Revolution Skincare Review

If you are a fan of drugstore skincare, this is a post for you! Revolution Skincare is a UK-based company that is both affordable and high quality.

Like The Ordinary and The Inkey List, many Revolution Skincare products focus on a single active ingredient, which makes them perfect for mixing and matching in your skincare routine.

I will discuss my experience with an exfoliating toner, serums, eye cream, and moisturizers in this Revolution Skincare review.

About Revolution Beauty

Revolution Beauty is the parent company of Revolution Skincare. Founded in 2013, Revolution Beauty is well known for its makeup products under the Makeup Revolution line.

They offer quality products made with the latest ingredients and technologies at an affordable price.

This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.

Revolution Skincare Review

I’ve been using multiple products from Revolution Skincare over the past year. In my experience, they are very comparable to The Ordinary and The Inkey List products.

Spoiler, I am impressed with the results, and they’ve been easy to incorporate into my current skincare regimen:

It contains 5% glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that helps dissolve the glue between old skin cells, making it easier for them to fall off and reveal newer, healthier layers of your skin.

This is perfect for people who deal with whiteheads, blackheads, and congested skin.

Glycolic acid also helps to fade hyperpigmentation, dark spots, uneven skin tone, and the appearance of acne scars and blemishes.

It also increases collagen production, which will give you a firmer and more youthful complexion.  

Glycolic acid has the smallest molecule size of all alpha-hydroxy acids, which allows it to penetrate your skin quickly and deeply.

Unfortunately, since it can penetrate so deep, it may also irritate those with sensitive skin.

The toner also contains ginseng extract, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage and free radical damage from UV rays.

Aloe vera soothes and calms the skin, and witch hazel tightens the pores.

Since I have somewhat sensitive skin, glycolic acid products tend to irritate my skin. I’m happy to say that I can tolerate this 5% concentration.

A few nights a week, I use it in place of my regular toner, and it leaves my skin softer, smoother with improved skin texture.

This is one of the few glycolic acid products that work for me, so this one’s a keeper.

Don’t be fooled by the word acid. This ingredient is all about skin hydration, not skin exfoliation!

The serum contains two forms of hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin at multiple levels. Sodium hyaluronate is a salt form of hyaluronic acid that draws water to the skin, acting like a sponge.

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer is a cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid that forms a mesh-like film on your skin for extended hydration.

Glycerin provides added moisture and helps to strengthen the skin barrier.

This serum is formulated to help your skin lock in moisture. Ideal for dehydrated and dry skin, this lightweight, oil-free hyaluronic acid serum plumps the skin, leaving it soft and supple.

While there are many 2% hyaluronic acid serums on the market, I like this serum because the product is lightweight and absorbs well. One of the best qualities of this serum is that it is not sticky or greasy.

So many hyaluronic acid serums dry to a tacky finish and don’t play well with makeup, but this serum has a very elegant texture for the low price.

I find this hyaluronic acid serum to be a nice boost in my routine when my skin looks and feels dry and dull.

I also like to use it during the day with Revolution Skincare 12.5% Vitamin C Serum for added hydration. If you’re someone who suffers from dry skin, it could be worth a try.

Niacinamide is a favorite of those with oily and acne-prone skin as it helps reduce inflammation and redness and regulate sebum (oil) production in the skin.

Niacinamide is also an antioxidant that helps fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation over time and creates a more even skin tone with continued use.

Niacinamide reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it helps prevent future damage from environmental stressors that cause signs of aging before you see them on your skin.

It also strengthens the skin barrier by improving ceramide production in the skin.

A 1% concentration of Zinc PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) helps regulate oil production and can even help improve collagen production.

I use this niacinamide serum without any irritation. It really tamps down the oily buildup in my skin throughout the day.

I appreciate the multiple benefits it provides, and I love that this is a relatively high amount of niacinamide for its very affordable price.

If you are oily or acne-prone and looking for a gentle balancing serum, whether you choose the 10% concentration or 15% concentration, this is a great choice.

It contains 10% Matrixyl peptides to firm the look of the skin:

• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 (Matrixyl synthe’6): This peptide is supposed to increase the production of six elements of the skin matrix and improve the look of wrinkles and fine lines, especially forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet wrinkles around the eyes.
• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7: Better known as Matrixyl 3000, this peptide duo is supposed to stimulate collagen production and restore skin firmness. It has been shown to improve fine lines and wrinkles in photoaged skin.

Like other Revolution Skincare serums that I’ve tried, this Matrixyl serum has a comfortable texture that sinks in quickly. It’s not sticky or greasy and works well with other skincare products.

I like this peptide serum because it’s is affordable for the number of actives that it contains.

Peptides usually don’t provide an immediate improvement in your skin, so don’t expect miracles overnight with this serum.

I like to use it along with retinol products to increase anti-aging benefits in my skincare routine.

