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REN
REN Skincare
The latest goodies to arrive at The Good Spa Guide review HQ are from REN, who pride themselves on their "Clean Skincare" products - packed with clinically proven bio actives and free from "skin-unfriendly" ingredients, including synthetic fragrances, sulphate detergents and other potential irritants. We put some of the range to the test to find out for ourselves whether dispensing with petrochemicals and parabens meant a compromised product.
REN products - What have we tried?
Rosa Centifolia Facial Wash
Expectant Spy reports:
Since becoming pregnant, I have been much more conscious of what I put on my skin, so I was intrigued to have REN's Rosa Centifolia Facial Wash to review. The wash comes in a pump dispenser. The packaging design is simple and rather medical looking. The cleanser itself is a non-oily transparent gel and has a light, fresh fragrance. I have combination skin and found that this light formulation suits my skin really well. The instructions tell you to rub the gel between your hands, massage onto the face and rinse well. I like the fact that it is used with water rather than being a wipe-off cleanser, which often feels like it leaves a residue. Afterwards, my skin felt clean but not taut. The only slight negative I would say is that it's not ideal for taking off heavy make-up. I used it after an evening out and was left with faint panda eyes from traces of mascara.
Zostera Marina Cleansing Milk Wash
150ml, RRP £16.50.
Student Spy reports:
When I was asked to review REN's cleansing milk wash, I have to confess that I was expecting an altogether more worthy looking and feeling product. I know that REN exclude various chemicals from their ingredient list, but in my experience many of the more "natural" products often feel and smell more "natural", which isn't necessarily a good thing. This product seemed refreshingly modern and there wasn't a lentil or mung bean in sight. The Zostera Marina Cleansing Milk Wash is white and quite thick and gloopy. It has a consistency and appearance reminiscent of the glue that you get in schools. This may put some people off, but as I have very dry skin, this thick consistency is a definite plus. I pressed the pump a couple of times and rubbed the delicately scented cream between my palms as instructed, massaged it over my face and rinsed with water. As it was quite sticky, it did take a while to wash the lotion off completely, but once removed it left my face feeling soft and moist - which is a definite achievement with my thirsty skin. Overall, I would rate this as a good product for dry skin, with understated practical packing and a mid-range price tag (£16.50 for 150ml).
Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil
Sporty Spy reports:
I was given the tough job of reviewing REN's Moroccan Rose bath oil. The oil is an amber colour and comes in a glass bottle. According to the label, rose otto is one of the most expensive and revered essential oils, so I was keen to find out how it had earned its prestigious reputation. The instructions advise you to add 1-2 capfuls to a full bath, which I did. I was immediately hit by the powerful fragrance which gave my bathroom a real spa feel. The oil went cloudy white on impact with the water then dispersed into the bath. Once in the bath, the strong, appealing rose scent remained but the oil pretty much seemed to disappear, leaving just a light film on my skin when I finally managed to extract myself from this indulgent bathing experience. I really enjoyed using this product and would recommend it to create a luxury home spa experience. Priced at £26 a bottle (approximately 6 baths), it's not the cheapest bath oil around, but does smell ten times nicer than your standard bubble bath for a bit of indulgence.
Rose Complex Moisturiser (for normal skin)
Student Spy reports:
As most moisturisers contain a long list of parabens and other scary-sounding chemicals, you may be under the impression that moiturising is just another way we have to suffer for our beauty. But as Ren's philosophy is to use all-natural ingredients, it seems as if there is an alternative. But does it work? While the Rose Complex Moisturiser didn't actually have any miraculous effects, it did as good a job as my regular moisturiser, leaving my skin soft and smooth. The moisturiser comes in an easy-to-apply thick, creamy consistency, and contains rose extract (in my boyfriend's eloquent wording "it doesn't smell like that horrible shower gel you've got, it smells like real roses"). A little goes a long way, and the pump-dispenser allows you to control the amount you squeeze. So although it isn't cheap, you will get your money's worth. Perhaps the only drawback is that the moisturiser does not contain an SPF. If wearing during the day, you may need to add a layer of protection. All in all, though, this moisturiser is perfect if you are looking for a natural alternative that actually works!
Where can I try REN products?
You can try REN products at these spas:
Where can I buy REN products?
* Visit the REN website for further details and to purchase their products online.
See also:
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