I Tried £200 Worth Of Bad Habit Skincare & Here Are My Honest Thoughts
If, like us, you spend the majority of your free time scrolling through TikTok, you’ve probably already spotted shiny new skincare brand, Bad Habit, in among the DIY aloe vera hair masks and skin icing videos. Dreamed up by influencer Emma Chamberlain and available at Morphe, the 10-strong collection of moisturisers, cleansers, face masks and more is taking the internet by storm. But reviewers aren’t just swayed by the very cute packaging.
Like much-loved brands such as The Ordinary and The Inkey List, the formulas and ingredients mean serious business and target specific skin concerns. Emma has spoken about experiencing acne a lot, so she knows what goes into making a transformative skincare product.
In the line, you’ll find AHAs and BHAs (exfoliating acids, such as glycolic and salicylic acid, helpful for spots), peptides (proteins which repair damaged skin), hyaluronic acid (for deep hydration) and vitamin C for brightening and protecting skin from the environment. They are just a handful of proven ingredients in the collection which dermatologists and experts always recommend for healthy, happy skin.
As a millennial with breakouts and the odd patch of eczema now and again, I was intrigued by Bad Habit’s promises, not to mention the snappy tagline: “Skincare that’s good to your skin, even when you’re not.” It’s safe to say that during the pandemic, many of us have become a little lax when it comes to skin, from not drinking enough water to not cleansing properly. Lately, I’m one of them. So could Bad Habit solve my skin woes?
Ahead, I tried £200 worth of Bad Habit products and here’s my honest verdict as a beauty editor.
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According to experts, applied topically, caffeine increases moisture in the skin, which minimises fine lines and wrinkles. The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £5.80, is the most famous caffeine-packed product out there but Bad Habit’s eye cream beats it. The texture is silky and light so it doesn’t clog pores but it moisturises really well. It made my under-eye area appear smoother, tighter and brighter, thanks to the subtle light-reflecting particles.
Bad Habit Eyes Open Caffeine & Peptide Cream, $, available at Morphe
I like physical exfoliation now and again to chip away at dead skin and dirt, so I enjoyed the very gentle beads in this cleansing balm. Unfortunately, it did nothing to dislodge my makeup and after two goes, my eyeshadow was still in place. I prefer Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, £25, and Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm, £16.50, which eradicate every single scrap of makeup and oil but don’t strip skin.
Bad Habit OMZZZ Acai Nightly Cleansing Balm, $, available at Morphe
Hand creams are always hit and miss. The majority don’t absorb easily and end up leaving greasy fingerprints on my phone and laptop. I loved this, though. It felt more like a gel-cream and sunk into my thirsty skin fast. My hands felt so soft and moisturised, even after I’d washed them. It now takes pride of place on my makeshift desk. The lavender smell is really soothing, too.
Bad Habit Palm Reader Adaptogen Nourishing Hand Cream, $, available at Morphe
One word for this bright green cleanser? Invigorating. The mint blew me away and felt incredibly cooling and refreshing. While it lathered up well and washed away the remainder of my heavy makeup, the sensitive skin around my eyes didn’t take too kindly to the mint ingredient and the tingle was a little uncomfortable. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, this could really work for you. For reactive types, try something gentler like CeraVe Cream To Foam Cleanser, £12.50.
Bad Habit Wake Things Up Matcha Mint Morning Cleanser, $, available at Morphe
Generally, face mists don’t add much to a skincare routine but I found this enjoyable to use. It smells like rose and cucumber and really wakes me up in the morning. The star ingredient is hyaluronic acid but I haven’t noticed much of a difference in how hydrated or plump my skin feels. I’ll keep it stashed away for the summer when I want to cool down and refresh my makeup.
Bad Habit Chill Out Adaptogen Hydrating Mist, $, available at Morphe
This is my new favourite moisturiser. As the day goes on, my skin becomes very oily and so many skincare products clog my pores but this keeps shine at bay (thanks to niacinamide), moisturises deeply (that’ll be the glycerin) and provides additional protection against the environment with vitamin C. As it contains small traces of essential oils, I was sure to avoid my sensitive eye area, so that’s one thing to keep in mind if your skin is prone to reactions. I really like the airtight pump, which prolongs the strength of the ingredients.
Bad Habit Daily Dose Multivitamin Moisturiser, $, available at Morphe
Bad Habit Silent Mode Hydrating Hyaluronic Mask, $, available at Morphe
This reminds me of Goop’s Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator, £112, but at a fraction of the price. The bright yellow formula contains glycolic acid, which helps fade hyperpigmentation, and salicylic acid to unclog pores and prevent breakouts, plus gentle, gritty particles which speed up exfoliation when massaged into the skin. The exfoliating acids did make my skin tingle but after just 10 minutes, it made me glow. I’d stock up before it sells out (and always apply SPF in the morning if you’re using acids, as they make skin sensitive to sunlight).
Bad Habit Total Reboot AHA BHA Enzyme Peel, $, available at Morphe
Since using retinol, my skin has become a little dry in places so I gave myself a DIY facial with this nourishing oil. It didn’t smell as potent or grassy as I thought it would, and my trusty gua sha tool glided over my skin easily. I made sure to rinse the product away, though, so that it wouldn’t block my pores and followed with a light moisturiser. If your skin is very dry you can let it sink in. This is a really nice, silky oil but again it contains essential oils, so if your skin is sensitive, err on the side of caution.
Bad Habit Dewd Hemp Nourishing Facial Oil, $, available at Morphe
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