If you follow a lot of beauty obsessives on Instagram, I can guarantee you’ll have seen Botanical Lab products featured since their launch into Superdrug earlier this year. They’re a UK based skincare brand offering affordable products for blemish prone and problematic skin.
The brand was created by three women, all of which had a combined background in skincare, and struggled with problematic skin which inspired them to start their own brand using the power of botanicals, backed by science, and with ingredients carefully selected. With 11 products to choose from, I chose the Botanical Lab Pumpkin and Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator as I love a good liquid acid based toner, and thought it’d be fun to do a Botanical Lab review.
Botanical Lab Pumpkin and Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator
What’s in it?
-
- pumpkin
- papaya enzymes
- aloe vera leaf juice
- blend of AHA + BHA acids
- glycerin
- lactic acid
- salicylic acid
- glycolic acid
- malic acid
- radish root
What does it do?
“It’s our pumpkin and papaya fruit extracts that lightly exfoliate to remove dead skin cells; it unclogs and resurfaces to renew skin, leaving it soft and radiant; and we have made sure it has been specially formulated to a pH suitable for blemish prone skin.“
The exfoliator can be used both morning and night, poured onto a cotton pad after cleansing and before moisturising, sweeping over the face and neck. Botanical Lab recommend leaving your skin to fully dry for one minute after use, before applying your chosen moisturiser.
Botanical Lab Pumpkin and Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator Review
The Botanical Lab Pumpkin and Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator £5.99 is a clear liquid with a subtle fruity scent. I have to admit I don’t love the scent of pumpkin, so I was worried this toner might smell quite strongly of pumpkin but it doesn’t. If anything it smells more of papaya than it does pumpkin, but the scent doesn’t linger for very long after use anyway so don’t let the fragrance put you off trying it.
I have very sensitive skin and when using this toner I do experience a little sensitivity and ‘sting’ when using it so it’s not a product I can use every day. I do use acid based toners within my routine daily, but this one is a little too harsh for my skin. I think it might be because the whole range is catering for blemish prone skin, which might be those that perhaps has a more oily complexion.
Sensitivity issues aside, I do like how effective this toner is at exfoliating my skin as it leaves my skin feeling smooth and refined, but the stinging is a little too much for my skin right now. My skin is always more sensitive in the cooler months, so it’s something I’ll keep in my stash and perhaps try again in Spring and Summer to see if my skin is a little less reactive.
You can find the whole Botanical Lab collection on Superdrug.
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