A while ago, I was offered the opportunity to try the newly available Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser by The Body Shop. This is part of what seems to be a revamped Vitamin C range from the brand. I used to be quite a fan of the Vitamin C Skinboost Serum, although I’m not sure if it’s still available now. So, not having used much from TBS for a while, I agreed to give it a try.
Part of the reason as well, was due to the clever description on the tub which proclaims it to be for “Dull, tired, grumpy skin” Grumpy skin! Yes, I have that from time to time LOL!
I dug into this after running out of my regular day moisturiser (which I happen to love btw) and while I was going through a period of dull skin, no thanks to stress and poor sleeping habits. I was hoping that the light gel texture would help my dull, tired and yes, very grumpy skin. The question of course is, did it?
Well, I’m sad to report that it didn’t.
The Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser is a lightweight, gel-textured, water-based moisturiser that is quite perfect for our warm, humid weather. This is especially so if you have oilier skin and aren’t keen on using a moisturiser.
The key focus is to hydrate your skin and give it a glow, thanks to the Vitamin C extract of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate which is said to be a more stable version of Vitamin C, to protect your skin by being an antioxidant, and to give it a glow, by brightening your skin.
It is also coloured orange, and has the scent of oranges; something that seems to plague anything infused with Vitamin C. I wish for once that it wasn’t so because the synthetic scent of oranges/citrus can be quite off putting. I found it a bit strong in this moisturiser, and also a bit sweet. But I will not deny that it is a refreshing boost in the morning, so if you like that, then its fine.
The packaging is far more luxurious than I remember Body Shop products being packaged in. The heavy, almost glass-like tub it comes in has a nice heft and solid built, and it feels (and looks) good.
But that’s where it sort of ends for me.
Unfortunately, I found that the TBS Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser broke me out. It wasn’t anything too serious, but I now know my skin enough to know when a product is giving me bumps under the skin; and this one did.
I also find the gel texture a little heavy, almost silicone in feeling (although I don’t seem to detect silicones in the ingredient list), which I’m not much of a fan of. I like gel-textured moisturisers in the day, especially when the days are long and hot like they are now, but I don’t like that silky-touch feeling to the skin.
So, unfortunately for me, my grumpy skin only got grumpier 🙁 I’ve passed it on to my dad who seems to have no problem with it so it must come down to different skin tolerances. I can’t tell you therefore that I love this or that it works, so you will have to try it for yourself.
However, it retails here at RM150/50ml which I was quite surprised at. I don’t seem to recall Body Shop prices being that high but then, I have been a little out of touch.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser is a lightweight gel-textured moisturiser that has a fresh citrus scent and feels comfortable on skin. It does feel a little heavy to me, leaving a silk-touch finish to the skin. The unfortunate thing was that I experienced some breakouts while using this, so I did not quite notice any glow. It was good while it lasted, as it felt comfortable on. Just not what my skin liked I suppose.
PROS: Hefty and luxurious packaging, Lightweight texture, Refreshing citrus scent, Absorbs well and quickly into the skin
CONS: Broke me out, Rather pricey
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with oily skin who wants a lightweight moisturiser, Anyone who wants a fairly affordable Vitamin C moisturiser product for glow and radiance
Here’s the ingredient list for the Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser.
Have you tried this new product from TBS? Do you have a favourite product from The Body Shop?
I’d have to say that one of my faves is the Pillow Spray. Not all of their skincare works for me, although there’s this new face oil coming out that I’m quite interested in. I used to be quite a fan of their body washes too but I haven’t been in a store in a while so I didn’t realise that there are so many new ranges now! Ok, so do you have a fave scent I should try? LOL 😀
Paris B
The Body Shop Glow Boosting Moisturiser Price: RM150 | £16 | US$30 for 50ml Availability: The Body Shop stores or online (Malaysia)
It could be the emulsifier (isostearyl lactate) or perfume that broke you out. The silky feeling is from the copolymer (also found in Japanese sunscreens, especially waterproof formulas).
I avoid all perfumed products since they irritate my skin. Even Avene makes a travel-sized sunscreen that is perfumed, which is strange since it is a brand for sensitive skin… Certain essential oils (citrus ones especially) can be irritants.
Thanks for the info Firn. It could well be all that, or just how it is formulated. I’m generally ok with perfumed skincare or products but then who knows eh? Perhaps the ol’ skin is changing… again!
RM150 ohmaigott.
The top 3 ingredients are basic, CHEAP, ingredients.
I am appalled.
I have to admit the price shocked me too. I just never thought of TBS products being this pricey! Especially when Origins has a similar looking product (that doesn’t break me out) and is cheaper! (surprise!)
It looks so similar to Origins Ginzing moisturiser! That’s a pretty steep price for a Body Shop product though, on par with Clinique Moisture Surge!
