Let’s talk about the Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion Lotion (£23.50), which has been my favourite moisturiser since I first started using it, it is quite expensive but it was recommended to me because it was oil-free, lightweight and hydrating. After a few years of using this moisturiser I can fully attest to all three of those claims. I like to wear it beneath makeup because it provides a nice base and takes seconds to sink in. In spite of this, it has come to my attention that beauty is more than just how a product performs. Especially with skincare. Skincare is different to makeup, it is not going to give you immediate results. To see a change it is necessary to use one product continuously.
Furthermore, the majority are loyal to certain brands and skincare products and stick to the same tried and tested products unceasingly until something new enters our orbit; I am the same. After watching videos by Stephanie Nicole (she is fantastic I highly recommend her channel) it has opened my eyes to all the things we don’t discuss in the beauty blogger community. Beauty bloggers are a dime a dozen and to uncover the performance of a product you don’t have to look very far. Instead of covering the basics that all of us know, I want to help you, and myself, to become informed consumers and be aware of what you’re purchasing. I hope this is okay with you all.
Onto the actual review, I hope you’re ready. I have learnt so much this morning. First and foremost, this is not a moisturiser it is a lotion. There are a few key differences, for instance a lotion has a thinner consistency and a higher water base than your standard moisturiser. Lotions tend to be more popular for the body and can be less hydrating for the skin than a moisturiser. The Triple Performing Facial Lotion is also an emulsion, which is a light moisturiser. This product is therefore suitable for anyone with combination to oily skin as it is light like a lotion but still provides the skin with moisture. Those with dry skin will not find this product moisturising enough.
An important point to be conscious of is that an SPF 15 for a sunscreen lotion is abysmal, nowhere near the amount of protection the delicate skin of the face requires. You want to be wearing at least SPF 30. Take that into account when applying products on top as they can provide a more effective, stronger barrier against harmful sun rays. Studies everywhere have shown the most effective way to prevent aging and to keep skin looking youthful is sun protection. So if you can’t do it for your health then do it for vanity, the end result is the same.
Onto the most important part: ingredients. The ingredients on the Benefit website are split into two. There are the active ingredients and other ingredients. Active ingredients are ingredients that have scientific research behind them showing they have a pharmaceutical effect. In this particular moisturiser all the active ingredients are proven to be effective against sun damage. There are four active ingredients, you can see their names and quantities here: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: OCTINOXATE (7.49%), AVOBENZONE (3.00%), OCTOCRYLENE (2.00%), SULISOBENZONE (1.50 %).
Octinoxate is an ingredient that protects the skin from sun damage. The FDA approves the use of this product up to quantities of 7.5% maximum and in this particular product it is just under that. For more details click here. Avobenzone is a non-toxic and non-irritating component, which is effective in absorbing harmful, sun-burning rays. Recent research suggests it is not as safe as previously thought as it photounstable, which means that the ingredient doesn’t work as well after being exposed to light. Octocrylene helps improve sunscreen efficacy and stabilise photounstable ingredients like avobenzone, so the inclusion of this somewhat counteracts the avobenzone. However, it might not be suitable for people with sensitive skin . For more information read this article here. Finally, Sulisobenzone also known as Benzophenone-4 can be an irritant. This study shows the inclusion of sulisobenzone in cosmetics and toiletries can lead to dermatitis in some people with sensitive skin. Dermatitis is when skin becomes red and swollen after using an external product.
Here is a breakdown at the rest of the ingredients that comprise this product, you don’t have to read all of it, but I found it interesting to uncover the purpose of each ingredient. There is a lot so I will break it up into three paragraphs so as not to overwhelm you all. The ingredients are mentioned in the order they appear on the website, typically ingredients are presented with the ingredient which makes up the highest quantity of the product being listed first and the ingredient making up the lowest quantity being mentioned last, that is something to bear in mind as there are a lot of great ingredients like hyaluronic acid and xylitol, but they appear towards the end of the list.
