Follain Skincare Review: Why This Clean Beauty Brand Has a Cult Following
Hey beauty lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for skincare that will give you that enviable glow without any icky, toxic ingredients. A few years ago, I discovered Follain and it totally revolutionized my beauty routine. This buzzy clean beauty retailer has earned a devoted following for their highly curated, non-toxic products that don‘t sacrifice efficacy for safety.
In this super in-depth Follain review, I‘m giving you the full scoop on what makes this brand so special. We‘ll cover Follain‘s clean beauty philosophy and standards, take a close look at some hero products, and I‘ll share my honest thoughts on whether their products are worth the hype (and the price tag). Plus, I‘ve got tons of tips for shopping the brand, from can‘t-miss deals to my holy grail products. Let‘s get glowing!
First Things First: What Is Follain All About?
Okay, before we get into the nitty gritty product details, let‘s talk about what Follain stands for as a brand. Founded in 2013 by Tara Foley, Follain‘s mission is to "change the way people think about what they put on their body." How? By stocking only the most effective, luxurious, and safe skincare, makeup, and bath and body products.
For Follain, "clean beauty" means products formulated without any potentially toxic or hormone-disrupting ingredients like parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and a long list of other sketchy substances you def don‘t want on your beautiful face. But Tara and her team go way beyond reading labels. To ensure only the best of the best make it to Follain‘s shelves, they put every single product through a rigorous, 5-step approval process:
- Investigate ingredients for safety and purity
- Test formulas for efficacy and texture
- Vet brands for responsible sourcing and sustainability
- Review packaging for aesthetic appeal
- Gather feedback from a diverse panel of real women
Only about 10% of products they test actually make the cut! Tara likes to say "it‘s like the Navy Seals of beauty." That commitment to sky-high standards and complete transparency is why Follain has become one of the most trusted names in clean beauty.
Stats That Prove Follain Is Legit
Numbers don‘t lie! Here are some impressive stats that show Follain is the real deal:
- 1,500+ banned ingredients on Follain‘s restricted substance list
- 10% of products tested actually approved for sale
- 50+ clean beauty brands available (and counting)
- 6 weeks: the minimum a product is tested before it‘s approved
- 30 day return policy (even if you‘ve used a product)
- 100,000+ happy customers and counting!
My Honest Follain Skincare Review
Alright, now it‘s time for my juicy product reviews! Over the past few years of my Follain fandom, I‘ve personally tested dozens of their skincare products. Here are the ones I can‘t shut up about:
Follain Hydrating Cleanser
This rosy, jelly-like cleanser is a best-seller for good reason! The gentle, low-foaming formula features coconut-based surfactants that whisk away every last trace of dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping your skin. Glycerin and aloe keep your barrier baby-soft and balanced. It even removes stubborn eye makeup without stinging or clouding your vision. After cleansing, my skin feels clean, soft, and primed for the rest of my routine.
The Deets: 3.4 oz | $22
Follain Ultra Hydrating Mask
When my skin is feeling parched and irritated (hello, winter), this is the mask I reach for. It‘s packed with an amazing ingredient called Hydroplex HHG, which is a hydrogel derived from algae and polysaccharides. This gel holds up to 50% of its weight in water and basically acts like a moisture magnet to drench your skin in hydration. I love slathering on a thick layer before bed and waking up to plump, glassy skin. It layers beautifully under makeup too!
The Deets: 1.7 oz | $34
Follain Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Most days, I prefer a lighter base and this tinted moisturizer is chef‘s kiss. It provides just enough coverage to even out my skin and camouflage any redness while still looking super natural and fresh. The featherweight, oil-free formula sinks in instantly and leaves a pretty, skin-like glow behind. I also love that it has mineral SPF 30 to protect my skin from UV damage and premature aging. It comes in 5 adaptable shades – I wear Beige in the winter and Tan in the summer.
The Deets: 1 oz | $32
Kosas Revealer Concealer
On the days when I need a little extra coverage (a.k.a. when I‘ve had too many margaritas the night before), I dab on this full-coverage, caffeinated concealer. It brightens up my under eyes and covers any spots in seconds. The texture is seriously amazing – it‘s so creamy and blendable, yet it dries down and does. not. budge. You get opaque coverage that still looks smooth and skin-like, never dry or cakey. I like to apply it with a small fluffy brush for a diffused, airbrushed effect.
