While many skincare brands are created by dermatologists, the story behind Tula is a little different. The brand’s founder — Dr. Roshini Raj — is actually a board-certified gastroenterologist (aka a doctor that specializes in the digestive tract).

Through her medical career, Dr. Raj found that probiotics could benefit the skin just like they benefit the digestive system. And that’s why you’ll find probiotics as the key ingredients in all Tula skincare products.

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?

But are probiotics really the key to healthy, beautiful skin? To answer this question, we’ll have to dive into the research that supports the use of probiotics in topical products.

We’ll also discuss the supporting key ingredients that you’ll find in Tula skincare products, and we’ll share Tula skincare reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products. 

Is Tula Skincare Worth The Money?

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.

What’s Inside Tula Skincare?

As we mentioned earlier, probiotics are used as the key ingredients in all Tula skincare products. But what exactly are probiotics?

Probiotics include various strains of helpful bacteria that collaborate with your skin to restore the skin’s microbiome. The microbiome is a population of many types of bacteria (over 10,000 different species) that are both good and bad.

When there’s more bad bacteria than good, skin conditions like acne, sensitive skin, and bumpy, uneven skin texture can develop. Thus, keeping the microbiome balanced is critical in maintaining healthy skin.

The probiotics used in Tula skincare products are clinically proven to help promote the look of skin’s natural balance, locking in moisture to leave your complexion more hydrated and reducing the appearance of inflammation. 

One of the main probiotic strains that is used in many Tula skincare products is Bifida ferment lysate, which is obtained from the fermentation of Bifidobacteria, a gram positive anaerobic bacteria.

Another probiotic strain used in Tula Skincare products is called Lactococcus ferment lysate, which is obtained from the gram-positive bacteria, Lactococcus lactis. 

An interesting benefit of probiotics and their derivatives (known as lysates) is that as they break down on the skin’s surface, they create new ingredients for skin, such as vitamins, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.

Probiotics are also known to increase the presence of ceramides (waxy lipids that make up 50% of the skin’s lipid barrier). Ultimately, this helps to improve skin’s hydration and even reduce signs of aging. 

Probiotic skincare may also be beneficial for those with acne-prone skin.

According to a 2019 publication in the journal Experimental Dermatology, “Individuals with acne treated with topical probiotics experienced a reduction in lesion concentration, erythema and pathogenic bacteria load with an improvement in the skin barrier.”

Ultimately, this means that probiotics help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne, while also helping to decrease pathogenic (bad) bacteria. 

Tula also incorporates prebiotics, like chicory root extract, into their products. Chicory root is extremely high in inulin, an important prebiotic fiber which helps to feed the skin’s good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work synergistically to balance the skin’s microbiome. 

Everything Else

Vitamin C, retinol, and peptides are also included in the Tula skincare line. These ingredients should all be part of your skincare routine.

Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. Vitamin C is 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.

Tula Triple Vitamin C Serum includes 10% triple Vitamin C complex. Two types of Vitamin C treat dull skin and help reduce the look of dark spots, while the third reactivates the others throughout the day to defend against elements that cause dullness. 

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.

Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness. 

While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.

This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size. 

A few Tula skincare products include peptides, such as the Hydrating Day & Night Cream and the Revitalizing Eye Cream. 

If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin. It also has skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Retinol Alternative
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. It’s clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.

The only downside? Retinol can often lead to side effects like skin dryness, peeling, and irritation. 

That’s why Tula Retinol Alternative Serum is formulated with a blend of 3 botanical retinol alternatives- bakuchiol, alfalfa sprouts and stevia.

You can also look for products that contain Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides the same benefits of retinol but without the irritation. One product we recommend is this retinoid oil serum.

What Are The Top 10 Best Tula Skincare Products?

Tula skincare products include cleansers, toners, moisturizers, exfoliants, masks, serums, eye care, targeted treatments, and primers. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 Tula Skincare products.

Tula Glow and Get It Eye Balm

It’s the morning after a late night out with friends and your skin looks as tired as you feel — especially your eyes! Sure, a good concealer can cover up dark circles. But what about the puffiness, dryness, and crow’s feet? 

Tula Glow and Get It Eye Balm is perfect for this scenario thanks to a combination of ingredients that instantly brighten, cool, and hydrate skin with ingredients that provide long term benefits. 

You’ll notice an instant “lit-from-within glow” with this Tula eye balm because the formula includes synthetic fluorphlogopite. This synthetic mineral adds a subtle shimmering effect and reflects light from the face to disguise dark circles and create radiance. 

The fragrance-free formula is also packed with hydrating ingredients, including aloe vera, xylitol, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients draw moisture into the upper layers of skin, which not only hydrates skin but also helps to plump out lines and wrinkles. 

