Versed Skincare Review: Two Editors&039 Honest Thoughts

You’ve no doubt seen it on target shelves or on your instagram account, so here’s the honest, well-versed skincare review you’ve been looking for. Two of our editors, Isabelle, our Managing Editor, and Bridget, Contributing Editor, took a deep dive into the wide world of skincare products. And while we’re certainly no experts, we’d like to think that our skincare obsessions (and many interviews with dermatologists and estheticians) give us some credibility. we’re willing to try whatever the latest and greatest skincare trend is. and at this moment? they are definitely versed products. our tiktok, instagram, and pinterest feeds are full of rave reviews, so we knew it was time to try it out for ourselves.
two editors share their honest and well-versed review of skincare
versed markets itself as the cleanest and most affordable drugstore skincare brand. your mission? to offer high-quality skin care without high profit margins. Not only are the products clean, but the packaging is also sustainable. everything is vegan and cruelty-free, including artificial fragrances, parabens, and sulfates, along with more than 1,350 other toxins the brand avoids.
Reading: Reviews of versed skin care
When a skincare brand has so many products, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about what to use and when. versed, however, cleverly includes how, where, and when instructions on each bottle, making it easy to remember what each product is for (without having to keep track of the original packaging!). and the best part? we could pick up all the items we needed to try on from the beauty department at the destination.
Together, we tested 13 of versed’s most beloved products, reviewing their active ingredients, textures, scents, and of course, results. does it really live up to expectations? Let’s find out.
our skin types
bridget: combination, but with dry tendencies and a certain sensitivity.
isabelle: mixed, prone to oil with some sensitivity.
just breathe in the clarifying serum
This is my favorite versed skincare product and one that I will 100% stick with in my skincare regimen. It’s designed to soothe inflammation and unclog pores, and that’s exactly what it does. Since I have sensitive skin, many acne-clearing products make my skin overly dry, but this clarifying serum is lightweight and not at all drying. I also like that I can apply it all over my face 3-4 nights a week preventatively, instead of waiting for a pimple to appear and treating it with blemish cream. —bridget
star ingredients:
- willow bark regenerates the skin
- niacinamide minimizes redness, the appearance of pores and regulates oiliness
- zinc is anti-inflammatory
- glycolic acid (a type of alpha hydroxy acid) promotes exfoliation, removes dead skin cells and allows the generation of new skin cells
- Lactic acid is one of the mildest alpha-hydroxy acids, making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
- pomegranate enzymes support the skin with antioxidants, promoting cell renewal while brightening the skin
- encapsulated retinol promotes cell renewal but is released over time, reducing the risks of irritation
- vitamin a speeds healing and has anti-aging properties
- bakuchiol is a plant-based retinol-like ingredient that improves brightness and uneven skin tones
- Salicylic acid helps skin retain moisture while removing build-up from pores for blemish-free skin
- enzymes from pineapple and papaya are rich in vitamin c and lighten the skin
- lactic and glycolic acids break down dead skin
- rosehip moisturizes and hydrates the skin
- vitamin e keeps skin calm
- Sea fennel extract delivers amino acid peptides, which help increase elastin and keratin to firm skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
- moringa seed extract contains vitamin a to build collagen and vitamin c to fight the signs of aging
- Vitamin C brightens and firms
- licorice root lightens the skin
- niacinamide evens out skin tone
- hyaluronic acid complex helps skin retain moisture for noticeably plumper skin
- snow mushroom extract hydrates the skin, increases elasticity and calms redness
- squalane hydrates and replenishes moisture
- hyaluronic acid draws in and locks in moisture
- red algae extract restores skin
- cocoa butter is a key ingredient in other body lotions for a reason: when it comes to moisturizing skin all over, it delivers
- encapsulated retinol stimulates collagen production and cell renewal
- vitamin e hydrates skin while fighting free radicals
- eucalyptus leaf and clove oils are naturally antibacterial and add a spa-like aroma
- vitamin e is moisturizing and healing
- avocado oil soothes and heals dry skin
- Ceramides are fatty acids found naturally in the skin that keep it hydrated, plump and youthful
- rose water balances the skin’s natural oils and adds a natural scent
- algae extract soothes and soothes
- peptide polyglutamic acid hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier
- mulberry extract is rich in antioxidants
buff it out aha body scrub
This is the latest in the line of cult favorites. i have been wary of body scrubs in the past (they are often too harsh for my sensitive skin. thankfully this gentle but effective scrub has saved my day when it comes to replenishing my winter skin. when i take *the shower* (iykyk ), is my favorite part of my multi-step routine. A mere quarter-sized amount of product applied to my skin gave me noticeably brighter, smoother skin all over. — isabelle
star ingredients:
press reset smooth retinol serum
Retinol is perhaps the most popular skin care product right now and is designed to “press reset” on the skin and help with everything from texture to acne. If you’ve been nervous about implementing retinol into your skincare routine (like me), this is the perfect starter product. It’s super gentle because while it does contain retinol, it also contains retinol substitutes. i used this three times a week and did not experience any redness or dryness, so i feel confident using retinol more often. just make sure to always use spf to protect new skin cells. —bridget
star ingredients:
instant rejuvenating mask visit to the doctor
