BYOMA review: I tried BYOMA's budget-friendly barrier boosting range to fix my skin damage
Unfortunately, I've fallen victim to this temptation.
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Overloading your skin with potent products can cause damage to your skin barrier, which will leave you with red, irritated skin instead of the perfect summer glow you were aiming for.
Luckily, I came across BYOMA.
The brand claims that it's 'dedicated to boosting your skin barrier by repairing, restoring and regenerating the skin's structure and barrier function."
BYOMA's refreshingly simple product range seemed just what I needed to reduce my skin's sensitivity.
Pros
Affordable
Recyclable packaging
Refills available
Gentle formulas
Science-backed ingredients
Suitable for sensitive skin
Suitable for teenagers
Cons
Formulas could be more hydrating
Pump mechanism takes too long to work
Rating: 7/10
How I tested BYOMA skincare
Not one to do things by halves, I decided to ditch my current skincare routine for a week and switch to a simple, four-step routine from BYOMA.
The brand recommends starting with a gentle cleanser, followed by a toner or face mist, and finishing off with a serum and a moisturiser.
The products included in my streamlined routine (in the order I used them) are the Creamy Jelly Cleanser, Balancing Face Mist, Hydrating Serum, and Moisturising Rich Cream.
BYOMA review: Quickfire Q&A
What products are available from BYOMA? BYOMA divides its products into skincare and body categories. Think cleansers, toners, moisturisers and SPF for a complete routine. It also has handy kits and bundles that are great for travelling.
How much does BYOMA cost? Prices start from £9.99 for its Creamy Jelly Cleanser.
What we loved? The majority of the products are affordable. You can recycle most of the packaging, and some products have refills. The formulas avoid unnecessary additives and fragrances, making them great for sensitive or teenage skin, and they are designed to support the skin barrier.
What we didn't: The opaque packaging makes it hard to see how much product is left. If you have specific skin concerns like acne or melasma, you may find the products too gentle.
BYOMA review: The Nitty Gritty
First impressions
The neon colours and modern design of these bottles make them look very cool on my vanity.
The functionality of the Balancing Face Mist and Moisturising Rich Cream packaging could be improved upon.
That being said, all of the products go for under £14, so, in a way, you get what you pay for with the packaging (which is better than losing out on the quality of the formulas).
Does it deliver?
BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser, £9.99
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As someone who can be a little heavy-handed with make-up and diligently applies SPF (the best anti-ageing tip you could ask for), my cleanser has a lot to remove at the end of the day.
I'm very picky with my cleansers, and can't stand it when they leave a residue on my skin.
I don't use a cleanser in the morning, so my first time using the Creamy Jelly Cleanser was after a long day at work.
The texture of the cleanser is a thick, gel-like consistency, which isn't something I'm used to.
As someone with dry skin, I usually opt for cream cleansers, so this was different, and I wasn't sure how well it would work with my skin type.
Once I wet my face with warm water and started working the cleanser into my skin, it changed into a light, creamy lather that did a decent job of removing makeup.
I went in for a second round because there were still remnants of eye makeup leftover, and this time my skin felt completely clean.
One thing that stood out to me when cleansing my face is that this product has a light, slightly chemical scent.
This is actually a good thing, however, as it means it hasn't been laced with irritating fragrances that will exacerbate my skin barrier problems.
As I have dry skin, some cleansers can leave my skin feeling uncomfortably tight afterwards.
As my skin was already feeling like this, I was worried switching up products might make things worse.
However, I'm happy to say that's not the case as the cleanser is free from soap, alcohol, and fragrance.
The rich hydrating ceramides, liquorice root and green tea extracts cleaned my skin without causing dehydration.
BYOMA Balancing Face Mist, £11.99
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After my face was properly cleansed, the next step in my new routine was the Balancing Face Mist.
It took a while for me to get the spray function of this product to start working, and a fair bit of cajoling to get the product to spritz.
However, once it started working, I was pleasantly surprised by the refreshing feeling the mist gave my skin.
I find most spritzes to be over-fragranced, so the fragrance-free formula was a welcome change of pace.
The mist is quite heavy, so it probably wouldn't work well over heavy makeup, but it worked great as a midday refresher on makeup-free days.
I used the mist both before I applied serum and moisturiser to ensure my dry skin was getting as much hydration as possible.
BYOMA Hydrating Serum, £12.99
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Squalene isn't a product I've used before, but I've had plenty of friends wax lyrical about its glow-enhancing benefits, which is something this BYOMA serum provides in spades.
