My review in a nutshell:
Overall I’m really happy with all the products I tried and I would buy most of them again if I’m going by performance alone. I really think they provide great results at an accessible price point.
All of the products I tried are suitable for my acne-prone, sensitive skin. They’re gentle, mostly fragrance-free, and effective.
However, some of the products contain a few not-great ingredients that change my answer from “would totally buy again” to “actually, maybe not.” (More on that below.)
I do like that you can find cocokind at a lot of retailers, including Amazon, Target, Ulta, and Thrive Market.
This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. This is not sponsored, but the product was gifted (thank you!). As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine.
This is not my first time trying cocokind…
I actually tried cocokind way back in 2018, only a few years after they launched in 2015. At the time, the products were good but a little messy (the chlorophyll was a powder-based mask and the turmeric was a stick that stained every pillow case).
It wasn’t what my skin needed at that point in my skincare journey so I didn’t re-purchase.
Over the years, however, I’ve watched them grow and try new things which has been really cool!
Here’s the funny part: I have gone back to cocokind many times over the years but I’ve been able to get myself to buy it. I would either:
- Find another more ‘sustainable’ product
- Find another more ‘natural’ product
- Go for a more trendier option (ugh, that always ends poorly)
- Convince myself that they couldn’t work at that price — they were too affordable (?!)
- And sometimes I just got decision fatigue trying to browse the website and figure out what would work for me.
So when the opportunity to write this article came up, I jumped at it because I had been wanting to re-try their products for a long time. And I’m honestly glad I did.
My current skin type
I hate when you read someone’s skincare review but you don’t know their skin type! So that you and I are on the same page: I’ve had acne my whooooole life. Like since elementary school. I’m not talking a pimple or two or just around puberty.
It’s definitely hormonal but over the years my skin and I have learned to work together. Presently, I’m not taking medication or birth control. Hormones, diet and stress are the biggest activators for my skin. My breakouts are sometimes quick but sometimes more on the hormonal side and they linger for a long time.
I also get PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) meaning my red spots like to stick around. Searching for products to address this has been difficult because most are really intense.
The last skincare product I’ve truly loved was an oil cleanser (literally one ingredient) and that was a big game changer for me. (Even if you have slightly textured skin and feel like you need to exfoliate daily, give this a consideration because you could be doing too much.)
Lastly, two important things:
- I’m not looking to CURE my acne. It is what it is and I’ve accepted it. I am looking to take care of my skin, give it what it needs, and let it tell me when something’s not working.
- I do not have the energy for a complex routine. By complex I mean using more than 3 products at a time. So that’s also factoring into my review.
Sustainability considerations
On the outside, cocokind is not as sustainable as I’d like. The majority of their packaging is plastic. However, for a few reasons this is not as much of a deal breaker for me as it usually would be because:
- I used to be 100% glass but now I understand there’s some nuance to the argument. Glass bottles mean heavier shipping weights, more carbon emissions, and no actual guarantee it will be recycled.
- Plastic also helps to make the products more affordable, which I love. They come in reasonable sizes, they work, and they’re affordable. It’s hard to beat that.
- I do appreciate that their packaging is not *extra.* It’s cute, it’s branded, you know it’s cocokind, but they’re not making tons of little bits and unnecessary bobs just for funsies.
- Lastly, they get very high marks from me in transparency. Each of their products has a sustainability write-up telling you where it’s made, what it’s made with, and its per-use carbon emissions. The first step to being more sustainable is knowing what you’re doing now. So I love that they have this and I love that it’s ethically made!
Is cocokind a clean brand?
cocokind would be considered by many to be a low-tox brand. Some of their formulations are definitely not perfect, but they’re also one of the most affordable and accessible cleaner skincare brands on the market.
Cocokind’s products are free of all of the worst ingredients such as parabens and phthalates. They are also committed to continual improvement and transparency.
Abbie has evaluated the ingredients in each of the products below and noted whether they have any questionable ingredients. The main ingredient concerns involve liquid plastics, with the least-clean product being the lip balm (so sad!).
