Bright and Beautiful - PHB Superfood Series Review

I've talked about PHB a lot in the past, but today I'm delivering a full review of one of their new lines - the Superfood range!

This skincare line targets dull complexions and utilizes potent superfood ingredients to create renewed radiance and vibrancy.  With extracts and oils like Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, pomegranate, hyaluronic acid, green tea, avocado, rosehip, raspberry, tumeric, and more, these creations all work to nourish, brighten, and tone.

But do they deliver??

I'm excited to share my full thoughts on the range today, reviewing not one, not two, but FIVE of the products!  Discover the face wash, cleanser, tonic, serum, and oil, and find out which are stand outs and which have me craving more...

PHB Superfood Brightening Range Review


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* This post contains affiliate links
** Gifted products are included in this post

No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad.  You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.



Brightening Face Wash:


I'll admit, while I adore a great gel or oil cleanser, I'm a sucker for something quick and easy - especially on days I'm in a rush!  PHB have thought about this need for convenience, and have developed a face wash that doesn't require any faff or maintenance to use.  Meet the Brightening Face Wash, a lightly foaming formula that "gently lifts away dirt & impurities and boosts cell renewal to reveal younger, smoother and brighter looking skin."

A blend of Kojic Acid, which is a natural skin brightener that can help reduce the appearance of dark spots, Vitamin C, turmeric, and licorice all help reduce dullness, minimize UV damage, boost smoothness, even tone, and target signs of ageing.  And with the addition of vegetable glycerin, aloe, and hyaluronic acid, you get a great boost of hydration at the same time!

Face washes can often be drying, but I don't find that is the case with this one at all.  Yes, it lathers up and contains a few acids and alcohol based ingredients (something that is noticeable in thee smell of this product in particular), but I find this doesn't leave your skin feeling at all tight or stripped.  It is refreshing, and leaves a clean feeling that is very much welcome, especially in the mornings.  I wouldn't say this would be my pick to wipe away makeup at all, but it most definitely makes you feel renewed as it wipes away the grime of the day or products from overnight.  And that's just what I was hoping for!

I've been enjoying this pale yellow face wash so far, and find it suits my needs for mornings in particular.  It's awakening, and really does enliven the mind as you rinse away the lightweight gel-like texture and begin anew.  This is a total restart for the face, and leaves a fresh base so you can apply your products knowing that nothing else is blocking them from deeply penetrating the skin.  Perfect!

Ingredients: Aqua, Vegetable glycerin**, Cocomidopropyl betaine, Coco glucoside, Sodium amphoacetate, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydro acetic Acid, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Xanthan gum, Camillia sinensis (Green tea) leaf extract*, Aloe barbadensis (aloe leaf) extract**, Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) peel oil*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract, Sclerotium gum, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) peel oil*, Magnesium Ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), Tocopherol acetate, Citric acid, Hyaluronic acid, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Neroli) flower Oil*, Citrus aurantium amara (Petitgrain) leaf oil*, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract*, Kojic acid, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root oil*, Vetiveria zizanoides (Vetiver) root oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Immortelle) flower oil*. †Limonene, †Linalool, †Citral, †Eugenol, †Benzyl benzoate, †Benzyl salicylate, †Farnesol, †Benzyl alcohol, †Isoeugenol, †Benzyl cinnamate. *Organic, **Certified Organic. †Occurs naturally in Essential Oils.


PHB Superfood Brightening Face Wash and Cleanser Review


Brightening Cleanser:


Face wash just not for you?  Don't worry, PHB also crafted a cleanser that is on the creamier side but promises to detoxify, replenish, and bring on a brighter, more radiant complexion.

French pink clay is one of the stars here, as this ingredient helps gently remove all traces of toxins and impurities from the skin.  The clay draws out the nasties, and ensures that your pores remain uncongested and clear.  Plus, this works as a mild exfoliant, buffing away dead skin cells so you always look fresh-faced and glowing.

Other super-charged ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which brings mega doses of hydration and help keep the skin plumped up and firm, pomegranate that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and green tea, a major player that reduces signs of sun damage while also improving the texture of the skin and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  And of course there are the same gorgeous oils and extracts from the rest of the range, including neroli and ylang ylang.