Then there’s caffeine. We all know caffeine can help wake up our mind, but did you know caffeine also helps combat dark circles and puffiness when applied topically?

After caffeine penetrates the skin barrier, it’s absorbed by the surrounding blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction while also stimulating blood flow. This helps in reducing the amount of blood that accumulates under the eyes (a major factor that contributes to dark circles). 

Caffeine also acts as a diuretic and can help to relieve water retention, a major cause of puffiness under the eyes.

And like all of the brand’s products, this Tula eye balm includes probiotics in order to support the skin’s microbiome. 

Bottom Line: Tula Glow and Get It Eye Balm is a winner in our opinion; the fragrance-free formula contains a plethora of ingredients that will help to brighten, hydrate, firm, and support the skin. 

Tula Rose Glow and Get It Eye Balm

You’ll notice that this product is made with the same ingredients as the original Tula Eye Balm, with the added benefits of rosewater and rosehip oil.

Rosewater has anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, helps to soothe skin, reduce redness, and calm inflammation. It also helps to hydrate the skin. 

Rosehip oil contains provitamin A, mostly as beta carotene. Beta carotene has the ability to increase cell turnover and promote regeneration in the outer layers of the skin.

Rosehip oil also contains all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid) that stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen production within the skin. 

Bottom Line: Tula Rose Glow and Get It is made with the same ingredients as the original Tula Eye Balm, with the added benefits of rosewater and rosehip oil.

Tula Glow Hour Eye Balm

This Tula eye balm was made in collaboration with entrepreneur and content creator Courtney Shields. It’s a neutralizing and color correcting eye balm that’s specially sized to fit in the small corners of the inner eye. 

The formula includes grapefruit and algae extracts to brighten the look of dark under eye circles, while lingonberry protects skin from the damaging effects of blue light.

Plus, the formula is packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, apple, and watermelon. These ingredients draw moisture into the upper layers of skin, which not only hydrates skin but also helps to plump out lines and wrinkles. 

Bottom Line: A neutralizing and color-correcting eye balm that brightens, hydrates, and protects the skin. 

Tula Purifying Face Cleanser

This Tula face wash is a cult favorite, and for good reason! It’s a refreshing gel-based cleanser that penetrates deep into pores to remove impurities and helps condition skin — without stripping or over-drying. 

Like most cleansers, the formula includes surfactants — such as cocamidopropyl betaine and lauryl glucoside — that help to wash away dirt, oil, and other impurities. 

The formula also contains lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin to reveal a healthier, brighter complexion. 

Plus, there’s both prebiotics (chicory root) and probiotics (bifida ferment lysate) to help nourish and balance skin. 

This fragrance-free cleanser is gentle enough to be used twice per day. 

Bottom Line: This Tula face wash combines surfactants, lactic acid, prebiotics, and probiotics, resulting in a cleanser that cleans without stripping or over-drying skin. 

Tula Protect + Glow Sunscreen

The brand’s most popular sunscreen is the Tula Protect + Glow Sunscreen. The formula glides onto the skin, creating a weightless finish that’s invisible; no white cast or greasy mess with this Tula sunscreen!

That’s because the brand uses three chemical sunscreen ingredients in this product, including avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate. Together, these ingredients provide broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. 

One problem with chemical sunscreen ingredients (versus mineral sunscreens) is that research has shown they do absorb through the skin and into the bloodstream. It’s still unclear if these chemicals are linked to health conditions, but it’s known that they do enter the body. 

Another problem with this Tula sunscreen is the inclusion of fragrant botanical extracts, such as orange and lemon peel extracts, especially since this product is meant to be applied before going into the sun. 

That’s because citrus extracts are known to cause photosensitivity — a heightened skin sensitivity to UV rays — due to compounds known as furanocoumarins. It’s best to avoid skincare products with citrus extracts, especially sunscreen products!

Bottom Line: Tula Protect + Glow Sunscreen is the brand’s most popular sunscreen, but we don’t recommend it due to the chemical sunscreen ingredients and the inclusion of citrus extracts. 

Tula Mineral Magic Sunscreen

This Tula sunscreen was named “Mineral Magic” based on its ability to magically apply effortlessly and absorb weightlessly on the skin — even though it’s a mineral sunscreen!

It’s a silky fluid that’s peach-toned (don’t worry, it doesn’t leave a tint) that layers well under makeup, creating a soft matte finish. 

The combination of mineral sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. 

You’ll also find a proprietary blend of six prebiotics and probiotics — called S6Pro Complex — in order to help maintain skin balance and improve smoothness. 

