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MAD ABOUT SKIN | NEW LOOK, UPDATED REVIEW

 


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Today we're talking Mad About Skincare (MAS) by Rob, the YouTuber of the same name. You might remember my original review of the brand way back in 2021, but they've recently rebranched and relaunched with some old favourites and new formulas, so it only made sense to test everything out and update my thoughts...

Let's start with cleansing: I did try a different water-based jelly formula from this brand back when it first launched but it's been replaced with something just a little more moisturising (which my dry skin is not mad about!) The Cream Velvet Cleansing Wash* | £10.99 | is fragrance-free and formulated with a number of beneficial ingredients. Glycerin is a simple but effective humectant (meaning it draws water into the skin), squalane is a plant-based but skin-similar oil to soften and condition the skin, urea is a natural moisturising factor with some mild exfoliating properties, there's soothing chamomile extract and also allantoin, which helps to calm irritation. This comes out as a kind of creamy-gel hybrid; it looks like a cream when I squeeze the product out, but it melts into something more water-based as I massage it onto my skin. When I rinse it off, my skin has that softened, more nourished feeling that's characteristic of a more traditional cream cleanser. If you like the idea of something gentle, moisturising, non-foaming and non-stripping, but you don't like the feel of thicker, heavier cream cleansers then this is going to be perfect for you!

There's also a treatment formula in this range, which I have tried an earlier version of but tested out again for this review: the Light Chemical Peel Gel* | £18.99. This is the kind of product you're probably going to use once a week (in the evening) alongside a nice, nourishing ceramide cream without any additional actives as your general maintenance exfoliant. That being said, it's not a harsh peel (like some I could point to...) and I think you could enjoy this formula even if your skin is a little more on the sensitive side. This leave-on gel is formulated with 2% Lactic Acid, 2% Glycolic Acid, 2% Salicylic Acid and 2% Kojic Acid. Lactic and glycolic are your AHAs, known for their brightening and resurfacing benefits; lactic is known to be a little more gentle and hydrating, whereas glycolic really packs a punch (it can be irritating for some, but 2% is a pretty low concentration). Salicylic acid is your BHA; an oil-soluble exfoliant that can get into your pores and clear out spot-causing debris. Kojic acid is a tyrosinase-inhibitor, meaning it interferes with the pathways that cause the skin to produce hyperpigmentation. So, you're getting a formula that will a) help with active breakouts, b) improve the surface tone and texture of the skin and c) prevent discolouration from within the skin. This helps to smooth my skin's texture, it gives a glow boost when I wake up in the morning and it's working in the background to keep any hormonal breakouts at bay. Best of all, it's not irritating for my skin at all. Granted, there aren't many exfoliants that I can't handle at all, but this gets the balance between being effective and skin barrier friendly spot on!

Next, let's talk about the Multi-Active Super Serum* | £15.99. If you come here often, you will know that I'm a huge fan of multi-active serums over single-ingredient formulas. I don't have time in the morning to be putting on three separate serums that may or may not work well together; I'd much rather go for a product that hits all of the important beats in a single step. This serum could be used AM or PM but for me; I use a retinoid at night and these ingredients lend themselves more to a morning routine, so I only use it once a day. It's formulated with Vitamin C, Azelaic Acid, Peptides and Panthenol, so let's look at each of these ingredients. The form of Vitamin C in this formula is Ascorbyl Glucoside, which is gentler and less volatile than pure Vitamin C but it will still deliver some antioxidant benefits (protecting the skin from free radical damage), help to improve discolouration and give the skin a healthy glow. It's also bolstered by another antioxidant: CoQ10. Azelaic acid can both help improve hyperpigmentation (such as from blemish scars or melasma) but it also can improve the look and feel of rosacea for many people. Peptides are a well-ageing hero for me; they're hydrating, they're non-irritating and they could promote skin healing and collagen production (which depletes as we age). Then we have panthenol, which helps the skin to retain hydration (this serum is also formulated with glycerin, which draws in that hydration) and helps to soothe things. This is a really nice all-rounder that has left my skin looking and feeling bouncy and healthy. I think those with oily skin may not enjoy the texture; it's hard to describe and I can't really tell which ingredient creates this texture from the INCI list, but it has quite a thick, almost gel-oil texture. This sets down nicely and works under my sunscreen and makeup, but might give a bit too much glow for some!

One of the original products that seems to have made it through the rebrand is the Maximum Impact Moisturiser* | £10.99. This is a really nice, simple moisturiser, though honestly; revisiting this with my drier 30+ skin in the winter - I feel like it's not quite enough for me! Don't get me wrong, this product contains a lot of good stuff like glycerin, plenty of non-fragrant plant oils to soften and moisturise the skin and ceramides to help improve the skin's lipid barrier function (so you experience less irritation and things feel nice and hydrated). It has a kind of melting texture - like a cream-lotion, so it's definitely suitable for those with combination, or even oily skin, who want to support their skin barrier but need something lightweight and breathable. However, for my skin right now, I need something rich and thick to stop the cold weather and central heating drying out my face and I don't feel like this keeps things at bay enough for me. 

We also have SPF! The Protect & Hydrate SPF 50+ Sunscreen* | £16.99 | is a chemical sunscreen formula that contains a number of filters, including the old-school but reliable ones, but also a number of next-generation filters that are going to be extra gentle and more cosmetically-elegant. There's also niacinamide in here (to improve barrier function, modulate oil production in the skin and prevent discolouration), hyaluronic acid (a humectant) and Vitamin E (a flat-soluble antioxidant). I really enjoyed this formula; it's hydrating, it's lightweight, it melts in easily, it doesn't 'sit' on top of my skin and it doesn't pill up when I apply makeup over it. That's pretty much ticking all of the boxes! It also doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes when I apply it around the orbital area, which is my litmus test for how potentially-irritating a sunscreen formula could be. It's pretty much traceless on my skin and doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing sunscreen, which is exactly what makes me reach for a sunscreen as part of my everyday routine!

Finally, we have the Ultimate Anti-Ageing Oil* | £17.99. I know not everyone loves facial oils but, what can I say; I'm a facial oil girl! I just find that in winter they really help add that extra level of nourishment so I wake up with super-soft skin and all of the skincare I've applied beforehand is locked in with extra goodness. They're not necessary for most, but I really enjoy them, and I really enjoyed this product in particular. This is also no ordinary facial oil; it's formulated with my favourite form of retinoid: retinal. Retinoids are the most well-studied class of ingredient for boosting collagen production, reducing existing fine lines and improving signs of photoageing and discolouration. Retinal is the next step up from retinol but I actually find it gentler, as well as more effective, so it's a win-win! This is also an oil-based formula and actives formulated within an oil are always going to feel gentler on the skin despite this being a 0.05% formulation (which is moderate when discussing retinal). It's formulated with oat extract and Vitamin E for added calming and moisturising benefits and I honestly don't even feel like I'm using an active with this one. I personally apply this under moisturiser typically, like a serum so the active is directly on my skin but you can apply this after moisturiser if you're more sensitive and want to take the edge off. My skin has been looking plump, bouncy and smooth since using this product with no irritation at all. 


Have you tried Mad About Skin?



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