OTHER INGREDIENTS: WATER (just a base, this is an oil-free moisturiser making it suitable for people with oily skin), GLYCERIN (skin repairing ingredient found naturally in the body, prevents dryness and scaling, is also popular ingredient in primers as it boost the longevity of makeup), DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE (an emollient, helps other ingredients penetrate better and gives a velvety feel to the skin), BUTYLENE GLYCOL (helps other ingredients penetrate better), PENTYLENE GLYCOL (skin conditioning agent and solvent which means it helps remove grease and sebum), DIGLYCERIN (another skin conditioning solvent), C14-22 ALCOHOLS (an emulsion stabiliser), POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE (a plastic filler, helps product apply more smoothly), SILICA (mineral, able to absorb oil and sweat, also a thickening agent), BETAINE (an amino acid and anti-irritant), STEARETH-21 (an emulsifier), PHENOXYETHANOL (one of the least irritating preservatives), PHENYL TRIMETHICONE (skin conditioning agent).
COCO-GLUCOSIDE (least irritating surfactant, found in baby products, and also a foaming agent usually found in hair products), FRAGRANCE (usually included to mask the scent of other ingredients, this line smells of cucumber, very fresh and natural, so this gives me a pause for sure), C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE (formed as a reaction to other ingredients, an emulsifying agent), COCONUT ALCOHOL (emulsion stabiliser), POLYACRYLAMIDE (stabiliser and binder, suspected carcinogen – may cause cancer), C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN (emollient), SODIUM HYDROXIDE (also known as lye, a highly alkaline substance used in cleaning products), DECYLOXAZOLIDINONE (skin conditioning agent), TETRASODIUM EDTA (preservative and potential carcinogen), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (form of Vitamin E, skin conditioning agent), CARBOMER (thickening agent), XANTHAN GUM (binder and emulsion stabiliser), LAURETH-7 (an emulsifier), XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE (encourages the body to produce more hyalauronic acid, LINALOOL (can be toxic and irritating to the skin).
ANHYDROXYLITOL (skin conditioning agent), BUTYLATED HYDROXTOLUENE (antioxidant, used as a preservative), XYLITOL (helps skin retain natural moisture and boosts production of hyaluronic acid), HEXYL CINNAMAL (fragrance, potential irritant, smells like jasmine), LIMONENE (enhances penetration, fragrance, can be an irritant, as it is towards the end of the ingredients list it isn’t too much of a concern), AJUGA TURKESTANICA EXTRACT (plant extract, not sure what this does), HYALURONIC ACID (one of the best ingredients in skincare, prevents loss of moisture, reduces inflammation but as this appears towards the end of the ingredients list, there is not a lot present in this product), SODIUM HYALURONATE (very similar to hyaluronic acid, but it can penetrate the skin more easily).
Based on the ingredients and price of this product I am no longer happy to recommend it to other people, there are quite a few nasty ingredients in here, including several which add fragrance. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this product for anyone with dry to normal or sensitive skin and for those of you with similar skin to mine there are less expensive products available with better ingredients. Plus, with an SPF 15 this really just isn’t worth your time. As well as ingredients, I know there is a greater interest in using products from companies that are against testing on animals. This is a confusing topic because although on the Benefit Cosmetics FAQs they clearly state they do not test on animals and support alternative research methods their products are sold in China, where it is required by law that cosmetics must undergo animal testing. So they do test on animals.
I hope you’re all alive and awake at the end of this, thank you so much for reading especially if you got this far. This post took me six hours to write, I kid you not, so if you managed to read even any of it please let me know in the comments any thoughts you have. I would also love some skincare recommendations, similarly if there is anything you want me to do an in-depth review on I am more than happy to do that. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin’ to stay up to date with my latest posts. Have a lovely day. Take care.
What skincare products do you love?
Love ❤
Kiran