Tuesday 25 July 2017

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 1

We all know it's the ingredients that count when it comes to skincare, yet at the same time, the feeling that "you get what you pay for" can be hard to shake off. As much as I enjoy a bargain, there's a point at which I start to wonder if something is too cheap to be any good. And that's before I take into account my weakness for beautiful (and expensive looking) packaging. So when I was asked if I would like to review some skincare products from budget brand Balance Active Formula, I hesitated. With many of their products on offer in discount stores like B&M and Savers for under £5, I must confess it's a brand I probably wouldn't have looked at if I hadn't been asked. But there was something in their ethos that I liked - their dedication to offering skincare formulated from the highest quality ingredients at an affordable price point. In order to do this, they spend less on advertising and packaging. And having won several national Beauty Awards, it's clear that there are plenty of people out there who like what they are doing. The whole concept intrigued me, and I was curious to see whether or not this very reasonably priced skincare would work as well as the more expensive brands I normally use.

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 2

I was sent three products: the Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum, the Hyaluronic Moisturiser and the Vitamin C Power Serum. As soon as I received them, I could immediately see that Balance Active Formula mean what they say about saving money on packaging. It's definitely not the most beautiful, nor does it feel expensive. On the other hand, it has its good points. It's very lightweight, making it perfect for travel, and it's practical too. The serums have handy dropper applicators while the moisturiser comes in a tube, which I know a lot of people prefer to jars as they're quicker to use and more hygienic. So although I might not necessarily want to display these on my dressing table, they get top marks when it comes to practicality of use, which, let's face it, is more important really!

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 3 - Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum  Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 4 - Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum

Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum

This serum can be used morning and night before moisturiser. It contains active levels of Hylasome EG10, an aqueous gel of cross linked Hyaluronic Acid which offers longer lasting moisturisation as well as higher levels of water binding and antioxidant capacity than regular Hyaluronic Acid. It also contains Syn-Ake, a peptide that mimics the muscle freezing abilities of snake venom, which helps to smooth wrinkles and blur fine lines. All three of the products I received are completely fragrance free, and the Youth Serum, while having a nourishing feel to it, absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy residue on the skin. I have been using it both day and evening and can definitely see the plumping, smoothing effect on my complexion. It blurs fine lines as well as any other Hyaluronic Acid based product I have used - which is to say, they are still there, but the appearance is reduced. I can also feel a tautness to my skin after using this, which I guess must be the effects of the Syn-Ake. All in all it's an impressively effective serum, and combined with the moisturiser from the same range, forms a great base for makeup in the mornings.

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 5 - Hyaluronic Moisturiser

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 6 - Hyaluronic Moisturiser

Hyaluronic Moisturiser

Containing the same Hylasome EG10 as the Youth Serum, the Hyaluronic Moisturiser is its perfect partner. In addition to locking in moisture and adding to the plumping effects of the serum, this product also contains Algisium C2 which helps to even out skin tone and texture. It's very lightweight, sinking into the skin completely after just a minute or so, and together with the serum it's perfect as a morning product to prep skin for makeup application and the day ahead. Although the moisturiser can be used in the evenings too, I personally prefer to use a richer night cream after the serum at that time of day.

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 7 - Vitamin C Power Serum

Balance Active Formula Skincare Review - 8 - Vitamin C Power Serum

Vitamin C Power Serum

Containing stabilised Vitamin C, Zinc PCA and Oleuropein (the olive tree's most powerful plant active), this serum is deisgned to brighten the complexion, fade age spots, protect against free radicals and boost collagen production. Like the other two products, the formula is very lightweight, in fact, this is probably the lightest of the three. One word of caution though - be careful with it if you have dry and/or sensitive skin. Mine is slightly sensitive, and can be dry outside of my T-zone, and I found that it became irritated after using this serum every day for a while. I scaled back to every other day, and it was fine after that, but it's just something worth bearing in mind. As far as the results go, it definitely brightens and smooths my skin, and having researched it a little bit, it seems that a lot of people have found it helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. I don't have any, so can't really comment on that, but I can certainly attest to the brightening effects.

I've tried a lot of skincare brands, especially since I started my blog, and this one is certainly the cheapest of the lot. Yet it holds its own against many pricier ranges, with all three products producing real results on my skin. Balance Active Formula is well worth checking out, whether you are on a budget or just fancy forking out a little less for skincare. If you're interested you can check it out at Fragrance Direct.

Have you tried anything from Balance Active Formula? And how do you feel about super affordable skincare in general?

