Saving Face by the Beauty Parlour

This is a daily moisturiser with SPF 8 with Horse Chestnut and Cucumber in 50’s inspired kitsch packaging.  Obvious comparisons can be made to Soap & Glory with the bright colours, 50’s images and playful design.  I actually prefer this packaging; it’s not such a bright pink. and it looks better than the other S&G copycat – Along Came Betty sold in Tesco.

Key Ingredients

Octocrylene & Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane – organic sunscreens
Orange oil, patchouli oil, amyris oil – to give a citrus, exotic and woody natural fragrance
Cucumis Sativus Fruit extract – cucumber extract
Panax Ginseng – anti-oxidant and rejuvinatng benefits

The rest of the ingredients are standard for this type of formulation and its nice to see that petrolatum and paraffin liquidium havent’ been used to cheapen it.  There is synthetic perfume (parfum) at a higher percentage than the natural oils, but the fragrance is still quite nice and is quite unique smelling.

Where is the Horse Chestnut?

This product claims to contain Horse Chestnut but there is no mention of Aesculus hippocastanum on the ingredient label on the pack or the carton – which is a bit odd!  I’m sure it’s an oversight but a bit of an embarrassment for the manufacturers.

SPF 8

This is provided by organic sunscreens; - Octocrylene & Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, there are quite normal sunscreens.  SPF 8 doesn’t give a lot of protection from UV rays, probably enough for typical changeable UK weather, but not adequate for a hotter day.   I personally prefer a SPF 15 or SPF 20 – just to give cover any surprise heat waves in the UK. 

Rating

Value for money – £1.99 from Savers or £7.99 from Superdrug
Effectiveness – there is a bit too much playtime due to the silicone content, and gives the feeling that it sits on the skin, rather than sinking in, but it’s quite nice and will protect from UV rays
Pampering factor – I do like the fragrance which is part synthetic and part exotic oils
Recommended – if you pay £1.99 for a SPF 8 moisturiser than it’s a good deal,
USP – made in the UK – always try and support British manufacturing