Product Reviews

This exfoliating cleanser is built around sucrose grains, which act as the primary exfoliant. The texture is a thick gel with small, rounded particles that dissolve as you rub them in — clearly designed to minimize the usual downsides of physical exfoliators. There are no sharp edges, no harsh scrub effect, and it does feel mildly moisturizing rather than stripping, though it’s not especially rich or cushiony either. As a cleanser, it’s only moderately effective: it won’t cut through long-wearing SPF or heavy makeup, so it’s best reserved for morning use or lighter cleansing days. For a physical exfoliant, it’s gentle — and it deserves credit for that — but I wouldn’t use it every day. It’s one of those products that impresses more for what it doesn’t do wrong than what it excels at. Still, chemical exfoliants outperform physical ones in almost every way, and this doesn’t offer a compelling reason to reach for it instead. The ingredient list is a mix of humectants (glycerin, butylene glycol), mild surfactants, and a few fruit extracts — strawberry, blackcurrant, grape seed oil — that bring some antioxidant potential, though likely more for story than function in a rinse-off formula. The formula also includes a load of (potentially sensitizing) fragrance components — parfum, limonene, linalool, citral, benzyl alcohol — which seems unnecessary in a scrub where the grains already provide sensory feedback. It’s a better-than-expected physical exfoliator that manages to avoid the usual pitfalls, but as a cleanser it’s underwhelming, and as an exfoliant, it’s simply not the best format available.

This product's texture is very unusual — very silicone-heavy, but with an elastic feel, like you're actually applying a film over the skin. I kept expecting it to pill — especially over sunscreen or when layering makeup — but it never did, which was a pleasant surprise. That said, it gave makeup too much slip, making powder absolutely necessary. The Pollution Shield Skincare Finisher is framed as a defense system against 5 supposed modern threats: atmospheric gases, particulate matter, household chemicals, infrared radiation, and blue light from screens. While air pollution and particulates have been shown to contribute to skin damage — particularly oxidative stress and pigmentation — the rest of the list quickly veers into fear-based marketing. There is little clinical evidence to justify protective skincare against low-level exposure to infrared radiation or visible blue light from electronic screens. These aren't UV rays, and daily exposure from laptops or phones hasn’t been robustly linked to premature aging or significant skin harm. Grouping them with actual pollutants is misleading, and exaggerates risks that simply aren't supported by dermatological consensus. That said, the formula contains several credible ingredients. A mix of silicones (phenyl trimethicone, dimethicone, crosspolymers) and biosaccharide gum-4 likely forms a lightweight, occlusive film on the skin — creating a physical barrier that could help reduce adherence of particles and irritants. This aligns with the anti-adherence and anti-penetration claims. Lipid-based components like squalane and lupinus albus seed oil may support the skin’s barrier function, while niacinamide, panthenol and lactobacillus ferment lysate add soothing and moisture-retaining benefits. On the antioxidant side, the formula includes vitamin E, vitamin C, ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), and madecassoside — a well-rounded combination that does support protection against oxidative stress, especially from urban pollution. Overall, the ingredient choices make sense for supporting skin barrier function and helping neutralize pollution-related oxidative stress. But the product’s framing — especially around blue light and infrared — trades more on anxiety than on established science. The texture is not pleasant enough to use as a standalone moisturizer, and layered over sunscreen it feels redundant, like a step in search of a purpose. I’ll probably use it as a primer simply because I don’t know what else to do with it. It’s a peculiar, borderline gimmicky product, but the reason it still gets a decent rating is because the ingredient list is solid — even if the whole idea leans more marketing than merit.