Now that I’m in my 20s, I’ve been more conscious of booking regular facials as part of my preventative skin care routine. this rejuvenating mask has been a game changer between treatments, leaving my skin softer and more rejuvenated. I also love that it is a quick mask that gives noticeable results after 2-3 minutes. while there are some self-care saturdays where i dedicate myself to a 20+ minute mask, when it comes to weekday skincare, i want to keep things simple, yet effective. Glycolic and lactic acid team up to brighten skin, while pineapple and papaya enzymes infuse skin with a healthy boost of vitamin c (key to hydrated, glowing skin). a little goes a long way, so expect this jar to last you a while. — isabella
star ingredients:
the overnight facial exfoliation shortcut
This product is called “the shortcut” for a reason because, after cleansing, it’s the only product you need to use. I have always been a bit intimidated by face peels because I am wary of heavy treatments, but this particular peel was very gentle. While I am not sure that I have seen much visible results with this product, my skin felt smooth and soft every morning after I slept in this scrub. —bridget
star ingredients:
protect daily mineral sunscreen
meet my new favorite sunscreen. I got serious about my spf use in my early 20s, but hadn’t found a sunscreen that I was 100% satisfied with (i.e. no white tint, long-lasting, and won’t irritate my skin). This broad spectrum spf is made for all skin types and offers daily protection. Application wise, I have found that this sunscreen gives my skin a slight but noticeable glow. And while the brand is careful to point out that it is not a tinted spf, i have loved the more radiant, dewy appearance it gives my skin. I cannot stress this enough: while spf 35 might not cut it in the middle of summer, this sunscreen is my go-to for everyday. — isabella
star ingredients:
stroke of brilliance brightening serum
I used to love using this serum in the morning. While it is hard to see results right away with vitamin c serums, this product gave my skin an immediate glow. The licorice root extract also gave the serum a natural aroma that reminds me of chocolate (weird, I know). definitely wait for it to dry completely before putting on your makeup as it can be a bit sticky. —bridget
star ingredients:
moisture maker hydrating hyaluronic serum
Okay, I admit it: I’m very late to the game when it comes to incorporating this hydrating and volumizing ingredient into my skincare routine. However, wary of the wrinkles that I was told would start appearing any day now, I knew it was time to dive in. luckily my skin immediately took on the versed serum. (I heard from others that it took several tries before they found a hyaluronic acid serum they vibrated with). after cleansing i patted my skin almost dry, this is key, before applying two drops of the serum to my face, neck, and chest i waited a minute or so before applying my face oil and moisturizer.
after a few days following this process morning and night, i noticed my skin seemed smoother and had lost its winter dryness. Also, since my skin is often oily, it was perfectly balanced and glowing. If you’re looking for a hyaluronic acid serum to add to your skincare routine, I can’t say enough good things about this (affordable) pick. — isabella
star ingredients:
enriched moisturizer to drench skin
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This is my new favorite “heavier” moisturizer. It’s definitely on the rich side, but still not greasy. my dry skin tends to need an extra boost of hydration in the winter, so this has been my go-to. My only note with this product is that it is a little too thick for under makeup, so I usually wear it at night or on no makeup days. —bridget
star ingredients:
press reset smooth retinol body lotion
Just like the retinol serum, this lotion is the freshness the rest of your body is looking for. As we wind down to winter, I’ve been mindful to keep up my body hydration game. but honestly, i had yet to find a product that was fully absorbed by my skin without that dreaded sticky feeling. Instead, my skin soaks up this body lotion when I apply it immediately after showering (in the name of locking in as much moisture as possible). tmi, but my cracked knees and elbows have never been happier, or more hydrated. — isabella
star ingredients:
day dissolving cleansing balm
I love cleansing balms, so I really wanted to try this product. Turns out, it was actually my least favorite of the bunch. cleansing balms are meant to dissolve makeup without stripping away moisture, but i had to wash my face up to three times to remove makeup completely. i ended up using this first, then went in with a gel cleanser to make sure my face was really clean. however, a little goes a long way and i liked the light scent of eucalyptus oil. —bridget
star ingredients:
wash it out cleansing gel
wash it out gel cleanser is soap-free, clean and safe for eyes. It gave my skin that sparkling clean feeling that I really love, without leaving it feeling too dry or tight. Rose water and peppermint give it a cool and refreshing feel and smell. As I mentioned above, I used this product after doing an initial cleanse with the cleansing balm. I used this cleaner twice a day, every day, and barely made a dent in the bottle, so it will last you a long time. —bridget
star ingredients:
ambient lighting luminous luminous drops
Of all the products in this well-versed skincare review, these luminous drops now have a permanent place in my makeup bag. versed describes this product as acting and feeling like a serum, but looking like the perfect glow. (I really couldn’t have said it better!) I used these drops on no makeup days to give my skin a natural glow and as the last step of my face makeup to add a little extra glow. i love shimmer so i loved that this product acts as both makeup and skincare as it hydrates and plumps. I have fair to medium skin and used the sheer gold shade. —bridget
star ingredients:
each product is carefully selected by our editors. if you purchase something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
This post was originally published on December 29, 2021 and has since been updated.
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