While cocokind’s products are not all-natural, they do use many natural and certified organic ingredients.
All of their products are cruelty-free. Most of them are vegan, although a few of them use beeswax.
My honest thoughts on cocokind’s skincare products
Here are all the products I’ve tried and whether I’d re-buy them:
calming magnesium mist
I’m obsessed.
But you need to know I’m not a mist kinda gal. I would never have looked at this product and purchased it… but I’m so glad I have it.
I use it as the first step after washing and drying my face.
I use it both morning and night depending on how I feel. If I’m feeling inflamed after the gym (and shower), I’ll use it at night. If I feel like my skin’s a little redder in the morning, I’ll use it then.
It’s a little hydrating, definitely calming, lightweight, and there’s no smell to it.
Weird note: I have a couple of sensitive dry, itchy patches of skin on my arm. I have no idea what they are or why but I definitely notice less irritation when I use the magnesium spray (combined with the Glow Essence).
Would I rebuy? 100% yes.
glow essence
Like the Magnesium Mist, I would never have picked this up myself but I’m so glad I have it.
This toner can be hydrating or add a dewy glow — and I’m obsessed.
It’s a heavier mist than the magnesium spray but it’s soooo hydrating.
I use it after washing my face but before serums. However, you can definitely use it throughout the day for a hydration or glow boost. If you feel like your skin starts to get dry in that period when you get out of the shower but before you start your skincare, this is the solution!
It does have a very subtle scent to it but it’s light and fresh that seems more of a byproduct of the ingredients like sea grape caviar extract, blue-green algae extract, and sea buckthorn extract.
Sometimes I just spray and let it sit; other times I’ll lightly pat it in as well. Either way, I can feel my skin drinking it up. This is especially great in the winter but I think in the summer there are days when this is all my skin needs.
*Quick note that this spray does contain bergamot oil, which can be photosensitizing. That means it can cause burns or hyperpigmentation when exposed to UV light. I’ve reached out to cocokind to find out if they use bergapten-free (FCF) bergamot (which would solve this problem) and what the concentration is. I’ll update this when I hear back from them. If you’re concerned, I would just skip wearing this in the sunshine.
Would I rebuy? 100% yes.
ceramide barrier serum
Of all the cocokind products I tried, I think this is my least favorite. But only because I don’t think I understand what it does! I just need to figure out where in my routine it fits, as I feel like there are other products I like more.
cocokind says it’s “the holy grail serum for skin barrier and hydration support” so this might be great if you have really dry skin, are looking to repair your skin barrier or for the deep dark pits of winter. I recently took this on a trip with me and I now think it’s excellent to help combat airplane skin.
It comes out of a dropper tube in a milky-type serum, spreads nicely on my skin and it feels really light. So if you need hydration but are worried about feeling oily, this might be it for you!
This is fragrance-free but still has a subtle scent to it. It kind of just smells like an unscented serum, it’s neither pleasant nor unpleasant and it goes away as soon as it’s on your skin.
The only potentially iffy ingredient in this one is ceteareth-25. This is an ethoxylated ingredient, which means it can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and/or ethylene oxide (carcinogens) because of the way it’s manufactured. Ethoxylated ingredients are very common, and they’re difficult to avoid entirely. Not ideal, but not the worst ingredients in the grand scheme of things either.
Would I rebuy? Maybe, probably no.
electrolyte water cream
I was skeptical about a water-based cream. I feel like my skin is always asking for hydration and a water-based cream has never done it for me.
However, this is such a nice, lightweight moisturizer that is buildable. Because of that I think it’s really great for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
It’s hydrating but not heavy, lightweight but not oily, and I find it to be calming and even a little cooling. This one is also fragrance-free and I don’t detect any smell to it.
I use this after serums and if I still feel like I need more moisture I’ll add the resurrection cream on top (but that’s more of a winter/nighttime routine).
