Exposed Skin Care was founded with one mission: to provide consumers with a line of skin care products guaranteed to clear acne-prone skin within 30 days. The brand’s philosophy is that acne and skin health can be visibly improved through the combination of science and nature.
In fact, Exposed Skin Care is so confident that their products can give you results, they offer a one year unconditional money back guarantee! We review a lot of brands here at The Derm Review, and the only other brand we can think of that offers a guarantee this good is The Ordinary.
If you’re wondering whether Exposed Skin Care is right for you, keep reading to learn about the brand’s best selling products, key ingredients, Exposed Skin Care reviews from real customers, and more!
What Are The Best Selling Exposed Skin Care Products?
Exposed Skin Care offers their products individually or in 3 different kits, which include:
- Basic Kit (5 pieces)
- Expanded Kit (6 pieces)
- Ultimate Kit (9 pieces)
If you’re not sure where to start, you could take the brand’s New Client Assessment to determine the perfect kit for your skin care needs. Or you can read through our breakdown of the best Exposed Skin Care products.
Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser
In case you weren’t aware, salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) is one of the best acne-fighting ingredients. It works by exfoliating the pore lining, which loosens clogged dirt and oil. It also has the ability to dissolve keratin, the protein that acts as a “glue” to keep dead skin cells together in the stratum corneum. This is effective because dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving it looking dull and also possibly clogging pores.
The Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser contains 0.5% salicylic acid combined with surfactants to keep your skin clean and free from breakouts. While 2% is the maximum amount of salicylic acid that can be used in an OTC product, using a lower concentration like 0.5% is still effective and poses less of a risk of irritation. Plus, this cleanser also contains a soothing blend of sage extract and pro-vitamin B5 to help calm any irritation.
Exposed Skin Care Clearing Tonic
Salicylic acid (at a concentration of 1%) is combined with glycolic acid and azelaic acid in the Exposed Skin Care Clearing Tonic. Putting all of these different acid ingredients on your skin may sound intimidating, but they are actually all excellent skin care ingredients that work in unique ways to treat and prevent acne.
We already talked about the benefits of salicylic acid. But what about glycolic acid? As an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid has the ability to exfoliate the skin, stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration process, and help the skin to retain moisture. It exfoliates the skin by targeting corneocytes (dead skin cells) in a process called corneocyte desquamation. By enhancing their breakdown and increasing the separation of skin cells, the rate of cell turnover is increased, leading to smoother, more radiant skin.
And here’s the details on azelaic acid: this ingredient normalizes the shedding of dead skin cells and opens the follicle, resulting in fewer comedones (pimples). It has also been shown to prevent the growth of acne bacteria. According to a publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, both in vitro and in vivo it has an antimicrobial effect on both aerobic and anaerobic (Propionibacterium acnes) microorganisms. This dual purpose makes azelaic acid one of the more effective acne ingredients.
Exposed Skin Care Acne Treatment Serum
According to a publication in the scholarly journal Dermatology, benzoyl peroxide (at concentrations of 2 to 5%) is the gold standard treatment for mild-to-moderate acne. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in the Exposed Skin Care Acne Treatment Serum.
Benzoyl peroxide is known to effectively kill P. acnes bacteria by destroying the cell walls. Additionally, benzoyl peroxide can exfoliate and help peel the outer layer of skin. However, one drawback of benzoyl peroxide is that while it does effectively kill P. acnes, it also kills the good bacteria that keep your skin healthy. This can leave skin feeling dry and irritated, which for some people can make skin look worse.
This Exposed Skin Care serum not only includes 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, but another ingredient that can kill the bacteria responsible for causing acne: tea tree oil. Tea tree oil also soothes any redness and inflammation associated with existing blemishes.
Exposed Skin Care Clear Pore Serum
This lightweight gel-serum promises to help clarify and balance skin overnight. The formula combines 1% salicylic acid with the natural astringent witch hazel, as well as anti-inflammatory extracts like green tea and licorice root. Licorice root can also provide a considerable skin brightening effect thanks to a component called glabridin.
Exposed Skin Care Moisture Complex
This oil-free gel moisturizer absorbs into the skin quickly without feeling greasy or heavy, and gets to work providing hydration and reducing redness — all without clogging pores. The formula contains a high concentration of several different silicones, which contribute to its soft, silky feel. There’s also pumpkin seed, green tea, and caffeine in this moisturizer, however, we noticed these key ingredients are used in pretty low concentrations (they are at the very end of the ingredient list).
