Launched in 2019 by Tina Chen Craig, television host and a pioneer influencer in lifestyle & luxury skincare — as well as the founder behind the popular blog BagSnob, Tina was looking to streamline her skincare routine without sacrificing results, and thus U BEAUTY was born. Riding the new “skinamilistic” trend, this range might be small (as in, reaalllllyy small), but packs quite the punch.
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Tina’s mantra is “do more with less”, meaning that you don’t necessarily need a multi-step skincare routine to achieve the same results (although I personally have no issue with a more involved regimen), and that’s encapsulated with the brand’s range that currently consists of just 4 products (Multimodal Defender SPF 30, not shown). Note that when the brand initially reached out to me, I was sent the 15 ml trial sizes of both the Resurfacing Compound and The Super Hydrator — which is why the smaller sizes are shown in the following photos, but both were since replaced by larger sizes so I could properly test them out. On a side note, the lightweight plastic packaging surprised me, until I learned that not only are the bottles made from recycled material and are themselves recyclable, but that the brand never uses single-use plastics, solid microplastics, or microbeads in their manufacturing. Everything is made mindfully in Italy, manufactured in a CO2-free facility where the lights are kept on using 100% green energy, cruelty-free, and bear the ‘Butterfly Mark’ — an industry-leading certification that highlights luxury businesses dedicated to making a positive impact on both nature and society. Lastly, for every unique order made, U BEAUTY donates to ‘One Tree Planted’ to help offset your carbon footprint while shopping.
So what makes U BEAUTY unique? In a nutshell, it’s the brand’s proprietary Siren Capsule Technology, a patent-pending formulation which consists of “microscopic molecules which mimic the properties that naturally appear in healthy skin. Strategically designed to lure free radicals to it like a magnet, a SIREN Capsule is actually even more appealing to them“.
WHAT’S IN IT?
Thoughtfully packed, SIREN Capsules contain high-quality select ingredients, clinically tested for safety, stability and efficacy. A SIREN can be loaded with endless combinations of actives enabling infinite skin nourishing and renewing possibilities. What’s in the SIREN can vary, but a SIREN always interacts with the skin in the same unique, proprietary way.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The SIREN Capsule’s molecular structure sends it right where it needs to be: anywhere that free radicals accumulate. After it lures the free radical by cleverly tricking it, the SIREN Capsule neutralizes the free radical, stopping it in its tracks. Next, it unloads its key ingredients to visibly boost collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid levels.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Not only does it neutralize those free radicals, it also helps address specific skin needs efficiently. The SIREN activates atop areas where free radicals accumulate. This ensures whatever is inside, releases where the skin is frail and in need of visible rejuvenation. Quickly fine lines, wrinkles, and redness appear diminished. Visible puffiness, uneven tone, and texture are improved. Within days, skin looks smoother, brighter, better. With continued use, U Beauty SIRENS deliver great skin for the long game.
Resurfacing Compound (CAN $114.00/15 ml) | Created to brighten, resurface, renew, tighten, equalize, and defend the skin, this one item claims to basically replace up to 6 products in a typical skincare routine. It can be used both morning and night without showing signs of irritation to the skin (a great alternative for those with sensitivities to actives), and the way it works is quite unique as well. Unlike many formulas that release high-level actives all over the skin, the SIREN technology here avoids impacting healthy skin by luring damage-causing free radicals to it like a magnet, thus stopping them in their tracks.
Antioxidants
Neutralize damage causing free radicals
Stabilized Vitamin C
Visibly brightens + boosts collagen, elasticity and tone. Fortifies skin’s moisture barrier. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines + wrinkles
Stabilized Vitamin E
Hydrates. Defends skin from damage causing free radicals
Peptides
Amino Acids, the building blocks of proteins, Peptides help restore youthful skin functionality
Stable Retinol
Gently promotes normal cell renewal, visibly restores skin + diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Hyaluronic Acids
Visibly boost collagen + hydrate. Reduce the look of fines lines + wrinkles
AHA’s
Gently exfoliate skin. Diminish visible fine lines + wrinkles, decongest pores, visibly improve skin’s elasticity, tone + texture
My thoughts: as my skin was in optimal shape when I began testing, I was looking to see something that would ‘wow’ me. Within the first few days of use, I noticed that my skin appeared slightly dry and flaky in a few areas, but as I’m aware that some retinol derivatives can have that effect, I continued and by week’s end the dryness was gone. The amber coloured fluid has a light texture and I actually found that one pump was enough for my entire face & neck, although I stuck with 2 pumps throughout testing. It takes several minutes to become fully absorbed, which is actually a good thing because it forced me to not rush the next step (as I can sometimes do when I’m tired or just feeling lazy). After a few weeks, what I do notice is that my skin appears overall brighter and definitely even-toned and so in that respect, I’d have to say that this product definitely impressed. I have a few hyperpigmentation spots on my skin that I’ve been using a prescription retinol cream on, and I noticed that while this product did slightly diminish them, I will continue to dab on my prescription cream just on those areas to help them vanish even more.
The Super Hydrator (CAN $108.00/15 ml) | Powered by the brand’s patent-pending Hydra-Siren Capsule, this is a moisturizer that’s said to deliver long-chain Hyaluronic Acid to where skin needs it most, helping to keep skin hydrated up to 48 hours.
