We are already in May, and the summer season is almost coming up. The shift from chilly weather to warm weather may cause skin irritations that you want to avoid. This list of cruelty-free skincare products may be great alternatives, or additions, to your daily skincare routine. Keep in mind that the brands of these products mentioned in this article are 100% CRUELTY-FREE. This means that their products are not tested on animals at all, not owned by parent companies that test on animals, and not sold in countries where animal testing is mandatory. Alright, being said, let’s get started!

Glow Recipe

If you want to get glowing skin, then go for the Glow Recipe. Glow Recipe is known for its authentic quality, with rich fruit extracts and a commitment to sustainability. Being Leaping Bunny Certified, they claim that they never formulate products with “animal by-products, environmental hazards, and colorants.” Launched in 2014 by Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, Glow Recipe’s popularity has continued to grow, and Sephora customers appear to favor it.

Let’s begin with my favorite, “Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner.”

As one of the best-selling products, this toner is enriched with PHA and BHA, containing watermelon extracts and hyaluronic acid that targets dry and dull skin. 

I began using this product in March, for uneven textures, especially under my eyes. I have allergy-prone skin, and I used to rub my eyes which made my skin thinner and prone to tiny pores. I was also looking for a refreshing toner that would reduce the appearance of pores and plump skin at the same time.

Now, I’m satisfied that I gave this toner a try because it is simply good. Since I’ve begun using this, I could realize that my concerns were slightly minimalized. Plus, the toner is so refreshing and absorbs quickly so your skin is prepared for moisturizer, and it leaves no residues. However, I would say that two months are not enough to see the actual result. Maybe wait for six months to a year to really see results. I would recommend this to someone with normal, combination, and oily skin. 

Since I am a full-time student, I bought a 1.35 oz mini size for $15. You might think it’s such a small amount, but believe me, it’s worth it since it lasts longer than you expect. For me, it lasted 2.5 months! You can get “Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner” directly from the Glow Recipe website and Sephora!

Korres

Korres is known for the Greek yogurt-based formulas that are a must-have for your skin. 

It was launched in Greece, in 1996, by pharmacologist George Korres.Korres is a trustworthy skincare brand with manufacturing products based on deep practice and an applied research, claiming natural ingredients and pharmaceutical-grade water. Like Glow Recipe, Korres also advocates sustainability, including protecting Greece’s natural flora.  

 “Greek Yogurt Foaming Cream Cleanser” would leave your skin softer as mochi. This is a go-to when you have dry skin, but need to wash your face daily without stripping off moisture from your face. 

I used this cleanser last year when my skin redness did not fade away, and irritation occurred due to stress. I was searching for a product that would be gentle on irritated skin.  I am so glad that I discovered Greek Yogurt Foaming Cream Cleanser. It cleanses my face well while providing some benefits of Greek yogurt, such as exfoliating, and transforming it into brighter and softer skin. 
You can get it for $26 at the official website/Ulta and $28 at Sephora.

“Greek Yogurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream” is another excellent product from Korres that replenishes and protects your dry, cracked skin. Unfortunately, this moisturizer was incompatible with my sensitive, combination skin: it left residues and triggered itchiness. So I had to give this to my mother with dry skin, and she loved it. I would say that this moisturizer would be perfect for someone who has dehydrated skin or needs an immense amount of moisturizer as soon as possible.

Arcona

The last product I am reviewing is from ARCONA, an LA-based skincare brand.  Created by an esthetician Chanel Jenae and other professionals, ARCONA offers spa-quality products to treat your skin as if you are a glam celebrity. ARONA is dedicated to providing products with active ingredients, including “antioxidants, enzymes, growth factors, peptides, and retinol.”  Indeed, ARCONA is an authentic skincare brand that you can trust and try. 

“Triad Pads” is the most refreshing toner I have ever used.  These pads are infused with cranberry extracts, phytonutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids to cleanse and remove impurities and makeup from your skin. (https://www.arcona.com/product/triad-pads.html)

These toner pads would be best when your skin feels gross. I would use this pad in addition to my conventional toner when I feel my skin is not washed properly, or there are still some impurities left. These pads would make my skin feel refreshed and smooth while not stripping off. They also smell precisely like cranberries and can make you feel like you are in a spa. The pads can be slightly drying, so make sure to follow with moisturizer. I got Triad Pads for sale at Nordstrom, but the actual price is $38. You can get it either at the official Arcona website or Nordstorm. Also, if it might be too pricey for you, Nordstrom spontaneously does temporary price downs, so it would be better to keep an eye on the Nordstrom app if you try it. I also got it for a lower price than the official price.

Overall, my experiences with these products have been great. However, one downfall is that these products can be pricey, especially if you are a student and on a low budget. Even though I have purchased and tried all of these products, it is not guaranteed that I can repurchase them next time since I am also a full-time college student with a limited amount of money I can spend. Nevertheless, these products do a great job and are great options to consider buying if you want to treat yourself. I would also recommend cheaper alternatives that are also cruelty-free, such as Pacifica and Elf Cosmetics. I hope this article was helpful for your skincare routine!

• Arcona
• glow recipe
• korean skincare
• Korres