TULA Skincare review: Can topical probiotics fix my skin’s barrier?
WHETHER you’ve seen it in a drink or capsule, probiotics have become one of the most popular supplements for improving gut health. But can they be the secret ingredient to good skin?
It’s said that beautiful skin starts from within and with the growth in the wellness industry, it’s clear that we’re all looking for ways we can give our skin a boost with supplements.
Enter TULA, a brand that epitomises that philosophy through its range of skincare products powered by probiotic extracts.
What are probiotics exactly? According to the NHS, probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are mainly used to help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut. TULA harnesses topical probiotics through its products which often contain a blend of probiotic and prebiotic extracts, with superfoods like Japanese mandarin and active ingredients like Vitamin C and Squalane. Please note, that there are no live cultures in any products.
Interested in seeing whether topical probiotics were the answer to my compromised skin, I swapped out my current skincare routine for TULA’s five most popular products. Here’s my review after a few weeks of testing.
- Shop TULA Skincare here
Pros:
- Nourishing formulas
- Clever packaging
- High efficacy
Cons:
- Sunscreen isn’t available in the UK
- Pricey
Rating: 4/5
What is TULA Skincare?
Meaning balance in Sanskrit, TULA is an American doctor-led skincare brand that’s known for incorporating probiotic extracts into its formulas to create products that restore the skin’s balance. The brand was founded by Dr Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist with over 20 years of expertise in probiotics. The idea to start TULA came after she discovered that her patients who included probiotics in their diet not only improved their gut health but had benefitted their skin. In 2014, the brand officially launched in the States and some of its most popular products include its cleanser and eye balm.
- Shop TULA Skincare here
My skin
Before we get into it, here’s a bit about my skin; I have dry skin that’s prone to slight redness and hormonal spots. Over the years I’ve had to test many beauty products due to my job and have subsequently compromised my skin’s barrier, making it slightly more sensitised.
TULA Skincare: full review
The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser
- The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser, £20 from TULA – buy here
Rating: 4/5
Pros: non-stripping, suitable for dry skin, effective
Cons: Soapy scent
As someone with a drier skin type, I’ve found that gel cleansers are too harsh for my face and normally use a cream cleanser. So I was slightly apprehensive to use this one especially as it said it was suitable for dry and oily skin – and those skin types are very different. However, it ended up being one of my favourite items.
One of the brand’s bestsellers – an alleged one is sold every 30 seconds globally, the cleanser consists of probiotic and prebiotic extracts to balance and nourish the skin and is enhanced with Tumeric, White Tea and Blueberry to help improve skin texture with a slight exfoliation, making it an ideal if you suffer from blemishes.
The formula was easy to squeeze out and when I massaged it in, it emulsified easily and took off most of my makeup without clogging my eyes. After washing my face, my skin wasn’t left feeling that too-tight feeling that most gel cleansers often leave me with and I liked that it could be used as a first or second cleanse. The one downside is that it does have quite a strong soapy scent that can be off-putting. While I didn’t really experience any of its exfoliating benefits, I ultimately love its versatility and that it left my skin cleansed without being dry.
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Rose Glow + Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
- Rose Glow + Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm, £28 from TULA – buy here
Rating: 4/5
Pros: Brightens under-eye, de-puffs, easy application
Cons: Not suitable for all skin tones
Of all of TULA’s products, this was the one I was the most excited to try out. I don’t get as much sleep as I should so dark circles have been a persistent issue of mine. What first intrigued me was that it comes in a balm as opposed to a cream, making it easier to apply with a simple swipe under the eye.
Alongside probiotic extracts, the star ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid and caffeine, which feel instantly cooling on the skin and surprisingly lingered for a while, de-puffing my tired eyes. I preferred using this in the early mornings over nighttime as it helped wake my eyes up.
It’s got a rose-gold pearlescent finish that looks similar to highlighter and brightens any darkness. I’ve got a light / medium skin tone so it suited my complexion, but it’s probably too fair for deeper skin tones. Of all the eye creams I’ve tried in the past, this is the only one that I’ve stayed consistent in using daily and when it runs out, I’ll definitely be looking to repurchase.
