REN is (or used to be) one of my favorite skincare brands. I remember their origin story, which was that it was formulated by 2 men whose wives developed skin problems/sensitivity, and it was an interesting British brand, with an interesting ethos.
It was acquired and is now owned by Unilever, and while I have appreciated how much they have grown since, and how diverse their product range has become, it does feel like a lot of the soul of the brand is no longer there.
That said however, I do still enjoy using some products from the brand, and I’m always open to try something new from them, because of nostalgia 😀 I’ve been using the REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream as my day cream. If it looks a little different, it’s because the packaging has since been updated.
REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream
The reason I picked this to use is because it contains Vitamin C. REN says that it contains a stabilised Vitamin C complex, which is intended to combat free radicals, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, revive dull looking skin and restore skin radiance. They also add Glycogen, to encourage cell renewal and retain moisture for plumper skin texture and glow.
Mine sports the old design label, and the new bottle is similarly an airless pump design, which I like as it remains stable for longer. The formula is also vegan.
Lightweight gel-cream texture
As the label says, it has a gel-cream texture which is fairly lightweight. This is a texture that is slightly thicker than that of an emulsion, but not so thick as to be a cream.
For me personally, as someone with dry skin, this isn’t really enough for my skin for use at night. I use it in the day, but even then, I layer some hydrating lotions or serums underneath to boost the moisture and hydration.
I would peg this for someone with normal-combination skin, or even someone with oily skin, who might appreciate the texture better, and who can use it both day and night. For the night, I need something heavier, which for the moment, is the Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream.
What is nice for most however, is that it sinks in quickly into the skin. It might not be quick enough for some, but give it a little while, and it’ll sink right in. I am rather more generous with it than most people will be, because I just feel I need a little more to get it to work for me.
Thus far, it works well enough, in that my skin seems hydrated and moisturised through the day. It works well under makeup (for me), and keeps my skin comfortable through the day.
Healthy Glow after 7 days?
REN says that their test results show that you will have healthy glowing skin that looks more energised, after 7 days.
To be honest, I did not notice anything spectacular. But I did not expect it either, because I’m already using serums that are more potent, that deliver a more noticeable, better result.
If you have not used a product with Vitamin C before, or recently, and do not use any other product than this for radiance, then you may notice your skin getting brighter and more radiant. The result will naturally be boosted if you use a Vitamin C serum together (whether by REN or another brand).
So, this is something I cannot report on.
I’m almost done with this bottle, and because it doesn’t seem moisturising enough for my skin, I will not be repurchasing. It isn’t to say however, that it is a bad product or that I didn’t like it. I like it enough to finish it, which is more than can be said for products I dislike 😀
It is also my personal goal to use up my skincare products instead of having half-opened bottles and tubs lying around everywhere. By now, after 16 years doing this, I’ve worked out what will work for me, and what won’t.
What this means is that I won’t intentionally use any product that I know will not work for my skin, or addresses a concern I don’t have. At the end of the day, unlike many websites, mine remains a blog that is written by me, based on my experiences with a products, and unless stated to the contrary, is always a proper and complete review, not rehashed from a press release.
I understand that there are many new products in the market, but as I’ve always said, I am but 1 person, and I honestly cannot try them all. I usually don’t go for brands or products that are too young for me, serve too general a purpose, or have active ingredients but at a lower percentage than I prefer.
I will have lots of things to write about – I might just take a little while getting to them, but I’m working on being better with my time so let’s see how it goes! 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream is a lightweight textured gel-cream that is better suited to those with normal-combination skin types. It is a little light if you have dry skin. That said, if you use a separate moisturiser for day and night, then this will work as a daytime moisturiser, which is how I use mine. I also like to use Vitamin C products in the day because it works as an antioxidant and to combat free radicals from the environment, and we are mostly exposed to the environment in the day as opposed to at night. The gel-cream sinks in nicely into the skin and leaves it feeling moisturised through the day. It plays well under makeup for me as well. I did not notice any extraordinary skin brightening or radiance, but that is attributed to me already using brightening/Vitamin C serums so I couldn’t evaluate that.
PROS:
Airless pump bottle preserves product better
Lightweight gel-cream texture absorbs quickly into the skin
Skin feels moisturisedCONS:
Rather pricey
Better suited to those with normal-combination skin typesWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with normal-combination skin types who want a lightweight moisturiser with Vitamin C
PRICE: RM225 | £42 | US$54 for 50ml
For those interested, here is the ingredients list for the REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream.
Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Lauryl Laurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Glycogen, Hippophaë Rhamnoides Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Oil, Parfum* (Fragrance), Tocopherol, Citrus Nobilis(Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Glucose, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Citral, Limonene, Linalool* 100% Natural Fragrance – Parfum 100% Naturel
Have you tried this REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream?
One of my favourite moisturisers from REN is the V-cense Revitalising Night Cream. It really moisturises and plumps the skin without feeling heavy. I noticed they don’t do the V-cense day cream anymore, which is a pity as that was a personal favourite too! In fact, there are so many new items, and new packaging that I scarcely recognise the brand anymore LOL! 😀 I guess it’s time I reacquainted myself with REN.
Paris B
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