In terms of “not-great” ingredients, this one contains two that are worth calling out: sodium acrylates copolymer and glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer. These are probably liquid plastics. The liquid plastics issue is an entire rabbit hole (which you can learn about here if you want to), and we still don’t really know enough about them. The short version is that as of right now, they don’t seem to be directly harmful when applied to human skin, but they do not always biodegrade in the environment. We are just trying to be mindful about these ingredients at this time.
Would I rebuy? My initial answer was “100% yes,” but the fact that it contains two potential liquid plastics definitely gives me pause.
resurrection polypeptide cream
The polypeptide cream is described as a cushion-like texture and I agree with that!
This cream is a little heavier than the water-based cream. So I only use it at night or if I need some deep hydration and as the last step in my routine — although I think that’s a personal preference. It is light enough you could use it am/pm.
This one is also fragrance-free, however I do think there is a faint scent to it that’s a tiny bit chemical-y. It’s neither pleasant nor unpleasant but the scent doesn’t linger so I’m okay with it.
I also think this is good for sensitive and irritated skin. It’s never felt harsh on my skin and is a little cooling when applying!
Does this one have any iffy ingredients? Yes, it has two: hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer (that’s one ingredient, haha) and carbomer are both potential liquid plastics. (Btw, I’m using the word ‘potential’ because scientists are still having a difficult time deciding what exactly qualifies as a liquid plastic.)
Would I rebuy? Again, this one one would be an emphatic “Yes!” if there weren’t two probable liquid plastics involved.
turmeric tonic
I love love love this product. If you’ve ever tried to DIY a turmeric mask, forget that mess and use this instead.
And this version is invisible, which means it’s not going to stain your clothes or sheets!
It comes in a plastic tube with a metal roller ball which is not only hygienic but feels amazing, especially on inflamed skin.
The serum itself is a clear-ish white and feels like a serum. It’s for both blemishes and dark spots so I do use this on some of my PIH spots and I think I’m noticing a difference after about a month or so!
It has ginger extract and you can definitely smell it which I really like.
I generally use this as the last step of my routine and I roll over the spots I want and let the serum air dry (cocokind recommends using it after toning).
It’s versatile enough to be used in the morning as well. If I feel a breakout coming on or I’ve got a big one, I’ll use this morning and night but just rub it in in the morning.
Would I rebuy? Yes!
vitamin c glow serum
I’ve never actually purchased a vitamin C serum because I don’t know how. So I’m really glad I received this product and I’m really glad they only have one option.
I’m also really happy with it!
It’s in an opaque bottle and comes out as a clear thicker serum. It’s listed as fragrance-free and I don’t detect any additional scent to it.
It goes on really nice and smooth as well. I think it’s great for sensitive, inflamed or acne-prone skin. My skin has never felt irritated when using it.
I’m not sure I notice a ‘glow’ or anything but I definitely think it’s contributed to less redness and more calm skin. It probably helps with the PIH as well.
Would I rebuy? 100% yes.
chlorophyll discoloration serum
I think this serum is truly one of a kind.
Its purpose is to target spots, uneven skin tone, and redness. I’ve found that a lot of redness/uneven skin tone targeting serums are really harsh. They can feel stripping or make my skin burn, which I feel is the opposite of what skincare should be.
This chlorophyll serum is really gentle, smooth and effective.
It’s truly a green serum that’s a little thick but it goes on really nice. It even has a little cooling effect to it. It smells green, or probably like chlorophyll/plants which is not unpleasant. But like all the products I’ve tried, the smell is gone within (less than) a minute of putting it on.
I switch between using this and the postbiotic acne serum as my main serum but most days I use both and layer them. I definitely think I notice a difference in overall redness and with continued use, my PIH spots are oh-so-slowly fading.
This one does contain phenoxyethanol, if that’s an ingredient you choose to avoid or minimize.
Would I rebuy? Yes.
postbiotic acne serum
This is probably one of my favorite acne serums!
So many acne serums are harsh or just weird in some way. When I first used this I was really skeptical because it feels so… normal.