The Deets: 0.2 oz | $28
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
If you have combo, oily, or breakout-prone skin, this clarifying gel cleanser needs to be on your radar. It contains a gentle concentration of glycolic and lactic acids to dissolve excess oil, clear out congestion, and brighten up dullness. But it also has hydrating ingredients like glycerin and aloe to keep your skin balanced, never tight or dry. I massage it into damp skin for about 60 seconds to let the acids work their magic, then rinse away to reveal refreshed, glowy skin. It also smells like a strawberry milkshake which is a nice morning pick-me-up!
The Deets: 4.2 oz | $34
What I Love About Shopping at Follain
Picking out new products at Follain is basically my love language. Beyond their dreamy, highly curated assortment, there are so many reasons why I‘m a loyal Follain fan:
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The Follain Clean Standard: I don‘t have to worry about decoding ingredient lists or falling for "greenwashing" because I know Follain‘s standards are the strictest in the biz. Every product they carry is exhaustively vetted for safety and performance. No banned ingredients, ever!
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Samples on Samples: Not ready to commit to full size? Follain hooks it up with free samples of almost everything so you can test before you invest. Their travel sizes are also clutch for on-the-go or TSA-friendly options.
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Stellar Customer Service: The Follain team is super knowledgeable and passionate about clean beauty. Whenever I have a skin concern or need help choosing a product, they‘re quick to offer a thoughtful, personalized rec.
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In-Store Events: Follain stores host the best workshops and master classes with their brand founders. I‘ve learned so much about green beauty and discovered some of my fave products at these events! Check their website for upcoming happenings near you.
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Loyalty & Referral Perks: With the Follain Rewards program, you earn points on every purchase, birthday gifts, and $10 for every bestie you refer. Points add up fast and can be redeemed for some sweet discounts!
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‘Gram Worthy Packaging: I can‘t lie, I‘m a total sucker for pretty packaging. Follain‘s in-house line has the most gorgeous minimalist aesthetic that instantly elevates my bathroom shelfie.
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Flexible Return Policy: Follain offers free returns for a full refund within 30 days, even if you‘ve opened and tried a product! It completely takes the risk out of trying something new.
Are Follain Products Worth The Price?
I get this question ALL the time: is Follain skincare actually worth the money? It‘s true, Follain products are definitely pricier than what you‘d find at the drugstore. Most of their skincare products are in the $25-$75 range.
But here‘s the thing: I truly believe you get what you pay for with skincare. Follain‘s potent, clean formulas are crafted with high quality actives and nourishing botanicals, not cheap fillers or preservatives. A little goes a long way so most products last me a really long time. And because there‘s zero irritating ingredients, my skin health has improved so much over time. I‘m not dealing with sensitivity or breakouts like I used to.
I‘d rather invest in a $30 cleanser I‘m obsessed with and know will make my skin happy than a $10 one that doesn‘t do much. But I get that everyone‘s budget is different! If you‘re looking to save some cash, I definitely recommend taking advantage of Follain‘s loyalty program, stacking up sample sets, and snagging value sets around the holidays. The Follain travel sizes are also a great way to test products at a slightly lower cost before going full-size.
One more thing: remember that Follain has that amazing 30-day return policy. If you try something that doesn‘t wow you, you can always get your money back. Personally, I‘ve found Follain‘s products work better for my skin than most prestige conventional brands at a similar price point. The results are so worth it IMO!
The Final Verdict
Congratulations, you made it to the end of this monster Follain review! Let‘s recap, shall we?
Overall, I couldn‘t be more thrilled to have found a beauty retailer that aligns with my values and consistently blows me away with their product quality, service, and genuine passion for their mission. In the confusing world of clean beauty, Follain is the real MVP.
Their expansive, highly vetted assortment and helpful, friendly team make them a one-stop-shop for all things green beauty. Most importantly – their products really, truly WORK. Every Follain goodie I‘ve tried has become an essential step in my routine and made my skin healthier from the inside out. I‘m a fan for life!
I know the higher price point can be a bit of a strain on the budget, but I‘ve personally found Follain products to be worth every single penny. The quality, safety, and efficacy just can‘t be beat. Of course, everyone‘s skin is wonderfully unique so what works for me may not be your holy grail! But with their generous return policy and commitment to transparency, you can shop with total peace of mind.
Follain has turned this conventional beauty junkie into a clean skincare queen and I‘m never looking back. Give them a try and I just know you‘ll become a green beauty convert too! Happy shopping, gorgeous!
