First Skincare Empties of 2025

Garnier Gentle Peeling Water

This is a fantastic, affordable product. I don’t use it to take off makeup, but instead use it as an exfoliating step after cleansing and before my toner. It works to exfoliate the skin, lightly removing dead skin cells to reveal a more radiant complexion. If you like products that help you achieve that natural healthy glow, then this should be in your routine. It is a mild formula, but I would say that if you are more on the sensitive skin side, do a patch test first, just to be on the safe side. This gentle peeling water contains exfoliants & 1% PHA + Glycolic Acid (AHA, known for their gentle peeling efficacy to help exfoliate and leave skin smooth. I love how much it smooths my skin’s texture, and gives that healthy glow. Which Garnier water is your go-to, and have you tried this one? I would 100% buy this again, and I bought it for all the ladies in my family for Christmas.

*No7 Future Renew SPF40 Day Cream

With this collection, No7 used research from the University of Manchester and their breakthroughs in peptide technology (pepticology). This breakthrough technology supports skin’s natural self-repair and helps reverse visible signs of skin damage, fine lines & wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dryness, and loss of firmness. I loved this cream, loved it! It is a rich, hydrating day cream that is packed with ingredients designed to tackle all the key concerns for mature skin (like mine, I am almost 50). What stood out for me is that it has SPF40. I love having extra protection, and there is simply no point in investing in high-quality skincare if we don’t protect our skin from UV damage, which as we know accelerates ageing and contributes to pigmentation and texture issues. So wear your SPF.

I found this day cream deeply nourishing but not heavy or greasy, perfect for daily wear. I think it is the right balance of quality and affordability & it’s no surprise that I will 100% repurchase. The eye cream and the night cream from this collection is 10/10. Have you tried it, or what are your favourite No7 products?

*Tropic Tamanu Healing Balm

This is simply a wonderful multipurpose balm (I love that it is green). I use it for so many things, on chapped lips, cuticles, dry skin and I even use it as an eye cream. It is jam packed full of natural and heeling ingredients, With tamanu oil (aka ‘green gold’) at its core, which is a centuries-old Polynesian remedy known for its ability to stimulate skin & help soothe inflammation, while deeply nourishing. Alongside the tamanu oil, Tropic have blended it with hydrating, soothing monoi and cocoa butters which are hydrating and calming and if that wasn’t enough it also contains antioxidant-rich blackcurrant extract and raspberry seed oil.

This balm is a ‘does all product’, and you will not regret having it in your bag / beauty routine. I take it everywhere. This pot lasted me so long and that was with me using it for so many things on a regular basis, it just lasts forever. I just can’t say enough good things about it and think it is the ultimate multipurpose balm.

Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Day Serum

I love both the day and night versions of this vitamin C serum from Garnier. In a nutshell, it is formulated to boost radiance, even out skin tone and protect against free radicals. It has a 3.5% concentration of vitamin C which really gets to work, helping your skin look fresh and glowing.  Alongside other skin loving ingredients like Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid which help gently exfoliate to reduce texture and blemishes and Lemon Extract which works to brighten skin. This is just a great and affordable product to have in your routine. It is a product I always recommend.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Fig Cleansing Balm

Fig and all things fig scented are my fave, I adore anything with fig as an ingredient. This is the 3rd 100ml pot of this I have been through, and It won’t be the last. It is a forever repurchase for me. The Elemis cleansing balms are a cult product, and it is easy to see why. Nothing removes makeup like this, it has a balm to oil texture that just cuts through even stubborn waterproof mascara, it is gentle and feels amazing on the skin. It is like having a spa at home, the sweet fig scent is calming, and the balm leaves your skin feeling clean, nourished and soft, it is 10/10. Elemis offer their cleansing balms in a number of scents and I will have to try their latest release, the Dark Cherry Balm, have you tried it yet?

Beauty Bay Chamomile and Oat Cleanser

This cleansing balm is a great affordable option, it is not as rich and luxurious as the Elemis one, but it is still a great everyday gentle cleanser. This balm boasts a formula made up of 86% naturally derived ingredients which include, Oat Lipids which are rich in ceramides, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s barrier and retaining moisture. They help to replenish the skin, leaving it nourished and smooth, whilst gently removing impurities and makeup without stripping the skin. It also contains Chamomile, which is well known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties, making it ideal for soothing irritated or inflamed skin. I really enjoyed this product and will 100% be purchasing more products from Beauty Bay

 

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Beauty Bay Skincare

I had no idea that Beauty Bay had their own skincare line, so I bought a few things to try out. It is very affordable and although the packaging is quite basic and no frills, the products themselves are very good. It reminds me of brands like The Ordinary with their focus on delivering great products but not wasting money on overpriced packaging, and I like that! Simple packaging but good quality products.

I bought two of their serums, I am always looking for products that help brighten or hydrate skin, so these two were perfect for me to try. They are different consistencies, the brightening serum is a little thicker and has a cloudy appearance to the liquid, whilst the hydrating serum is thinner and is clear in texture. Both serums feel lovely on the skin and wear well under the rest of my skincare.

The Hydrating Serum contains, Hyaluronic Acid and Glycogen (skin hero ingredients) which draws and retains moisture into the skin, minimising the appearance of fine lines and a tight, dehydrated complexion. Giving you that fresh, plump, healthy look. This serum, supports a stronger skin barrier, helping to protect against environmental aggressors. I love products with Hyaluronic Acid in, especially in the colder, dryer months it just gives your skin that extra boost to look really hydrated and my makeup looks so much smoother after I use a product like this.

The Brightening Serum is equally good, I have been using the hydrating serum in the morning and the brightening serum in my evening skincare routine and that is really working well for me. The brightening serum with vitamin C which is an antioxidant that promotes collagen production, that helps to support healthy skin, whilst a brightening peptide works to increase luminosity by boosting skin cell turnover and targeting dullness. So with consistent use, this serum helps brighten, diminish pigmentation and even out skin tone.

This serum has been a welcomed addition to my skincare routine and I like that it leaves my skin feeling smooth and non-tacky and that the product is so affordable, as it all the beauty bay own brand products.

Now on to maybe my favourite of the three products, the Beauty Bay Chamomile and Oat Lipid Cleansing Balm which is a lovely classic balm to oil cleanser that makes light work of removing makeup and the dirt from the day. It has become an absolute staple in my routine, it makes a very good first cleanse as it melts away stubborn makeup. It is effective on makeup but still gentle, no need to rub or scrub just massage into your skin and the product will easily break down your makeup and leave your skin feeling so smooth and soft.

This balm boasts a formula made up of 86% naturally derived ingredients which include, Oat Lipids which are rich in ceramides, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s barrier and retaining moisture. They help to replenish the skin, leaving it nourished and smooth, whilst gently removing impurities and makeup without stripping the skin. It also contains, Chamomile which is well known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties, making it ideal for soothing irritated or inflamed skin.

Do not let the minimal and no frills packaging put you off trying beauty bay skincare, because the products themselves really are very good. Beauty Bay make it easy to find the right product for you, as they break their products down by skin concern, as use very easy language so you do not get overwhelmed or confused. The quality of ingredients and the focus on affordability is where these products shine, I highly recommend checking them out & adding some products to your routine, specific to your skincare needs.

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free and the packaging is easily recyclable.

Beauty Bay has a great selection of own brand skincare on their website.