A few years ago, I came across a glorious paparazzi photograph of Trinny Woodall enjoying what looked to be pasta outside of a restaurant. The image made me feel like I should go out and grab life by the parpadelle and not give a fusilli about who was watching – it’s been my iPad background ever since. Woodall, a long-time wellspring of amusement and inspiration, is so much more than her larger-than-life personality though. 

On social media, she’s a sensible, accessible, no-BS source of information about fashion, make-up, skincare and self-confidence. Her incredibly popular beauty brand, Trinny London, spans the gamut of products from foundations to tinted serums, concealer, stackable eye shadows, creamy bronzers, lip and cheek colours, blurring balms and contour shades. She’s open about her attempts to quit smoking and get back into exercise. In an age of filters, Woodall epitomises transparency. 

In February, Trinny London launched skincare with two refillable cleansers, each designed to suit specific skin concerns. The first, Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser is rich and oil-based, recommended for normal to dry skin types. For normal to oily skin types, there’s the Better Off AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser to gently exfoliate and slough away dead skin. 

Currently faced with dehydrated, papery, congested winter skin, I gravitated immediately towards the nourishing Be Your Best Enzyme Cleanser. It ticked the boxes of hydration and brightening (through mild exfoliation) – plus, it was reported to be exceptionally good at removing eye make-up, a personal vendetta. 

Shop Trinny London Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser, £32

Enriched with replenishing almond, jojoba, borage and linseed oils, one pump of the oil-to-balm cleanser warmed into a milky movable formula that melted away the make-up on my cheeks, lips, forehead and neck. I worked a second pump into my eyelashes to try and remove the two coats of Jones Road mascara I had been wearing for over eight hours and I was happy to find that gentle circular massage movements mixed with a splash of warm water broke it down well. My trusty micellar water removed the remaining dregs.

Afterwards, my skin felt clean and clear (something that can be difficult with oil and jelly cleansers), as well as plump, soft and supple. I applied the exfoliating Farmacy Deep Sweep BHA toner and sandwiched it all in with two oil-based moisturisers – the Ren Evercalm Balm and Jones Road Hippie Stick. In the morning, my skin was clear and calm, two things I prioritise with dry and sensitive skin. 

Then, in March, Trinny London added exfoliants to the line-up – featuring three chemical exfoliants ranging from gentle to potent.

The first of the new exfoliants, Tiptoe In, is the most gentle of the three – suitable for all skin types, including sensitive. It uses PHA (polyhydroxy acid) to slough away dull, dehydrated skin, replenish the skin’s moisture and boost natural radiance using lactobionic acid. In the words of Trinny London, it’s a good place for first-timers to start.  

The mid-tier option, Find Your Balance, uses BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to unclog congested pores and treat normal to oily skin types. A more powerful option, it’s one best used in the evening after cleansing but before applying serums and moisturisers.

Finally, the most potent exfoliating option, Reveal Yourself, harnesses an AHA-complex (alpha hydroxy acid) to treat very dull complexions and fine lines. The blend of malic, lactic and succinic acid resurfaces the skin, increasing radiance, softness and smoothness.

This month, Trinny London has introduced two retinal serums (yes, retinal, not retinol, another vitamin A derivative) designed to treat two types of skin. The first one – Overnight Sensation – is a retinal and serum hybrid, aimed at women over the age of 40 who want to treat fine lines and a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin. Combining a granactive retinoid and serum like this can mitigate side effects, reducing the amount of dry skin and flaking commonly experienced after introducing a retinal into your routine. 

Then, a step down in potency, Overnight Clarity combines retinal with niacinamide to address hormonal breakouts, congested skin and the beginnings of fine lines or wrinkles. The added niacinamide helps to address excess oil production, while glycine-bonded azelaic acid evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark marks and hyperpigmentation. 

Main image: Courtesy of brand