Does a gentle rejuvenating set exist? We tried Hello Glow and it stepped up!
Product photography by Perkin Gotohio
This story is brought to you by Hello Glow.
Rejuvenating sets are by no means a new invention. Even before I began paying more attention to skincare, I remember seeing them in bazaars and tiangges during the early aughts. They’ve gained quite a reputation for making quick work of skin brightening, but they’ve also gotten a bad name for being too harsh to the point of burning the skin. However, not all rejuv sets are created equal. Some place emphasis on giving users a safer, more pleasant experience. And guess what? I’ve gotten to try this new gen version first hand!
Hello Glow is Ever Bilena’s answer to the rejuvenating set trend. They’ve previously released the All Natural Whitening Set, but their latest offering aims to repair skin as much as to renew it. The Advanced Rejuvenating Set (P360) is a simplified 4-piece kit that contains a liquid cleanser, a toner, an SPF day cream, and a night cream.
The Low pH Hydrating Cleanser (P120 / 60g) is a clear, runny gel with tiny blue multivitamin jojoba spheres in it. (I wouldn’t call them microbeads as they instantly dissolve when the facial wash is activated.) About one to two pea-sized amounts is enough to produce a low foam lather that sufficiently removes excess oil without leaving my naturally dry skin feeling tight. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, but I notice that some HA cleansers can still be drying. Luckily, that wasn’t the case here.
I suspect that the Get Bright Pore Toner (P150 / 60ml) probably has the most potent formulation in the set. Second on the ingredients list is gluconolactone (a.k.a. PHA), while kojic acid is on the fifth spot. The former is a gentle chemical exfoliant, while the latter is most famously known for its brightening benefits. I had my fair share of apprehension beforehand, but my fears were allayed. This green tea-scented toner doesn’t cause any stinging, redness, or peeling, even with twice a day use. It acts just like a regular lotion or softener would and dries matte with just a hint of tackiness.
For mornings, this basic routine is capped off with the water-based Ultralight ++ Matte Sunscreen SPF 30 (P150 / 10g). This oil-free moisturizer comes in a gel form that is easily absorbed by the skin. It dries matte without any white cast or greasiness, perfectly comfortable to use under makeup. Centella Asiatica and Ceramides in the formula help repair and protect the skin barrier against the elements.
Switch the day cream with the Nourishing Night Cream (P150 / 10g) in the evenings. Also in an oil-free gel format, this night care product is just as non-greasy and non-sticky as its daytime counterpart. Oil-controlling niacinamide helps even skin tone, while soothing bakuchiol also boosts collagen production. This product also contains retinol that places eighth on the ingredients list. I can use just the toner plus night cream and wake up with skin that isn’t dry and flaky. That being said, I still prefer using a hydrating serum in between just to add some extra oomph to the routine.
Texture shot clockwise from top: Day Cream, Night Cream, Toner, Cleanser
For a rejuv set, I am relieved that this was a positive first experience for me. I did not suffer any purging or sensitivity during the testing period. However, as our resident dermatologist columnist explained, what sets work for some may not necessarily work for all. When it comes to rejuvenating sets as well as other skincare products, take the gentle approach by gradually introducing each one to your routine to be able to spot incompatibilities easier.
Have you tried Hello Glow yet? What are your thoughts on rejuv sets?