The serum has a light, milky consistency that feels soothing and silky and leaves my skin with a distinct radiance that lasts throughout the day.
I have very dry skin and lean on thick moisturisers to help my skin stay hydrated, but there was one day I forgot to apply moisturiser and could barely tell the difference at the end of the day.
The only qualm I have about this product is that, while it is very affordable, if you were to apply the recommended four to six drops daily, I don't think the serum would last very long.
BYOMA Moisturising Rich Cream, £14.99
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The fourth and final step in my barrier boosting regimen was the Moisturising Rich Cream.
I had similar issues to the mist with this product and had to spend a bit of time fiddling with the pump to get it to work.
My complaints ended there, as I thoroughly enjoyed this moisturiser and can see it becoming a staple in my routine.
Perfect for warm weather, this cream is light-yet-hydrating, working with the serum to give me a long-lasting glow.
I like to wear medium-coverage foundation to work, and this cream sits wonderfully under makeup, not pilling and also warding off dry patches throughout the day.
On evenings when my skin felt particularly dry, I did crave the feeling of a thicker cream, but that might be habit on my end, as my skin felt adequately hydrated throughout the week.
After a week of sticking with this gentle, pared-back routine, I can definitely see and feel a difference in my skin.
After the test, my skin now feels a lot calmer, and the texture has softened.
The few red bumps have cleared up, and my complexion definitely has more of a glow than it did before.
While the range was great for the morning, there were a couple of times at night when I was craving products with a thicker consistency that were more hydrating.
But my skin is extraordinarily dry, so others might not feel the same.
How to tell if you have skin barrier damage?
Repairing your skin barrier is about more than the products you use, so we asked Dr Ross Perry, Medical Director of Cosmedics skin clinics, to give us his expertise on how to treat a damaged skin barrier, as well as how you can avoid it happening again.
While a damaged skin barrier can look different for different people, Dr Perry says the 'signs of a damaged skin barrier can include sensitivity, breakouts, dryness, redness, lacklustre and dull-looking skin.
"When the skin barrier is damaged, it struggles to keep germs, bacteria and irritants away from the skin, leading to a lack of moisture and skin problems'.
How do I repair a damaged skin barrier?
When you've damaged your skin barrier, it's easy to freak out and worry that the damage will last forever, but Dr Perry says, 'The good news is that you can repair the skin barrier'.
But how do you go about doing so?
Dr Perry advises, 'First of all, look at your lifestyle, are you eating a balanced diet, using SPF and drinking plenty of water?
"Look at your alcohol intake and keep it to a minimum, and make sure you're getting enough sleep at night and exercising regularly, as all of these will affect the skin's barrier."
"If you're suffering from dry, itchy skin, it might be time to change your moisturiser to a slightly thicker one'.
On top of lifestyle changes, Dr Perry says genetics play a part too, but there's little you can do on that front.
In terms of products to incorporate into your skincare regime, Dr Perry advises, 'Look for products containing ceramides, free fatty acids, natural moisturising factors and niacinamide.
"Also, water-retaining ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol will support your skin's ability to retain moisture'.
How long does it take to repair a damaged skin barrier?
Dr Perry advises that while recovery will vary for everyone, hopefully it shouldn't take too long.
'Everyone's skin is different, and it's all dependent on how much damage we're looking at.
"A severe acne flare-up isn't going to go away overnight and needs time to heal.
"Rashes, dry patches, and dull-looking skin will recover much quicker, after two to three weeks'.
To help your skin as much as possible, Dr Perry says 'go back to basics with skincare, which includes a gentle face cleanser, an antioxidant-rich serum, followed by a barrier-rich moisturiser and broad spectrum SPF'.
Can a damaged skin barrier cause acne?
Barrier damage isn't the first thing people think of when treating acne, but Dr Perry says it can be a contributor.
'Once the skin barrier is damaged, it makes the skin more susceptible to allowing more germs and dirt to penetrate'.
What kind of products should I be avoiding if I have a damaged skin barrier?
Many of the most popular skincare products on the market can wreak havoc on your skin barrier if used incorrectly.
Dr Perry says, 'Cleansers containing ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate or any kind of detergent or soap can damage the skin's barrier by stripping the skin of its natural oils."
The other kinds of products you should avoid are 'strong retinols and chemical exfoliators, which can cause the skin to be more sensitive and dry."
"You need to be focusing on mild, gentle, fragrance-free products'.
'You will notice when your skin has healed. Acne will clear up, inflammation reduced, moisture restored and sensitivity will be minimal.
"Skin will regain its glow and look fresher in appearance'.
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