It’s a 1.5% salicylic acid treatment and I love it. I generally use it daily and switch off between this and the chlorophyll serum as the main one for the day because I pretty much always have an active breakout.
It’s a clear-ish/white-ish serum that goes on really smooth. It almost feels watery compared to other acne serums but it absorbs into my skin really well and pretty fast. It does have that chemical-ish/ingredient smell to it but it goes away as soon as you put it on.
If you’re looking for something that’s going to STOP breakouts, this is not it. But I think it’s great for overall maintenance and keeping pores unclogged. And especially if you have acne and sensitive skin, this serum is a good place to start.
Would I rebuy? 100% yes.
advanced retinol gel 0.5%
This is the advanced retinol; there is a beginner, milder one that’s .1%. There’s a body retinol as well.
While I have used a retinol before, it’s definitely been a while so I did start slow at 1x per week then upped it to 2x. Immediately upon applying it’s not like other retinols (it’s a cool retinol).
Others that I’ve tried feel heavy on my skin even after rubbing them in. Almost like I can feel it sitting there. This one is not like that!
It comes out as a cream and goes on light. There’s no smell to it and this one is in an aluminum tube. I actually appreciate that it looks completely different in packaging because that reminds me to actually use it.
This formula uses three types of retinoids that disperse at different speeds which leads to better and helps your skin accept the ingredients better. It has aloe and cica (a calming herb) both of which add a calming element I notice.
I don’t necessarily know if I’ve seen results yet — I’m basically using it once a week because I forget to use it consistently BUT I know I should probably be using a retinol and I like this formula.
This one does have one potential liquid plastic in it (hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer).
And then of course retinoids should only be used at nighttime and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Would I rebuy? This one would also be a 100% yes if it didn’t contain the copolymer. I will probably use this one up and then find a retinol without any other iffy ingredients.
oil to milk cleansing balm
I mentioned that I’ve been using an oil cleanser that I love so I was a little nervous trying out a new cleanser. I should not have been because this is a great product! It’s a nice halfway between a cleanser and an oil cleanser.
I keep this one in my medicine cabinet and the AHA jelly cleanser in the shower, and I’ll probably stick with this method.
It comes out as a gel but as soon as you start rubbing it on your hands or your face it turns milky (no foaming).
It’s really gentle yet I’ve had no problem with also using it to remove whatever makeup I’m wearing. It has a very light scent that seems like it might be from the oil (sunflower, grape, & oat).
It’s great for sensitive skin and especially if you have inflamed or active breakouts. My skin feels clean and hydrated when I’m done using it. There’s a little of that oily feeling but not bad-oil, more like a hydrating-this-feels-nice oil.
I think if you’re on the fence about trying an oil cleanser, this is a good start for you!
Note that cocokind does have facial cleansing oil, I just don’t have it (yet)!
Would I rebuy? 100% yes.
AHA jelly cleanser
Due to having acne-prone skin my whole life, the words AHA generally scare me as I’ve associated that with harsh products that strip my skin. I’m glad to say that is not the case here!
This formula is 4% AHA blend from hibiscus flower acids and fermented grapes. It comes out more like a clearish gel-ish. There’s no foaming and it’s not an oil so it’s a little weird at first.
I wasn’t sure if I used enough or too much or what. But that learning curve is quick.
It does have a weird smell, I’m not going to lie — and this seems to be the general consensus in the reviews as well. Of all the products, this is the one that’s the most ‘chemical’ — by chemical I mean you can tell it’s not scented with essential oils or plants (probably).
It is a little jarring because the packaging is so cute and the smell is very much not cute. But as with all the other products, once it’s rinsed off the smell is gone. So if it works, I’m fine with a weird smell for 30 seconds.
I keep this one in the shower so I can use it after the gym. If you have textured skin and you’re trying to move away from exfoliants I think you should definitely add this to your routine!
My skin feels smooth and clean after using it without feeling stripped and dry — so really good for acne and sensitive skin.
