Glow Recipe is a cruelty free skincare and beauty brand that was founded in 2014 by two Korean-American women, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang. The brand’s mission is to create products that are innovative, effective, and inspired by Korean beauty traditions. Glow Recipe has become amazingly popular over the last few years for its focus on natural ingredients and its use of fruit-based formulations to achieve healthy, glowing skin. In this Glow Recipe review, I’ll quickly go over the brand’s history, philosophy, and the best Glow Recipe products to determine whether or not it’s worth your money!
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Glow Recipe Review: Shop The Best Products
Glow Recipe Review: Brand History
Glow Recipe was born out of Sarah Lee and Christine Chang’s shared love for all things skincare. The two met while working at another beauty brand, and they quickly bonded over their mutual love for Korean beauty techniques. They began experimenting with natural ingredients and eventually decided to create their own brand to share their findings with the world. Glow Recipe launched in 2014 with just a single product, a watermelon-based sleeping mask, and has since expanded to include a full range of skincare and beauty products which I’ll go into more depth on further into this Glow Recipe review.
The brand’s philosophy is centered around the idea that skincare should be fun, effective, and easy to understand. Lee and Chang wanted to create products that were both innovative and accessible to everyone. They believe that skincare should be a form of self care, and that taking care of your skin should be a pleasurable experience. They also believe in using natural ingredients whenever possible, and are committed to creating products that are free from harmful chemicals and additives.
One of the things that I feel is the most important to mention in this Glow Recipe review is that they are officially a cruelty-free brand! This means that they do not test their products on animals at any stage of development or production (you guys already know that I only ever recommend brands that are cruelty free though right). Glow Recipe is committed to creating products that are safe for both people and the environment, and they believe that animal testing is unnecessary and inhumane (as I do too). Instead of testing on animals, Glow Recipe relies on extensive laboratory testing and human trials to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their products. They also work closely with their suppliers to ensure that the ingredients they use are sourced ethically and sustainably. Overall, Glow Recipe’s commitment to cruelty-free practices is just one more reason why they are a brand that you can feel good about supporting and using!
Let’s get into the rest of the Glow Recipe review!
Glow Recipe Review: Best Products
Here is a closer look at some of the best Glow Recipe products (in my opinion). These are all products that I have personally used and can say that they worked well for me! For reference, I have dry skin, but Glow Recipe products work on all skin types.
Glow Recipe Fruit Babies Set
I’m starting off the list of best Glow Recipe products with this cute little set that you can get at Sephora, because I think it’s such a great way to try a bunch of their best selling products for yourself before deciding if you want to invest in the full size versions of any of them! Obviously everyone’s skin is different and we all have different skin types, so in my opinion the Fruit Babies Set is a smart purchase because you’ll be able to get a good idea of which of their products work for you.
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
This Glow Recipe review would not be complete if I didn’t start off with my all time favorite product of theirs, the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops! is a popular product in the Glow Recipe lineup that harnesses the power of niacinamide to improve the appearance of skin. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to have numerous benefits for the skin, including reducing inflammation, improving the appearance of pores, and brightening the complexion.
The Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops also contain watermelon extract, which provides hydration and antioxidants to the skin. This product can be used as a serum, mixed into moisturizer or foundation, or applied as a targeted highlighter to add a dewy, glowing finish to the skin. I would say that this product improves the overall appearance and texture of your skin and it also adds the prettiest glow, making it a great option for anyone looking to achieve a healthy, radiant complexion. You can use it under makeup or just on its own, either way it looks gorgeous 🙂
This is probably one of the most popular products that is constantly mentioned in Glow Recipe reviews, and if you were to start off by purchasing one thing from the brand I would recommend you get this!
Avocado Soothing Skin Barrier Serum with Ceramides
This serum is designed to help strengthen and protect the skin’s natural barrier, which can help to reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation. A lot of people have damaged skin barriers from doing things like exfoliating too aggressively, so this product aims to strengthen and repair your barrier, which is why I wanted to include this product in my Glow Recipe review!
One of the key ingredients in this serum is avocado oil, which is known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties. Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which help to protect the skin from environmental damage and improve its overall texture and appearance.
In addition to avocado oil, the Glow Recipe Avocado Soothing Skin Barrier Serum also contains other natural ingredients that are gentle and soothing for the skin. These include rice milk and ceramide-5, which help to calm and hydrate the skin while reducing inflammation and redness.
One of the great things I wanted to mention about this serum in my Glow Recipe review is that it is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. It is lightweight and fast-absorbing, which makes it easy to apply and layer with other skincare products.
I would say that the Glow Recipe Avocado Soothing Skin Barrier Serum is a great option for anyone looking to improve their skin’s health and appearance while also helping to repair the barrier and protecting it from environmental stressors. Its gentle yet effective formula makes it a versatile product that can be used by anyone, regardless of their skin type or concerns.
Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream
The Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream is a popular eye cream that has gotten a lot of attention from beauty enthusiasts. I had to include it in this Glow Recipe review because I love the ingredients and it’s the eye cream that I find myself reaching for the most right now.
This eye cream is formulated with avocado, encapsulated retinol, and coffeeberry to target dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eyes. The avocado provides nourishment and hydration, while the encapsulated retinol helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The coffeeberry is rich in antioxidants and helps to brighten the skin. This eye cream is designed to be used overnight, and a lot of people do report seeing visible results after just a few uses. The formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin and is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Overall, the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream is a great option for anyone looking to improve the appearance of the delicate skin around their eyes.
Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Serum
Another popular product in their lineup that I absolutely love is the Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum. This product could actually be my personal favorite in this whole Glow Recipe review! This serum uses a potent combination of guava extract, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to brighten and even out the skin tone. Guava extract is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to have brightening and anti-aging properties. Vitamin C provides additional brightening benefits, while hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate and plump the skin.
This serum is lightweight and absorbs quickly, which makes it really easy to incorporate into your daily skincare routine since it doesn’t make a mess while you’re waiting for it to dry! I can say for myself that I did notice definite improvement in my under eye circles after using this consistently for a few weeks, and if you have dark spots it is designed to significantly reduce the look of those. Overall, the Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum is a great option for anyone looking to address dark spots and achieve a brighter, more even complexion.
Watermelon Glow PHA and BHA Pore Tight Toner
The Watermelon Glow PHA and BHA Toner is a super popular skincare product that I wanted to mention in this Glow Recipe review. It’s designed to hydrate and soothe the skin and as the name suggests, the toner is made with watermelon extract, which is known for its high water content and ability to provide deep hydration to the skin. Additionally, the toner is also formulated with other natural ingredients such as cucumber extract and hyaluronic acid, which work together to provide an additional layer of hydration and nourishment to the skin.
One of the unique features of this toner is its lightweight and refreshing formula. The toner comes in a liquid form that can be easily applied to the skin using a reusable cotton pad or even just by patting it onto the skin with your hands. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy or sticky residue, making it perfect for use as a part of your daily skincare routine. The toner also has a pleasant watermelon scent, which adds to the overall refreshing experience of using the product. Overall, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Toner is a great addition to any skincare routine, especially if you’re looking for a hydrating and soothing toner that’s gentle enough to use every single day.
I would say that if there was one product that might not be necessary out of this entire Glow Recipe review though, it would be this one. I personally don’t feel the need to use a toner every day, but if you do then this one could work well!
Glow Recipe Review: Overall Impressions
Glow Recipe has become a cult favorite among beauty enthusiasts, and for good reason. The brand’s focus on natural ingredients, innovative formulations, and playful packaging has earned them a devoted following. Their products are effective and enjoyable to use, making skincare feel like less of a chore and more of a treat. The brand’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity is also commendable. They provide detailed ingredient lists and avoid harmful chemicals whenever possible, and their products are certified Clean at Sephora!
In addition to their commitment to clean, natural ingredients and innovative formulations, it’s worth mentioning in my Glow Recipe review that the brand also places a strong emphasis on education. Their website and social media channels are filled with informative content that helps consumers understand the benefits of various ingredients and how to use products properly. They also offer virtual consultations with their skincare experts to help customers find the right products for their individual needs.
One aspect of Glow Recipe’s philosophy that sets them apart from other beauty brands is their dedication to inclusivity. Lee and Chang have made it a priority to create products that work for all skin types and tones. They believe that everyone should have access to effective skincare, regardless of their background or budget. To that end, they offer a wide range of products at different price points, and they use diverse models in their marketing materials to represent a range of skin tones and types.
Another aspect of the brand that’s worth mentioning in this Glow Recipe review is their commitment to sustainability. Glow Recipe is constantly exploring new ways to reduce their environmental impact, from using recycled materials in their packaging to partnering with organizations that support reforestation efforts. They also offer a recycling program for their customers, encouraging them to send back empty containers for reuse.
Of course, no brand is perfect, and I definitely want this Glow Recipe review to be objective and honest. On that note, one of the criticisms the brand has received from customers and industry experts is that some people feel that their products are too expensive, especially given that many of the ingredients they use are readily available in less expensive products. Other people have expressed concern that the brand’s focus on fruit-based formulations may be more about marketing than actual skincare benefits.
On the other hand, it is definitely worth noting that Glow Recipe has been transparent about their ingredients and formulations from the beginning. They provide detailed ingredient lists on their website and explain the benefits of each ingredient in plain language. They also conduct extensive testing to ensure that their products are effective and safe for use.
Ultimately, the decision to purchase Glow Recipe products comes down to your own personal preference and budget. If you’ve read a few Glow Recipe reviews looking for different perspectives, I can say that if you already love shopping at Sephora and it’s within your budget, then I would highly recommend making the investment for your skin health and trying the brand for yourself!
Glow Recipe Review: Final Thoughts
To summarize this Glow Recipe review, this is a great brand that is well worth considering if you’re looking to get new skincare products that are higher end. Their focus on natural ingredients, innovative formulations, and inclusivity sets them apart from other brands, and their commitment to sustainability is amazing. While their products may not be within everyone’s budget, they do offer a range of options at different price points. And with their emphasis on education and transparency, you can feel confident that you’re making an informed decision when you choose to invest in Glow Recipe products.
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Thank you for reading my Glow Recipe review!
Jennifer says
I’ve really been wanting to try this brand! I almost got the samples as my bday gift from Sephora but opted for the points instead.
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
Ashley says
I’ve heard such awesome things about Glow, and love that it’s a sustainable brand!!
Happy to see you back, Caitlin!!
Make Life Marvelous