Skin Rocks is the skincare brand founded by Caroline Hirons, and it has become a huge hit – including with our beauty editor. Here’s her honest review of every product…
Anyone even moderately interested in beauty will probably have heard of skincare super-influencer and author Caroline Hirons – and therefore also know about her own brand, Skin Rocks. Shunning gimmicks and trends and instead focusing on brilliant formulas with clinically proven results with no-nonsense instructions, Skin Rocks quickly became hugely popular with beauty fans – including myself.
As my job as Reach’s Beauty and Wellness Editor, I’ve been lucky enough to try and review every product from Skin Rocks, often before they hit the shelves, from cleansers through to the latest launch, The Light Moisturiser, so I know which are really worth shouting about. Spoiler alert: I’ve never used a Skin Rocks product I didn’t like – they’re expertly formulated, never irritate my skin, and are well packaged – but here are the products that I would rebuy…
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Pros
- Really well formulated: they’re very effective but never pill or irritate the skin
- Packaging looks and feels great, and is clear to understand, with notes about who it’ll suit (and who it won’t), and handy guides on the lids showing how much to use
- Clinically proven results
- Lots of the products are refillable, with refills costing less
- Lots of the products come in fragranced or fragrance-free options (I always choose fragrance-free)
Cons
- It’s not the cheapest
- Bottles are made of glass and are heavy (good for recycling, less good for travelling)
Skin Rocks products review
Skin Rocks The Cleansing Balm, £55 here
As a vocal advocate for double cleansing since the beginning (before Skin Rocks, Caroline had created the two-in-one Double Cleanse with PIXI), it was only a matter of time before she brought out her own cleansing balm – and it’ll come as no surprise to learn that it’s truly one of the best I’ve ever tried. It melts into the skin, breaks down make-up and SPF easily, and emulsifies away quickly with water and a flannel, leaving skin feeling conditioned but absolutely no oily residue left behind.
Despite being one of my all-time favourites, the only reason why I wouldn’t regularly buy this at the moment is that, on the advice of top facialist Teresa Tarmey, I’m avoiding any cleanser that contains oils in an attempt to battle my persistent blemishes.
There are also a few high street cleansing balms that I love and are cheaper, namely Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm, £16.50, and e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, £11. However, if you love luxe offerings such as Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (I’ve reviewed the newest cherry scented one here), I encourage you to try this Skin Rocks one next.
Side note: the Skin Rocks flannels are the biggest – and best – I’ve found.
Skin Rocks The Cream Cleanser, from £32 here
This was Skin Rocks’ first cleanser, and it’s a real goodie. In the past I’ve never found cream cleansers to be effective enough at removing make-up, but this one is; perhaps not the product for quickly melting multiple layers or stubborn waterproof mascara (try The Cleansing Balm for that), but for everyday make-up and daily grime, especially if your skin is on the drier side, it’s perfect.
Due to popular demand, this and The Gel Cleanser (below) are now available in supersize 250ml tubes.
Skin Rocks The Gel Cleanser, from £39 here
This is nothing like the typical foaming, drying gel cleansers you’re probably used to. The formula is so unique – thick, nourishing and rich in moisture-locking glycerin – yet washes completely away as a milky liquid, that it would suit all skin types: young or old, dry or oily, sensitive or not. I squeezed out every drop of this and loved it, and would buy it again.
Skin Rocks The Control Acid, £45 here£49 here
Exfoliating toners are an excellent way to brighten and renew the skin, but they’re easy to overdo, or use one that’s too strong – something I’m definitely guilty of – but I don’t think there’s any risk of that with Skin Rocks’ ones. The Gentle Acid contains AHA and PHA and is your ‘suits everyone’ solution for tackling signs of ageing, whereas The Control Acid contains salicylic acid for declogging congested and spot-prone skin.
While more brilliant, non-irritating formulas, I personally wouldn’t buy these at the moment, as I’m currently cutting back on exfoliants and strong active ingredients in an attempt to let my compromised skin barrier repair itself.
On the rare occasion that I do use one, I can’t be converted away from my favourite BHA formula, Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £35.
Skin Rocks Retinoid 1, £65 here£75 here
These were Skin Rocks’ first products, and are a brilliantly formulated – and foolproof – way to introduce skin-renewing and anti-ageing ingredient vitamin A into your skincare routine: start with Retinoid 1, then move on to Retinoid 2. I find that I can use Retinoid 1 every night without any irritation, peeling or flaking; a rarity for me when using this potent ingredient.
Skin Rocks The Eye Cream, £65 here
I’m fussy about eye creams – lots either irritate my skin, aren’t moisturising enough, or are too rich – but this one is absolutely perfect – immediately silky, smoothing and plumping. I’d happily use this one forever if I could.
Skin Rocks The Moisturiser, £58 here£65 here
As someone with combination and occasionally blemish-prone skin, I opt for the lighter Moisturiser, and it’s about as near to a perfect face cream as can be. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why it’s so good, but it layers well with other products, leaves my skin looking and feeling much healthier and, importantly, doesn’t break me out; for me. This is definitely one I would invest in, beaten only ever so slightly in price by my other ‘near perfect’ moisturiser.
Skin Rocks The Light Moisturiser, £58 here
Skin Rocks’ latest launch and aimed at oily, combination or spot-prone skin in particular, this new moisturiser has a gel-cream texture that feels almost like water on the skin: light and refreshing, yet still works effectively to hydrate and support the skin barrier. It’s lovely and cooling in summer.
Skin Rocks The Antioxidant, £70 here
Admittedly the one Skin Rocks product I haven’t thoroughly tested, mainly because of the aforementioned stripping of my skincare routine down to basics in a bid to repair its barrier, but I has tried it a few times, and it feels so nice on the skin and gives an instant subtle glow, and I love how it contains more antioxidants than just vitamin C.
In short, I find it hard to find fault with any Skin Rocks products – I totally trust them, and I know that my skin would be happy using only these products. If I had to pick just a few favourites, however, I’d definitely go for the Retinoids, The Moisturiser, and whichever cleanser best suits your skin type and preferred method.
For all of Caroline’s down-to-earth skincare advice in one place, you can buy her books: Skincare: The New Edit, £17, and her latest one, Teen Skincare, £16.99.