24-7 Ultra Hydration Triple-Hydra Complex Day & Night Serum
- 24-7 Ultra Hydration Triple-Hydra Complex Day & Night Serum, £47 from TULA – buy here
Rating: 5/5
Pros: Instantly hydrating, layers well
Cons: Pricey
I don’t use a hydrating serum in my current routine so I was eager to give TULA’s 24/7 Triple-Hydra Serum a go. It claims to keep skin hydrated for a full 24 hours with a complex formula that includes three forms of Hyaluronic Acid, encapsulated Squalane and Polygymatic acid, to give maximum hydration.
My skin, quite literally, drank it up as it sunk into my face in under a minute. It didn’t cause any irritation and had a runny texture that spread smoothly. I noticed that when I used this serum, my skin was less dry during a whole day out, and when I did experience dry flakes, it soothed it. I also appreciated the clever packaging where you lock it by twisting it, avoiding any leakage, and it paired well with thicker serums. I can’t judge as to whether it made any difference to any fine lines as that’s not an issue I struggle with, but it gave my skin a great hydration boost and it’s something I’ll keep in my rotation.
Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum
- Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum, £44 from TULA – buy here
Rating: 5/5
Pros: Brightens skin, suitable for sensitive skin, opaque packaging
Cons: Pricey
Vitamin C is my best friend and I’ve used more Vitamin C serums than I can remember. So I wondered whether Tula’s Vitamin C serum would pass my tough criteria. Packed in an opaque bottle to prevent light exposure, the serum works to brighten the skin, boost radiance and fade dark spots. What makes it different to normal Vitamin C serums is that its formula includes chicory root, which is a prebiotic extract that helps maintain balance, and lychee, Japanese mandarin and mango extracts. The texture felt like it was in between an oil and gel and absorbed easily into the skin. Two drops from the pipette were more than enough for my face, so a little goes a long way.
It’s a great beginner’s Vitamin C if you’re new to using it and I noticed that it helped fade the redness left behind by some hormonal breakouts.
24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream
- TULA 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream, £47 from TULA – buy here
Rating: 3.5/5
Pros: Hydrating, smooth texture, soothing
Cons: Contains fragrance
I’ll admit, the first time I put this on, my skin did feel a slight tingle that sent my sensitivity alarm bells ringing. It does contain fragrance, which is what caused the slight flare, but the tingle dissipated after I continued to use it.
This moisturiser feels luxurious with a creamy texture that dryer skin types will adore. Oilier or combination skin types may want to opt for a more gel-like consistency. It didn’t feel greasy and absorbed easily, leaving no white cast or marks. The main benefit is that it hydrates the skin and helps build a strong barrier thanks to Bifida Ferment Lysate, which is its probiotic extract. There are plenty of high-quality ingredients packed into this with peptides, squalane and collagen all working together. While it’s versatile for day and night, I prefer it as a night cream as I like to use sunscreen as my moisturiser during the day.
TULA Skincare: final verdict
I’m a big fan of including probiotics in my diet and suffice to say, after a few weeks of using TULA, topical probiotics have definitely been beneficial to restoring my skin’s barrier. The products really maximised the benefits of both probiotics alongside superfood extracts by soothing inflammatories and also adding extra hydration to my skin. While some of the formulas are definitely geared towards drier skin types, a lot of products are incredibly versatile and using only five products streamlined my routine.
Unfortunately, TULA’s sunscreen isn’t currently available in the UK so in the daytime I followed up with my trusty Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50. However, I enjoyed using TULA and it’s perfect for anyone who wants a simple, yet effective skincare routine.
- Shop TULA Skincare here
Is TULA available in the UK?
Yes, TULA launched its UK store last year and all its products can be shopped online. In addition, UK shoppers can also buy TULA from Space NK.
Is TULA skincare expensive?
The short answer is yes. While it’s not at the top end of the spectrum where luxury brands have products at over £100, it’s a mid-range price and definitely heftier than drugstore brands. The cheapest single product is £12 and the most expensive is £73, with most ranging around £20 – £45. However, when you consider its sophisticated formulas which include high-quality ingredients and probiotic extracts in every product, it’s understandable that it’s a higher price tag. In comparison, Aurelia London, which is a similar Probiotic skincare brand has prices from £18 to £99, making TULA slightly cheaper. You can also save 20% off TULA products with auto-delivery this month.
- Shop TULA Skincare here
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