When it comes to skincare, we’re all about the ingredients. We like to know exactly what we’re putting on our skin and more importantly, the results we’ll be getting at the end. One thing we’ve learnt is that the more natural the formula, the better, which is why Liz Earle has long been our go-to.
The brand’s new Pro-Biotic skincare range is the latest beauty drop to create a buzz, and we can see why. It includes a brand new cleanser and day and night moisturisers, all of which have been scientifically proven to strengthen our moisture barriers to improve the look of dry, sensitive skin in the space of a week – yes, really!
Each of the products in the range is created with a unique combination of ethically sourced botanicals – including fermented oats – to provide a daily boost of naturally active pre, pro and post-biotics to help support the skin’s microbiome. According to the brand, the Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser aims to rebalance the appearance of oily and dry skin as well as creating a more comfortable feel, while the Pro-Biotic Balancing Day and Night Creams are designed to replenish stressed skin.
Naturally, this all sounds very dreamy to us, and so do the purse-friendly price tags the products come along with: the Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser is available for just £18, while the Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream and Night Cream are £32 each. However, as always, we had to put it to the test to really see how effective the new range is and whether it truly lives up to the hype, so we rallied our team of beauty experts at GLAMOUR HQ for the job.
Here are their honest verdicts…
Liz Earle Pro-Biotic skincare range:
Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser, £18
Pro-Biotic Balancing Night Cream, £32
Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream, £32
The Reviews:
Georgia Todd, GLAMOUR'S Associate Commerce Writer
Rating: 8/10
I absolutely LOVE Liz Earle products – they can do no wrong in my eyes – so when I was offered the chance to review the Pro-Biotic Balancing Cleanser, Day Cream and Night Cream, I jumped at it. I decided to give the cleanser a fair trial of using it on a day where I hadn't been wearing makeup and on another day where I had, to see how it performed in both circumstances – after all, it does say it'll ‘melt away impurities and make up’. There was definitely still foundation residue on my face when I used it to remove my makeup, but I have to say it did a much better job than I thought it would. The Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser was honestly so nourishing I didn't feel like I needed to apply a cream afterwards at all, but I was grateful I did as the Pro-Biotic Balancing Night Cream has to be my favourite product of the range. It's so rich and buttery, it's like you can feel it working. The Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream is similar, although slightly lighter (which is perfect really). My only complaint was that I didn't particularly like the smell of the formulas. It wasn't extremely potent, but I much prefer Liz Earle's usual spa-like aroma.
Celia Gomez, GLAMOUR's Video Editor
Rating: 8.5/10
Now that temperatures are getting colder my skin instantly starts losing moisture and cracks under the harsh winter winds. On top of that, I've got quite sensitive skin and cleansing products are often too harsh on it.
I found that this new Liz Earle range is extremely gentle and it helped to calm that irritation even after the first use. The Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser has a lovely and light texture, and not a strong smell, which I appreciate. It is super easy to apply and it cleaned every last bit of my makeup. I rubbed it around my eyes with no hint of stinging. There was no greasiness or residue, it was super easy to wash off.
Both the Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream and Night Cream felt really smooth and helped to moisturise my skin as well. The products are absorbed within seconds, although I was especially keen on the smell. My skin didn’t feel too greasy after the applications, which is a problem I find with other brands. It’s perfect for everyday use.
Jessie Lam, Condé Nast Digital Project Manager
Rating: 9/10
I have just come back from a week long holiday in Greece and I’m trying to maintain my tan as much as possible, so keeping my skin clean and moisturised is a top priority for me ATM.
Liz Earle is a brand I’ve always heard my mum rave about, but never actually tried, so I was very excited to see exactly what the hype was about.
I used the Liz Earle Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser twice a day, and I did find it left my skin feeling smoother and softer after every wash. There was no irritation or signs of redness on my sensitive skin, which is always a major skincare concern for me when trying new products.
I also used both the Liz Earle Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream and Night Cream, but I think my favourite of the two was the Night Cream. It quickly absorbed into my skin without feeling greasy or heavy. It does have an unusual smell, but it didn’t bother me too much. A little goes a long way with this!
Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR’s Beauty & Entertainment Assistant
Rating: 8/10
I have loved Liz Earle for a very long time now with Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser being an old favourite, so the bar is set high. I have combo skin – oily T-Zone and dry everywhere else – so I’m looking for something that will be very hydrating and re-balancing to better my complexion.
I decided to do the trusty seven-day test. Using the Liz Earle Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser and following it up with either the Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream or the Night Cream. The milk did a great job as a second cleansing step, by removing the last bits of makeup, giving that final deeper cleanse without it being overly stripping. Both the Day and Night Creams were smooth on application and left me feeling nourished and radiant instantly. Over time I did start to notice my skin just feeling more balanced and less parched, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it will bring in the next seven days and beyond.
Lottie Winter, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Editor
Rating: 8/10
I've always loved Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanser (it's a staple on my skincare shelf) so I was excited to test out the latest cleansing ritual from the brand, as well as the Day Cream and Night Cream. The new Pro-Biotic range focuses on nourishing and balancing the skin's microbiome – an ecosystem of bacteria that lives on the skin surface and is integral to overall skin health – thanks to probiotic-rich triple fermented oats and other naturally potent ingredients such as jojoba oil.
The Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser felt comforting, leaving my skin fresh but not stripped, all the while removing all traces of makeup. The Pro-Biotic Balancing Day Cream was nourishing yet lightweight and instantly absorbing, soothing areas of inflammation while balancing any oily patches. The Night Cream felt balmy and luxurious, instantly enveloping my skin in a cocoon of relief and hydration.
My only qualm was the very subtle smell of the Night Cream and Day Cream. I'm used to Liz Earle products that have a delicious botanical scent, and these products smelt ever so slightly sour. However, it was a small price to pay for the skin benefits I noticed after a few day's use – reduced redness, no dry patches and even a less oily T-zone.
Shop the new range on lizearle.com and boots.co.uk
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