Byoma is having its (well deserved) moment in the spotlight. Dreamt up by Marc Elrick in the midst of the 2020 lockdown, the aim was simple – ‘accessible, affordable, approachable skincare that educated without being complicated.’ And it’s fair to say Elrick has achieved just that – beauty editors across the UK are quick to lend their seal of approval to Byoma and its simple (but brilliant) barrier-boosting formulations.
Byoma products are designed to simplify your skincare regime – no stripping in sight. Instead, you’ll find a concise but efficacious edit that slot easily into a clearly-mapped routine. The active ingredients are plentiful (think hyaluronic acid, retinol and probiotics) but never stripping thanks to clever formulations that temper any potential irritation. Byoma's retinol, for example, is ideal for sensitive skin thanks to the inclusion of its proprietary Barrier Lipid Complex which supports a healthy skin barrier. This allows for all the complexion beautifying benefits of retinol, without any of the common side-effects. It's clever stuff.
Watch: The Skin Barrier Explained
Our beauty team comprises of women of different ages with a mixture of skin types. And we really rate Byoma. As Autumn rolls in, if you're looking to update your beauty regime, we'd recommend making a switch to these budget friendly fun coloured bottles. And now courtesy of Amazon's two day annual Prime Day event, you can save up to 24% of selected Byoma products on the site. As Amazon can be a maze to navigate, to cut your scroll time in half, we've selected the products our beauty team love the most.
Shop: The Best Byoma Products In The Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024
Cassie Steer Acting Beauty Director says: 'I’ve done a little seasonal skincare switch recently and this deeply hydrating, ceramide-packed moisturiser doubles as my daily winter SPF (love a multi-tasker!). Although my skin craves extra hydration in the cooler seasons, I hate the feeling of anything too heavy and the gel-cream texture instantly (and invisibly) melts into my skin.'
Pros
- Contains SPF 30
- Suited to all skin types
Cons
- Pump can be clunky
Renee Washington beauty assistant says: 'If you're looking for gentle, effective skincare products that won't break the bank, I highly recommend giving Byoma a try. This hydrating serum sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue. My skin loves glycerin so this formula works very well - it keeps my face feeling plump and hydrated all day with just the tiniest dose. I've noticed a significant improvement in the texture too - it's softer and smoother.'
Pros
- Moisturising
- Not greasy
Cons
- Pipette is temperamental
Rachael Martin beauty editor says: 'When I say I'm obsessed with this product, I truly mean it. Brimming with Byoma's unique barrier boosting Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids) just a spritz bathes my skin in a refreshing mist that works to hydrate and nourish - no stickiness in sight. I'll use it to refresh my make-up during the day and notice how my complexion looks instantly brighter and more radiant. I'm prone to redness, but find this really helps to calm that too - there's the infusion of probiotic ferment to thank for that. My only gripe? The nozzle can be temperamental so proceed with caution.'
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- High concentration of active ingredients
Cons
- Nozzle can be temperamental
Rachael Martin beauty editor says: 'First time retinol user? Consider giving this gentle yet effective oil-based retinol treatment a go. It's lightweight and soothing, sinking into the skin beautifully, despite being an oil. Just a pea-sized amount pressed into skin before bed works to improve tone and texture while wrinkles will appear minimised with consistent use. And of course there's the aforementioned proprietary Barrier Lipid Complex which soothes and keeps irritation at bay. Expect impressive results within three weeks.'
Pros
- Ideal for first time retinol users
- Suited to sensitive skin
Cons
- Cannot be used during the day
Rachael Martin beauty editor says: 'September is the time of the year where I'm reminded of the importance of moisturising my long suffering limbs - if the light layer of scaling is anything to go by, that is. Of course, I'm reaching for something soft, soothing and cocooning and Byoma's Senstive Skin Body Lotion does just that. The texture is silky, drenching my parched skin in a hefty hit of nourishment - think collodial oat to soothe and shea butter to hydrate. It's simple, yes, but it does what it promises.'
Pros
- Ideal for sensitive skin types
- Alcohol and fragrance free
- Suited to those with eczema
- Generous size - 400ml
Cons
- Although fragrance free, some reviewers wish it had a 'more pleasant scent.'
Sameeha Shaikh beauty writer says: 'If you love an indulgent cleansing experience without the price tag, look to this. The jelly texture turns into a rich, creamy foam as your massage it in, which removes every scrap of make-up, dirt and daily build up, all without leaving you feeling stripped or tight. My acne-prone skin also loves the inclusion of antioxidant-rich liquorice root and calming green tea extracts, which hydrate and heal my often compromised skin.'
Pros
- Lathers easily
- Sweeps away make-up with ease
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Can be tricky to get the last of the product out.
Sameeha Shaikh beauty writer says: 'As a Byoma stan, you can understand my excitement when the skin experts decided to launch into body care earlier this year. This gentle wash is loaded with the brand's skin barrier supporting prebiotic complex and soothing oatmeal to nourish, protect and cleanse. This is definitely an upgrade to your everything shower...'
Pros
- Suited to sensitive skin
- Sulfate free (non drying)
Cons
- Needs a considerable amount of water to help it emulsify
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s beauty editor. She covers all things beauty, health and wellness.
Main image credit: Instagram @byoma