I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Trinny London simply gets skincare right. There’s a smartness to the brand with formulas that work hard and packaging that feels joyful. So when they launch something new, I don’t wait for reviews, I buy it on launch day. The Trinny London Take Back Time Skin Vitality Elixir is case in point.
What is it?
The Take Back Time Skin Vitality Elixir is one of those products that quietly becomes indispensable. It’s designed to turn dull, fatigued skin into something that looks alive again, promoting brighter, bouncier, and, crucially, properly hydrated skin. And it does. Brilliantly.
What Do I Think?
Inside the bottle, you’ve got artichoke polyphenols which are potent antioxidants that help boost microcirculation and improve nutrient delivery, giving skin that post facial vibrancy. Then there’s a hydrating cocktail of pro-vitamin B5, trehalose, xylitol and squalane, which together restore moisture levels for up to 48 hours and reinforce the skin barrier. It’s a clever formula… the sort that clearly comes from a lab that understands skin, not just marketing.
The texture is beautiful. It’s a super light milky serum that melts in instantly, leaving no tackiness. It uses micro-infusion technology, which basically means the active ingredients are delivered deeper and faster, and your skin looks noticeably more alive within minutes. I reach for this daily, but especially whenever my complexion looks lacklustre whether that be post flight, cold, or just post bad week and every single time, it brings my face back to life.
It’s also excellent if your barrier’s taken a bit of a beating from overzealous exfoliation or retinoids. Within a couple of uses, redness softens, tightness fades, and that comforting bounce returns. If your skin is sensitive, you’ll adore it. If it’s not, you’ll adore it anyway.
It’s the sort of thing you apply before a night out or a wedding when you want your skin to look effortlessly radiant. I’m already on my second bottle, which tells you everything. Two pumps is plenty for face and neck.
For those wondering how it compares to Plump Up, Trinny’s peptide-based hydrator (read my review here), I find Trinny London Take Back Time Skin Vitality Elixir better for reviving dull, fatigued skin, while Plump Up is the goto for fine lines and dehydration.
True to form, it’s refillable. You get two 15ml refills per purchase, giving you the standard 30ml. The brand’s usual stackable packaging wouldn’t suit this liquid texture, so the design team have shrank it, keeping things practical and portable without compromising on usability.
In short, this is one of those rare “my skin but better” serums that genuinely earns its place in the routine. It just works effectively and beautifully.
Would I recommend?
Yes. If your skin is dull and could do with something to revive it and you want something lightweight to do this, then this would be a great one to try.
Brands Product Description
Take Back Time Elixir is a highly concentrated, precious formula designed to deliver potent active ingredients deep into the epidermis. It immediately hydrates and revitalises skin, while working over time to target the five key signs of skin vitality: hydration, elasticity, smoothness, softness, and luminosity.
Key Ingredients
- Artichoke Polyphenols – Antioxidants with restorative properties that help boost the microcirculation network and nutrient delivery to enhance skin vitality.
- Pro-Vitamin B5, Trehalose, Xylitol and Squalane – Helps deliver 48-hour hydration and helps repair and improve an impaired skin barrier.
How I Use It
I use this morning and night in the serum stage of my routine (after cleansing, and before moisturiser).
Would I Repurchase/Buy?
Yes! I already have.
How Much?
£79.00 for 2x15ml Full Size
£65.00 for 2x15ml Refills
