Choosing a non-toxic beauty brand is a great way to support your health, but these products tend to come with a very premium price tag. To solve that problem, Cocokind is helping to create a niche of cost effective clean beauty and skincare.

Cocokind founder Priscilla Tsai, a former investment banker, was inspired to create this brand after her own health struggles. A holistic doctor helped Tsai identify a correlation between her hormonal acne prescriptions and the digestive disorders that had developed over time.

Tsai began experimenting with product formulations in her own kitchen, and since most of her formulations contained coconut oil, she decided to combine the word “coco” with “kind” to create the brand we know today: Cocokind.

But there’s more to the Cocokind product formulations than just coconut oil, and that’s exactly what we’ll get into in this review. We’ll cover the best Cocokind products and the key ingredients in them, including the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare. And like all of our reviews here at The Derm Review, we’ll share snippets of Cocokind reviews from real customers so that you can see what they really think of these products.

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?

What’s Inside Cocokind Skincare?

Cocokind skincare products are formulated with certified organic ingredients, including superfoods like turmeric, spirulina, and chlorella, powerful botanicals like bakuchiol, and tried-and-true actives like vitamin C. Below we’ll discuss a few of these key ingredients in more detail so you’ll know exactly what they’re doing for your skin. 

Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.

Instead of using pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the Cocokind Vitamin C Serum, the brand uses sodium ascorbyl phosphate because it has better stability than ascorbic acid. 

But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.

Bakuchiol (A Plant-Based Retinol Alternative)
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. While retinol provides many benefits to the skin, it’s also known to cause side effects like skin dryness and irritation. 

Cocokind uses bakuchiol — the plant-based retinol alternative — in their Resurfacing Sleep Mask. 

Bakuchiol has been shown to produce many of the same effects of using retinol, including the ability to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and reduce the effects of sun damage (including uneven skin tone). One of the main benefits of bakuchiol is that it provides retinol-like effects without irritation.

It’s best to use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits without the irritation.

Turmeric
Turmeric contains a bioactive component called curcumin, a polyphenol that gives turmeric its bright yellow color. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and also has the ability to fade dark spots by inhibiting melanogenesis (the process by which melanin is produced by melanocytes). 

Spirulina
One of the key ingredients in the Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask is spirulina, a type of blue green algae with a high concentration of antioxidant vitamins that can protect the skin from free radical damage. Spirulina is also known to increase the skin’s metabolism, restoring its vitality and maintaining a healthy glow.

Chlorella
Another key ingredient in the Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask is chlorella, a green eukaryotic microalgae. When applied to the skin, chlorella has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis. Additionally, chlorella has an anti-collagenase and an anti-elastase effect. Collagenase and elastase are enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, respectively. Since collagen and elastin are responsible for the strength and elasticity of skin, preventing the degradation of these proteins is important for maintaining a youthful complexion.

What Are The Top 10 Cocokind Skincare Products?

Cocokind offers everything from cleansers to treatments and masks, as well as beauty supplements. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 Cocokind skincare products:

Cocokind Turmeric Stick

“Turmeric stick” sounds a little bit odd when you first hear it, but this best selling Cocokind product is loved by nearly everyone who tries it. One Cocokind review calls it a “miracle stick” and others say it will forever be a staple in their skincare routine. So what’s so special about this stick? The stick actually applies as a mask that can be worn for 20 minutes and then rinsed off, or you can leave it on overnight. While you have the mask on, the key ingredient turmeric gets to work — it helps to reduce redness and inflammation, fade dark spots, and brighten skin tone. A true multi-tasker!

Cocokind Turmeric Tonic

Another turmeric-based Cocokind product is this invisible, non-drying spot treatment that is said to help reduce the appearance of blemishes, dark spots, and post-acne scarring. Reap all of the benefits of turmeric extract along with plenty of other beneficial ingredients, such as organic tea tree oil, witch hazel extract, broccoli seed oil, ginger root extract, and more.

Cocokind Sunscreen

Anyone who’s even a little bit interested in skin care knows the importance of using sunscreen daily. It’s the best way to prevent the formation of lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. You can protect your skin with the Cocokind sunscreen, a lightweight, mineral-based lotion that uses non-nano zinc oxide, blue phytoplankton, and microalgae to protect skin against everyday stressors such as UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and blue light.

Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask

The Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask comes as a bright green powder that is designed to be mixed with water or any natural ingredient (think honey, aloe vera juice, yogurt, etc). Once applied, the chlorophyll in this mask will help to reduce puffiness while also supporting healthy circulation to give you that “lit from within glow”.

Cocokind Vitamin C Serum

Packaged in an opaque bottle with a dropper, the Cocokind Vitamin C Serum is a very lightweight liquid that absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and refreshed. The brand includes the stable vitamin C derivative sodium ascorbyl phosphate in this formula to smooth the appearance of large pores and texture irregularities, as well as brighten the look of dark spots and uneven tone.

Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask

If you’re trying to prevent or reduce signs of skin aging, then you’ve probably heard that it’s a good idea to add a retinol cream into your nightly routine. Maybe you’ve tried a retinol product, but you’ve experienced the common (yet annoying) side effects of retinol, like skin dryness and peeling. If so, then the Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask could be a good option for you. This mask contains bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative that provides many of the same benefits of retinol – but without the irritation.

Plus, there are additional supporting ingredients in this mask, like squalane, wild indigo extract, and beta glucan (derived from oats). This combination of ingredients should help to tackle multiple skin concerns, such as lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and more.

Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser

If you’ve been on the hunt for a gentle cleanser that removes all traces of makeup without drying out of your skin, then look no further. The Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser contains a blend of botanical oils that melt away makeup and excess oil, while fermented oat and an oat lipid complex help the good bacteria on your skin thrive. The result? Clean skin that feels soft and hydrated.

CocoKind Organic Rosewater Facial Toner

Made with only one ingredient, this Rosewater Toner is excellent for soothing the skin, as well as rebalancing the skin’s pH. A spritz or two of this toner can also act as a second cleansing step or to help set makeup. Plus, you’ll smell like a bouquet of fresh roses. What’s not to love?

CocoKind Organic Sea Moss Exfoliator

Slough away dead skin buildup and uneven texture with this ultra-gentle physical exfoliant. The Sea Moss Exfoliator isn’t your typical face scrub that contains harsh exfoliants like walnut or apricot shell powder (looking at you, St. Ives). Nope, instead the formula contains Irish moss powder, which is packed with calcium, magnesium, and vitamins that help nourish the skin and support elasticity. When mixed with water, the fine grains transform into an almost gel-like texture that can be applied to the skin as you would any other cleanser or exfoliator.

Cocokind Sea Kale Clay Mask

This creamy clay mask was made in partnership with influencer Jeannette Ogden of @shutthekaleup. The glacial oceanic clay combined with kaolin and bentonite help to absorb excess oil and gently exfoliate in order to minimize the appearance of pores and visibly smooth skin. The formula also contains hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin, as well as nourishing oils like sunflower seed oil and avocado oil.

How Much Do Cocokind Products Cost?

Like we mentioned above, one of Cocokind’s priorities is to offer non-toxic beauty products at an affordable price. And we agree that the prices are very affordable. For example, the Cocokind Turmeric Stick is just $9 and the Cocokind Vitamin C Serum is $18.

Where to Buy Cocokind Skincare?

Cocokind is sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party online retailers such as Amazon, Ulta, Thrive Market, Target, and more.

What is The Cocokind Return Policy?

Cocokind offers a full refund for online orders within 30 days of delivery. Products must be new or gently used for returns to be valid.

Is Cocokind Cruelty Free?

Yes, Cocokind is cruelty free.

Cocokind Reviews

Cocokind reviews on the brand’s website are very positive, with most products receiving 4 and 5 star ratings. Most reviewers said that they enjoyed the simplicity of the ingredients list, and felt that these products were gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.

The Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask has received a lot of raving 5-star reviews. For example, one reviewer says, “This mask unclogs pores, clears acne, and gets rid of congested skin!! After one use my skin is bright and light!! Perfect for any season because it doesn’t strip the skin! This mask is a must-have!”

Most of the negative Cocokind reviews are from customers who experienced rashes or irritation after using these products. These reactions could be due to the fragrant essential oils the brand uses in their products. Fragrance, whether natural or synthetic, has the potential to cause skin irritation and sensitivity.

Cocokind reviews for the Turmeric Stick rave about how well it helps to calm skin and reduce breakouts. For example, one review says, “This mask is incredible! My favorite part has to be the stick format because it’s so easy to apply. it visibly calms your skin as well as physically. i’ve had deep cystic acne and after using this the breakouts aren’t painful like before. Even though it doesn’t say it’s supposed to do this, I also think it helps reduce my blackheads. like i said visibly my skin looks wonderful after. it’s also incredibly cheap for something that works so well.”

But there are also a handful of reviews that say the exact opposite about the Cocokind Turmeric Stick. For example, one review says, “I’m not sure why, but this product just didn’t work for me. I definitely did not see overnight changes like most reviews I read, and even with consistent application to my hormonal acne/minor blemishes, I saw no changes. I love all the cocokind products I’ve purchased thus far, but this one just didn’t work out for me.”

Our Verdict

Overall, we like that Cocokind uses natural ingredients that are certified organic, and we think the products are formulated well.

Pros

• Products contain evidence-based ingredients (vitamin C, bakuchiol, chlorophyll, and more)
• Many positive Cocokind reviews
• Cocokind is cruelty free
• Low cost

Cons

• Some Cocokind products contain fragrant essential oils

What are some alternatives to Cocokind?

There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that’s effective and safe.

If you’re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.

Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives.

Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.

We recommend this serum & moisturizer.

References:
Br J Dermatol. 2019 Feb;180(2):289-296.