Mallama Skincare brand review

If vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly skincare is your thing, then keep on reading for my honest Mallama Skincare brand review. In this blog post, I’m going to be breaking down the entire Mallama Skincare range, from product claims, key ingredients in each product, and my unbiased thoughts on the line.

As always, I’d like to say a big thank you to Mallama Skincare for sending me these products to try. I always love trying new skincare, so I was very happy to receive this package from the US.

But should you drop your hard-earned cash on this vegan skincare range? Stay tuned for the answer.

What is Mallama Skincare?

Mallama Skincare aims to make skincare simple yet high-performance. The skincare line is based around being vegan, natural, cruelty-free and environmentally conscious.

We want you to feel good inside and out. That’s why we create skincare products that support your lifestyle goals. Whether you need to pick me up after an intense workout or feel calm, cool, and refreshed, we have a skincare product for that.

Mallama Skincare

Each product is housed in recycled packaging, which is made from unbleached and post-recycled materials and all of Mallama Skincare’s containers are made from recycled materials. Mallama Skincare is among the first e-commerce companies to offer carbon-neutral delivery by offsetting 100% of carbon emissions from shipping.

What products did I receive from Mallama Skincare?

I received the entire Mallama Skincare range, which consists of the following products:

1. Bio-Design Facial Cleanser
2. Hydrating Herbal Toner
3. Sugarcane Detox Scrub
4. The Vitamin Revival Serum
5. Green Tea Infused Moisturizer

You can also buy all 5 of the above products in the 10 Min Skincare Routine bundle for $74.00/£53.62.

Below, I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on each individual product for a more in-depth look at the cruelty-free skincare line.

1. Bio-Design Facial Cleanser

$9.99/£7.14

Product claims

The Bio-Design Facial Cleanser promises to be ultra-luxurious with the best ingredients that are good for your skin. Mallama Skincare says this cleanser is moisturising, gently exfoliating and refreshing. It also claims to be suitable for all skin types and protect the skin from environmental agents that can contribute to breakouts and clogged pores.

Key ingredients

• Decyl glucoside: derived from sugar, this ingredient is a gentle detergent cleansing agent
• Disodium coco-glucoside citrate: a non-irritating cleansing agent that’s a combination of citric acid and coco-glucoside
• Coco-glucoside: a mixture of fatty alcohol from coconut and glucose. Chiefly functions as a cleansing agent
• Glyceryl oleate: a mixture of portions of glycerin and oleic acid used as an emollient (softening or soothing the skin), surfactant (breaking down oil and dirt) and emulsifier (binding ingredient)
• Hydrolysed wheat protein: texture enhancer

My thoughts

Firstly, I like the pump dispenser. These types of dispensers are great at enabling you to get the right amount of product out, so you don’t waste any.

Now onto the cleanser itself. It’s got a strange smell. I’m not sure exactly what is but it smells quite bitter? As the cleanser doesn’t contain fragrance, I guess it must be one of the ingredients that has quite a potent smell. Honestly, I’m not a fan. However, I’m happy to look past this if the cleanser delivers results.

Personally, I’d describe the Bio-Design Facial Cleanser as okay. It’s not particularly good or bad and it just does the job.

I don’t find it lathers up particularly well and I wish that was different. I’ve got to use about 5 pumps of the cleanser with a decent amount of water for it to lather up properly, whereas I’d use less product with many other cleansers.

Onto the positives, though, this cleanser is very gentle on the skin. It has a fairly soft texture and never feels irritating or harsh, so I can see this product working well for people with sensitive skin. Also, having a budget-friendly cleanser is always important as not everyone can, or wants to, drop £30 and upwards on a cleanser.

Rating: 2.5 stars

I don’t mind the Bio-Design Facial Cleanser but it’s just not for me.

2. Hydrating Herbal Toner

$9.99/£7.14

Product claims

Mallama Skincare says that the Hydrating Herbal Toner will help balance pH levels in the skin, while reducing the appearance of pores and dark spots. It also promises to be revitalising and moisturising. This toner claims to be suitable for all skin types and helps to combat dullness.