Uplifting, but with a more grounded tone to the aroma, this cleanser is a great option for day or night as it isn't not overly stimulating for the senses.  It's smooth, balanced, and does a great job of tackling all jobs, from daily dirt and oils to makeup.  I like that I can rely on this to take on whatever my skin needs, and that I can trust it wont' break me out either.  In fact, this has helped keep my skin blemish free!  I am definitely a big fan of PHB's Brightening Cleanser, and find it a lovely addition to my skincare routine.

While this isn't ultra-nourishing (I mean, it's not an oil cleanser so I didn't expect it to be!), it does leave my face feeling velvety smooth and touchably soft.  For a clay-based cleanser, I was surprised at how healthy my skin felt after use, as I find sometimes these types of formulations leave me craving moisture afterwards.  Not the case here, meaning I can opt for a lighter touch when I need to - I've got a feeling this will prove the perfect pick come summer!

Ingredients: Aqua, Kaolin, Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) seed oil**, Vegetable glycerin**, Glyceryl stearate, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) oil**, Camillia sinensis (Green tea) leaf extract*, Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) peel oil*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract, Aloe barbadensis (aloe leaf) extract**, Magnesium Ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), Xanthan gum, Tocopherol acetate, Coco glucoside, Rosa canina (Rosehip) seed oil**, Citric acid, Sclerotium gum, Hyaluronic acid, Sodium phytate, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Neroli) flower Oil*, Citrus aurantium amara (Petitgrain) leaf oil*, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract*, Kojic acid, Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil, Jasmin grandifolia (Jasmine) flower oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Cymbopogon martinii (Palmarosa) grass Oil, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root oil*, Vetiveria zizanoides (Vetiver) root oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Immortelle) flower oil*. †Limonene, †Linalool, †Citral, †Eugenol, †Benzyl benzoate, †Benzyl salicylate, †Farnesol, †Benzyl alcohol. *Organic , *Certified Organic. †Occurs natually in Essential Oils.


PHB Superfood Brightening Skin Tonic Review


Brightening Skin Tonic:


I'll admit I wasn't keen on the old formulations of the facial tonics from PHB, as I found the essential oil concentration a bit too much for my semi-sensitive skin.  However, I have had no such issue with the new Brightening Skin Tonic!  Yep - no redness, no sensitivity, no irritation at all!  Instead, my skin feels cool and refreshed after use, and I can fully enjoy the experience.

PHB's Superfood Brightening Face Tonic does contain a lot of oils and extracts, but the concentration seems to be much better balanced, plus the formula includes aloe vera which is very calming for the skin.  The toner has been created to offer a soothing experience that brightens and evens the complexion, targets signs of aging, balances natural oils, tightens pores, and regulates the pH levels.

While I can't comment on how the tonic works on age spots or uneven skin tone, I can say that my skin always feel less tight after using PHB's Superfood Brightening spritz.  I tend to use it directly after showering, and it helps calm my face and leaves it feeling soft and prepped for my next skincare step.  Especially when paired with the Superfood Face Oil, this product helps give a noticeable rejuvenated glow to your skin.

The only thing I admit I miss about the old range is that the the previous tonics were able to be sprayed pretty evenly, whereas the new pump comes out like a laser jet.  It is a very thin and powerful spritz, so while the instructions say you can spray directly onto skin that is actually really difficult to do without making a mess (or accidentally shooting it directly into your eye... *whoops*).  That being said, I have actually been spraying this into the palm of my hands and then applying as I would a cleansing oil, and that has been working really well for me.  Unusual, sure, but effective!

