Face Reality Reviews: Everything To Know About This Acne-Safe Brand
I did not find many Face Reality reviews online, which is the reason I am very excited to share my thoughts about this brand that has been treating folks with acne for a pretty long period. Moreover, I am extra stoked to talk about the brand's 8% L-Mandelic Serum, which I will be talking about later.
I know this sounds completely insane, considering I'm a full-time beauty editor, but it really wasn't until recently that I began to believe in-and witness-the power of skincare ingredients. Let me explain: For years, I had been convinced that the only thing that would affect your skin in terms of acne is what you put inside your body. And while, yes, I really do think part of that's true, I also learned about the magic of mandelic serums and found out skincare can also hugely prevent breakouts from popping up on my face, too. One of the things I love about this brand is just how super acne-safe it is.
You don't have to worry that your skin is going to break out with any of these products. Of course, not everyone's skin will react to every ingredient. So I don't want to promise you that you absolutely won't break out from any Face Reality products. But considering they've been thoroughly tested on thousands of acne-prone clients with amazing results, I'd say you're probably pretty safe.
Face Reality Reviews: Why I Love the Brand
I think that I first found this brand about a decade ago when I was working with Kimberly Yap Tan from with & within-then called skinsalvation-in San Francisco. I was working with her virtually to try to heal my acne from the inside out. At the time, I believe they were using Face Reality products in their clinic for acne patients.
I have used Face Reality Skincare products on and off for years. Recently, I was invited to a Face Reality launch event in alignment with my work as a beauty editor. We were introduced to their new product, called Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser. Another reason I wanted to try out some more Face Reality products recently is because Sofie Pavitt, the current acne-fighting esthetician guru, also uses this brand in her practice.
What Is Face Reality?
Face Reality is a brand of line products targeted for acne. What makes this brand so unique is that all of their products are designed to treat different types of acne. The brand does not really develop any products that are targeted to treat issues other than acne.
Laura Cooksey is a cofounder of Face Reality, which was first opened in 2005. Like many of the clients at Face Reality, she struggled with acne into her teens, 20s, and even into her 30s. She decided to become licensed as an esthetician, practiced solo for 15 years, then opened her acne-only clinic in 2005.
What is interesting about Face Reality is the brand has hundreds of Certified Acne Experts-certified estheticians, essentially-across the country. They have specifically trained these estheticians to treat folks with acne while using the Face Reality products. Unfortunately, a lot of the products from Face Reality can only be sold by a Certified Acne Expert. This means that once you enter their practice, they will recommend certain products, which they feel are appropriate for your skin's needs. You would have to return to the professional in order to purchase another bottle of whatever product that may be. Some of the following products that I list are available only through a Certified Acne Expert.
Best Face Reality Products
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| Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser |
Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
Just as the name suggests, this cleanser is a total creamy dream that slathers onto skin nicely and hydrates your face while you wash it. This pick does a pretty decent job of taking off makeup, too, which you can't always say about a cream cleanser.
This pick features a soothing and moisturizing blend of panthenol, jojoba esters, allantoin, bisabolol, and Centella Asiatica extract. You'll also find prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome on your skin. Finally, an amino acid cleansing agent will deeply clean your skin and remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
This formula works wonders for people with dry skin. I'm testing it out in the spring, but I feel like this would be even better for fall and winter skin, when my face dries up like the Sahara desert. If you wear a lot of makeup, I probably wouldn't rely on this as your main makeup remover. I'd take your makeup off with either a cleansing oil, cleansing balm, or micellar water and then use this afterward as your second wash.
This is, in my opinion, a great option for your morning skincare routine, especially when you do not have makeup on but want to wash off the products left on your skin overnight. It sets a nice base upon which you apply other skincare products and makeup on top in the AM.
This really is good for the cleansing of painful acne skin that can be so easily irritated. It's gentle but does a fine job of cleansing your face without stripping your skin or making it feel excessively dry.
This cleanser has a jelly consistency and doesn't really lather. It does do a pretty great job of taking off makeup at the end of the day, in my belief.
Available at Amazon ($45)
Face Reality Moisture Balance Toner
Wow, this is an amazing toner, especially for people with dry skin-mostly because of the *witch hazel, glycerin, and radish root ferment filtrate. I do see a big difference in my skin whenever I use this toner after washing. Sometimes, when I let this dry, I completely forget putting on my moisturizer afterward since my skin feels so hydrated.
