If you’re anything like me, your bathroom cabinet is likely a shrine to the “Glass Skin” gods. There is just something about the Korean beauty philosophy – the focus on gentle hydration, innovative ingredients like fermented rice, and that unmistakable “lit-from-within” glow – that makes it so much more than a routine; it’s a daily ritual of self-care.

I’ve been a long-time fan of K-beauty’s “prevention-first” mindset, so I was beyond excited when the team at April Skin reached out and sent me a box of some of their popular products to put to the test.

From their satisfyingly “peelable” masks to those bouncy, bubble-gum textures you’ve definitely seen all over your feed, I’ve spent the last month diving deep into these formulas. Whether you’re a seasoned 10-step veteran or a minimalist looking for that one “holy grail” product, here is my honest, unfiltered review of the April Skin products that are currently taking over the skincare world.

TXA Niacinamide 99% Pore Care Deep Cleanser

I was very surprised by this cleanser. I was thinking it was similar to other cleansers I have used in the past that came in a tube similar to this packaging. I was wrong.

The first time I used it I put a good squeeze of the product on a wash cloth and preceded to wash my face. It was way too much. With this product a little bit goes a long way. These days I’ve been using a fraction of the product I initially used.

This has a unique texture. It’s creamy but stretchy too (if that makes any sense). Because the texture is so elastic, it actually “pulls” at the blackheads on the surface of your nose. It doesn’t suds up like a traditional soap; it stays creamy. It rinses off with no problem too.

This cleanser didn’t leave my skin feeling “tight” or “squeaky”—which is a good thing for your skin barrier.

It removes all my make up and sunscreen, including mascara. I haven’t used it on waterproof mascara, so I cannot comment on that, only regular, non-waterproof mascara.

This product contains a lot of the “good stuff” your skin needs to look and feel healthy at any age.

I do feel like my pores look better. I’m not sure if it’s entirely this product or a combination of the other April Skin products I’ve been using. Whatever the reason, I am very pleased thus far.

TXA Pink Capsule Overnight Gel Mask

I’ll be honest, I am not a fan of masks, most especially overnight ones. I can’t get comfortable with one of my face. However for the sake of doing a review I tried one of them.

If you are a side-sleeper, wait at least 15 minutes before hitting the pillow. Unlike other “sleeping packs” that dry down matte, this stays “tacky.” I woke up with my hair stuck to my cheek, but—to be fair—my skin looked like I’d drank a gallon of water. It’s a “wet look” glow that survives the drying effects of having the heat on all night (it’s wintertime after all).

The mask is easy to use and apply, and it is very effective. I’m just not a fan of the overnight mask thing, or the fact that my hair stuck to it (or my cat’s hair, ewww).

I’ve been waiting for my daughter to come visit because she’s into things like this. I wanted to give her my second one to try out so I could get her thoughts on it, but so far she hasn’t been able to stop by.

A cool thing about this mask is that it changes color from pink to transparent. When it becomes transparent it means that the product has been fully absorbed.

Calendula Peel Off Mask

If you are like me and are not a fan of overnight masks, but you want the effect a quality mask has on your skin, another option would be the brand’s Calendula Peel Off Mask.

As with any peel off mask you need to be careful of your eyebrows. Having a mask adhere to your eyebrows can be painful. You can do what I do an apply a little facial oil to your eyebrows and if needed, your hairline. That way if any of the mask gets on those hairs it will peel off without the pain or without ripping the hair out of your skin.

I sometimes have sensitive skin, depending on the product. I also have facial eczema, so I am very careful about the products that I use. With that being said, when I used this product and removed it it took about 15-20 minutes before the redness to subside. It didn’t burn or anything, it was just red. For that reason I wouldn’t use this peel before heading out the door for the day. This is more like a nighttime mask for me (one that you remove before going to bed).

I do feel like this peel off mask helped to remove dry skin and “gunk” off my skin. It’s sort of like an exfoliator, but without having to scrub your face like you would with a traditional exfoliator.

My skin did feel baby soft afterwards and remarkably clean, so much so that I wouldn’t want to use this prior to putting on make up for the day. I truly enjoy that totally clean and refreshed feeling.

I consider this an at home spa treatment since I don’t normally use peel off masks either. It’s something I have been trying to incorporate into my weekly beauty routine.

TXA+ Niacinamide 99% Pink Milky Toner

This is the product I was most excited to try out.

Most toners I’ve used in the past had an almost astringent feel to them. I was curious to see if a toner with the term “milky” in it would have the same effect.

If you ask me, this this toner is the real MVP for your skin barrier. It’s richer than a standard toner but lighter than a lotion. It’s the perfect “bridge” product in a K-beauty routine. It even absorbs very quickly.

There have been a few times that I felt a bit of a “sting” when using it, but that could be from washing my face too hard (if I’m in a rush I will rush through my beauty routine which sometimes makes I’m too harsh on my skin). Mostly I have not felt anything other than a cooling, pleasant effect on my skin.

Every time I wash my face, morning and night, I use this toner. It’s quickly become my most favorite beauty product in my cabinet. I just love how my skin looks and feels after using it. My skin looks soft, hydrated, plump and dare I say almost “glass-like.”

Hands down this is the “hero product” from April Skin as far as I’m concerned. I cannot rave enough about this toner.
April Skin has genuinely carved out a unique space in my skincare shelf with their high-performance, gentle formulas. Whether you’re chasing that elusive glass skin glow with the Calendula Peel-Off Mask or looking for the barrier-soothing magic of the Milky Toner, April Skin has the products you are looking for.

If you’re ready to level up your K-beauty game, you can explore the full collection directly at AprilSkin.us (notice it’s .us and not .com). Be sure to keep an eye out for their member exclusives and other discounts.

For more real-time glow-ups and behind-the-scenes skin tips, make sure to follow April Skin on social media. Their links are found on the bottom of the brand’s website. Your skin barrier will thank you for the upgrade.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.