Skincare

How can you trust that your skincare really works? This beauty journalist uncovers the bare-faced facts. Put your lab coat on, we’re getting scientific!

Imagine you’re on the hunt for a new moisturiser. What’s important to you? Natural ingredients? An efficacious formula? Sustainable, planet-friendly packaging? Well, if you’re a fan of Tropic, we’re guessing all three. But while these things might be at the top of your wish list, how can you actually ensure that what you’re buying ticks all the boxes?

In a world of marketing spin and spiel, navigating the skincare aisles has never been so difficult. Beauty jargon and bogus claims are everywhere, with new A-list botanicals and compounds popping up every five seconds, promising to give us glass skin and turn back time.

“There’s just so much noise in skincare at the moment,” says Susie, founder and CEO of Tropic. “Sometimes it seems that brands add plant actives to their formulas to respond to trends. But often, their products are created by cookie cutter manufacturers, and lack proper research or scientific backing.” Amidst all the clean beauty gloss and vegan glamour, the proof is in the percentages. At Tropic, it all comes down to real skin, qualified dermatologists, trusty technology, and weeks of rigorous clinical testing.

SO, WHAT IS ‘CLINICAL TESTING’?

Clinical trials and scientific backing are second to none when it comes to knowing what’s really going to get you glowing. So, what is clinical testing?

First, Tropic’s in-house chemists and biochemists spend months testing, trialling, and adapting formulas, until they’re ready for the big assessments. Then, they send their ‘pride and joys’ away to ISO-certified, independent labs (which adhere to an international standard of testing and data validation practices) where they’re met by qualified dermatologists, who vigorously test their performance on real skin, under clinical conditions.

“We only arrange independent clinical testing once we’re confident in our formulas,” says Susie. “Tropic is at the forefront of beauty technology. We’ve invested in state-of-the-art machinery that measures every aspect of the skin, from redness to elasticity to pigmentation.”

“This is how we conduct internal studies on our formulas to ensure they really do have an impact,” she explains. So, before they even get examined, Tropic’s products have already jumped through a lot of hoops. But these clinical tests are no piece of cake. The assessments begin when four to five dermatologists assess a group of random volunteers (usually around 20-25 people, but sometimes up to 80) and screen their skin, ensuring everyone has skin in need of a specific type of nourishment.

THE SCIENCE OF SUPERCHARGED SKIN

The first round is the allergy patch test, and if the product gets through this stage, it passes to round two. Then it’s on your marks, get set, test! The volunteers use Tropic’s formulas every day, while dermatologists assess changes in their skin. This isn’t done ‘by eye’ or guesswork. “The lab scientists use various scientific instruments to measure the impact the product has on skin,” confirms Tropic’s biochemist, Kavitha Murugesan.

There are Sebometers to measure changes in skin’s sebum production, Skin Hydration Meters, and the mother of all testers: VisioFace Skin Imaging Analysis – a 360-degree machine that can measure skin texture, wrinkle depth, brightness, UV damage, and take 3D pictures of your skin.

Once the ‘before and after’ difference in all of the testers’ skin has been analysed, the data is totted up by the lab’s clinical statistician. “An average percentage of improvement is calculated and handed to us on results day,” says Kavitha. If the results are anything less than jaw-dropping, Tropic sends the formulas back to the lab at Tropic HQ for improvement.

As Kavitha says, “We keep going until the product is the most effective it can possibly be.”

It’s empowering to feel full confidence in your skincare, and Tropic’s plant-powered products prove time and again that they deserve their exalted status, awards, and a place on your bathroom shelf. With advanced tech, clinical trials, and a pioneering attitude, it’s exciting to think about what’s next for their formulations. Rest assured – the future of Tropic is as bright as your beautiful, glowing skin.

THE PROVENANCE MARK OF APPROVAL

Provenance is a third-party programme that checks a company’s claims – reassuring you that the brand has the evidence to back up their business. On our website, you can see Provenance’s interactive Proof Point buttons, showcasing Tropic’s evidence, and verifying their impressive data.

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If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

After sleeping for eight hours, it’s safe to say that your skin may feel and look a bit dull and lifeless. If that sounds familiar, then you may be in need of an exfoliating cleanser to give your skin a boost. For Black Friday, Peace Out is offering 30 percent off on all products sitewide, including their popular Blemish Balm that you can get for $15.

If you have more oily and blemish-prone skin, then you’ll benefit most from this cleanser since it actively works to wash away excess oil without completely drying out the skin. You may be wondering how this cleanser works? Well, it’s a result of a clean and non-irritating formula cultivated from high quality ingredients. 

Made with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, this blemish balm exfoliates and refines the look of pores while creating a smooth and calm appearance. It may sound too good to be true, but it really works. You may even feel it working with a slight physical sensation caused by biodegradable cellulose as it removes build-up on the skin. 

Peace Out

Peace Out Blemish Balm

For the best results, all you have to do is gently massage the product into your skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds and rinse with warm water. 

