UpCircle Beauty swaps water for repurposed orange peel water — sounds genius. But here’s the thing: “clean” isn’t just about what you remove, it’s about what you add. And their ingredient list? Suspiciously short. That’s either purity or a shortcut.
Most “clean” brands load up on extracts to distract you. This one has 12 ingredients. Twelve. That’s either radical transparency or a red flag — depends on who you ask.
🧪 **The Serum, Stripped Down**
It’s a vitamin C serum that costs £24 for 30ml. The brand UpCircle Beauty claims it brightens without irritation. I bought it because I’m tired of serums that smell like a chemistry lab.
Orange Peel Water Base
Not just a gimmick — it’s actually antimicrobial and smells like fresh zest, not perfume.
Means the first ingredient actually does something. Rare.No Added Water
🌿 **Ingredients That Actually Matter**
Forget the hype. Here’s what’s really in the bottle — and what it does to your face. No filler oils, no synthetic fragrance, just four key players.
- Orange Peel Water: Antimicrobial + natural astringent — tightens pores without stripping
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: Stable vitamin C — brightens without burning (looking at you, L-ascorbic)
- Aloe Vera: Calms the citrus potential sting — smart pairing
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydration that doesn’t pill under makeup
⚠️ **The Texture Test**
First pump: watery, almost thin. I braced for dripping. But it sinks in 8 seconds flat — no sticky film, no tacky shine. Weirdly satisfying. Smells like you just peeled an orange in a spa.
Week 2: My skin didn’t freak out. That’s rare for a C serum. But the glow? Subtle. Not “wow” — more “oh, you slept well.” Which honestly might be the point.
✅ **The Verdict (No Fluff)**
After 3 weeks: less redness, slightly even tone. But my dark spots? Still there. This isn’t a laser — it’s a maintenance serum that won’t break you out.
💡 **Bottom Line**
Is it clean? Yes — but don’t expect miracles. It’s a solid everyday serum that won’t hate your skin. Just don’t call it revolutionary.