Every now and again, a beauty brand comes along that takes TikTok by storm. Take Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume, which was hailed as the perfume to make you smell rich (and we should hope so, at £235 a bottle) or the Colorwow Dream Coat, which went crazy-viral when celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton demonstrated how it really does make hair waterproof. Mind. Blown.
However, when an affordable beauty brand takes off on TikTok, I take notice. I’m a big believer that you don’t have to drop a fortune for good skincare, which is why Byoma has been catching my eye lately. I’ve already tried a couple of products from the affordable, brightly coloured skincare brand (which is all £15 and under, FYI) but since it has been coming up on my For You Page, I’ve been convinced to try more. Ans so has the rest of the internet, apprenty, with #Byoma racking up 2.25 million views and counting on TikTok.
So what’s all the hype about? Apart from the fun packaging and affordable price points, the ethos behind Byoma is something I can get behind. Founder Marc Elrick started developing Byoma back in 2020, and it has since been a huge hit. “During the initial covid lockdown, people were playing chemist in their bathrooms, experimenting with super-strength actives—with less than desirable results,” he says. “I chose to immerse myself in the skin science, and through extensive research, realised better skin stems from a boosted skin barrier. That’s how Byoma was born.”
As such, the products all centre around repairing, reinforcing and shielding the skin’s delicate barrier (they are also pH-balanced) which can become compromised when using too many products or ingredients. Pick up any Byoma product and you’ll find the ingredients listed out in an easy to read format, and the brand actually tells you what the ingredient is and its purpose in the formulation.
Convinced? Scroll ahead for our review of the best Byoma skincare products and the best ones for your skin type.
I was floored when I tried this SPF. The gel-cream texture instantly melts into the skin with zero white cast—it’s basically invisible. Junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay also rates this SPF too. Wearing SPF is a must to shield your skin against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, so finding one that you want to wear every single day is crucial. This one sits pride of place on my dressing table.
I see this budget moisturiser pop up on my FYP a lot, but don’t sniff at the price-point until you’ve tried it. This rivals some of the more expensive moisturisers I’ve tried. The gel-cream texture sinks in quickly, making it great for makeup prep and its formulated with skin-soothing niacinamide, a tri-cermaide complex to restore the skin barrier and antioxidant green tea to shield the skin from environmental aggressors throughout the day.
This landed on the beauty desk a few months back and the cooling gel instantly de-puffs and helps the eye area look for awake on those nights when sleep has evaded you. It contains hydrating hylaluronic acid to plump, vitamin C to brighten and Byoma’s tri-cermaide complex (which you’ll find in many of its products) to cushion and restore the skin.
Who What Wear US beauty director Erin Jahns sold me on this one when I read how this £13 serum helped to clear her peri-oral dermatitis. It’s ultra gentle, with the brand’s cult ceramide complex, skin-quenching squalane and glycerin, which work in tandem to intensely nourish the skin while locking in moisture.
Who What Wear junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay has convinced me to try this next, which is one of Byoma’s newest cleansers. “I love using this oil cleanser in the shower at the end of the day as the first step of my skincare routine. It melts away my makeup and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, but not stripped. Instead, my face is left feeling silky soft thanks to the hydrating oil formula,” she says. “One thing to note is that it doesn’t remove waterproof mascara, so I would recommend a separate eye makeup remover if you tend to wear a waterproof formula a lot.”
As for myself, I’ve been trialling the Creamy Jelly Cleanser which gives a thorough cleanse on my oily T-zone. Some say it can be drying, so it’s better suited for you if you have oily or combination skin.
This had me at “melting balm” and really rivals some of the more premium balm cleansers out there. For when you have stubborn makeup to remove this rich balm makes light work of removing it. It’s also packed with skin-fortifying ingredients to restore the skin barrier, including lipids, grapeseed oil and olive fruit extract.
What I like about Byoma’s products is that it’s easy to find what is right for your skin type. Case in point with this brightening serum, which contains complexion-evening niacinamide in a gentle formula that won’t irritate the skin.
If you have dry skin, or you’re currently in need of a moisturiser that’s more cosseting in the change of seaoson, then this one is ideal for you. It contains ceramides and rich shea butter to leave skin plumped and supple, while bakcuhiol (often referred as a plant form of retinol) helps to improve the skin’s tone and texture.
Skin broken out or inflamed? Byoma’s clarifying serum helps to restore a happier skin barrier with cermaides, PHAs (a gentle exfoliating acid) and zinc to help clear breakouts and restore calm to your complexion.
This face oil feels luxurious to use, and it isn’t overly heavy on the skin. It is s ideal for thristy skin types that need help locking in moisture. The winning combination of lipids, squalane, jojoba oil and sea buckthorn oil help to repair and shield the skin.
While face mists are not an essential part of your routine, they can help add an extra layer of hydration and soothe the skin. This one does both, with probiotic ferment that help to support a healthy skin barrier. Of course, it’s super refreshing to use throughout the day, and doesn’t leave a shiny residue.
This toner has become so popular that it seems to be out of stock everywhere right now. It contains lactic acid (one of my favourite ingredients for giving the skin a glow, sans irritation of other acids) and lipids to restore as your swipe it over it over your skin. Expect smoother skin texture and a healthy glow.
This set is ideal for packing in your carry-on if you’re jetting off on holiday.
This clarifying kit lets you try some of Byoma’s hero products for acne-prone skin.
