S5 Skincare Review

Recently I tried some skincare from UK company S5, which is made by Good Ventures, the group who also make Evolve Beauty. They describe their line as cosmoceuticals. They don't test on animals or sell in China and are working towards organic certification.

"S5 is designed to solve skin problems naturally using the strength of ingredients found in the most extreme parts of the planet such as Antarctica, the Wadi Desert in Egypt and the high mountains of Tibet...the most powerful natural actives can be found in the earth’s most extreme ecosystems, where the plants themselves overcome extreme stress to fight for survival and constantly adapt to stay youthful and healthy. This is the power behind S5."

I completed a questionnaire online to determine the best products for my skin and was sent the Restore cream and the Serenity cream.

The Restore cream is an anti-ageing cream for dry skin, containing marine and arctic bioactives. It has a lovely smell and goes on with a light, velvety texture. It's great for under make-up during the day but I prefer the moisturisers I use at night to be a bit thicker so I would definitely only use it as a day cream.

All Ingredients (INCI): Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Olus Oil, Coco-Caprylate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Glycerin, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aqua (Water), Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cellulose Gum, Candelilla Cera, Tocopherol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Parfum (Natural, Low Allergen Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate. *ingredients from organic farming

The serenity cream is formulated for sensitive skin and has some great reviews at the S5 website. I found the scent very delicate and soothing and like the restore cream, it sank in nicely and was great during the day. My skin felt lovely and moisturised under my foundation.

All Ingredients (INCI): Aqua (Water), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Levulinate, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Stearoyl lactylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Sorbic Acid. *Ingredient from Organic farming

I also tried 3 of S5's serums. The Calm serum is for redness and sensitive skin, to be used in conjunction with the serenity cream. It improves the appearance of long term redness and soothes inflammation. This was a nice serum to apply and sank in so fast that I could apply moisturiser very quickly afterwards which was handy on a work morning. I didn't notice any reduction in redness as such but I only tried a small sample, so I would definitely consider giving it a longer go in the future.

All Ingredients (INCI):  Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Isostearyl Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C14-22 Alcohol, Tripleurospermum Maritimum extract, Sea Whip Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Myristyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Myristyl Glucoside, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Glucose, Calcium Gluconate.

The Purtiy serum is targeted for blemishes. I have dry skin prone to blemishes and I was concerned that this serum might be a bit too harsh for dry skin but I didn't feel any dryness after using it. It was smooth and well-absorbed, although I didn't notice much effect on the blemishes I had at the time but I would like to try it on a longer basis to judge better.

Ingredients (INCI): Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Glycerin, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin*, Aqua (Water), Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil*, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil*, Xanthan Gum, Epolobium Fleischeri Extract*,Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pullulan, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Potassium Sorbate. *ingredients from organic farming

The Replenish serum is for dry/scarred skin and is 100% natural. It can be mixed into moisturiser or blended with another serum. It has the same lovely smell as the rest of the range and is non-greasy and easily absorbed. It left my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

All Ingredients (INCI): Coco-Caprylate, Rosa Rubigiosa Seed Oil*, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil*, Punica Granatum Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Parfum (Natural, Low Allergen Fragrance), Tocopherol. *ingredients from organic farming

In summary, S5 is a range that I enjoyed trying and I would definitely do a longer trial in the future.

S5 will happily send samples on request and you can also apply to be a tester of new products. You can check out the full range here