Let’s talk about the new toner essence we love from Glow Recipe. Through four essential ingredients - cloudberry, rice water, ubiquinone CoQ10, and vitamin C, this toner truly illuminates and fortifies the skin. Glow Recipe says that this toner "is a powerful, brightening treatment that helps to hydrate, tone, and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.” Furthermore, it works as a serum booster that helps the skin absorb the rest of your skincare.

Cassandra has fallen in love with this product, and it’s one of Cassandra’s favorite fat waters. 

If you’re looking for a hyrdrating product that layers beautifully with other products and works wonderfully with other actives, this is an amazing choice. It can be used as a  serum or toner during the morning or night. And when used during the day, it boosts up sunscreen because it's packed with antioxidants.

Also, it has a jelly to liquid texture that soaks thoroughly into the skin. And overall, the ingredients are amazing. So, let’s break down why they are so beneficial to our skin. 

Essence Toner from Glow Recipe Here - $38

 

Cloudberries

What are cloudberries, and how do they benefit the skin?

Cloudberry is from Scandinavia, and once they are harvested, the are flash frozen and fermented. Fermenting the cloudberries allows the extract to be easily absorbed by the skin. 

Cloudberries have many benefits. Cloudberries grow in very harsh weather conditions. They grow in conditions with low oxygen, glaring sun, harsh winds, and cold weather. Oftentimes, they don’t get enough nutrients. So, these plants are very resilient. But, just because these plants are resilient doesn’t mean they're going to make your skin more resilient. However, they do have some amazing benefits.

Scientists and researchers noticed that cloudberries are great to consume. They contain vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene (vitamin A). Cloudberries have an entire bundle of vitamins that nourish the skin and help it to be resilient. 

Rice water

What are the benefits of rice water?

Another fermented ingredient is rice water, and it has been a beauty secret for thousands of years in Asia. More specifically, the founders of Glow Recipe took this aspect of their Korean heritage and put it in a toner. Rice water, specifically fermented rice water, can be very beneficial to hair and skin. When it comes to the skin, rice water soothes and nourishes by providing antioxidants and beta-glucans. 

Rice water can be plain or fermented. This product includes fermented rice water, and the fermenting process allows the ingredient to penetrate even deeper. But, rice water is still very gentle. In fact, this toner was made for sensitive skin, and that’s why Cassandra loves it. 

Vitamin C and CoQ10

What ingredients build collagen?

We're listing these two ingredients together because while vitamin C is essential for the creation of collagen, CoQ10 helps maintain it by fighting against MMPs.

MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) are enzymes that cause fine lines and wrinkles. 

Vitamin C and CoQ10 both help with brightness in different ways. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and a tyrosinase inhibitor. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that helps create pigment in the skin, and vitamin C stops it from working at potently.

On the other hand, CoQ10 binds elastin and collagen together, making the skin more supple and radiant. Vitamin C also helps to produce collagen. Since our bodies can’t produce it on their own, vitamin C is essential to its production.

However, most of the time, the vitamin C in skincare is L-ascorbic acid. L-ascorbic acid can cause irritation and flushing for some. Fortunately though, this toner doesn’t include L-ascorbic acid. It simply contains a natural form of vitamin C from cloudberries, which is a wonderful ingredient that makes the skin glow.  Combined with the rice water, CoQ10, and glycerin, this toner is very especially hydrating and supportive of the skin. 

 

What stands out?

What's unique and innovative about this product is that it combines the K beauty concept of fermentation with the powerful active CoQ10. Because of the fermented ingredients, the CoQ10 and vitamin C are delivered deep into the skin. Likewise, the two can genuinely contribute to collagen production and maintenance. While other products have vitamin C and CoQ10, oftentimes, the delivery system doesn't allow the ingredients to reach their highest potential.

The delivery system allows the toner to truly help with hyperpigmentation. It's wonderful when products for hyperpigmentation do more than surface level work.  Because in some instances, dark spots are much deeper.

Furthermore, this product simultaneously hydrates and moisturizes the skin without clogging the pores. The Cloudberry Essence Toner includes amino acids. Amino acids are humectants, meaning they keep moisture within the skin. Simultaneously, it contains cloudberry seed oil which locks in moisture and fortifies the skin. Additionally, there's oryza sativa (rice bran), which soothes the skin. 

If you have oily skin, there’s also the watermelon serum  with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid from Glow Recipe. 

Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops - $35

This works well for large pores, and the watermelon contains vitamin C, Vitamin A, and amino acids that help to plump oily skin. With a lightweight and thin texture, it can soothe redness. However, it does have fragrance so that is something you might want to be aware of.

Both the cloudberry toner and the watermelon serum are fantastic options. While they are both great antioxidant products, if you’re looking for a powerhouse product to boost collagen, hydrate, and give the skin radiance, the Cloudberry Serum will be the best option. If you want something to control oil, smooth over pores, prime the skin, and add a glossy, dewy finish, the Watermelon Serum could be your go-to.

Cover phot cred: Glow Recipe