a plant oil that I’m particularly familiar with, so I had to do some research. It’s derived from the seeds of Japanese Camellia, it has antimicrobial properties and low comedogenicity, making it a good choice for acne prone skin. The cream itself has a light oily texture, absorbs well and doesn’t make my skin feel greasy. I did notice a little pilling when applying an oil on top, FYI. There is no fragrance added or any scent when applied, which is great.
Organic Prickly Pear Botanical Oil RAW-1013
This is 100% pure, cold pressed Prickly Pear oil in a UV protected dropper bottle. It has a light yellow colour and a distinct nutty aroma. It has a moisturising texture and feels lovely and comforting to the skin. I was particularly interested to try this oil as an acne sufferer as it’s meant to be great for acne prone skin.
I had a look to see if there was any scientific basis for the claim that Prickly Pear oil could help with acne, after all we are taught to avoid pure plant oils when we suffer from blemishes and pores. It seems that there is some evidence that applying topical prickly pear oil could help with spots. The thing that makes Prickly Pear so special is it’s high concentration of Linoleic acid- more than 70%. Linoleic acid is a free fatty acid that is naturally found in the skin, but studies have shown that acne sufferers have produce less Linoleic acid than those with normal skin. There was one study that showed at 25% reduction in acne spots compared to the control. The Linoleic acid content gives the oil a lighter texture compared to other plant oils, so it doesn’t feel greasy or oily.
Prickly Pear also has a high concentration of vitamin E, polyphenols and antioxidants, so it will help contribute to anti aging. I’ve loved using this oil. I’ve been adding a couple of drops to my moisturiser to increase the glow factor in the day and to enriched my night product. It’s definitely helped with healing any blemishes I’ve had. I’m using prescription products to treat my acne and adding the Typology Prickly Pear has been a great moisturising, soothing addition alongside the irritating acne treatments.
7 Ingredient Cleansing Oil TEN 202
Ingredients- Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil (Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Annuus
I would say, as much as I’ve loved the Typology products I’ve tried, the Cleansing Oil is my favourite. It has gorgeous light texture. It spreads beautifully and you can really work it into the skin. I’m a cleansing oil person, I love them for removing makeup and spf at the end of the day and for a gentle morning cleanse. They are great for any skin type in my view, I have oily skin and I find them refreshing and non stripping, which is ideal. Typology’s 7 Ingredient oil is a great oil cleanser, and I’ve tried plenty.
It has a lighter texture than most, which means that it’s easier to work with and it lifts mascara beautifully. It lasts for ages too, you don’t need more than a few drops to do the full face. It leaves the skin comfortable, clean and non greasy- thoroughly recommend!
Typology Skincare Review- Best Buys
I’m loving what I’ve tried from Typology, and there are so many other interesting products that I’m interested in- I’m looking at the suncare and tinted serums. The packaging is beautiful, the price points are reasonable and I love their simple fragrance free ingredients lists. For me, my favourites were the Cleansing oil and Prickly Pear oil. Let’s have a look at each product and who they would suit best-
- Serums Périodiques– Good for dry dehydrated skin, a great gift for a lady friend and a fun purchase for anyone
- Q10 3% Eye Contour Serum with Macadamia Oil– Great for those with drier or mature skin looking for anti aging and prevention effects
- Hyaluronic Acid 3% + B5– Good for dehydrated skin and for those looking for a non sticky version of the Ordinary HA + B5
- Retinol 0.2% + Tsubaki Oil Moisturiser– A good gentle Retinol cream for those with sensitive skin or for those just starting out with retinoids
- Prickly Pear Oil– Great for acne sufferers looking for a moisturising ingredient suitable for their skin
- 7 Ingredient Makeup Up Removing Cleansing Oil– Great gentle cleanser for all skin types
References
Knott A, Achterberg V, Smuda C, et al. Topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin’s Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects. Biofactors. 2015;41(6):383-390. doi:10.1002/biof.1239
Letawe C, Boone M, Piérard GE. Digital image analysis of the effect of topically applied linoleic acid on acne microcomedones. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1998 Mar;23(2):56-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.1998.00315.x. PMID: 9692305.
Thanks for reading, if you’re interested in 2021 Advent Calendars, check out my pal Katie Floss for her round up of beautiful beauty calendars available in 2021.
