I FINALLY TRIED REVOX B77

 

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Today we're talking about a European low-cost skincare brand that you've probably heard of but I don't see getting a ton of online hype: Revox B77. They have their selection of single-ingredient active serums, but there are also a number of everyday staples in the line that are pretty universal. Let's get into the products I tried from the range...

Let's start with the serums. I'm not the biggest fan of single-ingredient serums, right off the bat! However, there are three areas in which I use them: for exfoliants, for my antioxidant and for my retinoids, so that's what I tried out from the Just collection for my review.  First up, we have the CoEnzyme Q10 Anti-Ageing Serum* | £5.54. This is a morning serum formulated with CoQ10 (AKA Ubiquinone); this is an antioxidant, meaning it protects the skin from free radical damage in our environment. In turn, that means it has well-ageing benefits by preventing premature skin ageing. This is a simple but effective and very stable option when it comes to antioxidants; it's been well-studied and over the years it's become much more affordable. It's kind of hard to review the long-term benefits of antioxidants in this type of post because you won't really know how well it worked for you within a reasonable timeframe! Therefore, I tend to focus on how well-supported the antioxidant benefits are in the studies we have and, in terms of my personal experience, hone in on the short-to-medium term benefits. This is a very simple formula; CoQ10 is an oil-soluble antioxidant so this serum has a silky texture with an extra dose of moisture, which my skin definitely appreciates in such a pared-back serum. I like how this feels and it does hydrate my skin, leave it looking and feeling plump and also helps give my complexion a fresh glow (which is much-needed in the depths of winter!)

Next, let's talk about the Centella Asiatica Regenerating Pure Solution* | £5.54. I generally enjoy centella as a skincare ingredient; this extract (also known as cica or tiger grass) is often found in Korean skincare products and has anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits. I'm not sure if its this particular product or perhaps it's just having this extract on its own without any additional beneficial ingredients, but I just didn't feel like this serum did that much for my skin. It's very simple and has a water-based gel serum base and doesn't contain much else outside of the cica. This was kind of hydrating, but I honestly didn't feel like it did much for my skin at all, unfortunately! For my routine; it's not worth the extra skincare step and I'd rather get my cica within an overall formula that I find more beneficial for my skin than this.

One of the products I was most interested in trying was the Retinal Anti-Ageing Serum* | £5.54. Retinal is my favourite form of retinoid, and until fairly recently, it was pricey choice! However, it's getting cheaper and cheaper and this is officially the most affordable retinal I've tried so far. Let's rewind a minute: what is retinal and what are retinoids? Retinal is a form of retinoid and retinoid are pretty much the only skincare ingredient that studies show can not only prevent signs of ageing (by increasing skin cell turnover and boosting collagen production) but also treat existing fine lines. If you're 30+ (and not pregnant or breast-feeding), I do think a form of retinoid should be you primary PM routine active. Cosmetic retinoids need to be converted by your skin into retinoic acid in order to be bioavailable, and with each conversion your retinoid will lose its potency. Retinal sits above the more-famous retinol on this chain and just beneath retinoic acid. Personally, I've found this to be the most effective, fast-acting and least-irritating forms of retinoid I've tried. This serum has a hydrating humectant base with added antioxidant Vitamin C. It's a water-based serum, which was surprising for me since I've tended to find retinal in creamy-based products. In terms of how well this worked for me; I think this is pretty good. It's not my favourite retinal in terms of visible results and I do wonder if emulsions just provide a better delivery system for this ingredient in my skin. However, it wasn't irritating and it worked fine as general maintenance of smoother, more even skin.

Finally, for the serums, we have the Lactic Acid + HA Gentle Peeling Solution* | £5.54. This is an exfoliating treatment that I personally like to use once or twice a week as part of my PM routine, and when I use it I'm skipping my retinoid. Lactic Acid is one of my favourite chemical exfoliants; it really gets the balance right between results and gentleness, for me. It's an AHA with powerful brightening and resurfacing properties, but it has a larger molecular structure for slow absorption (when compared to harsher acids like glycolic) and has hydrating properties that take off the edge. This formula further boosts the hydration factor with hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin. I find this really gentle, it doesn't dry out my skin and - most importantly - it works! This gives my skin an even glow and leaves it feeling soft and smooth by morning. I'm not totally sure what concentration of Lactic Acid is in this serum as the brand doesn't specify, but I don't find it to be too much for my skin at all and if you're sensitive generally but tend to like lactic acid: give it a go!

Note everyone is a facial oil person, but I absolutely am, so I wanted to try the Blend Oil Nourishing Serum* | £5.54. Personally, I wouldn't describe this as a serum because it isn't active, it isn't water-based and I wouldn't apply it at that stage in my routine. This facial oil is formulated with a combination of simple but effective plant oils that are probably in your favourite skin-softening moisturisers, such as grape seed, jojoba, almond and argan. These oils work as emollients that soften and smooth the skin; personally I like to use this after my moisturiser just to 'lock in' my entire routine and ensure I wake up with silky skin. It's not greasy, it's not heavy and I don't think anyone with combination or normal skin would find this to be pore-clogging. I'm really enjoying this as a 'booster' for my dry winter skin. 

Ok, we are out of the 'Just' range and into some more complex formulas, starting with the Collagen Amino Acids + HA Moisturiser* | £5.54. This is one of those products that's pretty simple but it just works. Ok, the tube isn't huge, but I still think this offers good value for money and I personally like to throw this in my bag when I'm travelling. This is a melting lotion formula featuring collagen, allantoin and urea. Whilst unfortunately the collagen molecule is too large to penetrate into the skin and replace lost collagen, it's still a really effective topical moisturiser. Allantoin has soothing properties and urea is a natural moisturising factor (in the right concentration it can also have mild exfoliating properties). There's also glycerin and hyaluronic acid in here to draw in hydration. What really impressed me about this moisturiser is how light it feels whilst also leaving my skin soft and hydrated all day during the winter months. I don't know how it does it, but it just works, and I think even much more oily-prone skin than mine could still get along with this. It's probably as close to universal as a moisturiser can get!

Finally, let's talk about the Daily Sun Shield SPF 50+ PA+++* | £5.54. Again, it's not the most generous-sized tube for a daily use product, but it's travel-friendly and only a fiver, so I can't really complain! This really impressed me with how tracelessly it vanishes into the skin; it has a hydrating but non-greasy lotion texture and it really doesn't feel like anything on the skin. It's lightweight and doesn't have any kind of film or excess once applied, making it a great everyday option for those who want to incorporate regular sunscreen application into their routine but need minimal fuss in order to do so. This is a chemical sunscreen with a high level of broad-spectrum protection, combining both traditional filters and some of the newer, more elegant options on the market. Personally, I have applied this around my eyes and didn't find that it irritated them, though I've obviously not tried this one in hot weather yet (though, in all fairness, it doesn't make claims of water resistance anyway). Honestly, the only negative I can think of is that this does contain fragrance, which you might not expect from this type of brand and can be irritating to some people when combined with some of those older-style chemical sunscreen filters. However, if you're on a budget and you're searching for that elusive 'every single day' sunscreen texture; this could be the one.

All in all, I had a pretty positive experience with the brand; my top-tier picks are the moisturiser, sunscreen and facial oil, I also really enjoyed the CoQ10 and Lactic Acid and I wasn't a big fan of the Retinal or Centella Asiatica. But, for the price-point, I wouldn't be mad at having a couple that didn't quite hit the mark given how many really worked for my skin!

Have you tried anything from Revox B77?

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