Sanctuary Spa Facial Oils Provide A Treat For All The Senses: 100% Of LBQ Readers Would Continue Using Them After The Trial Was Over

It may seem like a fad, trend or craze, but facial oils have actually been used by skincare experts and therapists for decades as a way of treating skin in an effective and highly nourishing way. The multi-functional benefits a little bottle of oil can offer are in demand, and with good reason; saturated with effective ingredients in much higher concentrations than your usual moisturiser, they provide a great way to treat your skin without overloading it. Because oils are lipophilic (or fat loving) they pass though the lipid layer of the skin faster, preventing water loss and plumping skin with moisture more effectively. If you apply an oil before your anti-aging cream, the oil molecules also trick the skin into letting active ingredients (such as retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C) penetrate deeper into the skin, without irritating the surface. An oil is a perfect accompaniment to a targeted skincare regime, adding a little boost when you need it most - whether that's before your moisturiser, as a night treatment, mixed with your foundation or even rubbed onto dry patches and cuticles. Although they can be intimidating, finding a great product that integrates into your routine is the first step towards great skin - and it seems that Sanctuary Spa may provide the affordable and effective solution you're looking for.


They're often more well known for their pampering body treats and iconic scents, but the new Sanctuary Spa facial oil collection puts them firmly on the map as a skincare expert too. Over the last few weeks fifteen London Beauty Queen readers have been putting them to the test, using the oil that best met the needs of their skin - including Ultimate Cleansing Oil, Therapist’s Secret Facial Oil, Wonder Oil Serum and Overnight Miracle Oil. The results are in and suffice to say, it was rather a successful trial - with 100% of testers choosing to continue using the oil in their daily regime even after the mini experiment was over. Here's the lowdown on each of the four oils and what my readers had to say about them...

Ultimate Cleansing Oil - For All Skin Types (£12.00)
This evocative and sensual oil helps to cleanse and remove makeup, leaving skin feeling fresh, soft and hydrated. Infused with a special blend of oils (including jojoba, soy bean, avocado and organ) to nourish and leave skin silky smooth, this gentle cleanser effortlessly melts away dirt and impurities without leaving any residue behind. A great little addition to any routine, and so much better than a face wipe.

WHAT THE LBQ READERS THOUGHT:
"It takes off makeup and cleanses my skin effectively, leaving it feeling hydrated but not greasy. It easily slipped into my morning and night routine too."

"My skin looks and feels so much more cleansed; it looks so healthy it's glowing!"

Therapist’s Secret Facial Oil - For Parched Skin (£17.50)
With clinical trials proving that two drops of this is as effective as a day cream five times the price, this beautifully scented oil delivers an intense and skin-balancing boost of moisture to leave skin looking fresh, youthful and radiant. A superfood blend of rosehip, sunflower, jojoba, wheatgerm, frankincense and rose oils makes this something exceptionally special for the price; free from mineral oil, you could be forgiven for thinking it's a professional treatment rather than an affordable high street treat.

WHAT THE LBQ READERS THOUGHT:
"I’ve really enjoyed using this product! It’s very easy to implement into my skincare regime; it feels lovely on my skin and my complexion is definitely more hydrated since using the oil. I’ll continue to use it and would definitely recommend it!"

"It absorbs really easily into the skin and is not greasy at all. The scent was a pleasant surprise when i used it for the first time too." 

Wonder Oil Serum - For Signs Of Ageing (£19.50)
An innovative formulation that combines an oil and serum in one product, this requires shaking to activate. The usual texture looks and feels like water, absorbing within seconds to leave skin feeling rejuvenated and plump for up to 24 hours. The oil phase contains a blend of moringa, jojoba and pomegranate for intense hydration, while the serum phase contains red rice stem cells to help rejuvenate and firm the skin; the result is a reduction the appearance of fine lines and a boost in elasticity, without a greasy or heavy finish.

WHAT THE LBQ READERS THOUGHT:
"From the first use I knew I was going to love this product. The scent has a spa-like feel to it, making the experience a pleasure in all senses. Unlike other oils I've used it's not greasy at all and sinks in in no time at all. I'm also very impressed in how far this goes - having been using it for two weeks, you can hardly notice a dent in the bottle. I can definitely see me repurchasing this when I eventually finish the bottle!"

"The oil has a very pleasant scent, it warms up very nicely on my hands and is very easy to apply. My skin absorbs it perfectly, without being heavy, and it gives it a healthy glow. Every morning I feel my skin is soft, hydrated and visibly plumper. I am very satisfied with the results."

Overnight Miracle Oil - For Tiredness & Dullness (£19.50)
Intensely nourishing for a hit of goodness while you sleep, the Overnight Miracle Oil claims to rejuvenate skin for a more youthful looking complexion in four weeks. A combination of jojoba, sunflower, wheat germ, pomegranate and rosehip oils help to leave skin looking toned, firmed, soft, smooth and radiant - reducing overall signs of fatigue after only a single use. Free from mineral oil, this is a great one to inject radiance into your complexion without overloading the skin.

WHAT THE LBQ READERS THOUGHT:
"It’s easily absorbed into the skin and my complexion definitely looks brighter since I started using this. It's a lovely texture and my skin felt much plumper and hydrated the morning after using."

"I was pretty unsure of how my skin would react to the oil, as it has been known to react to creams for sensitive skins. So far however, the oil has been fab! It's prevented a breakout, helped with the recovery of an allergic reaction, and not only does it work as an excellent primer - but mixing it in with my makeup makes it dewier and my skin more comfortable. I will definitely repurchase it when it runs out as it’s an amazing product. All in all, this is love!"

To ensure a fair trial we had a mix of ages (from 20 to 54) and a variety of skincare backgrounds; two thirds of testers had experience with facial oils previously, giving them a great benchmark, but a third (5/10) were completely new to them. Reassuringly, 100% of readers felt the Sanctuary Skin Oil was easy to slip into their regime; this means that everyone can embrace a facial oil on a daily basis, without worrying about extra time or faff. A rather positive 80% said their skin felt healthier, smoother, more hydrated or more supple in the weeks they were using it; the remaining 20% were unsure as they hadn't quite seen the results they were after yet (but are continuing to put it to the test.) 94% of my testing panel believed the skin oil had been a pleasure to use, with only one being unsure because of the texture; however, 100% of readers vowed to keep using the Sanctuary Skin Oils beyond the perimeters of the trial, proving the ease of use and pleasure they can offer. The important bit is that 87% of the testing panel would recommend the Sanctuary Skin Oils to a friend, with the remainder being unsure and awaiting further experience before making a decision.


Having been using these oils myself, I can agree with the panel completely; the oils are luxurious, easy to use, non-greasy, deliciously scented and definitely leave my skin feeling hydrated and supple. You don't have to spend a fortune on skincare to get great results, and Sanctuary Spa have created something that proves that entirely. If you're convinced by my panel of testers to give them a go yourself, you can find the Sanctuary Spa facial oils nationwide via Boots stores and online, priced between £12.00 and £19.50.


This is a sponsored post on behalf of Sanctuary Spa; all opinions are my own; all testimony provided by readers with no incentive or bias; 15 women between 20-54 took part in the trial for between two and four weeks. 

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