Introduction
Typology is a French, vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand that has been receiving rave reviews since it launched in 2019. With its minimal yet chic packaging and transparent formulas packed with quality ingredients, it‘s easy to see why Typology has gained a cult following amongst skincare enthusiasts.
But does this affordable skin care brand live up to the hype? Is it really as good as higher-end brands? In this comprehensive review, we‘ll take an in-depth and critical look at Typology to help you decide if it deserves a place in your skincare routine.
Overview of Typology Skincare
Typology was founded by Ning Li in 2019 with the goal of creating no-fuss skincare products using high quality, plant-based ingredients from France. The brand focuses on "demystifying" skincare by avoiding unnecessary chemicals and keeping their product line minimal.
All Typology products are certified vegan and cruelty-free. Their streamlined packaging is not only chic but sustainable – made of recycled materials with reduced plastic usage.
Below is a quick pros vs cons rundown of Typology:
Pros
- Affordable prices
- Chic, minimalist packaging
- Transparent formulas
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Free shipping over $60 in US
- Worldwide shipping
Cons
- Limited external reviews
- No discounts or promo codes
- Newer brand so more testing needed
- Return policy only 14 days
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s analyze Typology‘s top-selling serums and moisturizers.
Critical Review of Best Typology Skincare Products
Vitamin C Serum
The Typology Vitamin C Serum contains 85% vitamin C derived from acerola cherries along with hyaluronic acid and silk tree extract. It claims to brighten dull skin, fade dark spots and improve texture.
In testing, I found this 20% vitamin C serum absorbed quickly without being too sticky or greasy. However, it didn‘t seem to make a huge difference to my stubborn sun spots even after 2 months of continued use. I‘ve had better luck fading hyperpigmentation with Obagi Medical Vitamin C serum which has more concentrated vitamin C at 25%.
I do appreciate the clean formula with vitamin E and soothing silk tree extract instead of lots of thickeners and silicones you‘ll often see. If you have normal skin and want a budget-friendly C serum, Typology Vitamin C is a solid option. But for anti-aging, I‘d splurge on Skinceuticals C E Ferulic which remains the gold standard vitamin C serum for me.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Silk Tree Extract
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Micellar Water
Typology‘s Micellar Water contains just 7 ingredients to gently dissolve makeup and impurities without drying out skin. The formula uses micellar technology with molecules that act like magnets to lift dirt from pores.
After a week of use morning and night, I was impressed by how clean and soft this left my sensitive combination skin. The huge 12.7 oz bottle also makes this very wallet-friendly at under $20. It rivals my previous favorite from French brand Bioderma.
Micellar waters aren‘t designed to fully cleanse though. For best results, you‘ll want to follow up with your regular facial cleanser after using this. But as a pre-cleanser, it‘s fantastic for getting eye and face makeup off effortlessly without irritation.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Panthenol, Micellar water
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Squalane Oil Serum
Derived from olives, squalane oil is a lightweight moisturizer that mimics skin‘s natural oils. This hydrating serum from Typology helps repair skin‘s moisture barrier and improve elasticity.
After adding 2 drops to my night cream every evening, my chronically dry cheeks felt nourished without turning greasy. Waking up with plump, smooth skin was a noticeable change. Beyond hydration, Typology‘s Squalane Serum also reduced some fine lines around my eyes.
I prefer this over The Ordinary‘s offering because it feels more elegant and absorbs faster. However Paula Choice‘s Squalane Oil still ranks higher for me but you do pay more per oz.
Key Ingredients: 100% Plant-derived squalane
Rating: 4 / 5
Caffeine Eye Serum
Under eye circles make me look constantly tired so I rely on caffeine products to reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles. The Typology Caffeine Serum also contains niacinamide aka vitamin B3 to improve blood circulation under the eyes.
I‘m not easily impressed by most caffeinated eye products. But within a few days, I noticed the skin under my eyes looking fresher and smoother almost like I‘d gotten extra sleep! The metal rollerball tip also feels soothing on application, helping to de-puff first thing in the morning.
For me, this serum didn‘t completely erase stubborn dark circles. But it did perk up my eyes better than Lifeflo Rosehip Eye Gel which I was previously using so I now keep it in my skincare rotation.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid
Rating: 4 / 5
Tinted Serum Foundation
A tinted serum with skin care benefits built in? I was instantly curious about how well Typology‘s creation would work. This oil-free serum adapts to your skin tone with 6 shades that provide light coverage while hydrating with aloe vera and squalane.
The serum comes out white but quickly changes color once applied. I chose 201N Light Neutral as closest match to my light-medium complexion. The olive undertone looked surprisingly natural blended out giving me an easy no-makeup makeup look. My sensitive skin didn‘t have any negative reaction and kept calm with continued use.
