NEED TO KNOW: A 101 GUIDE ON GLOW RECIPE
If you aspire to achieve that coveted South Korean glow, then look no further than Glow Recipe. The power duo behind the brand (Sarah Lee and Christine Chang) are on a mission to make SoKo’s latest skin care trends accessible to people around the world, and they’re even willing to let you into the well-kept secret behind that glow of dreams.
Glow Recipe creates natural and gentle yet super-effective formulas using the highest quality ingredients, and they’re renowned for their vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruit extracts, from watermelon and pineapple to avocado and banana. What’s more, their products are all vegan-friendly too!
Here’s an in-depth look at Glow Recipe’s bestselling products, the best Glow Recipe products for different skin types and expert tips from the Cult Concierge team for how to use this fun and fruity brand.
BEST GLOW RECIPE CLEANSERS
Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm: make up melting and deep cleansing
A Cult Beauty exclusive, this lightweight balm-to-foam formula sweeps away every last trace of the day. Papaya is the star ingredient - a rich source of dark-spot-diminishing vitamin C and cell-stimulating vitamin A. The combination of exfoliating and calming papaya seed oil, papaya enzymes, papaya extract and antioxidant-packed blueberry leaves skin clean, bouncy and irresistibly smooth.
257
32.77€
Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial: for less visible pores and smoother skin
Ok so this is a mask rather than a cleanser, but this clarifying treatment is one of our bestsellers, and for good reason. It has all the purifying pros of a clay mask, but it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid which means you avoid that dry and tight feeling that often comes with clay. What’s more, it also features watermelon extract - the hero ingredient acclaimed by Korean beauty buffs for its ability to soothe skin with luscious, skin restoring vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids.
This miracle mask hydrates as it cleanses, leading to less visible pores, smoother skin and a more even tone in just two weeks!
62
40.68€
BEST GLOW RECIPE TONERS
Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist: an immediate glow boost
Made with 84% watermelon, hydrating hyaluronic acid and hibiscus flower AHAs, this ultra-hydrating and gently soothing lightweight mist is the ticket to restoring moisture levels come summertime. Simply shake it and spray for an immediate glow boost at any time of day.
236
28.25€
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner: for a poreless-looking complexion
A dream come true if you’re prone to visible pores, this Glow Recipe toner is powered by watermelon extract to flood your skin with vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids, helping to decongest and tone for a practically poreless-looking complexion.
Use this Glow Recipe toner in the mornings 4 times a week. This also works great as a spot treatment when you’ve got a lot of congestion. Soak a cotton pad in the product and press into the congested area for 10 minutes.
1010
15.82€
BEST GLOW RECIPE SERUMS
Guava Vitamin C + Ferulic Dark Spot Serum: targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Brightening and resurfacing, this serum is bursting with vitamins and acids to target dark spots and hyperpigmentation before, during and after formation. The result? Brighter, smoother skin that exudes an unparalleled glow.
169
46.33€
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops: a skin-friendly highlighter
Inspired by Korean make up artists, this is the first skin care highlighter that uses nothing but skin-friendly ingredients for a healthy dose of vitamins and hydration and the ultimate glow. That means no mica, no glitter, no pearls! Proof that you don’t always need make up to create a glow-giving finish.
765
36.16€
How to use Glow Recipe Dew Drops
There are several ways to use Glow Recipe dew drops, depending on the desired effect:
- As a brightening serum: apply one pump before moisturiser for long-lasting, glowing skin.
- As a primer: apply one to two pumps as the last step in your skin care routine before make up.
- For maximum glow: apply one to two pumps as the last step of your entire routine and have a make-up-free day.
- It can also be mixed in with your eyeshadow or eye glitters as it has been Ophthalmologist tested and is safe around the eyes.
BEST GLOW RECIPE MOISTURISERS
Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser: for plumped and juicy hydration
These utterly adored day and night moisturisers drench your complexion in plumped, juicy hydration and luscious, long-lasting moisture. Slather them on morning and night for instant and undeniable radiance.
304
22.04€
Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream: hydrates and balances unpredictable skin
Your one-way ticket to gorgeously plump, glowing skin, this lightweight moisturiser hydrates and balances unpredictable skin. The formula calls on brightening plum, hydrating hyaluronic acid, balancing willowherb and peptide polyglutamic acid to lock in moisture and boost the effects of the hyaluronic acid. Combined, these ingredients promise plump, bouncy and healthy skin with a dewy glow.
169
39.55€
BEST GLOW RECIPE EYE CREAMS
Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask: to leave you looking bright eyed and bushy tailed
This intensely nourishing eye mask is crammed with age-defying ingredients that will brighten, moisturise, smooth fine lines and de-puff your eye area while you slumber, leaving you looking bright eyed and bushy tailed come sunrise. After cleansing, apply a pea-sized amount to the entire orbital eye area and gently pat into skin. You can also use it as a daytime eye treatment following the same instructions as above and finishing with SPF.
105
46.33€
WHICH GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
BEST GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
- Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Strawberry Smooth AHA+BHA Serum. Use at night 1 to 2 times a week on separate nights to clay mask. Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial. Use 1 to 2 nights a week. It can also be used as a spot treatment 3 times a week for those more stubborn specific spots.
BEST GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS FOR OILY SKIN
- Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial. Use this 2 to 3 times a week in the evenings. Apply to cleansed skin whilst still wet. Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer. This also works great mixed into your foundation.
BEST GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS FOR DRY SKIN
BEST GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS FOR COMBINATION SKIN
BEST GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS FOR MATURE SKIN
BEST GLOW RECIPE PRODUCTS FOR DARK SPOTS
HOW TO USE GLOW RECIPE
Cult Concierge consultant Ryan is on hand to answer your frequently asked questions on how to use Glow Recipe:
Can I use Glow Recipe toner with vitamin C, retinol and niacinamide?
As the watermelon toner contains a combination of BHA and PHA, we would always advise introducing this slowly with other actives, especially if using other brands alongside Glow Recipe. However, this pairs perfectly with niacinamide so that you can layer with full confidence.
Glow Recipe’s products are designed to be used together, but even then, you should let your skin adjust and listen to it. The only product we would say you cannot mix this with is a retinol serum applied on top.
Can I use Glow Recipe when pregnant?
Most of their products are indeed pregnancy safe, however the only products you definitely can’t use are the Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask and the Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum.
Their other Salicylic Acid products use willow bark, which is its natural form, in pregnancy safe concentrations. That said, we advise you to consult your doctor first.
Does Glow Recipe expire?
Yes, as many of the Glow Recipe products contain natural ingredients, you may find that some have specific expiry dates. We would advise you to always follow the “use once open” indication and to not store beyond 2 years from purchase, even when sealed. This is the industry standard timeframe advised, as almost all beauty products do eventually break down, even when sealed.
In what order should Glow Recipe products be used?
Glow Recipe products should be used in the standard cleanser > toner > serum > eye cream > moisturiser > SPF order, though the brand recommends doubling up their serums to really help target your main goals and concerns. The specific routine you choose will depend on your skin type, but a typical morning routine using Glow Recipe products might look like this:
- Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
- Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum (apply on wet skin)
- Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum OR Guava Vitamin C + Ferulic Dark Spot Serum OR Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops OR Strawberry Smooth AHA+BHA
- Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream OR Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream OR Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
- Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF 50
- Watermelon Glow Lip Pop
And an evening routine using Glow Recipe products might look like this:
- Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
- Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
- Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
- Plum Plump Hyaluronic + Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist
- Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream OR Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
- Watermelon Glow Lip Pop
