First Impressions: Cocokind Review
Last year was the first time in my adult life when I felt like I’d actually cemented my skincare routine and started to understand the types of products that worked for me. In this learning process, one brand that landed on my radar was Cocokind, the sustainable, brightly-colored, plant-powered range beloved by holistic beauty Instagrammers everywhere.
What I find particularly exciting about this brand is the unique range of sustainable plant-based products offered, their normalization of real and diverse bodies, their affordable price points (because skincare is $$$) and their general accessibility (it’s sold in Target, Whole Foods and Ulta). Naturally I was super excited when they reached out and asked if I’d like to try out some products; happy dance ensued.
After incorporating these products into my daily routine for about a month, I feel I’m ready to give some solid first impressions. So sit back, grab yourself a probiotic bev and let’s have a big ole skincare chat.
Texture Smoothing Cream
This is the product I wish I had after a stress-induced skin reaction last year left me with dry, discolored patches all over my face. The Texture Smoothing Cream has an ultra cooling and calming affect on my skin. The texture is so rich and creamy, and heavy enough that it feels like it’s actually deeply penetrating and moisturizing my skin. At first I wasn’t sure if adding another cream to my morning routine was a good idea, but someone suggested I try it at night instead and it’s quickly become one of my favorite products to use.
Don’t get me wrong, skin texture is completely normal and absolutely fine. But fungal acne (the tiny flesh colored bumps that cause texture) is something I’ve struggled with throughout the years, even more so than regular acne. It becomes more pronounced from time to time, when I’m not drinking enough water or spend too long in the sun, and more recently due to a change in my contraceptives which threw my hormones out of whack. So while my skin is a bit, ehem bumpier than usual, I know that it might be way worse if not for the addition of this product to my routine. We shall see if it’s effective over a longer period of time when my skin calms down a bit. But from what I’ve heard from others who use it and love it, I have high hopes for this product.
Details: Reduces the look of enlarged pores, fine lines, and rough patches. Provides rich all-day hydration with a lightweight, silky feel. Restores density to aging skin and reduces susceptibility to moisture loss. Contains celery superseed complex at 3%, tsubaki seed oil and squalane. Price: $20.
Oil to Milk Cleanser
To be honest, it took me a little while to get used to an oil cleanser. I have combination skin so my t-zone gets very oily and I was used to my cleansers drying it out and leaving my skin feeling taut. And although it sounds counter-intuitive, an oil-based cleanser can actually be good for oily skin because it’s not stripping my skin of all the natural oils, which then triggers it to overproduce oils. Or at least, that’s how I’ve come to understand it all.
With the Oil To Milk Cleanser, I’ve found that I have to use a bit more product than I’m used to because it comes out thick but quickly suds up to a thin milky texture. And I’m still not sure if the drier part of my face (my cheeks) are fully on board with the extra oil. At the moment, I only use it at night while I finish up my Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser so once I start using it morning and night, I think I’ll have a better idea of whether it works for me or not.
Details: This gentle cleanser transforms into milk upon contact with water. Removes dirt and makeup without stripping your skin of moisture. Supports a healthy skin barrier with a slightly acidic pH when mixed with water. Contains fermented oat and oat lipid complex at 2% and an organic oil blend. Price: $18.
Revitalizing Eye Cream
We all know a little goes a long way when it comes to eye creams, but they can easily be one of the priciest steps in a skincare routine. For that reason, and because I genuinely like this formula, I want to say the Revitalizing Eye Cream is one of the best valued products that Cocokind makes. Up until this point I hadn’t committed to an eye cream yet, as I’d been trying out a few samples from Birchbox. They were nice but nothing really stood out enough to justify the high price point in my mind. Once I tried this one I knew it would become a permanent part of my routine. I love the metal applicator, the lightweight consistency and how it’s reduced the texture and brightened under my eyes. It’s just really good and probably a great introductory product for anyone like me whose still building their skincare routine in a budget-friendly manner.
Details: Reduce the look of fine lines, dark circles, puffiness, and sagging. Soothes and cools skin with a hygienic metal applicator tip. Contains Persian silk tree at 3%, hibiscus flower acids at 4% and oat extract at 0.5%. Price: $18.
Resurfacing Sleep Mask
Oh boy, do I love a sleep mask! Face masks always tend to fall fairly low on my priorities list unfortunately. Anything I have to apply and then wipe off 10 minutes later is reserved for dedicated pamper sessions only. But I’ve found they help replenish my skin so quickly when I’ve had a stressful week or in the winter when the central heating leaves me a dry, shriveled version of my former self. That’s where the sleep mask comes in handy. I apply it a couple times a week as part of my evening routine and leave it on until my morning cleanse. I’m telling you, the sleep mask was invented for lazy girls like myself.
The Resurfacing Sleep Mask has a light, gooey texture that’s quite fun to apply. It dries quickly and doesn’t leave a filmy residue on the skin. I find it’s helpful not to touch your face too much after applying as it can rub off a bit. But it reminds me a lot of one of my favorite products ever, the Fresh Black Tea Overnight Mask albeit way more affordable, so it’s definitely a win in my book.
Details: Uses bakuchiol, a plant-derived gentle retinol alternative, to reduce the look of dark spots, discoloration, and premature wrinkles and fine lines. Contains bakuchiol at 1%, wild indigo extract at 1% and beta-glucan complex at 1.5%. Price: $22.
Daily SPF
This is the product that initially introduced me to this brand. I had gone an embarrassingly long time without an SPF in my daily routine despite constantly hearing people say it’s the most important step. The Cocokind Daily SPF was suggested to me after a facial at Shop Good for its natural ingredients and thin, not too oily consistency. As someone with a darker complexion, who has struggled my whole life with too-thick SPFs that leave a bluish tint, I’m quite happy to have found one that works so well for my skin.
I was also blissfully unaware that blue light from your laptop and phone screen can cause skin damage just as sunlight does. And while I’ve often heard people talk about using blue light-blocking glasses to protect your eyes while working, I’d never considered how important sunscreen is too! So now I’ve saved myself the hassle of keeping track of sunscreen applications for midday backyard breaks by including it in my morning routine. And I know not to skip the sunscreen, even when I’m stuck inside at my computer all day.
Details: Lightweight, mineral-based SPF 32. Contains reef-safe zinc oxide, blue phytoplankton and microalgae to protect skin against UVA and UVB rays, blue light and pollution damage. Price: $24.
So this skincare chat could go on and on but I’ll spare you the extra reading and leave it at this hopefully concise first impressions review. I’m someone who considers myself quite a novice when it comes to skincare. I don’t understand the scientific terms for things or the benefits of Hyaluronic acid (sue me!) and I only just figured out about a year ago the order in which I’m supposed to use certain products. But that’s part of the reason why I love Cocokind, because they’re so approachable as a brand. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to build a natural and sustainable skincare routine and just learn more about their skin
SHOP THE POST
