Glow Recipe Magic: Transform Your Skin with These DIY Recipes
By
Twice-annual sitewide sale! 15% Off - Verified
Get Free 4-Piece Back To School Prep With Every $100+ Order
Free Pore Care Duo When You Orders $75+
10% Off + Free Shipping On Every Order
Give $15, Get $15
Glow Recipe is a clean skincare line that draws inspiration from K-beauty and is characterized by its fruity and enjoyable nature. Established in 2017 in New York, Glow Recipe gained immense popularity through their watermelon skincare range and subsequently their viral Glow Recipe toner. Offering a range of products such as watermelon sleeping masks, avocado eye cream, banana soufflé cream, and plum serum, Glow Recipe infuses a fruity twist that not only enhances the skin but also captivates the senses.
However, it is important to note that Glow Recipe does incorporate a small percentage of fragrance in most of their products, which may be a consideration for individuals seeking completely clean options for health reasons. Having been acquainted with Glow Recipe long before it achieved its current status, I am thrilled to finally share my candid thoughts. Having personally tested nearly every product in the Glow Recipe line, I will be providing an honest assessment of the best and worst offerings in this comprehensive Glow Recipe review.
In this review, I will be discussing my preferred and less preferred products from Glow Recipe, a highly popular brand. However, before delving into the specifics, it is important to understand the background of this brand. I have been acquainted with Glow Recipe since its early days, when it gained recognition through its appearance on Shark Tank, where the founders pitched their innovative concept. Initially, Glow Recipe was a small startup that received funding from its young founders, who were former colleagues in Korea. They established Glow Recipe as an online store specializing in K-beauty products, offering skincare items from Korea that were not readily accessible in the United States.
Over the years, Glow Recipe experienced significant growth and success. They introduced their first signature product, the Watermelon Glow Sheet Mask (which is now discontinued), and it quickly gained immense popularity, selling out multiple times. Presently, Glow Recipe generates a substantial annual revenue in the seven-figure range and is available for purchase at Sephora stores. The founders, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, leverage their expertise in the Korean skincare industry, combining it with popular active ingredients in the United States, such as niacinamide, acids, and retinol, to create fruit-infused skincare products suitable for all individuals.
Is Glow Recipe Natural?
I would like to clarify that Glow Recipe is not a skincare brand that can be classified as organic or 100% natural. It has come to my attention that there are misleading articles on the internet suggesting otherwise. It is important to note that Glow Recipe does incorporate synthetic ingredients in certain products, and many of their offerings contain fragrance. Personally, I find the artificial scent to be quite noticeable, and I fail to comprehend the reasoning behind its inclusion when natural scents are far more enjoyable. If you are in search of certified organic Korean skincare, I highly recommend Whamisa as my preferred brand. By using the code ORGANICBEAUTYLOVER, you can avail a 20% discount on their products.
To shed light on Glow Recipe's stance on fragrance, they state the following:
"We strive to use the minimum amount of fragrance necessary to create a sensorial and pleasurable skincare experience. Fragrance constitutes less than 0.5% of our formulations, and all fragrances used are vegan and devoid of PCM compounds, acetone, and various other substances."
There is a concern I have regarding Glow Recipe that warrants discussion. As a Korean American brand, their lack of effort to amplify Asian American voices is disconcerting and raises questions about their AAPI foundation. During their most recent PR influencer trip, only one Asian American influencer was present, which is a stark contrast to SheaMoisture's approach. A quick glance at the Glow Recipe Instagram page reveals that the majority of influencers they officially collaborate with and compensate are not Asian American.
Furthermore, there is a noticeable absence of Asian representation on their social media platforms. In an industry where Asian Americans are often overlooked and not considered the beauty standard, it is concerning that Glow Recipe appears to perpetuate this norm rather than challenge it. This is particularly unsettling given the current surge in violence towards Asian Americans due to the pandemic. As a major global brand with strong roots in Korean heritage and K-beauty inspiration, Glow Recipe has the opportunity and responsibility to showcase Asian faces and uplift AAPI voices. Cocokind, another Asian American founded brand, serves as an excellent example of how to redefine the beauty standard and hire Asian Americans to be the face of the brand on social media.
It is my hope that Glow Recipe will take steps to address this issue and demonstrate their commitment to uplifting the AAPI community.