Would I rebuy? 100% yes.
rosewater racial toner
I was using the Clearstem toner before I switched to try this one and I’m not disappointed!
To be honest, I don’t think I can ever tell the difference when using a toner but sometimes it makes me feel better so I like having one on hand. I think it’s a bigger thing for me in the summer when I’m out and about sweating and all of the things.
While rose is in the name, this smells like vinegar. Again, it doesn’t linger so it’s fine with me but if you hate the smell of vinegar (like my husband) then maybe this isn’t the product for you.
I usually use this after a gym day. So when I get out of the shower after I’ve cleansed. I just spray it on a reusable cotton facial round and swipe it around.
It’s not drying or stripping but rather hydrating and clean. A little extra umph.
I should probably be better about using this around my period when I start getting breakouts. A lot of the reviews say this has really helped with acne but we do what we can.
Would I rebuy? Probably!
sake body lotion
I was really excited to get this because I thought it was sake-scented but for everyone’s benefit this is a fragrance-free lotion. Despite that little misunderstanding I really like this body lotion!
The sake body lotion does come in a 12 oz bottle which I don’t love because it feels like more plastic waste. I’d rather buy in bulk. But I’ve been using it for about two months and I haven’t reached the end of the bottle so that’s not horrible.
To date I’ve been using everyone (and then EO lavender) lotion. I think the cocokind one is thicker than the everyone which I like for the winter.
It’s fragrance-free but it does have a very faint scent which is not unpleasant. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t take forever to rub in and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling.
Now, you need to know I’m very picky about lotion. The way it feels, the way it smells, how it absorbs, and even how much of it I can buy.
You also need to know, my skin does not absorb coconut oil, cocoa butter or anything heavy very well so I pretty much can’t use body butters. Water-based and aloe-based lotions (like Plaine Products) are the best for me, but I do need a little something extra in the winter.
I think moving forward I’ll stick with the EO lotion because I can buy it in bulk. But I’ll keep the cocokind one on hand for next winter!
This one does have one potential liquid plastic (hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer). If they took that out, it’s be totally clean.
Would I rebuy? Probably not, to be honest. There are just others I’d choose first.
ceramide lip blur balm
I have the (unflavored) Be Powerful (a soft brown) and Be Bold (a burgundy). From a performance perspective alone: I love them.
The colors are really subtle; it’s definitely more like a light tint than a colored gloss. I wear them solo and with other lipsticks.
You need to know I am NOT a lip gloss girl. It’s either too sticky, gets on everything, tastes weird, is un-hydrating, or a combination of all of them.
But not these!
They go on really nice and the tubes are adorable. I actually did put one on my keychain. 😆
They go on really smooth, they’re a little sticky because it is a gloss, but not so sticky that random lint in the air finds you. They’re unscented and unflavored and I feel like they last a really long time.
Ingredient-wise, however, this one is the most disappointing by far. The first ingredient (meaning the highest concentration) is polybutene, which is a synthetic petroleum-derived polymer, aka liquid plastic. This is what gives it that thick, cushiony, glossy feel. This is especially noteworthy because of the fact that it’s a lip product, which means you’re eating it.
Other potentially concerning ingredients in the lip gloss:
- Synthetic lake colorants: some of these are worse than others, so it really depends on which color you get. Clear/nude colors will be better.
- Undisclosed ‘flavor’ or ‘aroma’: an unspecific ingredient (similar to ‘fragrance’). This one is only used in the OLIPOP collab collection.
- Titanium dioxide: a controversial ingredient that is approved for use in food in the US but not the EU.
P.S. Here are some other lipstick/gloss brands to check out.
Would I rebuy? My first answer—from purely a performance and user-experience perspective was: “100% yes, I want all the colors. I will also buy these as gifts for everyone I know.” But after learning that polybutane is the #1 ingredient, I have to say I’m disappointed. I might still use what I have for traveling since they’re so convenient, but I likely won’t buy these again unless they reformulate.
