Platform Fashion & Beauty editor Lollie Hancock put the sustainable skincare brand to the test…
Fans of Dragons Den may remember ethical skincare brand Optiat, founded by siblings Will and Anna in 2016. After striking a deal with Touker Suleyman and Tej Lalvani in 2018 and a branding ‘face lift’, the newly named UpCircle has gone from strength to strength over the last two years.
Vegan, cruelty free, recyclable, sustainable AND UK based, UpCircle holds so many important values at the heart of its products, it makes it hard not to love.
But do the products stand up to the same level as the branding?
UpCircle’s Pamper Kit (£9.99) contains 8 sample sized products and provides the perfect opportunity to put the products to the test.
Watch the video below to see how to use the pamper kit:
Product Rundown and Review:
Cleansing Face Balm: The face balm, made with repurposed apricot stones, effortlessly removed a day of makeup, natural oils and dirt as well as any other impurities. The balm brightened my skin whilst breaking down everything on my face, however still felt thick on my face after washing. We recommend this product is followed by a water-based second cleanser to ensure the balm is properly removed from your skin.
Coffee Face Scrub: This citrus infused face scrub, made with Arabica coffee grounds that otherwise would have gone to landfill gently buffs away dry and dead skin cells. With shea butter to help soothe and nourish skin post-scrub, this product was easily my favourite in the kit, and something I will be purchasing and making a permanent part of my skincare routine.
Face Mask: The clarifying facemark, made with olive stones, paired perfectly with the coffee face scrub. I loved how lightweight the mask felt on my skin, especially following the scrub. The mask worked with the shea butter from the scrub to soften and soothe my skin. I was also a huge fan of how the mask dried to an almost clear colour and didn’t feel as though it felt any residue after use.
Face Toner: I often find issues with toners, as I sometimes find then to be too harsh, drying or strong on my skin; especially after using products like scrubs and double cleansing. The use of chamomile extract is what makes me such a fan of this toner as it helps to soothe and makes the product gentler on the skin.
Eye Cream: If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my mum, it’s that eye creams should NEVER be overlooked. It’s easy to think they’re unnecessary because you’re young, but the eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing, and prevention is always better than cure. UpCircle’s eye cream is thick and feels luxurious, but blends easily into your skin and transforms into a weightless cream as you pat it in. I like to keep mine in the fridge for use in the morning to help combat that just-woke-up puffiness with the shock of the cold cream.
Moisturiser: Vitamin E has become a must-have ingredient in any moisturiser I use, which is why I was so happy to see UpCircle’s was rich in the antioxidant. The combination of organ shell powder, aloe ver and blood orange makes the product extremely soothing and left my skin silky smooth after the hyaluronic acid and glycerin rich toner.
Face Serum: There is not product I love more than a face serum, but it was hard to step away from my favourite Rosehip serum – I’m SO glad I did! This serum is super lightweight and breathable on the skin, and really helps to lock in the moisture from the eye cream and moisturiser. This serum has made a strong case for itself and has become a daily step in my routine.
One of the main things that stood out to me in all of the products was how amazing the smelt. UpCircle has managed to make natural products smell fresh without being overpowering or artificial.
I was beyond impressed by the brand and would recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone looking to change up their skincare routine; and at the price point of their products, I wouldn’t feel bad about it either!
Make sure to use NTUPLATFORM20 on the UpCircle website for an exclusive 20% discount
By Lollie Hancock
Contact: platform.fashioneditor@gmail.com