My Honest Fresh Skincare Review

With patterned boxes, gold-tinted oils and delicate rose petals, Fresh sells an image that's simultaneously vintage and modern. When I see this brand at Sephora, I always imagine an influencer in a ruffled dress applying these creams and serums at her antique makeup table. Unfortunately, I don't have any makeup videos to share--but I do have an honest, non-sponsored Fresh review that dives into the reality behind the mystique.

What is Fresh?

Fresh began in 1991 when Alina Roytberg and Lev Glazman decided to launch a skincare brand that focuses on natural ingredients and sensory experiences. Each formula undergoes rigorous testing and experimentation before it's released to the public, with Fresh seeking input from a panel of scientific experts. Today, the Fresh product line includes creams, exfoliators, lip balms, perfumes, gift sets and more.

Black Tea Firming Corset Cream

Black Tea Firming Corset Cream aims to revitalize your skin with a blend of black tea extract, blackberry leaf extract, black tea ferment and lychee seed extract. To use, you'll apply this moisturizer twice a day.

Shortly after waking up, I massaged this creamy, yogurt-like formula into my face. My skin immediately felt softer and more relaxed, which was nice because it's usually tight in the mornings. The texture lasted for the rest of the morning, and as I kept using this formula over the next two days, my pores practically disappeared.

Overall, this formula is effective, but it's also one of Fresh's more expensive offerings. Luckily, you don't need much, so one jar should last a while. You can also grab a sample at Sephora to try it out first.

Black Tea Age Renewal Cream

Black Tea Age Renewal Cream may reduce wrinkles and restore your natural glow with nourishing ingredients, including squalane, pink porcelain lily, ceramide NP and Mauritius black tea extract. You'll use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your skincare routine.

When I opened the lid, a mild, wafty scent wafted from the container. The thick, creamy formula made my skin feel fresh and cool, and for the rest of the day, my skin had a plush, cushy texture. The appearance didn't change much, but the formula seemed to penetrate below the surface for deep-set hydration.

I don't have wrinkles (yet), so I can't tell you if this product slows the signs of aging, but my skin definitely felt healthier and more elastic. I'd recommend this cream for anyone who wants to tackle dryness before it starts.

Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer

Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer includes super lotus, star fruit leaf extract, polyglutamic acid and vitamin E, which may reduce the signs of aging and strengthen your skin barrier. For best results, you'll apply this moisturizer twice a day.

With a light cucumber scent and a pudding-like texture, everything about this product emphasized hydration. After I applied this moisturizer, my face felt smooth and supple for the rest of the day. My skin also looked clear and professional with no redness, giving my face a healthy glow.

When I used it again the next day, I ended up with the same result, although my pores were fairly visible. I guess this moisturizer isn't a perfect cure-all, but the texture definitely improved. Plus, the cool scent could help you wake up in the morning.

Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

With special time-release technology, Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream may hydrate your skin for up to 72 hours. The formula includes rosewater, hyaluronic acids and Damask rose extract. To use, you'll apply this moisturizer in the morning and evening.

As expected, this product had a fresh, floral fragrance and a thick, creamy texture. To start, I decided to apply this cream in the morning when my face feels the tightest. As the day went on, my face felt softer and more pliable, implying that the time-release technology had worked. Still, I didn't experience the intense hydration that the website had promised.

After using this cream for a few days, my face had a clear, polished look and a softer texture, although it didn't seem to penetrate below the surface. Ultimately, this seemed less like a moisturizer and more like an aesthetic cream. With the time-release technology, this might be a good option for people who travel a lot and don't have time for frequent touch-ups.

Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream

Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream works overnight to revitalize your skin with super lotus, peach leaf extract and vitamin E. To get the benefits, you'll apply this cream before bed after cleansing your face.

With a thick, yogurt-like texture and a floral fragrance with peach notes, this cream seemed like a sweet treat. When I woke up in the morning, my face was still a little tight, but it was softer and springier than usual. I quickly washed off the cream, revealing a smooth, cushy layer of skin underneath.

This product wasn't exactly revolutionary, but if you want less tightness and puffiness in the morning, Dream Face Cream is a decent addition to your nighttime routine. Plus, it's easy to use: all the magic happens while you're asleep.

Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner

Aesthetics dominate Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner, which features rose petals floating in a honey-colored liquid that includes rosewater, rose fruit extract and Damask rose extract. To use, you'll apply this toner twice a day after cleansing your face.

When I unscrewed the lid, a perfumey fragrance wafted from the bottle. After application, my face looked a little brighter and more cohesive, but my pores were as visible as ever. It's not bad for a first step in your routine, but it didn't quite live up to the hype. I'd give this toner an award for the appearance, though.

Overall Verdict

My experience with Fresh was fairly average. No product was an outright failure, but these formulas didn't transform my skin, either. Fresh is also on the pricier side, so I'd grab a few samples before spending hundreds of dollars on a new set of products. Still, the packaging is undeniably charming, and the emphasis on florals gives this brand a vintage feel.

Have you tried Fresh before? If not, how do you take care of your skin? Let me know in the comments.