I Tried the 'Psychotherapeutic' Skincare Products That Promise to Help Stressed-Out Skin

disciple review disciple review

Raise your hand if you're a little bit stressed right now...

A knowing look'll do. I can see it in your eyes, I'm feeling it, too.

Maybe you've also been actively searching for ways to add more zen to your everyday routine, which is why I was part-excited, part-sceptical when I first received samples of our new 'psychotherapeutic' skincare brand DISCIPLE.

The clean beauty and wellness brand's shtick is active ingredient, adaptogen-rich formulas that work on the surface of the skin but can also aid in providing relaxing properties for the mind and body.

But let's be honest. When you think of 'wellness' skin care, woo woo comes to mind. Smells soothing and earthy? Sure. Feels lovely on the skin for a moment of self care? Absolutely.

But effective, results-driven skincare backed by science? Not sure.

I've been road-testing these products for a couple of weeks now and the sceptic in me is eating her words because I'm into them.

Keep scrolling to find out more about psychotherapeutic skin care, plus reviews of my standout DISCIPLE products.

What is Psychotherapeutic Skin Care?

Short answer: Skincare products formulated with ingredients that can cause a change in the skin and are known to have a psychotherapeutic effect on the mind.

DISCIPLE was founded by London-based psychotherapist Charlotte Ferguson, who in her work, was seeing a correlation between anxiety, stress and low mood, and inflammatory skin issues such as breakouts and flareups, adult acne, eczema, adrenal fatigue and premature ageing.

The brand is finally available in Australia exclusively at Adore, with products formulated using evidence-based, peer reviewed research on ingredients with a strong link to the skin, gut and mind, like adaptogens, prebiotics and linoleic acid.

Although not currently available in Australia (yet), in the UK, DISCIPLE are also known for their CBD skincare products like CBD oil and CBD patches.

*Side note: CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant shown to have a number of physical and psychotherapeutic benefits. It's not psychoactive like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC or cannabis), so it won't get you high.

Best DISCIPLE Products.

If we're looking at a skincare Venn diagram, DISCIPLE products sit in the space where clean beauty, active skin care and wellness intersect.

Actually, chuck a bit of Instagram branding in there too - I can confirm the chic emerald glass bottles and tubs are very photogenic.

The best place to try incorporating a few of these products into your existing skincare routine is with the value starter sets.

DISCIPLE True Disciple Set (2 x 20ml + 1 x 50ml) includes the three best-selling products (a balancing mist, day serumy oil and an evening retinol oil). Or get the two oils in the DISCIPLE Discovery Kit (2 x 10ml) and ditch the mist.

All DISCIPLE products are vegan, cruelty-free and free from mineral oil, parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances and alcohol.

DISCIPLE Reviews.

Because I only have one face - and who honestly has the time or cash for a 27-step skincare regimen? - just a few select DISCIPLE products have made it into my current routine.

Here are my top DISCIPLE picks to add to cart ASAP.

1. DISCIPLE Night Shift AHA Oil Cleanser, $48.

DISCIPLE Night Shift AHA Oil Cleanser DISCIPLE Night Shift AHA Oil Cleanser

What: DISCIPLE Night Shift AHA Oil Cleanser 100ml & Cloth

An oil cleanser that can break down sunscreen, makeup and grime from your day AND deliver the tiniest bit of gentle exfoliation at the same time.

Why I'm loving it sick:

From the moment I massaged a big slurp of this into my skin, I knew this oil cleanser was a bit of me.

It's basically like a warm hug from your favourite person, but for your face.

The oil formula is nourishing and silky, and has an uplifting slightly citrusy scent. If you're nervous about over-exfoliating, know the chemical exfoliating AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) in this cleanser come from fruit acids, so they won't burn or tingle. They're quiet achievers.

If you have the energy, removing by rinsing the included cotton cloth under warm water and pressing it over the skin feels incredible. Follow with your second cleanser of choice to remove any oily residue for skin that feels supple and comfy.

2. DISCIPLE Stress Release Eye Balm, $62.

DISCIPLE Stress Release Eye Balm DISCIPLE Stress Release Eye Balm

What: DISCIPLE Stress Release Eye Balm 15ml

A juicy, plumping eye balm that smells good enough to eat. But don't. Gently tap a small amount around the under eye and brow area with your ring finger instead.

