We tried the new 3-in-1 Charlotte Tilbury cleanser that promises 'spa like glow'

29 February 2024 , 14:00

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I found that the Charlotte Tilbury cleanser left my skin feeling very hydrated

Our skin goes through an awful lot on a day to day basis. Often has to contend with the weather, sweat, bacteria, dirt, dust, pollution, sunscreen and make-up, all of which can put stress on our complexion and cause breakouts, blocked pores and dryness - not to mention wrinkles and fine lines. It's why finding a cleanser that's not only right for your skin but also leaves it clean, hydrated and fresh is so important.

So naturally, when The Mirror's beauty team heard that iconic British cosmetic brand Charlotte Tilbury was launching a new cleanser, Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser, we were excited to find out whether it was as impressive as the MUA's other viral 'Magic' products, like its Magic Cream. The cleanser, which is recommended for use twice daily, is a 3-in-1 wonder product that claims to hydrate, revive and prime your skin in one go to give your skin a "sensorial, indulgent facialist-inspired experience".

As stated by Charlotte Tilbury, the cleanser is "inspired by the effects of a world-class facial" and "bathes your skin in revitalising hydration and reduces the look of pores! Made with three expertly blended, supercharged ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and powerful Peptides, use Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser each morning and night to deeply cleanse ad remove makeup, while intensely hydrating your complexion!"

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Having just launched, Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser, which transforms from a thick cream to a rich foam before becoming a 'purifying' milk, retails at £25 for a 100ml bottle (£12 for a 30ml). It is said to leave skin twice as hydrated, reduce pores by four times within 14 days as well as rid your skin of make-up and impurities - without stripping the skin's natural barrier.

Announcing the launch of the product on the Charlotte Tilbury Instagram, the MUA explained how its three 'powerhouse ingredients' - biomimetic barrier shield, hyaluronic acid and peptide complex - help "replenish the skin barrier + creates a protective barrier to prevent water loss", boost your skin with "powerful hydration for smoother, plumper looking skin" alongside refining the skin tone's appearance.

But how did it fare with our in-house experts? Four members of our dedicated beauty team tried out the Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser every day for two weeks to see if it was worth the hype. Here's what they thought...

Bethan

As a huge fan and regular wearer of Charlotte Tilbury's makeup collection, the thought of a hydrating cleanser to take it all off with at the end of the day sounded like a dream - but one the Hollywood MUA has finally made a reality with the.

The Charlotte Tilbury cleanser is available from £12, or can be bought in a larger size for £25

I’m no stranger to a transforming cleanser and have previously loved the , but what’s different about is that instead of being gel-to-oil-to-milk, it’s cream-to-foam-to-milk, offering a really unique texture and sensory experience that I’ve not have with other skincare products.

The 3-in-1 foaming cleanser is designed to your skin ready for makeup, offering 97 per cent clearer skin in a week, and reduces the appearance of pores in 14 days.

Ahead of the official launch on February 29, I tried the each night for two weeks, and while I have some mixed feelings about the product itself, the results are undeniable.

Upon first use, I noticed the pearlescent formula is very pretty, albeit thick and slightly sticky in texture. Once I started massaging it onto my skin, it transformed from a cream to a foam, which smells incredibly familiar and oddly nostalgic. It’s definitely got a soapy quality to it, but with a slight sweetness to it - I can’t quite put my finger on it.

The Charlotte Tilbury cleanser is thick and pearlescent

While I found it pretty inoffensive, it’s been the topic of some of the more critical reviews of the online, with one adding: “It’s a bit like rubbing the smell of playdough into your skin.”

Meanwhile though, others have said it smells ‘like a spa product’ - so it’s definitely a matter of personal preference.

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As for the milky finish, I didn’t find that this really accurately described the texture, as it’s more of a watery foam rather than a milk like you get with gel or oil-based cleansers. Moreover, I also found this to sting my eyes when trying to remove mascara, so it may not be suitable for those with sensitivities.

