By Mica Ricketts
last updated
While I've never thought of myself as a particularly extravagant person, I recently totted up myregular skincare routine and found that it totalled an eye-watering £669. Yikes. With that in mind, I've been busy testing more affordable skincare optionsthan ever in my quest to find efficacious products that don't compromise on results. Currently, I am somewhat obsessed with Versed, our sister skincare line in whichevery single product clocks in at £20 and under.
And theaffordable price tag doesn't mean that you're compromising on quality. Every product is made from clean, simple ingredients that have been sustainably sourced and tirelessly tested for maximum results. From cleansers and serums to moisturisers and eye creams, it's a full range of hardworking skincare that I'm recommending to everyone. Oh, and it's just landed at my favourite place to shop for affordable beauty:Boots.
Keep scrolling for my honest review of every product in the Versed range.
Cleansers and Toners
Versed
Wash It Out Gel Cleanser
This is a light, refreshingdaily cleanser that's so gentle on the skin and lightly froths to wash away dirt and grime. I like to use this one in the morning because it's infused with rose water and mint, so it has a really uplifting aroma.
Versed
Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
I love a cleansing balm, but some of my favourites are seriously pricey. This is a brilliant, affordable option that's infused with vitamin E and transforms into a light milk on contact with water to leave skin soft, supple and without any oilyresidue.
Versed
Keep the Peace Blemish-Calming Cream Cleanser
My acne-prone skin loves salicylic acid, so I was super excited when Versed launched this cleanser. It's a foaming formulation, but don't let that put you off—this is a thick, creamy lather that doesn't feel drying or stripping on the skin. If I could only use one cleanser from the range, it would probably be this one.
Versed
Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator
This is a really creamy exfoliator that uses teeny-tiny microcrystals—a biodegradable, plant-based alternative to microbeads—to gently polish away dead, dull skin cells. It isn't gritty or rough but leavesmy skinlooking brighter and feeling softer every time I use it.
Versed
Baby Cheeks All-in-One Hydrating Milk
This is a unique product, as you can use it however you want, really—as your first, last or only step in your skincare routine. It removes makeup, restores your skin's natural pH balance and hydrates to leave your skin so soft and hydrated. It's brilliant if you're into a simple, pared-back skincare routine.
Versed
Weekend Glow Brightening Solution
This is one of my favourite products from the Versed collection. I havea lot of pigmentation left behind from old spots, and this toner has really helped to lighten them and generally even out my skin tone. It also contains exfoliating AHAs and skin-brighteningingredientslike azelaic acid, so my skin looksmore glowy too.
Serums and Treatments
Versed
Just Breathe Clarifying Serum
If you're prone to breakouts likeI am, then I can't recommend this serum enough. I tend to use it at night, and it really works to calm inflammation caused by active spots and bring down redness so skin looks calmer by morning.
Versed
Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum
Then, come morning, this rejuvenating serum comes into its own. I love vitamin C serums, and this definitely isn't the most potent one I've tried. Although, it definitely does a decent job of boosting radiance when my skin looks tired. I think it's a great one to try if you're prone to irritation when using higher-strength vitamin C serums but you'd still like to add luminosity to your skin.
Versed
Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
This is exactly what it says it is—a gentle retinol. It uses an encapsulated retinol, which works by moving past the skin's surface and getting to worth beneath to prevent irritation, and it leaves skin feeling plumper and looking clearer and more even in tone. I've had some pretty bad reactions to retinol in the past, but my skinreally loves this one.
Eye-Care
Versed
Zero-G Smoothing Eye Cream
I'm nearly 32, and I'm definitely starting to see those first signs of ageing with theslightest of fine lines starting to appear around my eyes. This rich, algae-enriched formula works to smooth those out while illuminating the whole eye area at the same time. This isintensely moisturising, so if you're not a fan of rich eye creams, maybe check out one of the other Versed eye products first.
Versed
Vacation Eyes Brightening Eye Gel
This would be my personal eye product of choice from the Versed collection. Leave it in the fridge overnight if you suffer from puffiness, and it feels so cooling and refreshing on tired eyes. Plus, it contains vitamin C and tons of other good stuff to keep eyes looking bright throughout the day.
Versed
The Fix Emergency Eye Mask
With a 1-year-oldwho doesn't always love sleeping in his own bed, I found that this product really spoke to me. It's a nifty mix of cooling and de-puffing cucumber juice alongside invigorating caffeine, and it works in just 10 minutes—leaving even the most tired of eyes feeling soothed and looking more awake.
Masks and Peels
Versed
The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel
This product is so good. It's a blend of exfoliating lactic and glycolic acids and vitamin A (aka retinol) that works to remove dead skin cells, brighten your complexion and hydrate while you snooze. Just smooth it on to clean skin before bed, and then cleanse as normal in the morning, and you will genuinely be amazed at how good your skin looks.
Versed
Photos, Please Brightening Tightening Mask
As a big fan of clay masks, I had high hopes for this one, and it really didn't disappoint. Alongside toning and detoxifying kaolin clay, it has brightening turmeric and skin-tightening witch hazel. After about 15 minutes, my skin always looks brighter and more toned. It's a brilliant one to use before a big event or a night out. (Remember those?)
Moisturisers and SPF
Versed
Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream
This is the moisturiser that I wish I'd had as a teenager. It's a really lightweight, jelly-cream texture that imparts just the right amount of hydration without weighing skin down or adding excess shine. These days, I like my moisturisers to have a little extra hydration, but this would be a great option in the warmer summer months.
Versed
Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream
This feels like a luxury skincare product at a fraction of the price. It's packed with anti-ageing ingredients like algae extract, vitamin E and squalane, and it feels rich and nourishing on the skin. If you have dry skin, then you'll adore this, but I'm totally obsessed with it too even though I have more of a combination complexion.
Lip-Care
Versed
Silk Slip Tinted Lip Oil
My lips are basically always dry, but turns out a lip oil actually does a way better job of moisturising than a balm. It's definitely a bit slippier in texture so not something that I'd reach for every day, but I love these tinted versions for adding a wash of colour along with sheeny hydration. There's anuntinted version too if you want the moisture without the added tint.
Up next, these are the skincare trends that you won't want to miss in 2021.
Mica Ricketts
No Doubt About It—This Trending Summer Colour Is Ageless and Ultra-SophisticatedAnd my favourite celebrities can't get enough.By Natalie Munro Jennifer Lopez Just Wore the Most Elegant Dress Trend of 2024And you can too.By Allyson Payer The Luxury News Bulletin: Everything Happening in the World of Style This MonthThings to get excited about.By Rebecca Rhys-Evans