Kady McDermott is set to make a sensational return to the Love Island villa tonight as the show's latest contestant, causing a frenzy among fans and Islanders alike. The season two star’s appearance on the reality TV show is generating a huge buzz after appearing in promo shots ahead of tonight's episode.
Since leaving the villa the first time around, Kady has been making waves in the influencer world over the last few years sharing some of her favourite products across beauty and fashion.
The brunette bombshell - who is returning to the dating show after her split from TOWIE’s Myles Barnett in 2021 - has previously been spotted using products from Skin Proud, dubbing one beauty buy a ‘skin care must have’ in a TikTok video.
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Showing off the Frozen Over ice-to-gel hydrator’s slush-like texture after being popped in the freezer, she said: “This is amazing to use in the morning because it’s really cooling which will wake you up and give you a nice glow. It’s amazing for puffy skin.”
Skin Proud, which is available to buy at Beauty Bay, is a vegan skincare brand with millennial pink packaging which Kady noted ‘matches her bathroom’. I decided to try out some of the brand’s most popular skincare products to find out if they’re 100 per cent my type on paper, and if the affordable brand lived up to the hype, or if it were simply another case of Instagrammable packaging and smart marketing.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the clever colour-coded packaging, which clearly indicates whether a product should be used in the morning, evening, or both. It's a small detail, but it shows that Skin Proud is all about simplifying skincare routines for their customers.
Affordability is another standout feature of this brand. With prices starting at just £7.95 , every product in their range falls under the £17 mark. It's refreshing to find a skincare routine that doesn't break the bank.
I began my skincare regime with a double cleanse using the Skin Proud Velvet Cloud Cleanser (£13.95) . A luxurious whipped mousse cleansing foam, with just one pump it spread effortlessly across my damp skin to remove my makeup. While it fell slightly short in terms of gentleness around the delicate eye area, it managed to eliminate stubborn mascara without leaving any redness behind.
Next in line was the Skin Proud Detox Tonic, which comes in under £15. The daily exfoliating tonic is enriched with AHAs, and its refreshing green apple and aloe vera fragrance instantly won me over, as did the convenient pump-top dispenser. The tonic's active ingredients, including niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, worked to balance and hydrate skin. If you're a fan of Pixi Glow Tonic, this could be a more budget-friendly alternative.
I went on to reach for the Skin Proud Sleep Hero - a versatile face mask that can be used for a quick pampering session or left on overnight as a sleep mask. Since I prefer not to sleep with a product on my face, I followed the recommended 15-minute application. The £14.95 mask, infused with raspberry extract and cranberry seed oil, boasts a beaut berry scent and a thick jelly texture that feels incredibly nourishing. True to its name, my skin felt deeply hydrated and refreshed after using.
To target the delicate under-eye area, I turned to the Skin Proud Bright Eye cream. Coming in at £14.95, it’s formulated with pomegranate extract, known for its vitamin C and antioxidant properties. This gel-cream concoction, complete with shea butter, provided a lightweight and non-tacky solution for hydrating the skin around my eyes and leaving me looking more awake.
My first encounter with retinol came courtesy of the Skin Proud Recharge Serum at £13.95. Containing 0.5 per cent retinol, this evening-only treatment aims to even out skin tone, promote cell renewal, and gently exfoliate with the help of hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil. While it's too early to gauge the serum's long-term effects on my old acne scars, I'm excited to witness any potential improvements.
Finally, the star of the show had to be the viral Skin Proud Frozen Over Gel-To-Ice Hydrat. The most expensive product in the range at £16.95, the moisturiser is enriched with hyaluronic acid. However the secret is to put it in the freezer like Kady, for about three hours, activating the gel-to-ice texture for a real cooling effect to combat tired, dull or puffy skin.
This was by far my favourite product from the range, and felt instantly refreshing - perfect for morning or evening applications.
Skin Proud is a really affordable and accessible brand with gorgeous packaging that looks great in anyone’s bathroom, so there’s no wonder Kady is a dan. Vegan and cruelty free, as well as clearly labelling its products with when best to use them, they’re really taking the stress out of skincare.
You can shop the Skin Proud range on their website here or via Beauty Bay.
