Skin Rocks - worth the hype?

I've been an admirer of Caroline Hirons for a long time so naturally, when she started her skincare brand, I knew I had to try some products. I have used and finished some products previously but haven't shared my thoughts (apart from in empties on my stories) until now.  I have yet to try all of the products available but have five to review. I love the bold colours of the packaging of the products, they certainly won't be confused with any others in my skincare stash. It's bright, fuss-free and for the most part, refillable. It's also worth mentioning that the products are available fragrance-free. Now on to my thoughts (please keep in mind that I have dry skin)...

The Cream Cleanser:  I have finished two tubes of this so I obviously like it despite not being the biggest fan of cream cleansers! The reason for that is that in the past, I have found some cream cleansers not to be nourishing on the skin, thus leaving my skin feeling uncomfortable. However, not all cream cleansers are made equally! This one contains. squalane, amino acids and jojoba seed oil, all of which are moisturising and will maintain the skin barrier. It's also gentle, so if your skin is reactive like mine, this will work for you. Personally, I don't use it to remove makeup as I prefer an oil or balm to do that, but I think this cleanser is ideal for a second cleanse or in the morning. I just massage it into the skin and remove using a wet flannel. My skin is left feeling comfortable, clean and nourished. It doesn't leave any residue on the skin either. I think that all skin types will like this cleanser but if you prefer a gel, they have that too!

The Cleansing Balm: Wow, this is pricey! Cleansing balms are my favourite type of cleanser and I have used so many brands over the years but even I winced at the price of this one. I was eager to try it and really hoped it would be worth the hype/price. It is. Using this cleansing balm is an experience in every sense - it feels divine with its rich, buttery texture. I love taking time to massage it into my skin and it does so easily due to the oil it breaks down into when warmed between the fingers. It has a distinctive smell that isn't too strong or over-powering and just smells like a treat for the skin! (Also available fragrance-free) I use it all over my face and neck and it breaks down every last scrap of makeup - yes, even stubborn mascara and waterproof eyeliner!  This product is a joy to use and feels so nourishing on the skin, thanks to its barrier supporting oils. I love that it doesn't leave my eyes cloudy and my skin looks so bright after cleansing, as well as feeling supple. It really is a dreamy product and a little goes a long way, which helps to justify the price!

The Antioxidant Serum: Vitamin C products can be a bit tricky on my skin because it can be quite sensitive, however I like it to be in my routine as it really does help to brighten the skin. This serum combines Vitamin C (in the form of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which is stable in the realm of very unstable forms of Vitamin C) with peptides, fermented green tea extractt, and Acetyl Zingerone, which is a powerful antioxidant. This powerful combination aims to brighten the skin, even skin tone, protect against environmental aggressors and promote collagen production. It also contains glycerin, which adds hydration. All good news for my pigmented, dry and in need of as much collagen stimulation as possible skin! The texture is that of a lotion and it absorbs well into the skin, whilst layering well with other products. As I have mentioned before, I have been on treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease and a myriad of other infections since September and it has really taken its toll on my skin (and hair), which is something I'm more than willing to put up with for the goal of good health. That being said, I like to see some results for the effort I make with my skincare routine and this serum certainly has made a difference in terms of my skin looking brighter and it has added a glow, which is very much needed and appreciated. I have been using it for almost 4 months and will repurchase a refill because I love the texture, I haven't experienced any sensitivity and my skin is looking brighter, plus it does more than a regular Vitamin C serum. I'm hoping long term that I will see results in terms of fading areas of hyperpigmentation. 

The Moisturiser: This is my third pot of this product, so as you can guess, I love it! It is also available in a fragrance-free and rich version. For me, this is a no-nonsense nourishing cream and whilst that might sound basic, it isn't! I sometimes struggle to find a moisturiser that will ensure my skin is soft, without leaving a residue, layers well with my SPF, and without that nourished feeling disappearing after an hour or two. Reading the ingredients list, I expected this to feel a bit heavy on the skin - squalane, ceramides and hyaluronic acid among more, but it's actually very lightweight and absorbs easily. It layers well over serums and under SPF without pilling. It's a pleasure to apply to the skin and it really replenishes my skin's thirst, leaving it looking plump, firm and elasticized. It's probably the closest I have ever found to the perfect moisturiser (and I have tried hundreds!!).

Retinoid 2: The product where it all started! Retinoids are the one product that pretty much everyone will benefit from (apart from those in their teens and early 20s, when it may not be necessary), whether it's a once weekly product if you have very sensitive skin, or nightly if you're hardcore and have built up a tolerance. They target uneven skin tone, textured skin, boost cellular renewal and collagen production - the dream, right? That being said, a lot of people can experience sensitivity, dryness and even peeling when using a retinoid and then stop using the product. If this is you, I would suggest starting with Retinoid 1 maybe twice weekly and then building up from there, eventually moving on to Retinoid 2, which I am using as a seasoned retinoid user. This formula contains retinal but also contains squalane, which will counteract any dryness associated with using a retinoid. The texture of the product is a creamy lotion and I haven't experienced any sensitivity, redness or dryness whilst using this. I also find that it layers beautifully with a moisturiser (used after Retinoid 2). I am enjoying this product and seeing benefits in terms of improved skin texture and improved appearance of fine lines, which is a constant battle as you age, but I would love the brand to release a Retinoid 3 as I feel that my skin could tolerate it and I would see even better results. I will buy a refill for this whilst I pray to the Skin Rocks team to add this to the lineup!

Overall, I am a huge fan of the brand and definitely feel that it's worth the hype. It's certainly not the cheapest but I didn't expect it to be given the quality of ingredients in the products. If you have had your eye on any of the products, I'd say go for it and you won't be disappointed! The eye cream is next on my to buy list (oh and the support oil!). What I'd love to see next from Skin Rocls is a mist, tanning drops and a hydrating serum. No pressure, Caz!

Are you a fan of Skin Rocks products? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading!

All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been kindly gifted, without obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.