Trinny London review: what are the Trinny London cleansers really like?
Trinny London has a good reputation in the beauty world so I was optimistic when I set out to review the first products in its skincare range.
A move into skincare is a new direction for the brand, which is mostly known for its perpetually sold-out Miracle Blur primer or its cream blushers and bronzers.
But do the two newbies on the block, a pair of cleansers, hit the mark? I put them to the test to find out just that.
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Pros
- Don't strip the skin
- Only need two pumps
- Refillable
- Sleek, well-made packaging with helpful skincare advice
- Effectively removes makeup and cleanses skin
- Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
Cons
- Unusual texture
- Quite thick
- Better Off has a slightly clinical scent
Trinny London review: quick summary
In short, these cleansers work. The gently removes all traces of makeup (even waterproof mascara) and the cleans and exfoliates.
Just like the brand's founder, Trinny Woodall, the packaging is a burst of energy — both products come housed in vibrant yellow tubes.
But aside from the colour, the products feel sturdy and well made, and twisting the bottom to release the pump on top is incredibly satisfying. It's as addictive as a fidget spinner (remember those?) in the best way.
If you were using these in a skincare routine as I did, you'd start with Be Your Best, an oil-based balm that melts away grime, makeup and even that last little bit of SPF without drying out skin.
It smells delicious and herby, in a way that reminded me of being on holiday. You can't get more relaxing than that.
It's worth noting that the texture of the balm on dry skin is quite thick but just add a bit of water and it emulsifies quickly, wiping away all the excess product on your skin.
Then, you'd follow with Better Off AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser, an exfoliating and conditioning gel that left my skin looking brighter and smoother.
This one smells a little more clinical than the Enzyme Balm but that's because it is. My skin felt clean and clear but not stripped or tight.
It's quite a thick gel, so you don't need much; just two pumps and you're set.
And, just as an added bonus, both are refillable so you don't have to feel guilty about throwing away excess packaging.
- Trinny London Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser, £32 from Trinny London -
- Trinny London Better Off AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser, 28 from Trinny London -
Trinny London review: full review
At 7.30 am on a February morning, I joined a Zoom call with Trinny Woodall, on which the TV presenter revealed to a host of journalists that she was launching her first skincare products.
The two launch products comprise one cleansing gel and one cleansing balm, designed to be the first two steps in your face-washing routine.
I received a package with the two cleansers, a muslin cloth and two refillable attachments and my first reaction was how happy the whole collection looked.
The bright yellow tubes and silver lettering and pumps gave the products a burst of energy without looking cheap, which can definitely happen with bright colours. In fact, they looked sleek, expensive and felt sturdy and well made.
To dispense the product, you just twist the bottom and the pump at the top emerges ready to be used. It took me a second to figure it out, but I think that says more about me than the design.
In the same vein, I thought I'd give the refillable aspect a go which I did manage to figure out fairly easily; just twist the pump up and pull it out. It clicks out easily and then you're ready to attach the refillable container.
So overall, I was impressed with the external aspect of the cleansers, but more important is how they behaved on my skin.
As advised, I used the Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser first. The back said to massage two pumps onto dry skin to remove makeup, so I did.
The first thing I noticed was the scent of the balm which was herbal and (for reasons unclear even to me) reminded me of being on holiday, which was instantly relaxing.
The texture was quite thick and felt fairly heavy as I swiped it over my skin, but as soon as I added water, it emulsified and felt much lighter.
Plus it was very easy to remove with a muslin cloth and there was no product leftover on my skin (which can happen with cleansing balms). They can sometimes feel greasy but this one didn't.
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It removed all of my makeup — including foundation and mascara — without making my eyes sore, and my skin felt nourished and soft after I used it.
The next step was the Better Off AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser.
First, a little jargon-busting - AHAs work by peeling away the top layer of your skin to create an even surface and PHAs hydrate the skin and smooth out fine lines.
The AHAs in Better Off are lactic acid and malic acid which are good for glowing skin and the PHA is lactobionic acid, which works to exfoliate and smooth out wrinkles.
This one didn't smell quite as nice as the Enzyme Balm. If you've ever used it'll be familiar; if you haven't, the best way I can describe it is clinical. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but nothing to write home about.
I massaged the cleanser on to damp skin, avoiding my eyes, and it felt like any normal gel cleanser; light, fresh and clean although when it came out of the pump it did feel quite heavy.
When I wiped the product away with the muslin cloth (just as a side note, Be Your Best has one included, Better Off doesn't) my skin did look brighter and it didn't feel overwhelmingly tight or dry.
Another really nice touch with these cleansers is how supportive the brand is. Not everyone's a skincare expert and knows exactly what they should be doing or how to incorporate these cleansers into their routine.
On the back of the packaging, there is a section called 'Your Routine' and it suggests the types of products you could use after your cleansing and separates them between morning and evening, which is really helpful.
These products feel like they're all about the consumer and that they're for everyone. There's a lot of information and the ingredients breakdown is very clear and tells you exactly what each one is doing for your skin.
Although this does seem to be becoming more popular in skincare, more brands should follow suit.
- Trinny London Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser, £32 from Trinny London -
- Trinny London Better Off AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser, 28 from Trinny London -
How much do the Trinny London cleansers cost?
These cleansers are definitely mid-range in terms of price. The costs £32 and the costs £28.
The costs £26 and the costs £22.
It won't break the bank, but it's pricier than your standard high street cleanser.
Where to buy Trinny London cleansers
Because they're so new, the cleansers are currently only available from .
Trinny London review: the verdict
I really like these cleansers. I'd say they're best for more mature skin, but even on my 24-year-old skin, they did the job.
I was particularly impressed with how well the Enzyme Balm removed my makeup and I really loved all of the advice and information that came with the products.
Plus, the brand's doing its bit for the environment by making these refillable, so by using them, we are too. What's not to love?
Enjoyed our review of Trinny London's new cleansers? Check out our full review of the Glossybox subscription service.
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