My Honest Fresh Skincare Review Part Two

With Fresh's extensive product range, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop at one review. Theoretically, you could replace your entire skincare routine with Fresh products, including your lip balm. However, this guide doesn't cover every item in their collection. Instead, this review dives into a selection of Fresh serums, essences and cleansers, making it easier for you to make an informed purchase--or at least think about some new samples to try.

Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence

Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence features double-fermented kombucha, an advanced metabiotic and Artemisia flower extract, which may even out your skin tone and protect the surface for up to 24 hours. To use, you'll apply this essence after cleansing your face.

This formula had a floral, herbal scent and a runny texture that produced an immediate cooling sensation. After a few minutes, my skin tone looked more even, and my face had a brighter, healthier appearance with reduced redness.

It's not a total skin transformation, but this essence can wake up your skin in the morning before you proceed with the rest of your routine. The only downside is that it's fairly expensive, even for this brand. You could probably make the bottle last for a while, but if you're on a budget, I wouldn't buy this essence unless I really needed it.

Soy Face Cleanser

Soy Face Cleanser aims to soothe and refresh your skin with a blend of soy proteins, aloe vera and cucumber extract. For best results, you'll apply the cleanser and rinse it off at the start of your skincare routine. You can also use this formula to remove makeup and impurities at the end of the day.

To start, I decided to use this cleanser in the morning. The clear formula had an herbal scent and a goopy texture that turned thin and runny when I massaged it into my face. After I rinsed it off, my skin was clean, fresh and dry, with no puffiness and a cool, springy surface.

Excited by these results, I decided to try the cleanser in the evening to see what happened. Once again, I had immediate results: my face looked smooth and clear without excess oils, and the texture felt like the surface of a stress ball. The effects lasted for several hours, making this cleanser a worthy addition to my skincare routine.

After experimenting with a lot of Fresh products, I'd say that Soy Face Cleanser is the best item in their inventory. The price is fairly reasonable, and this cleanser is just as effective as a face mask, but without the ten-minute waiting period. As a bonus, it's also fun and satisfying to use.

Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash

Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash is loaded with ingredients that may cleanse and soften your skin, including black currant extract, grape seed oil, strawberry juice and white sugar crystals. For best results, you'll massage this product into your skin and rinse it off afterward.

With a reddish-orange hue, a gooey texture and small, abrasive particles, this face wash looked like fresh strawberry jam with seeds. As directed, I applied the exfoliator to my face and washed it off. My face stung a little and had some mild redness, but the coloration quickly faded.

After a few minutes, it was clear that this product had effectively resurfaced my skin. The surface was clean, dry and elastic with no puffiness or excess oils. For the rest of the day, my skin felt plush and silky, and my face was softer than usual when I woke up the next morning.

A few weeks later, I decided to try using this exfoliant at night. I ended up with the same result: my skin was smooth and plush with a clean, rubber-like texture. My makeup also came off easily, and my pores practically disappeared. Whether you're using it in the morning or evening, this cleanser is clearly effective, and it doesn't take long to exfoliate the surface and reveal the fresh skin underneath.

Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum

Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum contains super lotus, glycolic acid, citric acid and prickly pear flower extract, which may protect your skin and reduce signs of aging. To use, you'll apply this serum to your face every night before adding moisturizer.

Unlike other Fresh products, which emphasize fresh, floral scents, this serum had a mild chemical fragrance with notes of cucumber. When I woke up the next morning, my face was smooth and polished with a clear, cohesive look, although the surface was still a little tight. The satiny texture lingered for the rest of the day, even after I spent time outdoors.

If your skin tends to feel tight and puffy in the morning, this milky serum can relax the surface and provide a blank canvas for the rest of your skincare routine. It's also expensive, but you don't necessarily need to use much. Just dab it on before you go to sleep, and let the formula go to work.

Rose Deep Hydration Oil-infused Serum

Rose Deep Hydration Oil-infused Serum may strengthen and hydrate your skin with the powers of squalane, rosehip oil, rosewater and Damask rose extract. To use, you'll shake the bottle to mix the ingredients and apply the serum before your moisturizer.

Shaking the bottle turned the clear formula into a pink, opaque serum with a fresh scent that reminded me of spring. The formula left behind a light sheen, but it dried quickly. Afterward, my skin felt cool and refreshed with a softer, brighter appearance.

This wasn't the softest my skin has ever been, but if you're looking for a quick way to brighten your skin in the morning, this serum fits the bill. It's also refreshing on a hot day, making it ideal for summer. Still, this is one of the pricier serums, so I recommend getting a sample first.

Rose Deep Hydrating Balancing Emulsion

Rose Deep Hydrating Balancing Emulsion includes hyaluronic acid, yarrow extract, Damask rose extract and rose flower oil. You'll apply this emulsion twice a day to smooth your skin and strengthen the barrier.

The white, milky formula left behind a light sheen and a whitish residue that disappeared as it dried. Afterward, my face had a smooth, plump texture with a cohesive skin tone and a brighter appearance, which was nice after spending time in the heat. Essentially, it was like splashing my face with cool water.

This serum is also on the pricier side, but if it fits within your budget, I think it makes a decent addition to your routine. The serum works quickly and refreshes your skin whenever you need it most. For best results, try using it with a toner and cleanser.

Brown Sugar Body Polish

Brown Sugar Body Polish offers a variety of nourishing and exfoliating ingredients, such as brown sugar, ginseng root extract, apricot kernel oil and camelina sativa seed oil. To use, you'll mix the oils in the pot, then apply the exfoliant to your skin and rinse it off.

When I opened the lid, this product shocked my senses with a strong, fermented smell. The brown-hued exfoliant contained large, tough granules that scraped my skin as I washed my hands in the sink. Afterward, a goopy, soapy residue coated my skin, leading me to wipe my hands with a towel and rinse them off again.

This exfoliant required some extra effort, but it was worth it. My hands felt slick and buttery smooth, like I'd scrubbed off layers of dead skin and revealed a secret surface underneath. This was probably the best exfoliant I'd ever used, and it would've been a five-star product if it had a different fragrance. I guess the brown sugar really did its job.

Overall Verdict

Soy Face Cleanser and Brown Sugar Body Polish are highlights in this collection. The other serums are decent, but with prices ranging from $48 to $85, Fresh is definitely not a budget-friendly brand. Fortunately, you can try out their products at Ulta or Sephora before you invest in a full-size bottle.

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