Kate x

*This post was sponsored by Balance Active Formula. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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44 comments

  1. Never heard of this brand, although I'll look out for them. I'm just starting to use serums so i'll look at these!
    Emma x
    https://happywiseowl.com/

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    1. These are great ones to try if you're just starting out with serums as they're so inexpensive! x

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  2. I've been loving testing this range too and I can't believe the good value of it!

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    Replies
    1. I know - just shows you really don't need to pay over the odds for great skincare. x

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  3. I've been using their Wrinkle-Freeze range and I agree, for products so inexpensive the formulas are not one to scoff at. I was really impressed! Xx


    Toni | sheergloss

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    1. I've seen the Wrinkle Freeze range - keen to give that one a try now too! x

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  4. Thanks so much for talking about brands like these, it's great to see how we're influenced by packaging! As it is the first thing I think about hahaha! It's great that you did a post highlighting a brand that has high quality products at affordable price points! I love the sound of the youth serum, I might have to give this brand a go! :) x

    Serene | iamserenel.com

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    1. So glad you found it interesting Serene. I think it's great to know about brands like this, especially when they work just as well as more expensive brands. x

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  5. This sounds so cool! Lovely review :)

    Anika xo | anikamay.co.uk

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  6. I'm actually trying out the same three products at the moment! I agree, they certainly do perform as well as you would expect from more expensive products. I'm really enjoying the vitamin c serum xx

    Velvet Blush

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  7. I remember purchasing a face cleanser from this brand but I haven't used it, must be somewhere in my bathroom! Need to find it and try it!

    Yiota
    pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com

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  8. The Vitamin C serum sounds really good! I've been looking for something that's moisturising but will also help my acne scarring so I might give this a go x

    A Little Treat | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

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    1. It's definitely well worth a try if you have acne scarring. Hope you like it! x

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  9. What a steal especially if the products worked, will have a look into the moisturiser! x Sam
    Sam Hodgett || Beauty, Food & Lifestyle

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    Replies
    1. I know - just think of the money saved on expensive skincare! x

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  10. Like you I tend to be cautious when it comes to budget brands, but I have been prooved wrong several times. It seems to be a marketing thing though, when The Ordinary launched for budget prices people were excited and not cautious.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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    1. Yes, The Ordinary have made it into a desirable thing and they seem to be fairly unique in that. x

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  11. I am not familiar with this brand at all but I see what you mean about the packaging but I also agree that the quality and results that matter most.

    Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

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    Replies
    1. It is. Did we all care quite so much about packaging before Instagram and blogging came along? I can't remember! x

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  12. This is a really informative post and so well written! The serum sounds great I must give it a try!

    SHAKIRA / SHAKIRA SACKS

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  13. haven't tried it yet but will surely give it a try

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  14. I love the packaging of these and the fact they have vitamin c in! I do have a tea tree serum but I never really use it x

    S x
    SHELISES WORLD

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    1. I haven't used a lot with tea tree, although it's great for breakouts. x

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  15. I've never heard of this brand before I don't think. It's always good to hear about affordable options, as I don't think great skincare needs to be really expensive x

    Jenny | LuxeStyle

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    Replies
    1. It really doesn't. This brand proves it's just about great ingredients and they really don't cost the earth. x

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  16. I think the moisturiser sounds like a good one for during the day when your skin feels a little tight or dehydrated.
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.co.uk/

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it's great for day wear as it's so light. x

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  17. I haven't heard of this brand before but they sound good! Especially those serums :)

    xx Alyssa // STYLE VANITY

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  18. The serum sounds like a great base for makeup, something I've only just recently discovered through forming a firm serum-fave this summer - it's amazing how they help makeup to glide onto the skin effectively, right?! Thanks for the introduction to this brand Kate, I'd not heard of them before!

    aglassofice.com
    x

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome Gabrielle! Yes, I've only recently realised myself that good skincare can prep the skin for better makeup application as well as just improving the way it looks without it. The hyaluronic serum is great for that. x

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  19. Great post. Great products. I love the ingredients in them and the fact that they are affordable makes it even better. Thanks for sharing. I would love to hear your thoughts on my last post.
    www.photosbycris.blogspot.com.au

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  20. The packaging is off putting but I adore the range!
    Angie
    www.chocolateandlipstick.com

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    Replies
    1. You basically just summed up my post in one sentence there! x

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  21. I've not heard of this brand before, but they sound like they work wonders! Really like the sound of the Hyaluronic bits!

    Nicole | The Glam Surge

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they were definitely my favourites. x

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