Like many skincare brands, the founders of Covey Skincare — supermodel Emily DiDonato and Google Executive Christina Uribe — were inspired to create their own line of products due to the lack of clean, effective products on the market. The mission behind this brand is to create essential-only products that support your skin and work together in harmony.
According to an interview with Byrdie, DiDonato and Uribe were able to identify the most essential steps in a skincare routine thanks to the help of Dr. Julie Russak, the brand’s consulting dermatologist. Dr. Russak was also able to help the duo choose the most effective ingredients that would help to protect and repair skin.
In this Covey Skincare review, we’ll cover the product details, key ingredients, the research that supports (or doesn’t support) these ingredients, and more. We’ll also share a few Covey Skincare reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What Are The Best Covey Skincare Products?
At the time of writing this Covey Skincare review, the brand only offers three products: a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. Here’s all the details you need on these three Covey products:
Covey Cleanser
- A gentle daily facial cleanser that is said to easily remove dirt and waterproof makeup without stripping or irritating skin
- Key ingredients include babassu oil, surfactants, glycolipids, and aloe vera leaf juice
- Fragrance free
Covey Vitamin C Serum
- A vitamin C facial serum that includes a form of stabilized vitamin C —THD Ascorbate — at a concentration of 15%
- Additional key ingredients include caprylic/capric triglyceride, jasmine flower extract, lavender flower extract, and grape seed extract
- Fragrance free
Covey Moisturizer
- A daily facial moisturizer that can be used both morning and night
- Seals in the vitamin C serum so its potent ingredients can penetrate deeper for long-lasting hydration and a healthy skin barrier
- Key ingredients include glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane, aloe vera leaf juice, green tea leaf extract, bisabolol, and caffeine
- Fragrance free
What Are The Key Ingredients in Covey Skincare Products?
Instead of using just one key ingredient throughout their line of products like some brands do, Covey has formulated their products to contain unique key ingredients.
For example, the Covey cleanser contains a high concentration of babassu oil, a plant-derived oil that is rich in saturated fatty acids, similar to coconut oil. When used in a cleanser, babassu oil (or any oil) will help to remove oily makeup and sebum due to the chemical principle called “like dissolves like”. Basically, oils will dissolve other materials that have a similar chemical structure.
You already know that the Covey Vitamin C Serum contains the stable, fat-soluble vitamin C derivative tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate. So why use this form instead of pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or another vitamin C derivative? Well, it’s believed that this form of vitamin C can penetrate the skin better than other water-soluble forms because its fatty acid component helps aid penetration.
Once absorbed into the skin, THD ascorbate is converted to ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C). Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant, acts as a coenzyme for enzymes involved in collagen synthesis, and inhibits the synthesis of melanin. According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, clinical studies have shown that the topical use of vitamin C increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin. Due to these actions, vitamin C is able to improve radiance and skin texture while diminishing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.
One of the key ingredients that you’ll find in the Covey Moisturizer is squalane, a type of emollient. Squalane is derived by hydrogenation of squalene (note the e). Squalene is naturally found in the skin lipid barrier of humans and animals. It is produced by the oil glands in the skin, and plays an important role in skin lubrication and protection. However, the amount made and retained in the skin decreases over time. It peaks in our teens and then starts to decline in our 20’s, leaving skin rough, dry, and vulnerable.
According to a publication in the journal Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, anticancer, antioxidant, detoxifying, skin hydrating, and emollient activities of both squalene and squalane have been reported both in animal models and in vitro environments.
Since squalene is very unstable, skin care brands use squalane because it is a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that mimics squalene. Squalane helps to replenish the skin’s lipid barrier, thereby promoting healthier, smoother skin.
The rest of the ingredients that you’ll find in Covey Skincare products include emollients, humectants, antioxidants, and a variety of botanical extracts. Plus, all Covey Skincare products are fragrance free.
Where to Buy Covey Skincare Products?
Covey skincare products are sold exclusively on the brand’s website.
How Much Does Covey Skincare Cost?
The Covey Cleanser costs $29, the Covey Serum costs $59, and the Covey Moisturizer costs $49. If you purchase these products together in the Covey Routine, you can save $15.
What is The Covey Skincare Return Policy?
Covey does not offer returns or exchanges at this time.
Is Covey Skincare Cruelty Free?
Yes, Covey Skincare is cruelty free.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that the Covey Skincare products are formulated well with evidence-based ingredients.
Pros
- Products contain evidence-based ingredients (vitamin C, squalane, emollients, etc.)
- All products are fragrance free
- Many positive Covey reviews
- Covey Skincare is cruelty free
Cons
- Mid-range cost (e.g. $122 for the Covey Routine)
References:
Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
Adv Food Nutr Res 2012;65:223-33.