For evening out tone alone, I could skip concealer which is impressive. But those with acne scars or pigmentation may need additional concealer. At $35, it‘s fantastic for everyday wear and cuts out multiple steps in your routine.
Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Squalane, Vitamin C
Rating: 4 / 5
How Does Typology Compare to Other Skincare Brands?
Since Typology positions itself as an affordable yet potent skincare brand, I compared it head-to-head with 5 competitors: The Ordinary, CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Paula’s Choice and Cetaphil.
The Ordinary is the most similar in terms of a pared down ingredient list, clinical-style packaging and pricing. However, Typology’s brand image and product experience edge out The Ordinary for me.
CeraVe is a drugstore favorite but their formulas tend to be richer and not as easily absorbed by oilier skin types. Typology‘s serums suit more skin types.
La Roche-Posay has an impressive assortment of products tested for sensitivity and allergies. But the prices are almost double Typology across comparable items like vitamin c, squalane oil, etc.
Paula‘s Choice also makes fantastic skincare actives focused on efficacy. However, it‘s significantly pricier than Typology for key items like Chemical Exfoliants, Niacinamide and Azelaic acid. These are almost 3x more expensive than Typology‘s ranges.
Cetaphil is super affordable but tends to use more synthetic ingredients rather than natural formulations favored by Typology.
Ultimately, Typology stands up well as a natural brand with ethical French sourcing at extremely reasonable prices. Even their premium serums are priced low compared to non-toxic rivals like One Ocean Beauty and Ursa Major which often run almost 2-3x more.
Typology Reviews From Customers and Skincare Experts
Scouring Reddit skincare threads and YouTube reveals growing love for Typology with reviews that the affordable serums deliver satisfying results:
"Typology really helped clear up my hormonal acne and even my skin tone. The salicylic acid is amazing and the niacinimide is a holy grail. Glass minimalist packaging also so luxe."
"As far as Vitamin C serums under $30, Typology is fantastic and outperforms some luxury brands costing 5x more!"
One esthetician reviewing Typology on her Instagram praised the squalane oil and new retinol cream for making skin “glowy and smooth while being gentle.”
The few negative reviews seem to focus on broken pumps or leaky dropper bottles during shipping as a common complaint. But the customer service team is generally quick to address issues or ship replacements.
Are There Any Red Flags With This Brand?
Given Typology is still a young brand, they don‘t have any major red flags or scandals as yet. Reviews indicate the brand uses high quality ingredients true to their ethical commitments of being vegan and cruelty-free.
The main drawbacks are the limited promotional offers or chances to try the range for less. Compared to The Ordinary and Inkey List which often have discounts or multi-item bundles, Typology rarely has sales beyond free shipping thresholds.
My other caution would be trying too many new products at once if you have sensitive skin. Start with one serum like Vitamin C or squalane before adding more to ensure your skin tolerates the ingredients.
While Typology checks out as an authentic clean skincare brand, I always advocate patch testing and slowly integrating products one at a time regardless of reviews. Every individual has unique skin health so proceed thoughtfully and monitor your skin‘s reactions.
Are Typology Products Really Worth Buying?
At the end of testing several serums and treatments from Typology over 8 weeks, my conclusion is an overwhelming yes – this is an impeccable skincare brand to invest in.
The minimal formulas truly deliver high concentrations of skin-enhancing vitamins, acids and oils for visible improvement in tone, texture and pores. Yet they are surprisingly gentle on sensitive areas too with the exception of direct acid applications.
Beyond the Aveeno-level pricing, I‘m a huge fan of the clean ingredients that avoid harsh chemicals and use plant extracts for healing benefits. The French focus on botanical formulations stayed consistent testing over a dozen different Typology items.
For glowing glass skin on a budget, Typology should be your first stop – especially if you gravitate toward clean beauty and ethical brands. With such affordable pricing for premium quality, these serums punch well above their weight class in restoring skin health.
Deals and Promotions For Typology Skincare
Unfortunately, Typology rarely offer sales or discounts beyond free shipping. Your best bet is to sign up for emails and await special announcements for any future promotions.
Some unofficial referral codes may pop up worth checking to save 10-15% on first orders. I‘ll update this post if any verified coupons for Typology emerge. For now, enjoy free shipping to the US for orders over $60.
Given the already fair prices, that‘s not a high minimum compared to rival skincare brands.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy From Typology?
In closing this extensive and transparent Typology skincare review, yes – I wholeheartedly recommend buying from this rising brand if you want:
✔️ Affordable but premium skincare
✔️ Cruelty-free and vegan beauty products
✔️ Proven anti-aging and rejuvenating serums
✔️ High quality clean formulas made in France
Hopefully this thorough and detailed analysis of ingredients, pricing, comparisons and first hand testing proves valuable as you assess if Typology deserves a spot on your skincare shelf! Let me know in comments if you have any other questions.
