Rihanna’s Fenty Skin – Does it work for mature skin?
Today I want to talk about Rihanna. Not Riri the performer, but her new skincare range called Fenty Skin. There’s a lot of expectation around it and they make big promises. What I want to know is…is this going to work on my 49-year old skin. Does it stack up?
Fenty Skin launched this summer so it’s pretty new and one of my YouTube followers suggested I do a review.
This range is pretty close to Rihanna’s heart and she was involved every step of the way. Some of the launch advertising she said her goals were to:
- Create products that really work
- Source the best ingredients she could
- A line with as few products as possible need (if you keep it simple, you’re more inclined to use it)
- Make it accessible to everyone
- Suitable for all skin types
- Priced to make it available to many
- Use as much recyclable materials as she could
I’ll be honest - I had serious reservations. She’s 32 years old and a pop star (although an incredible talent + business women). I’m never confident when a celebrity launches a line. But in fairness, she got the makeup right. So I was intrigued. Even if the products were brilliant for her own skin, would they work on more mature skin (for me that’s dehydrated, dry skin).
So what did I get? From the US site I ordered the Fenty Starter Kit for $40. This included the cleanser, toner and daytime moisturiser. I added the separate night cream for an additional $40.
I used these products exclusively for 3 weeks [well that’s a lie….I kept the prescription tretinoin firmly in place] replacing the like-for-like products.
I’ll go through each of the products individually:
Total Remove It All Cleanser
What they say:
Hyper clean, soft skin without stripping or drying. Daily cleanser and makeup remover in one.
What I say:
It contains some super ingredients. The Barbados cherry - one her signature ingredients – contains more vitamin C than an orange. It has antioxidants like green tea, gingko biloba and fig. The twist cap packaging is smart (no mess, less waste), it contains recycled materials and is recyclable. It’s way more hydrating than I expected and left my skin feeling great. It’s a foaming product – and I don’t like foaming cleansers - but it’s a lovely, lovely product.
Except for one thing. The scent. I truly dislike the scent. She says it’s a combination of cherry and fig. I think it smells like cotton candy. Unfortunately it was a deal breaker for me. Of course this is a very personal thing and others absolutely adore the scent.
Fat Water Pore Refining Toner Serum
What they say:
Instantly refines the look of pores, reduces the look of dark spots, evens skin tone and fights shine without stripping the skin.
What I say:
Like above, stellar ingredients here. Niacinamide (vit B2) to help with pigmentation and even out skintone, the same vitamin c hit from cherry, there’s actus flower to hydrate, antioxidants green tea & fig.
I did initially wonder….what does Fat Water mean? But when you try it, you get it. It actually feels like serum and toner had a baby. It’s thick, but not too thick. I loved it. My face felt super hydrated. And the full size version (not the smaller one I had) has the same twist top. But again, the fragrance is not for me. It’s also worth noting in contains witch hazel, which can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Suncreen
What they say:
Light as air hydration, invisible sun protection. Defends and brightens skin while reducing the look of pores. Made with care for coral reefs: Does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.
What I say:
Nailed it again. Firstly, she’s gone straight in with SPF. Fair play. It’s both time and money-intensive to get approval for this but she knows protecting your skin is vital to its overall health.
It contains Kalahari melon, rich in antioxidants and helps to hydrate. Niacinimide again reduces dark spots, evens out skin tone. Hyaluronic acid pulls moisturise from the air to maintain hydration and it also contains aloe to sooth the skin. It’s super lightweight, has no white cast and leaves a glowy sheen. PLUS, the refillable packaging means less waste. Genius.
But, I didn’t like the scent. Ugh. And I personally prefer a separate moisturiser and sunscreen but for those who want fast and easy, this is worth a look.
Instant Reset Overnight Recovering Gel-Cream
What they say:
Revives skin overnight for refreshed glow by day. Hydrates, reduces the look of pores, minimizes the look of dark spots over time
What I say:
It contains the ingredients I’m looking for in a night cream. Glycerin, niacinimide, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants. The packaging is refillable and has a handly compartment to hold the spatula to keep your fingers clean and your products hygienic. Amen
Personally, I prefer a thicker cream for my eternally dehydrated skin. But maybe that’s more in my head. This left my skin feeling soft and ready for the day. but the scent….
Overall impression
I think this range is pretty darn good. Even for my 49-year old, dehydrated skin, it skin felt great.
The ingredients are phenomenal. They’re packed with antioxidants (important to combat free radicals), ingredients for hydration and evening skin tone. And the refillable products are exactly where we need to be. I hope more brands follow in these very large footsteps.
Rihanna has done a bang up job.
I’m bummed about the fragrance. Aside from just not liking it, I suspect those with sensitive skin may be excluded.
Will I repurchase? Unfortunately not. The fragrance was a deal breaker for me. But please remember - this is only my very personal opinion and many people love it.
I tearfully handed the range over to my daughter who is thoroughly enjoying it.