The Outset Skincare Review.

You might have seen this on Instagram, but I recently spent three solid weeks testing out The Outset’s skincare line. During this time, I used the products exclusively. (This means no Bader, no retinol, etc.). Today, a very detailed, very honest review.

The Outset is a clean skincare brand that was founded in March 2022 by Scarlett Johansson and Kate Foster. The brand’s main claim is that it is great for sensitive skin (both Johansson and Foster have sensitive skin). High-performance skincare that gently de-stresses and hydrates the skin. I’d been intrigued by the brand for a while. While I don’t consider my skin to be super sensitive, it’s very dry and I get red easily. The brand felt different from what’s on the market, it felt like there was an actual consumer need, and I liked that it wasn’t making any crazy claims or using weird splashy marketing. The package is pretty but no-nonsense, I like that it’s all refillable, and the whole thing makes sense and feels straightforward to me as a customer.

Honestly, Blake Lively could learn a thing or two from Johansson.

This post is not sponsored in any way but I am using affiliate links which means that if you buy something I will receive a small commission. And, the brand gave us a code: use GRACE20 for 20% off your purchase. This will expire on 10/31/24.

The Outset skincare review

Overall, my review is very positive. I like the minimal packaging, I like the no-fuss formulas. I am a little hard on some of the products but skincare can be super subjective. My skin is absurdly dry so I need loads of hydration. Because of that, the day cream just didn’t work for me. I didn’t see a lot of benefits from the eye cream but for someone with really sensitive skin, it would be a game changer. The line is lovely overall, but I definitely have my favorites.

Things I love about the brand:

The biggest thing is that I had little bumps on my cheeks (I never know what these are: the beginnings of milia? a histamine reaction?) and after one week of using only these products, the bumps went away. Sometimes my skin needs a little reset (usually this happens if I’m using too many active ingredients, testing a lot of new products, or just had a facial). This brand is perfect for that.

• I love how gentle and soothing the products are, especially the cleanser. It’s one of the best cleansers I’ve used.
• The products are really reasonably priced. Every single item is under $50.
• The bottles are refillable and the brand sells easy to use refill pouches. Truly: EVERY BRAND SHOULD BE TAKING NOTES!
• While we are there, the packaging is really beautiful.
• The masks are both epic. Epic! More on those at the bottom of the post.

Things I didn’t like:

• I missed my actives (retinol, acids, Vitamin C). I am sure it takes longer to formulate these things for sensitive skin; I am hoping these things are included in future launches.
• The day cream is not quite hydrating enough for my skin.

The Outset Skincare Products

Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser

This cleanser is one of my top picks. It dissolves makeup on the spot and it’s super gentle. Now that the testing process is over, I really like to use it as a double cleanse (ideally after the Rhode pineapple cleanser – a fav!) but during my testing period I only used this and it did a great job. It has a nice jelly-like consistency and feels bouncy in your hand. It took off all of my makeup (even mascara) and left my skin feeling clean and refreshed but not tight or dry. I would 10/10 repurchase this.

Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum

This serum was my other major favorite. During the testing period, I used this serum every morning and every night and no other serum. I love how plump it left my skin. I provides an extra layer of hydration which my skin always needs. It also helps with firming and elasticity. When I use this I like to really massage it into the parts of my skin that need a little extra firming (my jawline, cheekbones, etc.). Then I let it sink in completely and follow with moisturizer.

This was a 2022 Allure Best of Beauty winner and I can see why. It firms, brightens, plumps, and hydrates — without any irritation whatsoever. If you are someone with sensitive skin, you’re going to love this. I have been telling all of my girlfriends to try this.

I find these moisturizers to be great basic, no-frills moisturizers. I will be honest, during the testing process I really missed my Rich Cream. But that is a $300 moisturizer and both of these clock in at under $50.

I would highly recommend these moisturizers for a) someone who has sensitive skin and cannot tolerate a lot of actives, b) someone younger who doesn’t need all of those anti-aging benefits yet, or c) someone taking a break from actives. I see these fitting into my routine for the 3 days after I get a facial and want to use only the gentlest skincare products.

Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer

This is a great basic moisturizer but it was not hydrating enough for me. For about a week I used the serum and this every morning but I noticed my skin felt dry and dehydrated (my facialist noticed it too). But like I said, I have super dry skin! Like really, really dry. I gave this to a friend who really loved it. After that week I started using the night cream for both morning and evening and my skin felt much happier.

Restorative Niacinamide Night Cream

I liked this night cream a lot. It is rich and creamy. It has niacinamide which is one of my favorite ingredients: it strengthens the skin’s barrier which results in firmer, more elastic skin. My only criticism is that it takes a little while to absorb. Which honestly is a great reminder/opportunity to spend a little extra time massaging it in.

Ultra Light Moisture-Boosting Oil

This is a great face oil. I don’t believe that face oils need to be super intense or packed with actives. They aren’t where I spend my money. I use my serums and creams for that and then the oil locks everything in. This feels really good on the skin. It sinks in vs. sitting on top of the skin. It plays really well with the moisturizers. I love to use it with my facial cupping set or a gua sha stone.

HydraSheer 100% Mineral SPF 30

I surprised myself by really really liking this sunscreen. Overall I am (usually!) just not a mineral sunscreen girly. (Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is my usual go-to). This might change my mind. It does not have any of the chalkiness or white cast I associate with most mineral sunscreens. I find that when I use this right after moisturizing it just sinks right into my skin. No white cast, no chalkiness, no irritation. I think the key is to apply it right after moisturizing while the skin is still dewy. It absorbs better that way.

Smoothing Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream

To me, this eye cream is a skip but my skin is not very sensitive and I know that finding an eye cream like that can be really hard. I just didn’t think it did very much besides hydration and a little bit of brightening. And that is okay, sometimes you just want an eye cream that won’t irritate your eyes or your skin. And that is this. Eye creams are really tough. In my opinion, most of them do not do very much. (This one is the best I’ve tried if you were curious). And when you consider the $42 price point, it’s still a good value if you have sensitive skin.

Botanical Barrier Rescue Balm

To be honest I don’t really see a need for this balm. I think I’m just not a balm person. I slather my face in moisturizer and oil and I just don’t really need it. I know others love a balm for on the go purposes and dry spots. Just not really for me! The two uses I think it would be best for are your cuticles or as a highlighter. And it does a good job with those things, I just didn’t really reach for it.

Purifying Blue Clay Mask

Okay I love this mask. A purifying mask that won’t leave you red? That makes this a MUST in my book. I really like that this is ultra gentle and will not dry out your skin but still gets your pores super super clean. That combination is extremely rare!! This was also an Allure Best of Beauty winner. The formula is creamy and rich in minerals. The formula contains blue clay, gentle salicylic acid, and the brand’s nourishing Hyaluroset Complex which soothes and softens.

Leave it on for ten minutes. I like to use this on just my t-zone. It sucks out impurities, evens out skin tones, and nourishes the skin. An absolute winner in my book!

Cool Cream Smoothing Mask with Electric Daisy

I also really loved this hydrating mask. It feels really good on your skin… cooling and soothing. It is so hydrating and nourishing and you can even sleep in it. A few times, I’d do the clay mask, rinse it off, and then sleep in this. Heaven.

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