Charlotte Tilbury collagen superfusion face oil
The formula and packaging
Much like any other Charlotte Tilbury skincare debut, the ingredients list sounds impressive but can look a little overwhelming. The brand even has an ingredients glossary on its website to break down its patented technologies.
Here, the hero ingredient is collagen, which has found a new buzz in recent years thanks to a rise in collagen drinks and supplements. A protein that’s naturally found in the body, in this formula it works to add plumpness and elasticity to the skin, all while firming it too.
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There’s also a bunch of essential oils at play, including vitamin E-rich raspberry seed oil that refines skin texture, evening primrose oil for deep hydration and olive oil for smoothness. The formula also includes other actives that help calm the skin, supposedly reducing redness and the appearance of fine lines. Thanks to the addition of lavender, neroli and damask rose, the oil has a spa-like scent that is noticeable without being cloying.
The glass jar feels weighty and luxe, showcasing the golden elixir in all its glory. A little goes a long way with this oil, so the hefty bottle will last you a good while.
The results
As someone with acne-prone skin, our main concern when using face oils is anything that feels too heavy or greasy instantly means breakouts. This is a bugbear that Charlotte Tilbury claims to have avoided here, as its formula is suitable for all skin types. We were pleased to find that this rang true – when we pressed the oil into our skin we could definitely feel its presence, but it absorbed quickly and left it feeling nourished rather than overloaded.
We applied too much on our first go, so approach with caution – you really do only need a few drops. Our skin instantly looked revived with a subtle plumpness and glow that made us look far healthier. As the oil sinks in well, we didn’t find that it transferred onto our pillow overnight, and woke up the next morning with far softer skin (and no breakouts in sight).
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The other major test was how the product fared under make-up. As someone with combination skin that veers into oily territory come lunchtime, the thought of applying an oil underneath our base was a bit scary. Applying as the the final step in our skincare routine, once our sleepy morning skin drunk up the oil, foundation sat effortlessly on top without slipping around. Much to our surprise, it didn’t make us any oilier throughout the day either and debunked our fears around face oils for oily skin types.
After using it twice daily for a few days, we noticed our skin felt softer, more supple and deeply hydrated. Plus, it slotted into our skincare routine far more easily than expected. It’s still early days, but we can see signs of how this formula would work to nourish and refine the skin longer term.