So, with this toner-I've just been pouring it right into my hand and smoothing it out onto my skin. The brand advises you to use a cotton pad to apply this. But I'm lazy and I don't want to waste any product.
Other active ingredients in this serum include exfoliating lactic acid, hydrating sodium hyaluronate, and calming niacinamide. I haven't noticed any irritation or dryness since I started using this formula. If I had to say anything, it is that this product is best applied every other night to super-sensitive skin or skin on the drier side.
Face Reality Skincare Hydrabalance Hydrating GelQ
I really like this formula, but I just can't seem to pinpoint what exactly it's supposed to be used for. It says on the packaging that it is a hydrating gel that reduces the appearance of oily shine. If you need a hydrating gel, typically it means you lean more towards dry skin rather than oily skin. I guess this is a good hydrator if you have oily skin. But don't want to use any kind of moisturizer that makes it greasier. This is water-based and merges into my skin really nicely. The key ingredients listed are things I've actually never heard of, minus sodium hyaluronate. I can definitely see myself using this a lot in the summer when my skin needs just that bit of an extra boost in hydration. But I don't think this would be hydrating enough for my super dry skin during wintertime.
I think this is a good option for added moisture, because a lot of hydrating serums can sometimes be cloggy and irritating for folks with acne-prone skin. It's not as moisturizing as I typically go for, but again, I just like that I can use it without the constant fear that it is going to break me out.
Face Reality Cran-Peptide Cream
I have been using this cream on and off for years; I love its thickness and how it moisturizes. Most of all, I love that it doesn't clog my pores or irritate my skin. This formula contains antioxidants and peptides that soothe and hydrate skin while offering some protection against free radical damage, too. Note that it does not contain SPF, though.
The only thing I really don't love about this cream is that it doesn't really leave my skin with that nice, hydrated sheen like some other moisturizers do. For instance, the
Skinfix Triple Lipid Peptide Cream really leaves a nice, sheeny layer on my skin and almost makes my skin look more glowy and bouncy. This Face Reality Cran-Peptide Cream will not leave any kind of hydrating sheen on your skin. This mask will hydrate a dry face, but it will not make any miracles.
Face Reality Ultimate Protection SPF28
I have been looking for a sunscreen that wouldn't give me breakouts for years. There were so many different kinds of facial sunscreens, none of which worked for me. This pick from Face Reality doesn't irritate my skin.
This is your plain 'ole face sunscreen, not really special in any way, honestly speaking. Active ingredients include 11.6% zinc oxide, 0.67% titanium dioxide, honeysuckle flower extract, and allantoin. It won't irritate your skin, and leaves a nice, matte finish on your face.
I am just not in love with the texture of this sunscreen, but since it is one of the few that doesn't make me break out, definitely, I'll be continuing to use it day by day. Usually, I like a little more hydrating-looking sunscreen, so it's a little sad that this mattifies skin. But, yeah, I can apply my glowy tinted moisturizer on top to add dewiness to my complexion.
Another bummer about this one is that the SPF is a little bit low. That being said, I guess I do typically use facial sunscreens that are between SPF 30-50, so it's not that far off, but I really do wish it was the slightest bit higher.
Is Face Reality a Good Brand?
I really think this is a great brand if you have acne, and highly recommend all their products-or at least those I have tried. Generally, I think the prices are reasonable, considering how active the ingredients are in these formulations.
The most favorite in Face Reality are the 8% L-Mandelic Serum, the Moisture Balance Toner, and the Cran-Peptide Cream. I can tell the difference in my skin after using these products. I love how they don't make me break out and actually help keep my hormonal acne from flaring up.
Like I mentioned before Face Reality is specialized for acne, and I have done extensive research and tested their products over the years. One disadvantage of this brand is that it is not all products are accessible.
Where to Buy Face Reality Products
Wow, there are only a handful of places one can purchase Face Reality products. Some you can buy on their
website and others you'll need to
find an Acne Expert near you in order to buy.
I hope you enjoyed my Face Reality reviews! Looking for more acne-friendly options? Check out my blog post about the best skincare for acne-prone skin.
* This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you purchase through the links on my site. Thank you so much for supporting my small business by shopping through my affiliate links—I'm super grateful!
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