My Honest Farmacy Skincare Review

If you ask me, the best skincare products feel less like a soup of lab-synthesized chemicals and more like a refreshing lotion made from veggies and fruits. Farmacy appears to strike this balance, and after eyeing this brand in Ulta for a while, I finally had the chance to try their serums and creams. Using this brand felt like taking a milk-and-honey bath, and if you think your skin could use a treat, follow along with this honest, non-sponsored Farmacy review.

What is Farmacy?

In a world of questionable beauty brands, Farmacy aims to make a real difference by using farm-sourced ingredients, switching to recyclable packaging and partnering with Feeding America. The brand's lineup includes moisturizers, cleansers, face masks, eye creams and more. Every product is free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils and formaldehyde, and Farmacy never tests its formulas on animals.

Honey Milk Hydrating Essence

Honey Milk Hydrating Essence offers a blend of soothing and hydrating ingredients, including chamomile, ceramides and Hawaiian white honey. To use, you'll apply this serum after cleansing and toning your skin.

I expected the usual chemical fragrance, but this serum had a pleasantly buttery smell with honey notes in the background. My face felt cool and refreshed after I applied the formula. I didn't notice improvements right away, but after about fifteen minutes, my skin was supple yet firm and felt cushy on the surface.

This essence takes some time to work, so if you're in a hurry, it might not be the best product for you. However, it's great for laid-back mornings when you're relaxing at home instead of rushing out the door. Plus, the price isn't bad, especially since you don't need a lot to refresh your skin.

Honey Grail Ultra Hydrating Face Oil

Honey Grail Ultra Hydrating Face Oil nourishes your skin with buckwheat honey, sea buckthorn oil and Farmacy's special blend of five floral oils. For best results, you'll apply this oil whenever you need extra hydration.

This product came in a small bottle with a dropper. I applied a few drops to a sponge, then massaged the oil into my skin. With a faint honey scent, goopy yellow formula and mild warming sensation, I couldn't help but feel like I was smearing honey across my face--which made it a lot more fun to use.

Afterward, my skin looked clear and healthy with a light sheen and plump, pillowy texture. The website wasn't joking about the intense hydration, and the ingredients nourished and conditioned my skin. This oil is also versatile: you can mix it with your foundation, apply it to dry patches on your body and even dab it on your hair for extra shine.

Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer

Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer is loaded with natural ingredients, including buckwheat honey, royal jelly, shea butter and fig fruit extract. To use, you'll apply this moisturizer twice a day as part of your skincare routine.

At this point, the milky white texture didn't surprise me, but this product also had a distinct scent that, oddly enough, reminded me of brie. My face felt smooth and damp after I applied the moisturizer, and my skin was cushy and hydrated for the rest of the day. The appearance didn't change, but the texture definitely improved.

If you can get past the fragrance, this moisturizer is fairly effective. It's a little pricey for a small jar, but you can make it last for a while. The small, opaque jar and wood-patterned lid also look great on your makeup table, especially if you're a fan of rustic decor.

Lip Smoothie (Honey Vanilla)

If you're dealing with dry lips, Lip Smoothie is your source for peptides, vanilla, buckwheat honey and vitamin C. You'll apply this formula to your lips throughout the day for added hydration.

I opted for the Honey Vanilla option, which came in a bright yellow jar and offered a vanilla scent with honey butter notes. The waxy texture was similar to Vaseline, but thicker and smoother. Once applied, the formula gave my lips a bright, glassy sheen that glinted like crystals. While it started to wear off after a few hours, my lips felt hydrated for the rest of the day.

Like other Farmacy products, Lip Smoothie is fairly versatile: you can use it as a primer, apply it over your regular lip product or wear it overnight for a lip mask. It's also one of the cheaper Farmacy offerings and comes in multiple fruit-inspired fragrances. Just keep in mind that it adds shine, not color.

10% Niacinamide Night Face Mask

10% Niacinamide Night Face Mask aims to revitalize your skin with niacinamide, panthenol and blueberry seed oil. For best results, you'll apply this mask at the end of your skincare routine and leave it on overnight.

This creamy, blue-tinted formula left behind a whitish residue that made it easy to see where I'd applied the mask. The next morning, my skin felt soft instead of uncomfortably tight, and the surface looked clear, healthy and bright with no redness or puffiness. The effects were long-lasting, too: for the rest of the day, my skin maintained a cool, baby-soft texture.

If you're looking for a new face mask, I'd definitely give this one a shot. You can leave it on overnight and reap the benefits in the morning, and it's gentle enough that you can use it every night. The website recommends using this mask after applying your cleanser and toner.

Green Clean Cleansing Balm

True to its name, Green Clean Cleansing Balm is packed with sunflower oil, papaya extract and a special blend of super greens that help you remove your makeup and cleanse your skin at the end of the day. You can also use this balm in the morning to kickstart your skincare routine.

This balm's light green hue and fresh, springy scent made me think of April, which is a great association for a cleanser. The putty-like texture quickly melted on my skin, dissolving the sunscreen and leaving the surface dry and clean.

My skin could've been smoother, and this wasn't the most effective cleanser I'd ever used, but it's a decent utility product. It does require a little more effort than the other Farmacy items on this list. Once you've applied it to your skin, you'll add warm water to melt the formula, then rinse it off and enjoy the benefits.

Overall Verdict

For the most part, Farmacy delivered on its promises. The formulas cleansed, refreshed and nourished my skin without requiring a lot of time and effort, and I loved the natural ingredients and clean, buttery fragrances. Farmacy's prices also make the brand accessible to most people, although I'd start with one or two products before diving in. With pleasant scents and effective ingredients, the Honey line is definitely a highlight.

Are you a Farmacy fan? If not, which skincare brands are your favorites? Sound off in the comments.