Other key ingredients in this daily cleaning balm include niacinamide and ceramides which promote a more even complexion and support the skin’s natural barrier. Plus, there’s an eight amino acid complex that adds moisture back into the skin for a soft and supple appearance. 

Need more convincing? Reviewers say it’s the “best thing they’ve tried in five years” and works like “magic.” 

One reviewer simply shared: “Fantastic balm!! Leaves skin feeling clean and soft. So good that I signed up to receive it monthly so I never run out.”

And if you’re looking to fill up your cart even more for Black Friday, you can check out more of the brand’s other deals on cleansers, moisturizers, pimple patches, and more. 

Courtesy of Peace Out Skincare.

Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick

A best-selling retinol eye stick that works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, and unwanted texture. Made with retinol, peptides, and Astaxanthin, this product leaves under eyes brighter and softer after just a few uses. 

Peace Out.

Peace Out Pimple Patches

Say peace out to pimples with these patches that utilize hydrocolloid polymer technology that minimizes breakouts overnight. 

Peace Out

Peace Out Bright-Eyed Stars Duo

Reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness with the retinol stick and under eye patches formulated with retinol, vegan squalane, and vegan astaxanthin. 

Peace Out Skincare.

Peace Out Microneedling Anti-Wrinkle Patches

Place these microneedling patches on any place you have wrinkles and watch as its retinol, peptide, and vitamin C formula work to reduce the appearance of fine lines. 

The future isn’t one-dimensional. It’s multifaceted, multifarious, and always changing shape. At Tropic, we believe the future is mouldable.

We’re declaring our Infinite Purpose: to build a healthier, greener, more empowered world – a future brimming with possibilities, where you really can have it all… and then some.

We like to think this Infinite Purpose keeps our feet on the ground and our eyes wide open. It means we’re constantly looking forwards – adapting and innovating – but also looking behind us, re-evaluating and reflecting on what we could do better in everything we do. The goal is always to get one step closer to a brighter, better future.

And there’s no time like the present. At Tropic, we consider ourselves leaders. To stay on track for our healthier, greener, more empowered world, we need to lead the way in finding new solutions to the challenges facing our planet. So, after five years as one of the fastest-growing skincare brands in the UK, we decided there’s never been a better time to take a breath and reassess every layer of Tropic, from the ground up.

To help us grow, we listened to the cry of the planet, and we listened to you, our loyal customers. We delved into environmental reports and customer reviews. We listened to climate experts, skincare scientists, and our instincts. We re-examined our supply chains and tested new products on Tropic lovers and Ambassadors who’ve supported us since the very beginning. And all the while, we chanted ‘progress, not perfection.’ Because to us, sustainable beauty is an infinite journey, where things can always be improved. But as long as we’re striving towards our trusty Infinite Purpose, we’re confident we’re on a good, green path.

So, are you ready to see what we’ve come up with? Without further ado, we introduce our guiding tenets…

POWERFUL: tried, tested and true 

When it comes to our diet, we know fresh, organic food can often be the healthiest option, so shouldn’t we adopt the same approach to feeding our skin? It’s our largest organ, after all. So, we’re introducing a rainbow of certified organic ingredients to our core range.

Nutrient-dense, sun-soaked soil has powered our products since day one. We know that by going organic, we can maximise nature’s goodness even further – in the same way an organic orange is richer in colour, or your home-grown greens are far more, well, green, these formulations will be perfectly pigmented. They’re also packed with organic plant goodness, which can be 20-40% richer in antioxidants, according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Their textures and scents feel more sensory and luxurious, but these new formulations are – most importantly – more effective. We’ve opted for ingredients smaller in molecular weight, meaning they carry the product deeper into the skin. This essentially means more ‘glow’ per gram, which you’ll see evidenced in our clinical data!

And it’s no coincidence that what’s great for your skin is great for the planet too. Organic soil is one of Earth’s most valuable tools when it comes to fighting climate change. Organic fields sequester more carbon and tend to have lower emissions, according to our certifier, the COSMOS Organic Soil Association. To receive this gold-standard certification, every part of our supply chain must be audited yearly! They’re checking everything – that the tropical farms where our ingredients are grown are pesticide-free, all the way through to seeing that our factory is safe from harmful synthetic chemicals. So, look out for our hard-earned ‘certifed organic’ labels. 

And when it comes to visible results, we really put our money where our mouth is. We always knew our plant-powered products were effective, but now we’ve commissioned clinical data from independent labs to prove it. For example, did you know the upgraded formula of our Comfort Food (previously Deep Hydration) mask improves skin hydration by 174% in just two hours? We’ve upcycled our knowledge and empowered our Ambassadors with these stats – so they’re even more ready to deliver results-driven skincare, right to your door.

Organic farmers don’t use artificial pesticides. They work with nature to protect soil, human, and animal health. Organic fields are nurtured sustainably, allowing wildlife to flourish and become up to 50% more abundant.