This product is marketed as a serum-moisturizer hybrid — and I’ve used it exactly as that: a standalone nighttime moisturizer. Despite the brand's suggestion to "phase in" the product gradually due to the presence of retinal, I used it daily from the start and only experienced some mild sensitivity around the eye area after the fifth day. Beyond that, my skin tolerated it well. This product is obscenely expensive, and yet, I'm already planning to repurchase. My skin has never looked better — more even-toned, noticeably smoother, and visibly brighter, even during a stretch of poor sleep. It’s the kind of result where you catch your reflection and think you're wearing makeup, even when you're not. I’m just waiting for a good sale before restocking. The formula centers around two high-performance retinoids: retinyl retinoate and retinal (retinaldehyde): -Retinyl retinoate is the brand's proprietary vitamin A molecule, designed to deliver results with less irritation than standard retinoids. There’s some data to support this — including a 12-week human trial (Kim et al., 2010). The brand also claims it’s 8x more powerful than retinol, citing in vitro research (Kim et al., 2008). However, that figure comes from lab experiments measuring collagen production in skin cells — not from clinical testing in humans. Still, it’s a highly promising ingredient. -Retinal, meanwhile, is just one conversion step away from retinoic acid, making it faster-acting than retinol. The brand's “11x faster” claim is based on metabolic comparisons, not clinical trials, but its ability to boost cell turnover and improve texture is well-supported in dermatological literature. The formula also includes a copper peptide, wrapped in marketing-heavy language like “drone-targeted delivery.” While that term means nothing scientifically, copper peptides themselves are respected for supporting collagen production and wound healing. The encapsulation may help with stability, but the brand hasn’t published data confirming enhanced delivery. Supporting all of this is a strong base of hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients. There’s hyaluronic acid for hydration and a ceramide complex (Ceramide NP, AP, EOP, cholesterol, fatty acids, and phytosphingosine) that mimics the skin’s natural lipid barrier. This is crucial, since retinoids are known to disrupt the barrier — and this formula clearly attempts to offset that. You’ll also find vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) and a stable form of vitamin C (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) for antioxidant support. Unfortunately, the formula also contains fragrance and common fragrance allergens like limonene, linalool, and citral — an unnecessary addition in what is otherwise a near-perfect formulation. All in all, this isn’t just a thoughtfully designed product combining cutting-edge retinoids with a well-rounded supportive base — it’s one that delivers visible, impressive results fast. It’s a high-end product, and it performs like one. Medik8 clearly knows what it’s doing.

ExfoliKate calls itself the “Hollywood 2-minute facial,” and the branding sets the expectation for serious performance. The formula combines three different exfoliating mechanisms: lactic acid, an AHA that helps loosen surface cells and smooth texture; salicylic acid, a BHA that works deeper in the pores to reduce congestion; and enzyme exfoliants derived from papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin, which break down proteins in dead skin. That’s a lot of resurfacing action in a single product. The texture is a thick, green paste, and it takes a bit of work to spread evenly across the face. That’s not necessarily a flaw — the brand specifically instructs you to massage it in for 30 seconds before leaving it on, so the resistance may be intentional to promote said massage. Despite the strong exfoliating profile, the formula is surprisingly light on soothing or barrier-supportive ingredients. There’s aloe, honey, and vitamin E, but they’re competing with a long list of potential irritants. Among them, a lot of fragrant essential oils (lavender, cinnamon, bergamot, geranium, patchouli, and orange peel) that are known to trigger irritation in some users. There's also alcohol, limonene, linalool, and eugenol, all of which are commonly flagged for sensitization risk. To their credit, they do warn to leave it on for up to 2 minutes, which doesn’t give the irritants much time to act - but still, pairing them with so many exfoliants? It just feels so unnecessary. While the brand says some tingling and redness is expected, I found it more reactive than I anticipated — especially considering my skin is usually resilient. I never felt it dried or stripped my skin, but there was one occasion where I experienced noticeable redness and sensitivity around my nose. I’ll admit I didn’t time it precisely, but I’m confident it wasn’t on for more than three minutes — likely even less — which made me question how well this formula is buffered. I can't really pinpoint whether the reaction came from the exfoliants or the fragrance, but the fact that the irritants are the potential culprits doesn’t inspire confidence. I noticed smoother skin, but it didn’t deliver the kind of immediate radiance I get from other strong acid serums or masks. The skincare classifier rated this a 5/10, which feels justified: it’s not that the actives aren’t good, it’s that the balance is off. With stronger support ingredients, or at the very least, without so many irritants, this could easily be a much better product. But as it stands, it feels like a case of overcomplication — too many irritants, not enough recovery.

