Superdrug challenged me, as part of their Superdrug Swap Shop campaign, to share my favourite branded and high-end Summer beauty essentials so that they could send me a Superdrug own-brand replacement. I’ve been trying them all out; but would I really swap them permanently? Let’s find out!
My Favourite: Invisibobble Hair Bobble, £3.75
Superdrug Replacement: 25 Towel Hair Bands, £1.99
Would I Swap?: Yes
Invisibobbles are great for not leaving a kink in your hair when you tie it back. This is especially good when your hair is wet at the beach or poolside during the Summer. However, like the Invisibobble, these Towel Hair Bands from Superdrug also only softly tie back your hair, and sit around your ponytail rather than making an indentation into it. I actually find that these are more effective in keeping my hair in place too.
My Favourite: Vita Coco Coconut Oil, £5.99
Superdrug Replacement: Superdrug Coconut Oil, £2.29
Would I Swap?: No
Vita Coco is a 100% natural, raw, organic coconut oil. Nothing has been added to it, and it has a multitude of beauty and culinary uses. I wrote a post on how I use it, here. However, Superdrug’s coconut oil version is not 100% natural- it has been fragranced and you can’t eat it either. I find that the Vita Coco oil is better at moisturising my skin and hair, and has so many other uses also. I would prefer to use something completely natural where possible too.
My Favourite: Bioderma Hydrabio Mask, £14.50
Superdrug Replacement: Superdrug Vitamin E Moisture Mask, £2.59
Would I Swap?: Yes
The Bioderma Hydrabio Mask is a great skin moisture booster; but it just doesn’t deliver as good results as the Superdrug own-brand Vitamin E Moisture Mask. I found my skin to be left much more hydrated and plumper after using Superdrug’s version; so I definitely prefer this. The Bioderma mask layer dries on my skin; but my skin literally drinks the Superdrug mask until there is basically nothing left.
My Favourite: Hawaiian Tropic Satin Protection SPF 30 Suncream, £12.60
Superdrug Replacement: Solait SPF30 Moisturising Sun Lotion, £7.99
Would I Swap?: No
The reason that I choose Hawaiian Tropic over other sun protection products is because of its delicious coconut scent- it smells amazing. However, Superdrug’s Solait lotion just has that bog-standard suncream smell. I would rather pay the extra money for the scent of Hawaiian Tropic; but if you wouldn’t, the Superdrug version will protect you from the sun just the same.
My Favourite: Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, £12.00
Superdrug Replacement: Superdrug Micellar Cleansing Facial Wipes, £1.29
Would I Swap?: Yes
I don’t use face wipes on a daily basis; but they are good when travelling, or on a really hot Summer’s day, for an extra cleanse (not instead of your normal morning and evening cleansing routines). The Superdrug Micellar Cleansing Facial Wipes are gentle on the skin, and perform just as well as the Ole Henriksen ones in giving my face a quick cleanse and refresh. They also remove make-up just as well if I needed to do this when out and about.
My Favourite: Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35, £29.00
Superdrug Replacement: Superdrug BB Cream SPF 15, £6.99
Would I Swap?: Yes
I really like the Bobbi Brown BB Cream for a light bit of coverage on really hot Summer days, when I don’t want to wear a heavier foundation or go bare with nothing on at all. It feels very light and breathable; but gives me the coverage level I want. Superdrug’s own BB Cream does exactly the same to be honest. It does have a lower SPF level; but I would usually use a serum with an SPF or an extra facial SPF lotion beforehand anyway, so I don’t mind this.
My Favourite: Eau Thermale Avene Water Spray, £7.00
Superdrug Replacement: Superdrug Body & Face Instant Cooling Spray, £3.99
Would I Swap?: No
The Avene spray is natural, and sprays a fine cooling mist of water on my face and body when I need to cool down and refresh on hot Summer days. I couldn’t dislike the Superdrug Face & Body Instant Cooling Spray more if I tried. It has a horrible chemical scent to it, and doesn’t have much of an actual liquid mist- more like cold jets of faux compressed air.
My Favourite: Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream, £26.00
Superdrug Replacement: Superdrug Vitamin E Super Balm, £3.99
Would I Swap?: No
I love Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream, as it is a wonder multi-use product. I wrote a post on the different ways I use it, here. You can tackle everything from dry skin, to sunburn, to spots with it. Yes, it smells quite bad; but its effectiveness makes up for this. The Superdrug Vitamin E Super Balm, unlike the Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream, is very greasy in texture, and is only good for tackling dry skin. I find the Elizabeth Arden cream more effective and much more useful to me.
All of Superdrug’s products are available online at www.superdrug.com, or from stores nationwide.
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