PURPOSEFUL: empowering all, including you 

Every single Tropic product has a purpose. As well as being tailor-made and targeted to your unique skin type, tone, or concern, each bottle is a force for good beyond beauty. Next time you watch Eye Work illuminate dark circles, or marvel as Pure Lagoon clears up a blemish-prone T-zone, close your eyes and picture how your skincare is having an equally positive effect around the globe.

For a start, every order funds education, bringing brighter futures to children in remote regions of Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Madagascar.

So far, your Tropic beauty routine has funded a whopping five million school days, keeping young girls out of child marriage, creating equal opportunities, and opening up exciting possibilities.

But the best bit about our purpose being ‘infinite’ means we don’t stop at just one goal. Moving into the future, we’ll continue to set our sights as high as possible. From planting new forests across the globe to supporting UK food banks through the Trussell Trust, going the extra mile to double offset carbon emissions, and propelling British industry from our Surrey-based HQ. Each and every part of our business is guided by a never-ending mission to spread positivity far and wide.

PLANET PROTECTIVE: treading lightly too

To package our luxurious organic goodness, we thought it was only right to level-up our plastic policies. Lids, bottles, and containers have been made from PCR plastic wherever possible, and we’ve introduced more glass bottles, so you can recycle more easily at home.

WHAT ON EARTH IS PCR PLASTIC?

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is ‘pre-loved’ plastic that’s been given a second, or just new, lease of life.

Some of our core range packaging also features a futuristic INNERBOTTLE concept – ensuring every last drop of goodness can be squeezed out and refilled. We’re proud to be one of the first beauty brands in the world to roll out this technology on a mass scale! And to carry us further into the future, we’ve invested our profits in brand-spanking-new eco machinery, to help us refill on site at HQ.

100% of our core skincare range (available in our Complete Collection) is recyclable, returnable or refillable, and we’re only just getting started!

Our goal is to halve our use of virgin plastic by the end of 2022. We’ll gradually be introducing more PCR plastic containers and alternatives throughout our entire range. But it’s important to note that we’re not scrapping old packaging that’s still in circulation! We don’t believe in unnecessary waste and we’ve done our best to make this evolution slow and mindful. We’ll update and upcycle in the most planet-protective way possible. That’s why your old reliable Body Love might arrive in original packaging one week, but dressed up in a very snazzy, re-branded and refreshed tube the next. We hope you’ll be patient with us! It’ll be worth it.. 

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

If you’re behind on trying the latest trendy skincare tools, the upcoming weeks are your opportunity to change that. Amazon has discounted countless products for its Black Friday sale, such as the top-selling Beauty Bar 24k Golden Facial Massager. Considering this is the lowest price we’ve seen it at all year (including Prime Day), we recommend snatching this one up while it’s a on sale for just $11.

The skin-tightening tool is sure to put thoughts of botox on the back burner; the product is built to make your face look younger and fresher without chemicals or irritation. It helps boost elasticity across sagging skin, soften fine lines and wrinkles and relieve any strain or pressure across the face. 

Courtesy of Amazon

Beauty Bar 24k Golden Facial Massager

According to one user, you’ll witness “huge changes” fairly quickly. “I’m 45, fine lines around my jaw, neck and forehead. There’s a deeper crease between my eyes and I’ve had a really bad break out of hormonal acne along my jawline. Well the fine lines are less noticeable, the deep crease is less for sure and my acne is almost 100% gone. In just 4 days. The redness and uneven skin tone is gone. My skin is much tighter and the puffiness under my eyes is gone along with the dark circles. Seriously in 4 days!!”

Even more fans of the product have not held back their praise: “It’s like my facial skin shrunk and pulled back—nothing short of amazing. The new wave of skin care is taking things into your own hands at home and if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of girl, definitely get this one.” 

If you already have your skincare routine down, this tool is the perfect addition to use alongside your go-to serums, oils and lotions. As another reviewer noted, “I have been using this roller along with my usual face cream EVERY DAY twice a day for a month. I have seen a huge difference on my face. My skin is always glowy and my face looks even more slender now. I really have a more [youthful] look.”

Beyond providing anti-aging benefits, reviewers have also commented on its multifaceted functions, including migraine relief, dark circle reduction, sinus drainage and of course just the pure unadulterated pleasure of a de-stressing face massage. 

On top of all of that, its gold exterior and 24k face bar is a pretty cute addition to your makeup bag. The T-shape is designed for 6000 vib/min which users have noted is not too strong to make it uncomfortable for the face. 

Oh and in case you needed any more convincing, Tracee Ellis Ross also swears by massaging tools for tense muscles and early mornings. So the real question is, who wouldn’t want to look like Tracee Ellis Ross? 

Snatch up the Beauty Bar 24k Golden Facial Massager with over 2,000 five-star ratings while it’s 20 percent off following Prime Day. Just make sure you’re signed up for a Prime Membership to take advantage of all these limited-time offers.

What does winter mean to you? Dry, cracked and irritated skin? Not any more. These cold-weather saviours will leave your skin feeling sunny – whatever the temperature!