UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm review | Up-cycled vegan skincare
If you’re looking for a vegan cleansing balm that is vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin, you may be interested in this UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm review.
UpCircle: a pioneer in up-cycled vegan skincare
The UpCircle story officially started in 2016 with Will and Anna, the co-founding siblings leaving their jobs to grow their skincare brand. From the very beginning, their vision was to create a circular beauty brand that helps reduce waste and is kind to the planet.
How? By re-purposing by-products from food and drink industries, starting with coffee grounds, to create cruelty-free and vegan skincare.
A couple years later, the siblings went on Dragon’s Den and successfully landed investments that helped them speed things up.
Fast forward to today, the UpCircle range has expanded, the UpCircle team has grown and many steps have been taken, such as glass jar packaging with is 100% recyclable. As of February 2022, the company is certified Plastic Negative!
The list of ingredients being repurposed is also growing, with the addition over the years of leftover fruit stones, date seeds, maple bark extract, discarded argan shells and more.
What are their best-sellers?
The 3 must-try products from the brand that I would absolutely recommend to anyone new to the brand are:
Cleansing Face Balm with Apricot Powder
Face Moisturiser with Argan Powder
UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm
One of UpCircle’s all-time best-sellers, this 100% natural cleanser has won many awards. It is of course cruelty-free, vegan and also dermatologically approved to ensure it is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.
This cleanser removes impurities and makeup, even mascara. It leaves your skin soft and smooth, never dry or itchy.
The key ingredient? Finely-ground powder of discarded apricot stones, a by-product of the apricot oil industry. Rich in Vitamin E, it gives this cleanser antioxidant properties, combined with soothing blackcurrant seed, blue tansy and sea buckthorn oils.
If you like to double-cleanser, use this balm first to break down impurities on the surface, remove it with a damp cloth and follow with a water-based cleanser.
Where to buy UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm?
Add it to your basket on Sephora UK (ex-Feelunique), Naturisimo or Lookfantastic
The RRP is £18.99
Honest review of UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm
I’m on my second jar of this cleansing balm, so take it as a hint that I’m really enjoying it!
Texture
This balm boasts a luxurious texture that initially presents a subtle graininess but quickly transforms into a velvety, skin-melting sensation as you massage it in. It's incredibly gentle and non-irritating.
When applied to damp skin, it effortlessly glides, requiring only a small amount of product. A single jar lasted me nearly two months, even with nightly use.
The smell
Unlike some cleansers with off-putting scents, this one offers a delicate and refreshing fruity aroma that enhances the cleansing experience.
After rinsing, the scent dissipates relatively quickly, especially if you follow up with another cleanser.
Feeling
In terms of the cleansing experience, applying it to your skin is a pleasure, as it seems to dissolve everything, providing a satisfying sense of washing the day away before bedtime.
What sets this cleanser apart is its ability to easily remove mascara without causing irritation to the eyes.
After rinsing it off and removing any residue with a flannel, I recommend following up with a water-based cleanser.
If you opt for a single cleanse, you might notice a slight, barely noticeable residue on your skin.
Should you buy it?
Absolutely! This cleanser is a joy to use and has garnered well-deserved praise. It's not only beneficial for your skin but also contributes to the efforts of a beauty company actively striving to reduce waste.
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