I would be wary of the sesame seed oil leading to breakouts as well. I have acne-prone skin and I really havr to watch out for additional oils in face products. Used to use Origins Ginzing but my skin is now doing better with Kiehls oil-free moisturiser…
That is does Houdini! Different purposes, but looks similar (and Origins doesn’t break me out 😛 ) I’m generally good with most facial oils so I honestly have no idea what’s in this that breaks me out. Perhaps it’s just the formulation, not an ingredient. It’s hard to say!
Oh too bad it broke you out. I have been wanting to try some TBS vitamin C moisturizers, I am now thinking twice
Oh don’t be put off Nashia! There are loads of people online who like this very much 🙂 I don’t know if they have samples, but if you can get a sample, it’s worth trying
I have always wanted to try out those vitamin c capsules from this range. Have you ever tried gem? Any idea about them?
Btw, Paris, I have a question to ask you. I just read your travel skin care products which you published in June after your Tibet trip. I was just curious as to how much sunscreen do you use? Also, when you reapply, is it in the same amount? And, does it not feel heavy when you reapply?
I actually thought of getting this sheisido sunscreen which you had lately reviewed, the one which gets more protectant on contact with water but I ended up getting the wrong one from them. I got the spf30 which leaves a hellish white tint when I apply a lot of product. Was just curious if you would describe your usage, it might help me out 🙂
Hi Swati, I haven’t tried their Vitamin C capsules so can’t share any thoughts, sorry! As for the sunscreen, I usually squeeze out product along the length of the top third of my finger (does that make sense?) and apply it to my skin. So I use 1 “finger length” for each part of my face – 2 cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. It’s not heavy at all but it’s mostly to do with the formula. I haven’t tried the SPF30 one (is that the white bottle with the grey stripe?) so I don’t know about that. I don’t experience any white cast with the Shiseido Perfect UV I use, but even if there is, I wouldn’t have noticed because of my skintone. I honestly do not know if it’ll reflect on a deeper skin tone but I hope it doesn’t because that’s a good one! I hope you get to try it and I hope you enjoyed your visit to KL 🙂
Oho, yeah, so the top third of sunscreen on each of cheeks, forehead, chin, etc. so a complete finger length on the entire face or a complete finger length on each part of the face? Sorry to be pestering but I just want to figure out what is the right amount of sunscreen to use! And, when you reapply, you go for the same amount again? Nah, the spf30 is same blue with orange stripe bottle which is why I got confused 😀 yes, may be you are right about the skin tone. I shall check out the spf50 once I get over with this bottle!! And, yeah, Malaysia was great except the weather. Wow…it tired us both. We went to langkawi and putrajaya as well and it was great! And, thanks so much for your heads up, I went insane shopping. Spent 1500 ringets on just beauty stuff 😀
Gosh Swati, I never really worked it out how much sunscreen I use to be honest LOL I apply section by section so each section gets a third finger length of sunscreen and I’m hoping that’s enough 🙂 If I reapply, I do the same yep! Glad you enjoyed your trip to Malaysia and yes, tropical weather can be very very tiring! You end up sweating so much haha! Oh and you went to Langkawi! It’s a pretty place 😀
Sorry to hear it broke you out, PB. I was curious about this so your review really helped. I won’t take my chances… since there are other moisturizers that I like 🙂
You’re welcome! Yeah for the price, there are lots of other competitors in the market that do as good a job so no loss there 🙂
Morning, Paris! I bought this one at the airport last month as I ran out of my day moisturiser. I also was hoping it would help un-dull my skin but not very impressed so far!! The smell is quite chemical, but better than their Pomegranate range which immediately made me morning sick!! 😮
I also got the Vitamin Skin Boost but was quite surprised when the SA told me that I should use Skin Boost AFTER moisturiser. I had tried the Skin Boost some years ago and remembered that it was to be used BEFORE moisturiser. Actually, I saw the review from you so I decided to try it out. HAHA
Anyway, I haven’t got any breakouts so far. I quite like the effect the Skin Boost left on my face… feels really smooth. 😀 Won’t repurchase the moisturiser though…
Hiya Ting! Glad to know it didn’t break you out even if it didn’t quite wow you either haha! I used Skin Boost as a serum the last time I used it. It does have a very silicone feel which is also why I stopped using it. Maybe that’s why they suggest you use it over moisturiser? I think they reformulated it as well. Gosh, I haven’t been into TBS in ages!
I love this product and it also broke me out. But I knew it was because of the aloe Vera in it. But I couldn’t stop using it because I wanted my skin to get use to it. My skin eventually got use to it and i had nomore breakouts. I used it religiously for about 4months(stored it in the refrigerator) and I swear this product is just magical. If it breaks you out, Jst Keep on using it. Your skin will get use to it. I am on my second jar now. I can’t live without this product.