Why I'm loving it sick:

Straight up, this balmy eye cream might feel too rich for anyone prone to milia (little white spots of keratin that can appear under the eyes and need to be extracted by a professional).

Everyone else, get this on your puffy eye bags immediately. The formula helps manage it all: inflammation, puffiness, and the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.

Ingredients coffee bean, and apricot, sweet almond and calendula oils do this by hydrating the under-eye skin and increasing blood circulation to the area. It also contains a gentle, non-irritating form of antioxidant vitamin C (Sodium ascorbyl phosphate) which may help reduce the appearance of dark circles over time and with consistent use.

Can't confirm if it's actually releasing the stress from my under-eyes (they're doing it tough), but the clever eye cream formula has a subtle iridescence to it for an instantly brightening effect. And that's really all I need some mornings.

3. DISCIPLE Dreamy Skin Retinyl Oil, $62.

DISCIPLE Dreamy Skin Retinyl Oil DISCIPLE Dreamy Skin Retinyl Oil

What: DISCIPLE Dreamy Skin Retinyl Oil 20ml

A truly dreamy rosehip face oil that smells like sleepy time. Bonus: It also contains a gentle form of vitamin A.

*This does mean it's not recommended to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, though.

Why I'm loving it sick:

I love me a good face oil - even better when it can double as your evening active skincare step.

DISCIPLE Dreamy Skin Retinyl Oil is primarily a calming, soothing rosehip oil with added grapeseed, chamomile and jojoba oils, plus essential oil frankincense to help you wind down before bed. But the addition of vitamin A means this one product can replace two in your PM routine.

The formula contains a very low percentage of one of the gentlest vitamin A derivatives - 0.5 per cent retinyl (retinyl palmitate) - so it's great for vitamin A beginners or sensitised skin types who want to slowly ease into reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, skin texture and signs of ageing.

Start by massaging a few drops into the skin every second night after cleansing and any other hydrating serums, and before/in place of moisturiser. Then, let it tuck you into bed and take you off to the glorious land of nod.

4. DISCIPLE Triple C Gel Hydrator, $53.

DISCIPLE Triple C Gel Hydrator DISCIPLE Triple C Gel Hydrator

What: DISCIPLE Triple C Gel Hydrator 50ml

A two-in-one brightening and hydrating serum with a juicy gel texture that glides onto the skin.

Why I'm loving it sick:

If you want to streamline your routine, this serum/gel hybrid can take the place of an antioxidant serum and a hydrating serum.

The cool, soothing gel texture formulation features hyaluronic acid, a gentle, non-irritating form of vitamin C (sodium ascorbic phosphate) and vitamin E to brighten the appearance of skin tone and texture over time and encourage skin plumpness. Yum.

Will this product replace my favourite cosmeceutical vitamin C serum? No, but I reckon it's gonna feel amazing applied straight from the fridge on sweaty summer mornings to de-puff and plump up dehydrated skin.

5. DISCIPLE Balancing Mist, from $26.

DISCIPLE Balancing Mist DISCIPLE Balancing Mist

What: DISCIPLE Balancing Mist 100ml

This toner/mist hybrid hydrates the skin and helps to balance oil production. It also comes in a DISCIPLE Balancing Mist 50ml smaller size .

Why I'm loving it sick:

Most of my colleagues are into the brand's other mist DISCIPLE Juicy Mist because the combination of hyaluronic acid, orange blossom water and aloe juice feels like a guzzling a flavoured sparkling water, but for your face.

I quite like it too, but after trying both, I keep coming back to the DISCIPLE Balancing Mist.

Mists are definitely one of those 'nice-to-have' steps in a skincare routine - I used to think they were a waste of money but now, I don't do my morning or evening skin care without one.

This one contains super hydrating ingredient glycerin and a collagen and elastin boosting copper peptide. The scent is the geranium floral water, an nourishing ingredient that also helps with regulating oil production. The brand says may aid progesterone balance, oestrogen balance and thyroid issues, too.

DISCIPLE Balancing Mist has a fresh, fine mist that disperses nicely over the skin. And it just feels really nice, which is half the battle these days.

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