A pharmacist and aesthetic practitioner has put Primark's budget-friendly skincare range to the test, offering her honest verdict on serums, moisturisers, and sun protection products. Riya, who shares skincare insights on TikTok as @pharmaestheticsbyriya, assessed several items from the retailer's collection, noting both pleasant surprises and areas of concern.
Barrier Support Facial Serum, £5
Riya was pleasantly surprised by this serum, which contains ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. She described it as a 'great affordable option for those who want a hydrating serum,' awarding it an 8 out of 10.
Hydrate Facial Serum, £5
Featuring hyaluronic acid and panthenol, this serum earned a 7 out of 10. Riya noted that for the price, 'you can't really go wrong,' and recommended it for normal to dry skin types.
Exfoliate Facial Serum, £5
Riya was less enthusiastic about this product, rating it 5 out of 10. She advised that it may only be suitable for non-sensitive skin and criticised the inclusion of raspberry extract as unnecessary. She also highlighted that Primark has not disclosed the concentration of glycolic acid, making it difficult to assess effectiveness.
Brightening Facial Serum, £5
Containing vitamin C and niacinamide, this serum was described as having 'great brightening ingredients.' Riya gave it a 7 out of 10, calling it a 'great budget vitamin C option,' though she wished the percentage of active ingredients were listed.
Skin Brighten Vitamin C Eye Cream, £3.50
Riya praised the ingredient list for targeting dark circles and under-eye puffiness, with vitamin C, caffeine, niacinamide, and peptides. She rated it 8.5 out of 10, noting it is worth trying despite the lack of ingredient percentages.
Overnight Facial Serum, £5
This serum impressed Riya with its retinal and supporting hydrating ingredients. She gave it a 7 out of 10, stating the rating would be higher if concentrations were disclosed.
Brighten Vitamin C Cream Moisturiser, £4.50
Riya expressed disappointment that this moisturiser only offers SPF 15 protection, as experts recommend SPF 50+. She also mentioned a personal preference against vitamin C in moisturisers but acknowledged the 'decent' ingredient list. Rating: 7 out of 10.
Hydrate Priming Sheet Mask, £1
Riya described this mask as a 'good basic hydrating' option, noting that sheet masks provide temporary hydration, so expensive versions are unnecessary. She gave it a 7 out of 10.
Lightweight Daily Face SPF 50+, £5
Riya was sceptical about this product, pointing out that it only protects against UVA rays, not UVB. She explained that broad-spectrum protection is essential to prevent sunburn and DNA damage. She also criticised the heavily fragranced watermelon scent. Rating: 4 out of 10.
Revitalising Jelly Cleanser, £4.50
Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser was deemed a 'good, hydrating' option at a good price point. Riya noted that cleansers are a category where you can save money, rating it 8 out of 10.
Final Verdict
While Riya was not impressed with the SPF product, she believes the affordable range is worth sampling. She noted that without disclosed ingredient concentrations, it is hard to gauge effectiveness, but if users see improvements, it could be a great deal that saves money on skincare.