Ingredients: Aqua, Vegetable glycerin**, Cocomidopropyl betaine, Coco glucoside, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydro acetic Acid, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Aloe barbadensis (aloe leaf) extract**, Camillia sinensis (Green tea) leaf extract*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract, Hyaluronic acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), Citrus aurantium dulcis (Neroli) flower Oil*, Citrus aurantium amara (Petitgrain) leaf oil*, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract*, Kojic acid, Citric acid, Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) peel oil*, Sodium phytate, Tocopherol acetate, Rosa canina (Rosehip) seed oil**, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root oil*, Vetiveria zizanoides (Vetiver) root oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Immortelle) flower oil*. †Limonene, †Linalool, †Citral, †Eugenol, †Benzyl benzoate, †Benzyl salicylate, †Farnesol, †Benzyl alcohol, †Isoeugenol, †Benzyl cinnamate. *Organic, **Certified Organic. †Occurs naturally in Essential Oils.


PHB Superfood Brightening Serum for Face & Eyes Review


Brightening Serum for Face & Eyes:


The colour is creamy, with a balanced mix of yellow and orange that gives it a soft tone.  It's inviting, and captures the gentle qualities of this formulation.  While it does contain many superfood ingredients like the rest of the range, including Vitamin C, licorice, Kojic Acid, and turmeric, it remains kind to the skin, not causing irritation or flair ups.  And for that I give it major props, as a lot of products containing such essential oils and extracts leave my skin not so pleased.

In terms of scent, this has a gorgeous silkiness to it thanks to top notes of neroli.  There is added smoothness from vanilla orchid which elevates the calming vibes further, while grapefruit, ylang ylang, and petitgrain, and vetiver offer positive vibes and grounding elements to PHB's creation.  This is a truly brightening product, as it brings a boost to the senses as well as to the skin.

And the benefits for the skin are truly something that needs talking about.  When I think of a serum, I think of a thin liquid or incredibly lightweight oil.  This is neither of those things, but instead surprises you with its transformative qualities.  First a lotion-like consistency, light but compact when pumped out of the bottle, and looking more like a moisturizer than any serum I have come across.  But then you begin to massage it in, and it literally sinks in instantaneously.  It's like a magic trick, as the serum just disappears - no wetness, no residue, just super soft and smooth skin!  It's an absolute delight.

I have to say, this is one of my favourites from the PHB Superfood range so far, as it is just so weightless.  I don't feel like I'm wearing anything, and my face just feels "naked" but better as it's plumped up and with added luminosity.  This isn't moisturizing enough on its own, but it definitely helps brighten your complexion and leaves you looking fresh faced and awake.  In fact, because it is so reviving, I love this as part of my morning routine, though of course it is also fab when I need a second-skin-esque feel for evenings.

Ingredients: Aqua, Rosa damascena (Rose) flower water**, Vegetable glycerin**, Biosaccaride gum-1, Caprylic / capric triglyceride**, Coco caprylate, Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) seed oil**, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl stearyl citrate, Lactic acid, Propanediol, Citric acid, Tartaric acid, Gluconic acid, Sclerotium gum, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Rosa canina (Rosehip) seed oil**, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil**, Hyaluronic acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), Persea gratissima (Avocado) oil**, Aloe barbadensis (aloe leaf) extract, Carrageenan, Brassica Oleracea (Broccoli) seed oil**, Tocopherol acetate, Camillia sinensis (Green tea) leaf extract*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract, Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) peel oil*, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Neroli) flower Oil*, Citrus aurantium amara (Petitgrain) leaf oil*, Sodium citrate, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract*, Sodium phytate, Kojic acid, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root oil*, Vetiveria zizanoides (Vetiver) root oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Immortelle) flower oil*. †Limonene, †Linalool, †Citral, †Eugenol, †Benzyl benzoate, †Benzyl salicylate, †Farnesol, †Benzyl alcohol, †Isoeugenol, †Benzyl cinnamate. *Organic, **Certified Organic. †Occurs naturally in Essential Oils.


PHB Superfood Brightening Face Oil Review


Facial Oil:


Containing "20 potent bio-active ingredients that lift, firm & replenish your skin," PHB's Superfood Facial Oil includes a host of hydration heroes, brightening extracts, and deeply penetrating oils.  All of these work in tandem to even the complexion, offer a huge moisture boost, firm the delicate facial skin, and provide a natural glow -- now that's super!!