Exposed Skin Care Microderm Scrub
Aluminum oxide — a crystalline compound of aluminum and oxygen — is the star ingredient in this Microderm Scrub. Because of its abrasive texture, aluminum oxide crystals are used to physically exfoliate and resurface the skin. In fact, aluminum oxide is commonly used in microdermabrasion treatments. Aluminum oxide can help to remove dull skin, smooth out coarse skin texture, reduce acne, soften fine lines, fade scars and dark spots, and stimulate cell turnover and collagen synthesis. Plus, these crystals are combined with 0.5% salicylic acid and soothing ingredients, like chamomile and aloe vera. What’s not to love?
Exposed Skin Care Body Wash
Struggling with annoying breakouts on your back, necks, arms, or chest? If so, you need a body wash with salicylic acid ASAP. The Exposed Skin Care Body Wash combines acne-fighting salicylic acid with purifying natural extracts to wash away excess oil and rejuvenate skin. Plus, the formula contains a small amount of peppermint oil for a refreshing, cooling sensation.
Exposed Skin Care Clarifying Mask
Sulfur is one of the oldest known acne treatments. It works well to reduce acne because it is a keratolytic (aka an ingredient that loosens dead skin cells and aids in exfoliation, which helps to prevent pore blockages). Sulfur also helps to reduce skin oiliness and has antimicrobial properties. Due to all of these acne-fighting properties, 3% sulfur is used in this Exposed Skin Care mask. It’s combined with activated charcoal and bentonite, giving you a mask that absorbs excess oil and removes dead skin cells. It’s recommended to only use this mask once or twice per week.
What Are The Key Exposed Skin Care Ingredients?
As you probably noticed, the key ingredients in the Exposed Skin Care products include a blend of acne-fighting actives combined with natural botanicals. The acne-fighting ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, sulfur, and azelaic acid. All of these ingredients have substantial research to back up their ability to prevent and treat acne.
Additional Exposed Skin Care ingredients include several soothing botanicals, such as green tea extract, passion flower extract, licorice root extract, tea tree oil, aloe vera, and sage extract. While these natural extracts all provide unique benefits, they all have one thing in common: anti-inflammatory properties. If you are struggling with acne breakouts, using anti-inflammatory ingredients can be very helpful in order to reduce the size and redness of blemishes.
All Exposed Skin Care products are formulated without parabens, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances/colors, and gluten. If you want to learn more about Exposed Skin Care ingredients, you can go to the brand’s website and click on “How It Works”. The brand does a great job of explaining each ingredient, as well as supporting their descriptions with research. You can also see each individual product listing for a full ingredients list.
How Much Does Exposed Skin Care Cost?
The Exposed Skin Care Basic Kit is $59.95, the Expanded Kit is $69.95, and the Ultimate Kit is $99.95.
Where Are Exposed Skin Care Products Sold?
Exposed Skin Care products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party ecommerce websites such as Amazon and eBay. However, it’s probably best to purchase Exposed Skin Care products on the brand’s official website since third-party websites will not offer the one year money back guarantee, nor can they guarantee quality.
What is The Exposed Skin Care Return Policy?
The Exposed Skin Care return policy states, “We will gladly accept returns of any unopened orders within 30 days of delivery.” In addition, Exposed Skin Care offers a one year unconditional money back guarantee. This means you can use the products you purchase and if you do not achieve a reduction of your acne and smoother skin, you may return your first kit to the brand within one year of your purchase for a full refund (minus shipping costs).
Is Exposed Skin Care Cruelty Free?
Exposed Skin Care is cruelty free. The brand does not conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products, and pledges not to do so in the future.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Exposed Skin Care products are formulated well with a blend of acne-fighting actives combined with natural botanicals.
Pros
- Products contain evidence-based ingredients
- Many positive Exposed Skin Care reviews
- Exposed Skin Care is cruelty free
Cons
- Some Exposed Skin Care products contain fragrance
References:
Dermatology 2003;206(1):29-36.
J Am Acad Dermatol 1987 Dec;17(6):1033-41.
Weera Original review: Feb 04, 2014.
I am 27 years old with oily skin. I used this for one set and it didn’t work at all. Most of my pimples were still there. I send the products back due to their guarantee over a month but haven’t get any update.