Purified Oat Extract
A refined, skin-nourishing complex, oat extract helps calm skin, diminish the appearance of puffiness, redness, and irritation while helping reveal a more uniform and healthy-looking complexion
Shea Butter
Deeply hydrating, shea butter forms a breathable shield atop skin to lock in moisture and keep toxins out. Rich in Vitamins A, D, and E, shea butter delivers emollient and antioxidant properties to visibly soften, tone, and smooth the skin
Peptides
Naturally present in the body, peptides encourage the flow of water between skin layers, and encourage normal skin turnover for visibly improved collagen, firmness, and circulation. Peptides also reveal a smoother, more toned-looking complexion with less visible fine lines, wrinkles, and redness
Avocado Oil
Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, avocado oil conditions the skin’s appearance and deeply hydrates
Grapeseed Oil
Rich in oleic and linoleic acid, Vitamin E and nutrient-rich polyphenols, grapeseed oil defends skin from environmental aggressors and leaves skin feeling silky-soft to the touch.
Organic Argan Oil
Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants, argan oil helps soften and nourish skin, plus defend against environmental aggressors and support the skin’s moisture barrier
Hyaluronic Acid
Five unique hyaluronic acid types reach different skin depths and compositions, ensuring the skin holds onto moisture longer
My thoughts: I have normal skin with some oiliness in the T-zone, but now that I’m in my 50s, I’ve noticed that my complexion is more dehydrated and that I need a richer moisturizer. With a lush lotion texture, the scent here reminds me of pure beeswax candles that my grandmother used to buy for church (loved this memory connection). It spreads easily along the skin (I use 2 pumps), leaving that ‘glass skin’ effect behind until it’s fully absorbed, which could take a good 10-15 minutes. There’s definitely an immediate hydrated feel which continues for several hours, but ultimately it’s not enough for my skin, even after applying it both morning & night. That said, if your complexion tends to run on the normal or normal-oily side of the spectrum, then I feel like it will be just what you need.
The Sculpt Arm Compound (CAN $127.00/120 ml, 4 fl.oz.) | This is something I’ve never come across before and made me very curious to try. Said to be a “revolutionary concentrate”, it’s meant to visibly tighten and sculpt the skin on the arms, and thereby helping to counter the effects of gravity (hello, saggy bat-wings anyone?).
Probiotics
Visibly de-puff skin and promote healthy bacteria for improved skin defense
Marine Bacillus Extract
Derived via a rare oceanic sponge, it helps optimize oxygen and nutrient supply to skin. It also encourages energy-boosting ATP expression, which helps to improve the appearance of definition and firmness on the skin
Retinol
Helps strengthen the dermal-epidermal junction, resulting in less visible fluid accumulation and firmer-looking skin. It also works to prevent the breakdown of collagen and improves collagen synthesis, while helping to gently resurface the skin’s appearance without the likelihood of irritation
Antioxidants, via SIREN Capsule Technology:
Superoxide Dismutase
Combats the visible effects of photoaging; defends against damaging effects of free radicals and environmental aggressors, helps prevent lipid peroxidation, neutralizes superoxide free radicals, and reduces the look of UV-induced redness
Glutathione
Defends skin against early signs of aging
Vitamin E
A hydration-boosting antioxidant that defends skin against free radicals
Stabilized Vitamin C
Hydrates, brightens and defends the skin, while encouraging collagen synthesis
Together, these four antioxidants promote visibly resurfaced and smoothed-looking skin with encouraged hyaluronic acid and collagen production.
My thoughts: Let me begin by saying that I didn’t use this on my arms, but opted to apply it to my cleavage, décolleté, and neck instead. As my arms are in pretty decent shape, thanks to a combination of genetics + sports (tennis & skiing), and after being impressed by the before and after pictures I saw on the brand’s website, I figured it should also work well on other areas. I’m mainly a side-sleeper and so my boobs/cleavage become compressed — factor in age plus loss of collagen, and the result is skin that’s looser and more crepey in that area. Tech-neck is also another reality, thanks to social media and constantly looking down for both scrolling on my phone or working on my laptop. The texture is a rich cream/lotion and a little really does go a long way; half a pump is more than enough to cover my entire chest and neck. So how did this fare? Within 2 weeks of solid morning and night testing, I’ve noticed that said nasty wrinkles definitely appear softer and less pronounced, meaning I’m impressed enough to continue using this product.
I admit that when I first heard of this range, there was some skepticism re: yet another celebrity skincare brand. But to be fair, the concept of a minimal routine that promises results is definitely one that sounds intriguing, especially if you’re pressed for time or can’t be bothered with a 10-bajillion step regimen. For me, the standout here is the Resurfacing Compound for the quick results I noticed. I’m also looking forward to continuing the Sculpt Arm Compound to see how much more I can visibly lessen my cleavage lines, and while I really love the texture and scent of The Super Hydrator, I feel like it’s a product that would probably give me more hydration in the summer, because right now I definitely need more moisture. Moving to a warmer climate probably couldn’t hurt, either.
Available at Holt Renfrew & online
Kindly provided by U BEAUTY for my unbiased consideration
