Discovering My Skin Typology
For to long we have accepted that there is only dry, combination and oily skin types. Yet everyone has individual skin concerns and areas they wish to treat. Typology have torn up the rule book for skincare and I am so here for it. On their website you will find an in-depth but accessible diagnostic quiz, to identify your unique skin concerns and skin type. From there you will be recommended a prescription, to create a fully custom skincare routine. No more guessing what your skin needs.
*These products have been sent to me for testing and review purposes. All opinions are my own. **Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Introducing Typology
Typology’s mission is to demystify skincare and make effective and sustainable products. I love to hear this. I was instantly drawn to the brand before I tried them. Their apothecary, minimalist style is so refreshing and eye-catching. Skincare is such a huge industry and it can feel so bloated at times, so when a brand catches my eye, I take note.
Typology has created a matrix of 24 unique skin typologies. To better understand your skin and to find products that really work for you. This in-depth diagnostic is delivered through a quick and easy skincare quiz. No more guessing and additional research needed. Typology has done the hard work and prescribed a perfect routine!
My prescription: DE(-) skin
My main skin concerns are: dry patches, under eye bags and dilated pores.
What it means to have DE(-) skin
DE(-) skin produces slightly less sebum than the average skin type. The lack of lipids in your skin hinders the formation of the protective barrier that works to retain moisture. When dehydrated, fine lines may appear on the surface of your skin. When kept hydrated and nourished, your skin feels more elastic. In some cases, your skin is reactive to its environment, resulting in skin that easily reddens when cleansed, exposed to the sun, heat or cold weather. Some of these external aggressions (like UV radiation, pollution, etc.) are the cause of oxidative stress that can have a lasting impact on the skin.
(Taken from the Typology website)
So now I have a better understanding of my skin, it was time to try my recommended routine!
Hydrolate Organic Cornflower | £9.40
Hydrolate is a skin soothing and under eye depuffing liquid. That can be used before the Typology caffeine serum for extra effect. This works as a decongestant, so you still need to apply an eye cream afterwards for hydration. The active ingredient; cornflower hydrolate is an anti-inflammatory and helps to sooth the delicate skin around the eye and promote a dispersion and decongestion of the delicate under eye area.
My under eyes have always been dark and can look sunken when I am really tired. Currently with a baby, sleep is a luxury I don’t have, so I am relying on products to do more to help me look bright and awake. It is an extra few steps in my routine but I have found it worth doing. Since I have noticed an improvement. It feels lovely on puffy eyes. I use a reusable cotton pad and add a few drops. Then swipe it onto my under eyes every morning. The longer you can leave it, the better the effect. This has been great for my sensitive skin and I have even noticed my under eye darkness improved. The biggest result for me is less puffy and sunken eyes, even on little sleep.
Eye Serum 5% Caffeine + 5% Niacinamide | £12.50
After the Hydrolate, I use the Eye Serum with caffeine and niacinamide to help further wake up my tired eyes. I use about 3 drops and apply delicately to my under eye area. It works to combat dark purplish pigmentation due to poor circulation and thinning of the skin in this area. Caffeine helps to improve the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Niacinamide improves blood circulation. Together they work to boost microcirculation and improve the appearance of dark circles and puffy under eyes. You do need to follow this with a eye cream once dry, to ensure hydration.
Typology recommends 4 weeks of continuous use before assessing the results. This was one of the last products I added into my routine, so I haven’t used it for this time yet. Despite it being early days, I am still so happy to have this additional step in my routine. Even when I am well rested and hydrated, I still used to have darkness under my eyes. Part of this is hyperpigmentation and hereditary but I do feel that the purple tones can be improved with continuous use of this serum. I am excited to continue to use this!
Plumping Serum 3% Hyaluronic Acid + 2% B5 | £11.90
Before moisturising I like to use about 4 drops of the Plumping serum. This does have a small pipette which can be fiddly to use. But once I have my serum in-hand I apply this to my entire face. It’s super fast absorbing and gives my skin instant bounce. Hylauronic acid is a staple in my routine and I constantly advocate it use for everyone. Why? Because literally everyone can benefit from it. The short version is, it helps the skin hold onto water. Improving hydration and giving your skin a plumper appearance. The added benefit of B5 in this serum stimulates the regeneration of skin cells. Further promoting moisture retention and softness in the skin.