Despite the name, Advanced Night Repair isn’t strictly a night-time serum. In fact, the instructions say to use it morning and night — which makes the “night” branding more symbolic than functional. That said, the texture is lovely: lightweight, non-sticky, easy to apply, and layers well with other products. It feels hydrating and soothing right away, and the overall experience is pleasant. But immediate visible results? Not really: I didn’t notice any next-day radiance like the brand advertises — certainly nothing like what a good vitamin C serum or exfoliant can deliver overnight. Still, lack of visible transformation doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t doing anything. The brand leans heavily into a peptide called Tripeptide‑32, which they refer to as the “Night Peptide.” According to Estée Lauder's research, this peptide is supposed to support the skin’s circadian rhythm and optimize repair while you sleep — a process rooted in real biology, but with no publicly available clinical data or third-party verification showing the peptide's effects in real-world use. The evidence is rooted largely in (Estée Lauder's) proprietary research and unpublished findings. There’s hyaluronic acid for hydration, squalane to help maintain the skin barrier, and bisabolol and chamomile extract for their well-documented soothing properties. You’ll also find yeast extract and lactobacillus ferment, both commonly used for potential skin-calming and barrier-supportive effects. Still, while the INCI list is interesting, the effects are subtle. This isn’t a product that transforms your skin overnight, but rather one that may contribute to overall skin health with long-term use. This is a serum you reach for when you want something gentle, hydrating, and compatible with anything else in your routine. If you’re expecting instant radiance or dramatic change, this won’t deliver that — but it’s a good candidate for quiet support. Whether Tripeptide‑32 is actually resynchronizing your skin’s internal clock or not, that needs more data.

This is one of those rare sunscreens that feels like a proper moisturizer first. It’s light, fluid, and spreads effortlessly — especially impressive for a mineral SPF. The texture absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave a cast, and gives just a subtle, healthy glow without veering into greasy or shiny territory. While it may not be enough on its own for very dry skin, it’s surprisingly hydrating, and works beautifully across skin types. It performed increibly well under makeup: it makes foundation apply more smoothly and last longer throughout the day. There’s also a touch of tint in the formula, which visibly helps even out skin tone. It’s subtle enough that you can take it right up to the beard line without getting that awkward “beige paste” buildup where the product hits the hair. There’s a faint sunscreen scent, but nothing strong or lingering. Where this formula really sets itself apart is the ingredient list. It’s packed with hydrators, emollients, antioxidants, and barrier-repair ingredients — including niacinamide, two forms of vitamin C, two forms of vitamin E, resveratrol, linoleic acid, phospholipids, bisabolol, argan oil, licorice extract, and peptides. There are no added fragrances or essential oils, and no problematic irritants flagged by the classifier. The dual use of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide gives reliable mineral-based broad-spectrum protection, while the surrounding formula does what most mineral sunscreens don’t: it actually feels nice on the skin. The classifier gives it a perfect score, and I feel validated, because it's my (and my husband's) favorite sunscreen of all time — this is a true hybrid between effective sun protection and serious skincare.

Supergoop’s PLAY sunscreen is the brand’s more traditional, no-frills sunscreen — and that shows immediately in both the texture and performance. It has a very fluid consistency, but once applied, it takes a bit of effort to spread and leaves behind a slightly tacky finish. It doesn’t glide or disappear into the skin the way Unseen Sunscreen or Glow Screen do, and it lacks the same cosmetic elegance. But that seems to be intentional, since this is not only meant for face and body, it's also a lot cheaper. This feels more like a sport or beach sunscreen: designed to stay put, be water-resistant, and cover large areas of skin — but not necessarily to sit comfortably or look discreet on the skin. The formula leans into that utilitarian function. It uses a mix of four chemical filters — Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and Avobenzone — to deliver broad-spectrum SPF 50. The presence of film-forming agents and a tacky base helps with water resistance, which is exactly what you'd expect from a sunscreen made for "active" use. Beyond UV protection, there are a few skincare extras tucked in. You get glycerin, panthenol, allantoin, and tocopherol for hydration, soothing, and antioxidant support, and even oryza sativa (rice) bran extract, which has some antioxidant potential. But the formula is definitely not centered on skin treatment since most of the extras are in low enough concentrations that their benefit is likely minimal. On the downside, the formula also includes several fragrant plant oils and known irritants, like orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, eucalyptus, geranium, and basil, plus fragrance components like linalool, limonene, and citronellol. For a body sunscreen, these won’t be a problem for most users, but they’re unnecessary and can be irritating for sensitive skin. PLAY isn’t trying to be a fancy, multi-tasking skincare-meets-SPF hybrid. It’s a classic-feeling sunscreen, made for outdoor use, full-body application, and situations where resistance and coverage matter more than texture. The inclusion of some antioxidants would hold more value if it weren’t overshadowed by the number of known irritants — and because of that, this scores lower than it could have - both in the classifier and my personal opinion.