Key ingredients

• Sodium hyaluronate: a salt that’s derived from hyaluronic acid. Hydrating and absorbs easily into the skin
• Ascorbyl glucoside: a stable form of vitamin C combined with glucose. Helps make the skin look brighter, smoother and younger
• Panthenol (vitamin B5): a humectant that attracts and holds moisture
• Witch hazel: has some soothing and antioxidant properties but it can be aggravating to the skin with repeated use
• Chamomile flower extract: has potent skin-soothing properties

My thoughts

Although this toner contains witch hazel, which can be sensitising to the skin, I genuinely love this product. It has a lovely herbal and aromatic scent, which matches the energising, cooling and revitalising feel of the toner. If my skin ever looks dull, this product is the ideal refresher.

This toner is definitely hydrating, seeing as sodium hyaluronate is the key ingredient. It instantly gives your skin an immediate moisture boost, which is ideal if your skin is feeling a bit dehydrated. When the weather gets hot, I can see myself keeping this skincare product in my handbag for a quick spritz. Plus, this energising toner is very affordable, which is great.

I featured the Hydrating Herbal Toner in my March beauty faves.

Rating: 4.5 stars

This aromatic and hydrating toner is awesome. It’s definitely one of my favourite products from the Mallama Skincare line.

3. Sugarcane Detox Scrub

$9.99/£7.14

Product claims

The Sugarcane Detox Scrub claims to be a deep-cleaning treatment for smooth and even-toned skin. It also promises to balance the skin’s pH level, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores, and leave your skin feeling super soft. Mallama Skincare advises that this scrub is suitable for all skin types.

Key ingredients

• Bambusa arundinacea stem powder: I couldn’t find much research on this ingredient but it seems like it’s a natural alternative to plastic scrubs
• Pumice: an exfoliant that’s known to be abrasive
• Sugarcane extract: a humectant (helps the skin to attract water and then hold onto it)
• Apple extract: has potent antioxidant properties
• Lemon extract: hailed for its brightening properties but is highly sensitising to the skin

My thoughts

Looking through the key ingredients in the Sugarcane Detox Scrub, it’s pretty abrasive and sensitising due to the pumice and lemon extract. Despite this, I still enjoy using this scrub.

It’s quite creamy and has a somewhat gritty texture (probably due to the pumice). I find the product spreads out quickly and easily across the face and can be removed with a damp muslin cloth without difficulty. This scrub immediately makes your skin feel softer and smoother.

Although I know that, overall, physical exfoliants are not as effective, or as kind to your skin, as chemical exfoliants, I still enjoy the instant gratification. However, I’m aware that this scrub could be sensitising over time, so I wouldn’t personally purchase it. I also wouldn’t recommend this for people with sensitive skin as I feel like it would be too harsh.

Rating: 3 stars

I love that instantly smooth skin feeling I get from this physical exfoliant but I’m cautious of some of the harsh ingredients in this product.

4. The Vitamin Revival Serum

$9.99/£7.14

Product claims

Mallama Skincare says that The Vitamin Revival Serum will help you get brighter, radiant and more even-toned skin over time. This vitamin C serum claims to help fade scarring and pigmentation, while niacinamide nourishes, hydrates and replenishes the skin. Again, the vegan skincare brand says this serum is suitable for all skin types.

Key ingredients

• 20% l-absorbic acid (vitamin C): a potent form of vitamin C, which is skin-soothing and helps to improve the appearance of ageing and brighten uneven skin tone
• Tocopherol (vitamin E): offers significant antioxidant properties to help defend from pollution and other environmental stressors that would otherwise weaken the skin, causing unwanted changes. Vitamin E also has skin-soothing properties
• Niacinamide (vitamin B3): helps to visibly minimise enlarged pores, tighten lax pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface. Topical application of niacinamide has been shown to boost the hydrating ability of moisturisers so the skin’s surface can better resist the moisture loss
• Panthenol (vitamin B5): a humectant that attracts and holds moisture
• Ferulic acid: provides antioxidant benefits to skin while enhancing the stability of topical applications of antioxidant vitamins C and E

My thoughts

As you can see from the powerhouse top 5 ingredients in this serum’s INCI list, The Vitamin Revival Serum is brilliant. This serum instantly makes your skin look brighter and more radiant but feels soft and soothing at the same time.