That said, the cleanser effortlessly removed makeup and impurities without stripping my skin of its natural moisture, and after rinsing it off, I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and clear my skin felt. The addition of hyaluronic acid in the formula is said to leave skin ‘immediately 2x more hydrated’, and my thirsty skin certainly felt moisturised with more glow.

I found that the Charlotte Tilbury cleanser left my skin feeling very hydrated

Over the course of a fortnight, I noticed a significant improvement in my skin's texture, and the cleanser appeared to have cleared up a breakout I was suffering from, too. My skin was left smoother, looking more even, and dare I say my pores did actually look a little more refined.

I wasn’t so keen on the sticky sensation of the cleanser, as I felt it made my lashes feel a little tacky, however, this does make for a grippy primer under makeup. I also noticed that after using the recommended ‘hazelnut sized’ blob each night that the cleanser does soon go down, and while it’s available from £12 for the 30ml, I’d to avoid having to reorder every few weeks.

Eve

My cleansing routine has always been pretty simple - a gel cleanser that rids my dry skin of dirt but not moisturise that is as affordable as possible (without scrimping on good quality). The usual suspects in my bathroom cabinet are , and, more recently, (a more boujee buy for me).

Before using the Charlotte Tilbury cleanser... (Eve Rowlands)

But having always been a fan of Charlotte Tilbury's make-up, in particular and eyeshadow, I was excited to try the iconic MUA's new cleanser that helps hydrate your skin, plumps it up and leaves it glowing - especially in the colder weather.

Doing my research, I was intrigued by the transformative formula that sees the cleanser go from cream to foam to milk that not only cleanses but tones and primes your skin ready for the day - or for bed. Plus, I was excited to see if it not only kept my complexion hydrated, but minimised my pores and left me glowing - as the description so confidently states.

My first time using the creamy cleanser was a fun experience - as fun as cleansing your face can be. Being new to texture-changing cleansers like this, it was interesting seeing the thick, white pearly cream change from a mask-like consistency into a foam that felt like it was really getting into the nooks and crannies of my skin (with the aid of a).

After sufficient exfoliating, I switched back to my fingers and was pleasantly surprised to see the foam effectively dissolve into a thin, milky consistency before my very eyes that felt soft and watery on my skin. I massaged this around my face for a little while before wiping it off with a warm cloth - upon which lay the remains of my make up (foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadow and mascara). Although, I did have to go in for a second round to get all my mascara off.

My face felt remarkably fresh and clean. Skin felt tight, plumped up - especially on my cheeks and forehead - and bouncy. Plus, it had a little shimmer on my cheeks (but maybe that was the light).

Now, I will warn you - try not to get the formula in your eyes. Especially if, like me, you are particularly sensitive in that area as the sting was real. Maybe it was due to the fragrance that was subtle and inoffensive (and one I couldn’t put my finger on) but still noticeable - either way, do your best to avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes if you want to forgo the sting (although I will admit it only lasted a few seconds before I rinsed it out with warm water, so it wasn’t all bad).

After - my skin is soft and hydrated (Eve Rowlands)

Make-up free, my skin feels tight, plump and my complexion looks even (Eve Rowlands)

If I'm going to be completely honest, after using this cream morning and night for two weeks, I didn't see a massive difference in my complexion, but I did notice my face looked brighter in the mornings and my skin does feel more plump and moisturised - even without the use of moisturising cream. Plus, it gives my cheeks a lovely little glow that wasn’t just the light, which made me feel a little more confident in my skin without the need for make-up.

As for my pores, maybe it comes with a little more time but I haven't noticed much change - although it did help a blemish on my chin reduce over a few days. Now, it’s a slight red speck that I’m hoping will vanish soon.

What I love about this cream - alongside the hydration and glowiness - is that a little goes a long way. You only need a ‘hazelnut’ sized amount with each wash and that was more than enough to see the effects.

Bethan Shufflebotham