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Skincare brand ESPA has been on my radar for a little while, but I’d never got around to trying out any of their products. Well… that is until now!
As much as I love taking time in the morning and evening to carry out my skincare routine, I have to admit that many of the products I have are purely functional. I use them because they work, not because they make my skincare routine feel any more enjoyable or relaxing. ESPA, on the other hand, places a massive focus on using skincare to create an overall wellness experience. I love this idea and couldn’t wait to try it out for myself!
The three products I received were the Hydrating Cleansing Milk, the Tri-Active™ Regenerating Calming Cica Cleansing Balm and the 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser. Let’s see how I got on with them…
A quick intro to ESPA
Founded in 1992, ESPA is a luxury beauty brand that uses natural ingredients and soothing scents to help you achieve a spa-like experience at home. With holistic wellbeing at the heart of ESPA’s philosophy, their products are not only great for improving your skin, but also for helping relax your body and mind.
Drawing on the expertise of aromatherapists, dermatologists, and biochemists, ESPA’s offering has grown and evolved over the past 30 years, making it one of the most popular spa skincare brands in the beauty world today.
Want to find out more about what ESPA have to offer? Let’s jump into some product reviews!
ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk
Packed with plant oils that are in rich in fatty acids, the ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk is pure nourishment in a bottle. This cleanser is designed to soothe and hydrate the skin as it removes dirt, debris and any other impurities. Forget scrubbing at your skin until your makeup’s all gone, this product leaves your skin feeling clean and fresh with just a few swipes of a cotton round!
With its light, milky texture, this really does cool and soothe the skin when you apply it. I’ve never used a first-step cleanser that has left my face feeling so refreshed, and I think that this is mostly due to the fact that this doesn’t have the feel of an oil when it sits on the skin. Rather, it has the consistency of a lightweight serum or essence.
Containing high-antioxidant ingredients, like sweet almond oil and chamomile extract, this product reduces inflammation, calms the skin, and leaves it feeling soft and supple. It cleanses your face in the most delicate way. In fact, it’s so gentle I was initially unsure whether it would be able to remove stubborn makeup. But it does! Even waterproof mascara breaks down pretty easily with this cleansing milk.
I can safely say that I will be repurchasing this cleanser after I’ve reached the end of this bottle. It’s so much less messy than an oil cleanser and it feels way more luxurious too. This is particularly suited to sensitive skin types, as it is so gentle. But it’s also the kind of cleanser that would work well for everyone.
ESPA Tri-Active™ Regenerating Calming Cica Cleansing Balm
Like the cleansing milk, ESPA’s Tri-Active™ Regenerating Calming Cica Cleansing Balm is chock full of plant oils and extracts that are amazing for the skin. Grape seed oil, olive oil and sunflower seed oil protect the moisture barrier, while marigold extract and Roman chamomile contain anti-inflammatory components that reduce irritation and calm the skin. Oh, and we can’t forget the star ingredient: Centella Asiatica.
Centella, or cica for short, is a herb that belongs to the parsley family. It’s highly praised for its ability to soothe inflammation and revitalise the skin’s protective barrier. This makes it particularly beneficial for people with sensitive, easily-irritated skin. Combine this with winged kelp, a marine active that delivers hydration, and you’ve got a cleansing balm that’s SUPER gentle and restorative.
I love practically everything about this cleanser: the scent, the colour, the consistency, etc. This has a three-step texture which means that it transforms from a balm, to an oil and then to a milk. Because it melts down so easily, you don’t need to spend ages warming up the product or massaging it into the skin. Best of all, when you wash it off, it leaves the skin feeling really soft and smooth. You don’t get any sticky residue like you sometimes do with other cleansing balms!
ESPA 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser
I’ve been looking for a nourishing moisturiser for the winter months and I think I’ve finally found it! The ESPA 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser is a thick, velvety face cream that delivers a ton of hydration to the skin. This is water-based, so it’s great for dry skin that needs moisture but perhaps doesn’t always cope well with oil-based formulas.
That’s not to say that this product doesn’t contain any oils at all though! It’s loaded with emollient plant oils – such as sweet almond oil, soybean oil, evening primrose oil and sunflower seed oil – which reduce trans-epidermal water loss and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier. It also contains humectants like glycerin and sodium PCA which help seal water in the skin, keeping it soft and hydrated.
I really love this cream because, despite all the nourishing ingredients, it doesn’t feel at all greasy or sticky. A little goes a long way with this, so you only need a small dab of product to really get the full benefit. If you apply it to slightly damp skin, it absorbs pretty quickly and thoroughly – perfect for rushed mornings where you don’t have time to wait around for your skincare to dry down!
My only concern about this moisturiser is that it does contain coconut oil which has a rating of 4 on the comedogenic scale. Having said that, my skin is blemish prone and I haven’t noticed any new breakouts since I’ve started using this. So, I don’t think that the quantity of coconut oil in this product is enough to clog pores or cause acne flare-ups!
Final verdict
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed using these products and would definitely try out some of ESPA’s other skincare lines. I was initially slightly wary about the essential oils and fragrance ingredients that each product contains, but I’ve not noticed any irritation from using them so I’ll definitely continue! If you are particularly sensitive to these ingredients, you may want to patch test before buying.
The moisturiser and both cleansers are beautifully packaged, the frosted glass containers in particular make the whole skincare experience feel really luxe. And I think that’s what is so lovely about ESPA’s skincare selection – there’s a massive focus on making your skincare routine feel it’s a self-care ritual rather than a chore. When I use these products, especially in the evening, I really feel like I’m unwinding and taking time for myself.
These products are pretty pricey, but I do think they’re worth the money if you’re looking to achieve that luxury spa experience at home. I don’t think I have anything else in my skincare collection that makes me feel as relaxed as these do!
Where can I buy these ESPA products?
All of these products can be purchased directly through the ESPA website. Using the code ESPAM15 will give you 15% off your order.
You can also order these from LOOKFANTASTIC.
Have you tried any ESPA products yet? If not, which ESPA product would you most like to try out? Let me know in the comments!
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