The consistency is neither too gloopy or too runny and I find it works brilliantly with other skincare products. For instance, this sits well on top of my hyaluronic acid serum and underneath my moisturiser.

This serum definitely contributes to a more even skin tone as well and feels moisturising on application. In fact, this is easily the best affordable vitamin C serum I’ve tried. I think you’d struggle to find a vitamin C serum that makes your skin look and feel as great as this one for £7.14. This price is unbelievable.

I’ve got to admit, though, I seem to get on well with all vitamin C products I try. Either my skin seems to get on well with vitamin C or I’ve been lucky with the different formulas I’ve tried. The OSKIA Super-C Capsules are still my all-time favourite vitamin C product as nothing makes my skin look as glowy as those capsules. On the flip side, they’re incredibly expensive at £62 for 60 capsules.

Mallama Skincare’s vegan and cruelty-free vitamin C serum is incredibly budget-friendly and is a must-try. 20% l-absorbic acid in a cheap serum with so many star ingredients is phenomenal too.

Rating: 5 stars

A fantastic serum for a fantastic price.

5. Green Tea Infused Moisturizer

$19.99/£14.29

Product claims

The Green Tea Infused Moisturizer claims to be lightweight while brightening and reducing the look of pores. Mallama Skincare says this is the perfect moisturiser. It promises to be hydrating, nourishing and suitable for all skin types.

Key ingredients

• Ergothioneine: has potent antioxidant and skin-soothing properties
• Sodium hyaluronate: a salt that’s derived from hyaluronic acid. Hydrating and absorbs easily into the skin
• Saccharide isomerate: a water-binding agent and emollient (softening or soothing the skin)
• Emblica (gooseberry): a rich antioxidant source that’s incredibly soothing, with the ability to quiet factors in skin that stir visible signs of trouble, such as redness and increased sensitivity
• Ferulic acid: provides antioxidant benefits to skin while enhancing the stability of topical applications of antioxidant vitamins C and E

My thoughts

This is one of the best moisturisers I’ve tried. It absorbs into the skin quickly, feels lightweight and non-greasy on the skin, but is still very hydrating and nourishing. After applying this product, my skin feels soft, smooth, plump and firm. Pairing the Green Tea Infused Moisturizer with The Vitamin Revival Serum makes for healthy, nourished and glowy skin.

I wouldn’t say that this moisturiser reduces the look of pores or is particularly brightening, however, that’s not what I look for in a moisturiser. What I want is oil-free and nourished skin that lasts throughout the day and this Mallama Skincare moisturiser seriously delivers.

Again, this green tea moisturiser works well with other skincare products. Even under heavier SPFs, you’re not going to feel oily or experience pilling.

Although I don’t have sensitive skin, this moisturiser also feels cooling on the skin, so I think this would be great for people whose skin feels inflamed or looks red.

Rating: 5 stars

I’m totally in love with this vegan and cruelty-free moisturiser.

Overall Mallama Skincare brand review

Mallama Skincare is an affordable and eco-friendly skincare brand. I love that the entire line is vegan and cruelty-free too. This is an ethos I can get behind!

Although I don’t get on with all of the products in this range, the products that work are brilliant.

It’s interesting that the moisturiser is the most expensive product in the line but I think it’s justified as it’s fantastic. The texture and results are beautiful. The vitamin C serum is easily the best value for money and the toner is fantastic for a hydrating pick-me-up.

I don’t think this skincare line is for people who have targeted skincare concerns (such as blackheads or eczema) but, overall, I think Mallama Skincare is a good basic skincare range.

Favourite product?

The Green Tea Infused Moisturizer. It’s a joy to use.

Where to buy

You can purchase any of the products mentioned in this post directly from Mallama Skincare.

Conclusion

I’m very grateful to have tried Mallama Skincare and love the brand’s socially conscious approach. The moisturiser has become a staple in my current skincare routine and I’d happily buy it again. The serum and toner are also worth checking out, particularly if you’re on a budget.

Which products from Mallama Skincare appeal to you the most? Let me know in the comments

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of, and the writer for, A Woman's Confidence. With over 5 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.