Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil

I featured the Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil within my Sunday Riley roundup back in January alongside the Tidal Enzyme Water Cream and the Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner. I’ve been testing all three since I got my hands on them towards the end of December, and I’ve already reviewed the Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, and today it’s the turn of the Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil which is available from Cult Beauty.

“With 1.5 percent salicylic acid, this fast-acting, quick-drying, medicated oil clears acne and blackhead-causing buildup and debris from congested pores for smoother, blemish-free skin. Tea tree oil and black cumin seed oil support clear skin, while hexylresorcinol and licorice naturally brighten the appearance of old acne discolorations for a more even-toned complexion. 

Counterbalancing the potentially drying effects of salicylic acid, milk thistle, and cucumber seed oil nourish the skin and smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles, without leaving a greasy residue. Chamomile and neroli soothe stressed, blemish-prone skin. FORMULATED FOR:  Balanced / Oily / Combination / Dry/Dehydrated / Sensitive Skin.“

The Sunday Riley oils get so much coverage within the beauty community but this is the oil I’ve seen the least on the blogs I read as I feel as if it’s all about the Luna oil. This green coloured facial oil is an acne treatment face oil that is best applied post cleanse to the face, neck and chest both day or night.

The Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil is available in a smaller 15ml size and a larger 35ml size, and it’s recommended the oil is used for three times a week initially to prevent purging of the skin (a result of an accelerated rate of exfoliation).

There’s no doubt that the Sunday Riley oils are expensive skincare product, but the mini sizes are so handy for allowing you to try a product which could potentially break you out, and you won’t have splurged on the full size and be left not being able to use it.

Out of all the Sunday Riley oils, this oil was the one that appealed the most as salicylic acid works wonders on my skin and one of my skin concerns is how long it takes for acne scarring to fade, so I had high hopes that this oil might quicken the healing process post-blemish.

The Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil is green in colour which suits the ‘UFO’ name nicely, but the green colour doesn’t show up on the skin once you’ve massaged it in. The directions recommend three times a week to prevent purging so I chose to use it twice a week as my skin’s very sensitive and breakout prone, and I did get purging of the skin when using the oil even just twice a week.

Although blemishes are annoying, I prefer to get the purging process over and done with but even after two months use I won’t increase my usage from twice a week as feel that’s adequate for my skin. Even though it’s an oil, it feels almost serum like on the skin with no greasiness or ‘slip’ once it’s absorbed and it’s quick and easy to apply thanks ton the pipette dispenser.

I haven’t noticed a reduction in breakouts since introducing the Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil into my routine but I know my breakouts are hormonal so there’s literally nothing that can help me product wise to prevent them. However I’ve been using the oil in combination with my holy grail spot treatment; the Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot and they’ve been a dream team in minimising breakouts but for helping them to heal quickly with minimal scarring.

I only use this oil on my problem areas so this 15ml bottle will last for at least six months. The purging process stopped after three weeks of use so I’m hoping it’ll be smooth sailing from now on, but the purging was worth it as the oil means a blemish will now fade within two weeks instead of the three to five week period I’d usually have to deal with.

Whenever I can feel a blemish brewing under the skin, I massage a drop of this oil over the area and I feel as if it reduces the inflammation of the blemish once it appears so they’re a lot less painful and noticeable once they finally appear.

I have to admit I don’t love the strong herbal scent but the scent doesn’t last for very long at all so don’t let that put you off as it’s a really fantastic treatment. I feel as if the Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil has wet my appetite for trying more of the Sunday Riley oils now, and their Luna and Juno oils are on my wishlist.

I’d love to know if you’ve tried the Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Face Oil? Or any of the other Sunday Riley oils before?

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