As a skincare junkie always on the hunt for the next phenomenon brand with real results, I‘ve become wise over the years to hype machines that overpromise and underdeliver. So when my beauty guru friends started raving nonstop about Glow Recipe and their fruit-powered potions this year, I initially took it with a heavy grain of salt.
But after many months of testing, I stand corrected and am now a bonafide Glow Recipe evangelist. Keep reading for the full scoop after using these products extensively as a shining new fan.
What Is Glow Recipe? A Mini Brand Background
Glow Recipe burst onto the crowded skincare scene in 2017 after scoring a $425K investment on Shark Tank. Founded by Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, two Korean beauty industry veterans with L’Oreal experience, Glow Recipe’s accessible luxury brand ethos focuses on skin health from the inside out.
Their charming origin story began when Sarah and Christine bonded over sheet masks and wine and hatched a plan to bring the brightening fruit treatments popular in Korean skincare stateside. The result? A cruelty-free line of refreshed classics like watermelon masks and avocado eye balms powered by antioxidants and AHAs for an affordable luxury experience.
Now with hundreds of thousands of Insta followers and coveted real estate on Sephora’s shelves, the buzz around Glow Recipe shows no signs of slowing thanks to their #nofilter philosophy and real skincare results.
Over the past six months, I’ve incorporated several of their fruit cocktail concoctions into my weekly routine for an insider perspective on whether the reality lives up to the well-earned snaps and rave reviews. Below I break down the top 5 bestselling Glow Recipe greatest hits by the ingredients, feel, effectiveness, and value based on extensive personal use.
Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask: A Nighttime Savior
The Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask sounds almost too good to be true. This internet sensation promises the softer, glowier, hydrated skin of your dreams with just one overnight application. As an overworker constantly battling dullness and dry spots, I was understandably skeptical.
Could an Entry-level $45 fruit smoothie in a jar really stack up to my $100+ eye creams and serums?
After over 100 nights with this miracle melon mix, I’m pleased to report my skin has never looked better. Talk about beauty sleep! Here’s exactly why it earned a permanent spot on my nightstand:
The Ingredients: This nourishing overnight mask contains over 90% watermelon extract, a natural AHA, along with hyaluronic acid and gentle exfoliants. That makes it a powerful antioxidant vitamin cocktail that hydrates skin and reveals radiance.
The Feel: The texture reminds me of a gel moisturizer infused with tiny watermelon seeds! A little goes a long way – I use roughly a dime sized amount. It feels soothing and cooling upon application before absorbing quickly.
The Effects: Within a week, my skin tone looked more even and pores less noticeable. After a month, stubborn dark spots from old acne were fading fast. I wake up to crazy soft and supple skin that glows like I’ve already applied highlighter.
The Value: A 2.7oz jar retails for $45, putting it on par cost-wise with similar overnight masks from Tatcha, Origins and Laneige. With disciplined use, one jar easily lasts me 4-5 months making it ~$10/month for gorgeous skin. Not bad!
Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask: My Eye Baggage Banisher
Like most busy professionals constantly glued to screens, the delicate skin around my eyes tells the stressful story of my lifestyle through fine lines, puffiness and dark circles that never quit.
I‘ve tried countless eye creams over the years always ultimately ending up disappointed until discovering the Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask. This little pot of green goodness works actual magic – no filter needed!
The Ingredients: This formula relies on powerful antioxidants from avocado oil along with retinol, coffeeberry and niacinamide to tackle aging concerns. It harnesses the best botanical and clinical ingredients.
The Feel: The balmy texture feels comforting and nourishing, never heavy. I looks forward to applying it!
The Effects: With consistent application, the skin around my eyes now looks firmer and refreshed. My dark circles have lightened up significantly enough that I regularly skip my concealer.
The Value: A 0.5oz jar costs $42, on par with comparable eye treatments from Murad, Kiehls and Shiseido. As someone who has spent much more on eye creams with few visible perks to show for it, I‘m beyond thrilled to find one that performs without breaking the bank.
Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner: My Secret To Impossibly Smooth Skin
Having struggled for years to minimize enlarged pores that demolished my dreams of that flawless Korean glass skin, I had my doubts that any toner could truly tighten.
That was until discovering this Watermelon Pore-Tight Toner that harnesses the clarifying and exfoliating power of actual watermelon juices. This is now a non-negotiable step in both my morning and evening routines!
The Ingredients: Watermelon extracts, cactus water, and willow bark work together to gently remove dead skin cells and excess oil that clog pores. Added hyaluronic acid hydrates.
The Feel: Like a refreshing spritz of antioxidant-rich hydration! It absorbs quickly without sticky residue.
The Effects: After 3 days of use morning and night my pores were noticeably less visible. Within 2 weeks’ consistent application, my texture looked smoother than ever.
The Value: $34 for a generous 5oz that lasts over 2 months with twice daily use. It‘s very competitively priced with similar pore-minimizing toners from First Aid Beauty, Tula and Bliss.
Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser: My Tried & True Makeup Eraser
As someone who loves a beat face, I rely heavily on my nightly cleanser to remove longwear makeup without stripping my skin. My sensitive and dry complexion rejects harsh foams, but many cleansing balms leave behind an unappealing greasy film.
Enter Blueberry Bounce – a genius gel cleanser that effortlessly wipes my face clean without irritation, residue or tightness. This gentle blueberry treat erases even stubborn waterproof mascara with ease!
The Ingredients: Real blueberry extract offers vitamins and antioxidants to soothe inflammation. Paired with glycerin, aloe vera and cocoa butter it cleanses gently while keeping moisture intact.
The Feel: This unique gel transforms into a light oil upon application, then rinses cleanly away without a slippery residue.
The Effects: Squeaky clean skin that feels calm and nourished, never stripped or dry. My acne-prone areas stay clear and my sensitive skin doesn‘t revolt.
The Value: $34 for a generous 5oz that lasts over 4 months. For a cleanser that plays nicely with my persnickety skin, I happily pay this reasonable cost for the huge impact it makes on my complexion clarity and overall skin health.
Why Friends Don’t Let Friends Skip Glow Recipe
After months of rigorous real-world testing on my self-proclaimed "problem skin", I confidently proclaim Glow Recipe a ride or die staple in my routine thanks to their commitment to clean, effective ingredients that deliver.
Their sweet fruity scents and cheeky packaging don‘t hurt either! But underneath the fun exterior lies powerful botanical cocktails packed with antioxidants, exfoliants and skin-nourishing superfruits that renew radiance.
From the watermelon mixes that smooth and brighten, to the retinol + Avocado eye masks that tackle fine lines, Glow Recipe consistently overdelivers results. And with accessible price points under $50 for even their superstar serums and overnight masks, they truly offer luxury formulations without the outrageous price tags.
For glowing skin on the supple fast track, add Glow Recipe to cart and don‘t look back! Skincare this fun and effective doesn‘t come around often. Consider me a convert to the cult of this fruit juice skincare movement.
