It’ll come as no surprise that subscription services are booming across many industries. Gone are the days when this model was more or less exclusively used by magazines – oh and milk, the milkman with his daily deliveries to ensure British households never ran out of milk, heaven forbid.
You can now purchase pretty much anything on subscription, from streaming services to fruit and veg boxes. The last few years have created the perfect storm to encourage a huge boost in this purchasing model, which has now become a way of life. According to Forbes the global subscription e-commerce market size was valued at $73b in 2021 and is expected to reach $904b by 2026. That’s a 1138% increase in just 5 years.
For businesses it’s great, as it guarantees a predictable income stream. But what’s in it for us? Well, you’ll never run out of your favourite cleanser for one. Buying your skincare essentials on subscription means you’re less likely to flit from one product to another, providing consistency to your skincare routine and therefore giving your products a chance to actually deliver on their claims. You’ll save time, reducing those ‘I’ll just pop into Boots’ trips for a shampoo top up.
And the big incentive? You’ll also save money: around 10% to 15% on the standard RRP, but sometimes up to 20%. And the cherry on the cake for the commitment-phobes out there: if after all this just isn’t for you, you’re able to cancel at any time. Of course there are a few drawbacks: subscriptions are primarily about efficiency and reducing the mind-boggling amount of small decisions clogging our brain every day. But for those of you who enjoy spontaneous purchases, trying a newly launched product, or hunting down those Black Friday deals, subscription services can feel too restrictive.
To help you decide if this is for you, here is a selection of beauty brands who’ve embraced the subscription model, and what they offer.
If you never want to run out of cleanser: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
This exfoliator is a bestseller for good reason. Super fine rice-based powder, enriched in Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes for beautifully smoothed and polished skin, Dermalogica offer a refill pouch that you decant into the Daily Microfoliant canister – the perfect beauty subscription candidate.
- Delivery frequency: 6 options, from every 1 to 6 months
- Savings: it’s the only beauty brand I’ve come across that doesn’t offer any savings, however if you opt for the refill pouch I’ve just mentioned rather than the canister, you’ll save yourself a huge £10
- Commitment: cancel anytime
- Shipping: free
- Extra sweeteners: a free gift, 2x reward points with every order, free 30-day returns
If you never want to run out of serum: Face Gym Youth Reformer Serum
Face Gym really advocate the benefits of a consistent skincare routine, as well as the convenience of the service: ‘Lift, sculpt + brighten without leaving your front door with our results-driven, award-winning skincare delivered directly to you’.
- Delivery frequency: every 4, 8 and 12 weeks
- Savings: 20%, the most generous I’ve found in beauty subscriptions
- Commitment: cancel anytime
If you never want to run out of moisturiser: Facetheory Amil-C Whip M5 SPF 30
Unsurprisingly, as a skincare brand Facetheory also extol the virtues of a regular skincare routine, which plays straight into the benefit of a subscription service.
- Delivery frequency: 6 options, from every 1 to 6 months
- Savings: 15%
- Commitment: cancel anytime
- Extra sweeteners: a free gift with your 2nd recurring subscription order, and loyalty points on every order
If you never want to run out of shampoo: Tabitha James Kraan Clean Shampoo
This is hands down the best certified organic liquid shampoo I’ve tried. Yes, it’s expensive, but going on subscription will shave 15% off the price tag.
- Delivery frequency: every 6 or 10 weeks
- Savings: 15% off
If you never want to run out of hand wash: Bramley Hand Wash
An everyday product such as hand wash makes for the perfect subscription candidate. Everyone in your household is likely to use it on a daily basis, so you’ll get through it quickly and consistently, and it’s a pain if you get caught short without a fresh stash as soon as you run out. Even better, Bramley’s hand wash is available in a fully compostable refill pouch, so you can save even more and simply decant into your bottle of choice.
- Delivery frequency: 3 options, from every 1 to 3 months
- Savings: 10%
- Commitment: you can pause, edit or cancel
If you never want to run out of shower gel: Proverb Skin body wash
Another ideal subscription product: the humble shower gel. Proverb Skin is a beauty refill hero, committing to making everything refillable, from deodorant sticks to body washes. Set yourself up with their starter set, then let their product replenishment service do the rest.
- Delivery frequency: every 1, 2 or 3 months
- Savings: 20% off full price, the most generous offer I’ve come across
- Commitment: cancel anytime
If you never want to run out of razors: Shoreline Shaving
Excited about replenishing your hair removal product? No me neither. Which makes Shoreline Shaving the perfect option: once you’ve bought into their shaving kit, all you need is a top up on razor blades and shaving bar soaps, saying goodbye to single use razors. Subscription services were made for these types of items.
- Delivery frequency: 4 options, from every 1 to 4 months
- Savings: 10% – 15%
- Commitment: pause or cancel anytime
- Shipping: 50% off shipping cost
If you never want to run out of healthy juice: Fushi Turmeric Juice
Like the good old concept of never running out of milk, but for Gen Z: a daily shot of Fushi’s 100% raw and pure antioxidant-rich Turmeric juice to promote everyday health and vitality.
- Delivery frequency: once a month (every 30 days)
- Savings: 10% off
- Commitment: change or cancel anytime
Subscription-based purchasing has become incredibly popular in recent times. From streaming services to fruit and vegetable boxes, the trend of subscribing for essential and non-essential items is on the rise. It is evident that this kind of purchasing is only going to expand further. Given the current climate, have you considered subscribing to a beauty service?
Share your thoughts in the comment box below!
Written by Julia Ferrari @freshbeautyfix. Features gifted products.
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