The serum targets the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines and loss of firmness and elasticity.

Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate (Syn-Ake): This hard-to-pronounce active is a tripeptide that works to diminish wrinkles and laughter lines like Botox does.

You won’t get the same results as Botox, but the manufacturer claims that it helps to reduce wrinkles while allowing for facial expressions.

It doesn’t have as many actives as The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (formerly known as The Ordinary “Buffet”), another affordable multi-peptide serum, but this multi-peptide serum has a better texture and a lighter consistency.

This serum has the same gel-like consistency as 10% Matrixyl Wrinkle and Fine Line Reducing Serum. It is non-sticky and works well under makeup and other skincare products.

If I had to choose between the two, I’d choose this Multi-Peptide serum since it has an extra anti-aging peptide in it.

The serum helps brighten and strengthen the skin in multiple ways, thanks to ascorbic acid, one of the best over-the-counter anti-aging actives. Ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C):

• Stimulates collagen production for firmer skin more youthful-looking skin with improved elasticity.
• Interrupts melanin (pigment) production in our skin which helps to fade the look of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
• Is a potent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. Ascorbic acid also improves wrinkles, fine lines, skin tone, and roughness in photodamaged skin.

This vitamin C serum has a thin creamy texture that absorbs into the skin easily. I’ve never tried a 12.5% vitamin C serum before, only 10% and under or 15% and over.

This serum really agrees with my skin and seems to be a perfect concentration that is strong enough but does not irritate my skin.

That being said, those with sensitive skin would be better off with ascorbic acid concentrations at under 10%.

I notice my skin is a bit drier after using this concentration of vitamin C, so I make sure to use it in conjunction with hyaluronic acid to keep my skin hydrated.

I’ve seen an improvement in clarity and a slight brightening of my complexion after using this serum daily.

If you suffer from hyperpigmentation and dark spots, or you have a skin type that can handle more potent formulations, this vitamin C product is a very affordable option.

Please note that there is added citrus fruit oil and fragrance in this vitamin C serum.

It contains a 20% concentration of vitamin C derivative sodium ascorbyl phosphate.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate provides similar benefits as pure vitamin C. It offers antioxidant protection, improves collagen synthesis, and helps brighten the skin.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is more stable than pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and less likely to produce undesired effects such as redness, stinging, and peeling.

This eye cream also contains multi-benefit niacinamide, which helps smooth fine lines, brighten the skin, and strengthen the skin barrier.

Glycerin and squalane moisturize the skin, vitamin E offers additional antioxidant protection.

I love all of the actives in this eye cream, especially the vitamin C derivative and niacinamide. The eye cream is creamy and non-greasy and has the feel of a luxury eye cream.

I like to use this eye cream during the day for antioxidant protection from vitamins C and E. It melts into my skin quickly and works well under concealer and makeup.

I love the texture and feel. Very impressed!

Perfect for combination and oily skin types, this gel-cream contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), an active that provides multiple benefits for the skin.

From oil regulation and skin barrier restoration to smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and fading hyperpigmentation, niacinamide is a true multi-tasker.

Kaolin and rice starch absorb excess oil, while glycerin and betaine are humectants that moisturize the skin.

Revolution Skincare Niacinamide Mattifying Moisture Cream is a very light gel-cream that is creamy and non-greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin.

For my skin, it lives up to being mattifying without being too drying. I enjoy using it over my serums when my skin is feeling a bit oily.

For the low price, this is another Revolution Skincare product that is very impressive.

The formula doesn’t contain many extra active ingredients but does the job of mattifying your skin while moisturizing it.

It is formulated with Shorea Stenoptera seed butter from the nuts of the Shorea Stenoptera tree. This seed butter is an emollient that moisturizes the skin.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stress. Sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) hydrates and plumps the skin, acting like a sponge that draws water to the skin.

This lightweight moisturizer feels lighter on my skin than Niacinamide Mattifying Moisture Cream but leaves a natural finish.

This has the feel of a watery cream and is an excellent alternative to more expensive water creams like Tatcha The Water Cream, as I noted in this Tatcha The Water Cream skincare dupe post.

Is Revolution Skincare Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Revolution Skincare is cruelty-free. All Revolution Skincare products (and all products produced by Revolution Beauty) are certified by PETA.

They do not allow animal testing at any stage of ingredient development or on finished products.

Is Revolution Skincare Vegan?

Many Revolution Skincare products are vegan, but not all products are vegan. It’s their mission to become 100% vegan for all Revolution Skincare products in 2021. 

Final Thoughts on this Revolution Skincare Review

Revolution Skincare products pleasantly surprised me. There was not one product that I tried that I didn’t like.

I really like the antioxidant-rich eye cream that has a luxurious feel under my eyes.

The two moisturizers that I tried have a lightweight consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin, so they are perfect for normal, combination, and oily skin types who want hydration but not heavy creams.

Thanks for reading!