Remember when Poundland skincare included an entire own-brand vitamin C collection? The toner, in particular, was fantastic, but appears to have vanished from shop shelves. What the budget store now has on offer is a complete range of branded anti-ageing moisturisers and treatments, manufactured in one of the world’s emerging skincare powerhouses - Bulgaria. I decided to put two of them to the test.
These are skincare products sold by Poundland but not made for them.
The products I purchased are from recognised brand Biovene Barcelona. Popped in my basket were the Hyaluronic Day Glow and Retinol Night Lift. Both creams are sold in 50ml jars and set me back just £2.50 each. The same products are being sold on the likes of Amazon for well over £5. Direct from the brand, you’d pay £14.99 for the night cream and £10.99 for the day cream.
The ingredients
The brightening day cream is infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil, urea, aloe vera leaf juice, and chamomile flower extract, among other ingredients.
In the tightening night cream, there’s sweet almond oil, retinol, retinyl palmitate, strawberry fruit extract, and cherry fruit extract.
Biovene Barcelona is a clean Spanish beauty brand and all of its products are cruelty-free and vegan. It favours European manufacturing - hence Bulgaria being its choice for the skincare products I purchased.
Why Poundland skincare?
When it comes to using day and night creams, I don’t require anything too fancy. Why? Good question. It’s because I simply need products that will effectively lock my serums in and provide some moisturisation at the same time. If they come with additional benefits, that’s great.
I layer serums day and night, and apply SPF in the mornings.
Many high-end night creams that include potent skincare ingredients don’t feel terribly moisturising and I’ve lost count of the number of day creams that are simply too greasy to support my makeup routine.
Will these bargain basement creams be any different?
Before I reveal how I got on with them, let’s discover why Bulgaria is an excellent choice for the manufacture of skincare products.
Bulgaria and its reputation for good skincare products
Bulgaria, a Balkan state, has carved out an enviable niche in the global skincare market. The country's reputation for manufacturing high-quality skincare products initially stemmed from its centuries-old tradition of rose cultivation.
The Bulgarian rose, particularly the Damask rose, is celebrated for its exquisite fragrance and therapeutic properties. This precious flower has been cultivated in the Rose Valley, a fertile region in central Bulgaria, for centuries. Local makers have harnessed the rose's natural essence to create a wide range of skincare products, from luxurious face creams to revitalising serums. But not all products made in Bulgaria use rose extract.
Overall, Bulgarian skincare products are lauded for their natural ingredients, gentle formulas and effectiveness. Many brands prioritise the use of locally sourced, organic oils and water, ensuring purity and potency. The combination of traditional techniques and modern scientific advancements has allowed Bulgarian skincare manufacturers to develop innovative products that cater to diverse skin types and concerns.
As consumers increasingly seek natural and effective skincare solutions, Bulgarian factories are making a significant impact on the global market.
Poundland skincare products review
First up, I have to mention the packaging for these products. I love the way the day products are packaged in blue and the night products in a deep pinky-red with stylish silver branding. The colour system makes it easy to pick the right product, at the right time. The plastic jars are attractive and come with good seals. Both arrived boxed with adequate product information.
The first product I used was the Retinol Night Lift. It is a rich, set cream that is easy to apply and comprises 98% natural ingredients. It does have that faint ‘wax’ finish - something that I seek out in a night cream, because I know it’s going to seal in my serums and give them a chance to do their stuff while I sleep. As well as doing that, this cream moisturises the skin! I woke up with a hydrated, happy face.
Did it feel firmer? I am still in my first week of using it, so I cannot claim that I have noticed any dramatic lifting. However, after the second use, my skin did feel slightly firmer. The important thing for me is to cover my serums with a product that will stop them from evaporating before they’ve fully penetrated the outer layers of my face. This does that and some more.
The Hyaluronic Day Glow was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting to apply a cream that left my skin with a bit of a shine - a 'glow'. Turn your thoughts to the current trend for glass skin! But, no, this product is mattifying. Perfect as a base for makeup. Its ingredients are brightening so, over time, I expect them to fade dark spots and even out the tone of my complexion.
Another thing, it doesn’t feel overly moisturising. To me, it’s a silky treatment cream with priming properties. My makeup stayed in place all day after using this product. I like this product because of its ingredients and the fact that it will save me money - I won’t need to buy a primer. However, if you’re looking for a deeply moisturising day cream, this probably isn’t for you.
When Poundland launched its own brand of anti-ageing skincare products, consumers went wild for them. It sparked debate in the beauty community and saw leading skincare experts give their ‘take’ on the products. One of the things to come out of the discussion was that, while inexpensive products can include proven active ingredients they may not have them in the required strength or quantity to make much of a difference. Moving onto branded products sold in Poundland, I have to say I cannot find out how much of each active ingredient is in the creams. Even the manufacturer doesn’t state it.
Retinol strength is generally considered an important factor. That’s because it's best to start with a low strength and build up. I suspect the night cream probably has a low retinol strength of around 0.3% or less (but don’t quote me on that!), which is suitable for any type of mature skin. However, I’d always recommend carrying out a patch test before using a new product. Test a cream at least 24 hours before you intend to use it on your face.
Poundland skincare now delivers wide range of branded skincare products, including best-sellers from Skin & Tonic, Barry M, Balance Active and more.
Overall, I’m really happy with these creams. They do what I want them to do - and more. For the price, I consider them a great find and will continue to use them. I am 58 and have combination skin, and these products are right up my street!
For persistent skin concerns, always consult a medical professional.
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