This works great as a boost to my moisturiser. I often use two serums in my routine (this being one of them) to focus on hydration and then radiance. It works great as a layer and wont interfere with an additional serum, if this is something you also want to do. A must step to keep my skin feeling plump and looking healthy.
Nourishing Moisturizer 1% Hyaluronic Acid + Shea Butter | £21.50
The Nourishing Moisturiser by Typology became an instant favourite of mine. It has a silky, rich texture and is extremely moisturising. It has an almond scent that reminds me of pastries, which I like. Formulated with shea butter, squalene and hyaluronic acid. These actives help retain hydration and improve the feeling of dehydrated skin. It’s also been great for my sensitive skin, which can react to moisturisers in particular.
I find that the metal tube, although it looks lovely, may not be the best packaging for this formula. As it wants to leak out if you aren’t fast enough at putting on the cap. Otherwise, I have no complaints. It’s non greasy, fast absorbing and wonderful for my dehydrated and dry skin. My skin hasn’t had as many dry patches since I made the swap! It’s also a great price point for such a high quality formula. This is one to try if you like rich moisturisers.
7-Ingredient Cleansing Oil | £14.90
You can always win me over with a cleansing oil. I should put that on a bumper sticker. The 7-Ingredient Cleansing Oil is everything I want from a cleanser and more. It’s fragrance free, gentle and doesn’t dry out my skin. Formulated with, you guess it… just 7 ingredients and no fillers. Sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E, to name a few.
I like to use this as my first cleanse in the evening. It breaks down makeup easily and leaves my skin feeling soft and cleansed. The oil formula becomes an ultra light milk when in contact with water. I find it really easy to work into my skin. This is also suitable for eye makeup, which is always a win. I love how mild this is, it’s a really great option for sensitive skin. Works great as step one for cleansing to help remove the day.
Hydrating Cleansing Bar with Palmarosa | £9.90
The Hydrating Cleansing Bar with Palmarosa contains three essentials oils; palmarosa, verbena and lemongrass. They promotes skin regeneration, cleanse and purify and give this bar it’s lovely zesty scent. It also contains olive, sunflower and coconut oil as well as shea butter to ensure it is soothing and nourishing for the skin. It’s really easy to create a rich lather with this bar. I get my hands nice and soapy and then apply to my face being careful of my eyes as this will sting them.
I’ve tried a few cleansing bars in the past and it’s not the skin drying experience you may think it will be. If you have been afraid of them, its not like a traditional soap bar. Although, the appearance may trick you. I of course love that the Hydrating Cleansing Bar with Palmarosa is plastic free. It makes it a great swap. This works best as a second cleanse, so I use it after the 7-Ingreident Cleansing Oil. I enjoy this bar and as long as you let it dry out fully between uses, it lasts ages too.
Hydrating Night Serum Botanical Blend with Papyrus | £41.80
The Hydrating Night Serum feels wonderful on my skin. This luxurious dry oil is the perfect final step to my night time routine. It’s fast absorbing without leaving an oily residue. I believe this is the first time I’ve used Papyrus in a skincare product, and I’m not sure why brands aren’t using it more! Papyrus contains potent cells to restore skin hydration by replenishing the skin’s water reservoir. I can confirm if you have dry or dehydrated skin this is a wonder ingredient. The Hydrating Night Serum also includes borage oil which is rich in omega-6 and squalane to fight dryness. Because the majority of your skin’s regeneration occurs at night, giving it a boost with a super moisturising combination will guarantee your skin gets the most out of this period.
Lastly, but just as notable it contains lavender essential oil and bitter orange essential oil for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial prosperities. They also lend to the lovely scent! I love this oil, it’s light, nourishing and my skin feels calm and happy when I use it. I really love how soft and supple my skin looks by morning too. Giving my skin a treatment boost before bed has significantly reduced my dry patches, which are a major source of irritation for me. It’s pricey compared to the other products here but I think its totally worth the splurge.
Dry Skin Serum 100% Squalane | £13.90
To further assist with my dry patches I was prescribed the Dry Skin Serum. My skin has a lack of sebum which means it is more dry and vulnerable to environmental damage. Squalane works to counterbalance this and restore moisture to my skin. Relieving feelings of tightness and reducing the appearance of fine lines. I apply 4 drops of this oil based serum before my night cream.
