ambo skincare review: planet-conscious, vegan skincare made in the UK

I recently discovered ambo, an indie skincare brand from the UK that offers an alternative take on eco-conscious skincare. Let me introduce you to ambo and tell you about my top picks from the brand.

This is a collaboration with ambo skincare. As always, this post reflects my own, personal opinions and I only recommend products and brands I personally use and enjoy.

About ambo skincare

ambo in a nutshell? Vegan, fragrance-free, conscious skincare that harnesses the benefits of Science-backed synthetic ingredients and antioxidant-rich natural extracts, without an over-inflated price tag (yes, it’s possible!).

Based in Devon, England, ambo is a self-funded independent skincare company founded by Arthur Airey, who extensively researched the best skincare ingredients and even designed the packaging himself. He then found formulation experts to bring his vision to life without compromising on quality, accessibility and sustainability.

To me, what sets ambo apart and many skincare enthusiasts will appreciate, is honesty. Rather than hiding behind greenwashing techniques and perpetuating clean beauty myths, the brand is completely transparent about their approach to sustainability and their ingredient choices.

Planet-conscious skincare

In Arthur’s words, “Until we are happy that ambo has zero impact on the planet we will not claim we are ‘sustainable’. ambo will instead self-identify as ‘planet-conscious’, to better reflect our mindset”

ambo aspires to be amongst the cosmetics companies that do the most to reduce their impact on the planet, and have set the foundations to minimise their impact as much as possible.

This is why the bottles are made from 45% recycled glass and caps from aluminium which can both be recycled infinitely.

Some products such as the cleanser come with an optional, removable plastic pumps. This means that once you have a plastic dispenser, you can re-use it on your next ambo products and don’t have to buy a new one.

All for the boxes, they are made from uncoated kraft card which are free from plastic gloss coating and completely recyclable.

It’s also worth noting that the company is committed to donating a share of their revenue to environmental causes, by working with 1% for the Planet.

Finally, every product is formulated and produced in the United Kingdom, to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transport.

Cruelty-free, vegan and fragrance-free formulations

ambo is all about simplifying skincare, by focusing on high-quality ingredients that are formulated responsibly, to be kind to both your skin and the planet.

From meticulously harvested Scottish seaweed to deeply hydrating humectants, ambo selects the finest quality actives available whilst remaining accessible, with prices from £12 to £34.

Arthur made the conscious decision not to use certain ingredients, for instance essential oils and fragrances which may irritate sensitive-prone skin and are not worth the risk.

In line with the founder’s vision and commitment, ambo is a 100% cruelty-free and vegan skincare range.

Where to find ambo skincare?

As of now, ambo is exclusively available on the brand’s own website.

ambo skincare review

I tested three products from the range. Here are my thoughts on the Facial Cleanser, Moisture Cream and Rosehip Seed Oil

ambo Facial Cleanser

This water-based cleanser has a lightweight gel texture that feels super refreshing on the skin. Powered by mild cleansing agents, it swiftly removes impurities, SPF and light makeup without leaving you with an uncomfortable, tight skin feeling.

The formula is infused with antioxidant-packed Seaweed Extract as well as Amino Acids mirroring the skin's own moisturising factors and Aloe Vera, known for its soothing properties.

I really enjoy using it as a morning cleanser, it works great to remove product residue from my evening skincare routine. My skin is easily prone to dehydration, and I really like that this cleanser doesn’t exacerbate this. Unlike other products, it doesn’t disrupt my natural skin barrier.

RRP: £22 - Find it here

ambo Moisture Cream

This daily moisturiser is enriched with Prickly Pear oil, which is extremely rich in Vitamin E. This skin-loving, antioxidant-rich vitamin boasts a plethora of benefits, from moisturising to strengthening the skin barrier and even boosting cell turnover, thus helping with hyperpigmentation.

This lightweight formula is also infused with a powerful combo of Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5, which team up to lock in moisture into the skin, making it look “plumped”.

I absolutely need Hyaluronic Acid into my daily skincare routine to keep dehydration at bay, and this moisturiser has been doing wonders. It was an airy texture that is quickly absorbed, but at the same time is super comforting, leaving my skin feeling silky soft.

I’ve been using it as a morning moisturiser, after a Vitamin C serum and before applying SPF.

RRP: £34 - Find it here

ambo Rosehip Seed Oil

This 100% organic Rosehip seed oil is meticulously extracted from hand-picked wild seeds in Bulgaria. It is cold-pressed, which means that the extraction process doesn’t involve heat or chemical solvents, which allows to preserve its pristine quality and optimise its skincare benefits.

I had a facial a few weeks before receiving these ambo products and my beautician recommended incorporating a face oil into my evening skincare routine, to help with dryness and dehydration. So this Rosehip oil was the product I was looking forward to trying the most!

Bursting with antioxidants and essential omega fatty acids, including linoleic (Omega-6) and linolenic acid (Omega-3), Rosehip boasts incredible replenishing and moisturising properties. Not only is it a staple for dryness-prone skin, but it’s also know for its anti-ageing benefits.

A couple drops go a long way, but I tend to be a little more generous with my application as I like to give myself a face massage in the evening using this oil. It’s also perfect for gua sha massage, as it helps the tool glide effortlessly and you get the combined benefits of the massage and the oil. It’s been a great addition to my evening skincare ritual.

RRP: £12 - Find it here

ambo brilliantly demonstrates that effective skincare doesn’t have to cost the Earth, and that it’s worth looking into an indie brand rather than always buying from the big players in the cosmetics industry.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the products I got to try and would highly recommend giving ambo a go!