In the review:
Sanctuary Cleansing Facial Wash
Sanctuary Instant Hydrating Toner
Sanctuary Protective 24 Hour Moisture Lotion SPF 15
I noticed in Boots the Chemist they had some of the key line pieces from Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden products on special. Oh yeah, baby! I’ve always enjoyed their body products but seeing as I needed to replace my day moisturiser I thought I’d try their travel size one out plus pick up the cleaner and moisturizer.
If you’re not familiar with Sanctuary products then zip over to their website. They used to be quite exclusive and only available in their Spa’s but selling to the masses is a glorious thing – especially when it’s via Boots! Hoorah!
In a nutshell the products use essential oils and natural extracts to do all kinds of wonderful things. They are naturally fragranced with the plant extracts and are not tested on animals.
Cleansing Facial Wash –
The claim:
Dissolves make-up (even mascara)
Hydrates and protects (with vitamin E & Glycerine)
Softens, soothes and freshens (with organic cornflower, chamomile and cucumber)
Brightens and purifies the skin
Use:
Massage onto damp skin with circular motions, rinse off thoroughly and pat dry.
Verdict:
The pump action bottle gives you a small amount. Not to be stingy I pumped it a few times and let’s face it – I’ve got big cheeks. 
The cleanser instantly melted my make-up off, including the mascara. I rinsed it off and did it again, just for good measure. There was only a smidgen of tightness and I actually think that was due to me applying it a second time. It felt really soothing on the skin and once it was off, my face did look rather less tired. The fragrance is very soft and not at all overpowering.
Instant Hydrating Toner
The claim:
Removes traces of cleanser
Tones Pores
Hydrates
Use:
Apply with cotton wool
Verdict:
Well I’m glad I bought this because it really is a nice toner. Generally I always think toners are much of a much-ness but this one definitely made my pores look less visible. There are lots of flower extracts in this, including rose which is a traditional remedy to tone pores (and the scent is like rosewater too).
I noticed on my forehead (around the hairline) that quite some remnants of make-up came off which is quite usual. I only needed to tone my face once though. The skin felt super lovely afterwards!
One little thing – the bottle has a special top which you push down and a small filter pops up. You instantly think you have to push the other side down to pump it, but you don’t – you turn the bottle a little and squeeze. It would have taken me ages to work that out if it I had of used it for the first time in the morning. AM is not my brightest moment.
Really enjoyed this product and it seemed to do exactly what it said it would.
Protective 24 Hour Moisture Lotion SPF 15
The claim:
Instant radiance and luminosity (they even throw the word ‘glowing’ in their description) *insert ‘ooohs’ from the crowd*
Use:
Slap it on Gals – but sparingly. A little goes a long way.
Verdict
Oh V likes this – very light indeed, which is surprising because when you first squeeze it onto your finger it is reminiscent of a sun lotion. I bought a travel size one because travel size moisturizer is very handy, and I would pop this in my make-up kit.
Instantly went into the skin. No residue of sticky feeling on the surface of the skin (but remember, I do exfoliate on a regular basis). If you don’t it could just sit on the surface a bit – but I doubt it would do much harm, you’d just have to be aware of that.
Skin looks more glowing but I would say most moisturizers leave your skin with that nice clean, nourished glow. It claims to even out skin tone, but again this would be due to the SPF protecting your skin from sun damage and therefore it protects blemish scars and helps them even out into your natural tone over time. Nothing ground breaking about that – just science, my lovelies.
After a few hours my skin still felt nice and nourished and comfortable. A nice, easily absorbed moisture lotion.
Overall Conclusion:
The price for each item (full price) is a little over £5 which I thought was very reasonable. The skin did feel cleansed, toned and hydrated and the natural extracts in the products are a really nice benefit to the skin. I will most likely buy the travel sizes of the toner and the cleanser too – as they are for all skin types.
Let me know if you try any of these and how you get on.
V x