When I first received a bottle of the Superfood Face Oil from PHB last I year my first thought was look at that colour!  It is so stunning, a totally eye catching shade of deep orange, and with just a glance you can tell it is going to be good for the skin.  It hints at richness, moisture, and glow boosting potential, and I'm happy to report it delivers on all counts.

While the actual look of the oil is beautiful, one of my favourite things about this is the scent -- it is sweetly fruity, and oh so juicy, with a hint of gentle nuttiness beneath the surface.  I can't help but feel uplifted and more cheerful after breathing in this formula.  I always take a few seconds before applying to just inhale and enjoy the aroma, and this makes the whole experience all the more "super."  Just breathe in the product, close your eyes for a moment, and enjoy the moment of uplifting peaceful silence.

While fairly rich, the oil is not as thick or viscous as you would expect from looking at it.  Rather, it applies really easily, gliding across the skin without any effort.  When you first apply, it does feel kind of heavy, but after about a minute the oil fully absorbs and your skin is left with a soft glow rather than being overly shiny or slick.  However, because of the extra wait time I love using this in the evening as an overnight moisture treatment, as it really helps rejuvenate my face while I sleep and has me looking radiant in the morning.

I was really pleased with PHB's Superfood Facial Oil, and found it softened my skin which during these winter months is especially ideal.  While I would suggest this formula is most suited for mature or dry skin, I was happy that despite it containing many rich oils and potent extracts, my skin did not break out or react despite my skin being pretty sensitive and congestion prone.  I've started using this as a targeted treatment, applying on the areas of my face that need that boost, and I have loved the results.

Ingredients: Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) seed oil**, Punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil**, Brassica Oleracea (Broccoli) seed oil**, Rosa rubigiosa, Rosa moschata, Rosa canina (Rosehip) seed oil**, Persea gratissima (Avocado) oil**, Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) fruit oil**, Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) peel oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) peel oil, Vanilla planifolia & Prunus dulcis**, Daucus carota & Sesamum indicum** (Sesame), Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange Blossom) flower Oil*, Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) seed oil**, Citrus aurantium amara (Petitgrain) leaf oil*, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root oil*, Vetiveria zizanoides (Vetiver) root oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Helichrysum) flower oil*, Eugenia caryophyllus (Clove) bud oil*. †Limonene, †Linalool Citral, †Eugenol, †Benzyl benzoate, †Benzyl salicylate, †Farnesol, †Benzyl alcohol, †Isoeugenol, †Benzyl cinnamate. *Organic, **Certified Organic. †Occurs naturally in Essential Oils.


PHB Superfood Brightening Range Review - textures

PHB Superfood Brightening Range Review


There is of course one other product in this lineup, the Superfood Moisturiser, but as I have a lot of creams yet to use up I decided to wait on picking this formulation up.  I would so like to hear about it though if any of you lovelies have already given it a try!

And while I didn't talk about them here (as they don't technically carry the "Superfood" branding), there *are* two other goodies from PHB that offer the benefits of these potent ingredients: the Skin Perfector Bio-Gel and the Skin Brightener Bio-Gel.  While I haven't tried out the brightening gel, the skin perfecting one is brilliant, and offers a wide array of benefits (all of which you can read about here!), proving once more that this range is highly effective.

Overall, I have been impressed by PHB's Superfood selections, not just because they smell and feel lovely on the skin and bring a totally refreshed appearance to your complexion, but because the formulations are so surprisingly gentle.  It's not often I can use such products without any worries of sensitivity, but with these I have not had a single problem.  It's a whole collection of skincare that delivers results without making my face feel irritated or leading to breakouts - and for that I'm over the moon!

Have you tried any of the new PHB ranges yet?  Have you enjoyed the Superfood line??  I would be so keen to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And for anyone looking to pick these fab formulas up, you can do so either direct with PHB (who always have a great offer running!) or with your health and beauty staples from Love Lula - either way you're in for a real treat! xx

2 comments

  1. I have been thinking about trying the PHB range for some time, going to give the brightening serum a try.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the packaging on these, it's classy and neutral. PHB isn't a brand I know but the brightening cleanser sounds good, who would moan at velvety smooth skin? Mich x

    ReplyDelete

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