Beaut.ienomics for Teens and Students as We Check Out Essence Skincare Range

Essence have expanded into skincare and rebooted their packaging. The result is a skincare range aimed at anyone with oily or acneic skin, but this affordable range is particularly convenient for teens and students. When your skin is demanding but your budget is small, you need to get clever about your skincare.

One thing that is enormously in this range's favour is the packaging. Products aimed at teens and younger people are often annoyingly gendered. Everything is pink. The genderless packaging on these bypasses all that nonsense and markets these as products for everyone, regardless of their sex. And that's refreshing.

• Essence Pureskin Purifying Nose Strips (1.89)

Say what you will about pore strips - you know that you get a manky joy out of seeing all the nasty little bristles on the strip after you peel it from your cloggy nose pores. Don't lie! It makes you sick and fascinates you all at once. Well now it can fascinate you at an even more affordable price!

Some pore strips are more effective than others, but these will certainly do the job. The durrty job. And you can pick them up in Penneys when you're buying your new Autumn wardrobe. Hurrah!

• Essence Pureskin SOS Spot Killer (3.79)

I'm generally against applying topical spot solutions to spots, unless it's something gentle and very effective like La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo.

That said, if you have teen skin that's driving you crazy or find yourself prone to big, angry welts, this product does contain antibacterials, zinc and salicylic acid, so it will help. Just make sure to apply oil over the top to prevent surface skin getting dry and making the spot harder to cover. And whatever you do, don't pick!

For more mature skin, I'd stick to applying just oil and patiently waiting it out.

• Essence Pureskin Anti-Spot BB Cream (5.49)

This is a good addition to the range, offering skincare and coverage in one. Honestly, there's more coverage in here than skincare, but that's what your skin routine is for anyway.

As an affordable option for problematic teen skin, this is great. It mattifies without drying the skin. It has a really lovely, light consistency. I know from experience that acne can really affect your self- esteem, so if covering it makes you feel better, go ahead. This is so inexpensive - the only drawback being a limited shade range. If you can find a good shade match, then have at it.

Are you liking the look of these? Share your thoughts in the comments!