Supergoop’s Glow Screen wears more like a sheer liquid illuminator than a traditional sunscreen. The texture is light, smooth, and subtly radiant — not greasy or heavy — and the tint I tried, Sunrise, is a warm champagne beige that blends in easily without looking overly bronzed or sparkly. Under makeup, the glow mostly disappears — it doesn’t affect wear time, and applies like a basic moisturizer rather than a true primer. Worn alone, though, it gives just enough tint and sheen to even out the skin, stays light and glowy and surprisingly, grease-free. The formula includes a blend of chemical UV filters — Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and Avobenzone — offering broad-spectrum protection using well-established filters. While not the newest or most photostable filters available, they’re effective and widely used in many modern sunscreens. The base includes light emollients and film-formers to help create that weightless, smooth texture that layers well under other products. What makes the formula more skincare-adjacent is the thoughtful inclusion of niacinamide, ferulic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E), and sodium hyaluronate — a combination that supports antioxidant defense and hydration. You also get radish root ferment filtrate and theobroma cacao seed extract, which may help soothe the skin barrier, though the concentrations are likely modest. None of these are meant to function like a serum, but as background support in an SPF, they round out the formula nicely. Glow Screen, as a standalone glowy sunscreen, it does exactly what it promises. If you want sheer enhancement with UV protection and a fresh-skin finish, this is one of the most flattering options you’ll find.

True to its name, Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is an invisible, weightless sunscreen that disappears into the skin without a trace. It’s fragrance-free, completely colorless, and has a silicone-gel texture that dries down to a matte finish. And yet, it offers full broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection — no white cast, no greasy film, no typical sunscreen smell. This is one of the rare SPF products that truly works across all skin tones and types. The texture is similar to classic silicone-based primers, which makes sense given the high presence of dimethicone crosspolymer, isododecane, and isohexadecane — all ingredients that give slip and a smoothing feel. On paper, that suggests it should double as a makeup primer, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. It doesn’t visibly blur pores or mattify the way a purpose-built primer might. I couldn’t really tell the difference in finish or application between the side of my face that had Unseen Sunscreen underneath and the side that didn’t. However, where it does act like a primer is in grip: it anchors foundation in place more than just moisturized skin does. That can be a plus or a minus — if you're not careful, it might emphasize patches or cling to dry areas, so you’ll want to make sure you blend thoroughly. In terms of longevity, I noticed it slightly improved wear for certain foundations by helping prevent creasing and oil migration, especially in the T-zone. As far as UV protection goes, the filters here — Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, and Avobenzone — are well-established chemical filters. While not as modern as newer options like Tinosorb or Uvinul, they still deliver broad-spectrum protection with a transparent, lightweight finish. Supporting ingredients include shea butter for emollience, jojoba esters for a touch of soothing potential, tocopherol for antioxidant benefit, and silica and diatomaceous earth for subtle oil control. Overall, this is a sunscreen that puts texture and finish first — and delivers on those fronts. That’s why it earns a “Great” rating from me, even if the ingredient list isn’t exactly a parade of skincare greatest hits.

This balm doesn’t score particularly high on the skincare classifier, but the thing is, when it comes to cleansing balms, brands tend to prioritize cleansing power and rinseability over including skin-beneficial actives. That doesn’t mean a balm couldn’t score higher, but in most cases, formulas in this category are kept streamlined and functional. Junoco embraces that approach, stating that “a long list of ingredients doesn’t mean a product is more potent.” And to their credit, they walk the talk: just 10 ingredients, focused on performance, and built to do just one job well — the cleansing job. At first glance, the balm looks like it’s going to be thick and waxy — but once you scoop it out and rub it between your hands, it melts completely, like softened butter. It spreads easily on the skin and transforms into a milky emulsion on contact with water, rinsing off cleanly without leaving an oily residue. On its own, it removes makeup effectively. But paired with the suggested cleansing reusable pad (the "cleansing cookie", it absolutely bulldozes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and anything else you throw at it. When it comes to ingredients, yes, there really are only ten. The highlights are tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) and a fermented extract from Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed — also known as Japanese pearl barley, and marketed here as “Japanese Barley Magic.” This ingredient is popular in Korean skincare and often touted for its antioxidant properties, but the brand goes further, claiming it can help regulate melanin production, brighten the complexion, and reduce dark spots. That’s where things get shaky: I haven’t found any substantial clinical research supporting those effects, and the claims feel overblown given the current evidence. The presence of orange peel oil might raise some eyebrows (it’s a fragrant ingredient with irritation potential), but in this context — in a wash-off product — I don’t mind it. Bottom line: this balm is simple but performs. The ingredient list might be short, but it’s effective where it counts — in actually cleaning your face. If you're here for a deep, easy cleanse, and not miracle antioxidants, it delivers.