The dry skin serum has been gentle for my sensitive skin and absorbs nicely. I pay extra attention to my dry patches around my nose and mouth, as these are a continuous issue for me. While I do think its helping, progress has been slow. Although, this is an issue I have had for many years and I don’t expect a quick fix. It’s a lovely oil and one I will continue to use. I have noticed the tight, itchy feeling is improved when I use this.
Discover Better Skin
Typology has been such a great experience from start to finish. I have learnt more about my skin and been able to better target my skin concerns thanks to their diagnostic tool. It’s clear there is a lot of thought and intention behind the brand to prove a better service for their customers. Finding products that really work for you as an individual is so rewarding and means less time and money wasted in the search for products that work. I love the aesthetic of Typology, it’s timeless minimalist style looks so good on my shelves. The quality of the formulas has really impressed me as well. The price point ranges from affordable to mid range but the quality exceeds this. If you have always been unsure about your skin type and want to learn more about your skin, give the diagnostic tool a try!
More places to find and support Violet Hollow: Linktree
What a brilliant concept this is from Typology! I’ve just taken that test now and I love that there is a product for each of my skin concerns. It’s so good that the products you have used have worked so well for your skin and its needs! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It’s genius! So glad to hear you found some good results from the diagnostic xx
Love this! I’ve been wanting to use a skincare brand which uses a diagnostic for a while now and this one looks amazing, so will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing x
I’m so glad to hear it! I hope you find the diagnostic helpful, its been invaluable for me xx
The cleansing oil and might serum sound amazing. I love the sound of this brand, the packaging and by the sound of your review, it works pretty well! I think we have similar skin types from what you described.
I’m so glad I could introduce you! Definitely give the diagnostic quiz a try, it’s really helpful to identify the right products for you xx
These products sound amazing! I’ve been wanting to try Typology skincare for a while, but I had no idea they had this diagnostic service. Definitely curious, thanks for sharing x
Nicole | http://www.kiidonic.com
So glad to hear it! So worth filling out, it only takes a few minutes and is invaluable about learning more about your skin. Thanks for reading xx
Such an interesting concept! These products sound amazing and I love not only the ingredients used but the packaging is very nice as well. It was cool to see more brands with in-depth quizzes about your skin type. Thank you for sharing! x
Alexis| http://cafe-beauty.com
It really is such a cool brand! I agree the packaging is lovely and it’s so great they offer a more personalised experience xx
I always heard a lot of good about this brand.
I would love to give it a try one day.
I think it’s amazing they propose a custom service to give you the best products for your skin.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Isn’t it brilliant! I am so pleased to hear Typology is already on your radar. I hope you get a chance to try them xx
I keep hearing great things about Typology! Want to try them at some point. x
Zoey | http://www.zoeyolivia.com
They have something for everyone which I love! I hope you hey a chance to try them xx
I like caffeine products for eyes ❤
So great for waking up tired eyes x
Hydrating night serum sounds wonderful. I would love to check it out .
https://www.ninakobi.com
It’s a product I always look forward to using! Thanks for reading xx
Custom skincare is cool! I would love to try this! Thanks for the review!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I love custom skincare because everyone’s skin is unique! It just makes so much sense 🙂 xx
This is such a great idea, Sam, and I love the packaging of all of these products – so very cute! Thank you for the inspiration, as always.
The packaging is so sleek and stylish, it look great displayed! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks so much for reading xx
This sounds like such and interesting concept! Will definitely have to check it out – products look amazing
http://skylish.co.uk
The diagnostic quiz is such a great place to start! Thank you so much for reading xx
This brand sounds so fabulous! I really love the idea of using a diagnostic tool and getting a tailored skincare routine xx
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Such a great idea and it really worked as everything has been a great match for my skin! xx
The products sound beautiful and I absolutely love their packaging! xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
I’m really impressed with the line! Isn’t it gorgeous xx
I looooove the sound of this. We all know that ‘dry skin’ isn’t exactly enough to pick the perfect product so I love the sound of how this ‘prescription’ is built. It’s amazing that it’s all so affordable too x
Sophie
Exactly, Typology aren’t just lumping everyone together! They are really digging deeper to address individual skin concerns xx
I’ve never heard of this brand before! I need to try it out asap! Thanks for sharing x
http://adventuresinmay.blogspot.com
I’m so glad I could introduce you! Thanks for reading xx
Have a nice weekend ❤