There’s plenty of additional supporting ingredients, such as peach extract and wild butterfly ginger root. The peach extracts help brighten the look of skin, while wild butterfly ginger provides protection against the damaging effects of blue light and pollution. 

Bottom Line: A 100% mineral sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection while also brightening, hydrating, and protecting skin from blue light and pollution. 

Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream

This Tula moisturizer feels very lightweight and absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or sticky. 

Despite its lightweight texture, Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream provides long-lasting hydration thanks to plenty of emollients that help to lock in moisture. 

The formula contains a particularly high concentration of emollient squalane. Squalane is a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that mimics squalene (note thee), a natural compound in your skin that plays an important role in lubrication and protection. Squalane helps to replenish and strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier.

There’s also prebiotics and probiotics, as well as a variety of botanical extracts, such as blueberry, green tea, turmeric, watermelon, apple, lentil, and many more. 

The only thing we don’t love about this Tula moisturizer is the inclusion of fragrance!

Bottom Line: A lightweight hydrating face cream that combines squalane with pre-and probiotics, as well as plenty of botanical extracts. 

Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask

This clay-based probiotic face mask includes two types of natural clays — bentonite and kaolin — in order to absorb excess oil, remove toxins, and exfoliate pores. 

The formula also includes the AHA lactic acid, an ingredient that exfoliates the skin by enhancing the breakdown of dead skin cells and increasing cell turnover, leading to smoother, brighter skin. 

Bottom Line: Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask is a clay-based mask that exfoliates and detoxifies skin. 

Tula Acne Foam Cleanser

The active ingredient in this Tula face wash is 2% salicylic acid, one of the best ingredients for tackling acne, clogged pores, and dullness. It works by breaking down keratin and exfoliating the pore lining, which loosens clogged dirt and oil.

The formula also contains azelaic acid and tea tree oil, which both help prevent the growth of the bacteria that causes acne. 

There’s also licorice root extract to help brighten the look of past blemish marks, while the probiotics and ginger in this cleanser help calm inflammation and leave the skin looking soft and glowing. 

Bottom Line: Tula Acne Foam Cleanser combines 2% salicylic acid with azelaic acid, tea tree oil, licorice, ginger, and probiotics to help unclog pores, reduce acne breakouts, and balance skin.

Tula Face Filter Primer

This Tula primer is said to instantly smooth the look of uneven skin tone and redness for a “filter” like finish. The primer is available in non-tinted and sheerly tinted with a total of five shades ranging from light to deep. 

The formula contains high concentrations of several types of silicones in order to improve the product’s spreadability while creating a silky, smooth skin feel. Silicones also form a breathable film on the surface of the skin that helps to blur the look of lines and wrinkles. 

Blending the buildable formula into your skin releases the colorants titanium dioxide and several shades of iron oxides, which the brand calls “glow particles”. The combination of these colorants creates the look of sun-kissed, radiant skin tone. 

And unlike most primers, the Tula primer includes ingredients that provide long-term benefits, such as probiotics, licorice, and turmeric root extract. 

Bottom Line: Tula Face Filter Primer helps to instantly smooth the look of uneven skin tone and redness for a “filter” like finish while also providing long-term benefits. 

Tula So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

You can use the Tula Sugar Scrub a few times per week to gently exfoliate skin and melt away excess oil, buildup, and debris without stripping your skin. 

Sugar functions as a physical exfoliant, while the lactic acid in this formula is a chemical exfoliant. There are also papaya and pineapple enzymes in this formula that function as chemical exfoliants. 

Together, all of these ingredients help to remove dead skin cells, thereby promoting a smoother, brighter complexion. 

Bottom Line: A gentle scrub that uses sugar, lactic acid, and extracts from papaya and pineapple to exfoliate the skin. 

Which Tula Eye Balm is Best?

Tula offers three different eye balms, which are all very popular products. This may leave you wondering which Tula eye balm is best.

Based on the Tula reviews, it appears that the Rose Glow and Get It Eye Balm is the best since it has earned an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars after more than 3,000 customer reviews.

There are many reviews for the Rose Glow & Get It Tula Eye Balm that mentions it does help to brighten the under-eye area. And many customers also love the cooling sensation.

For example, one review says, “Feels wonderful, leaves a noticeable brightness change under my eyes. The brightening is not overly gaudy looking either which I was thankful for and appreciative of.”

Which Tula Sunscreen is Best?

Currently, Tula offers two sunscreen products: Protect + Glow and Mineral Magic.

Like we mentioned earlier, the Protect + Glow Sunscreen is the most popular, but our team thinks that Mineral Magic is formulated better. 

Mineral Magic includes mineral sunscreen ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about them being absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.

The formula is also fragrance-free and includes many beneficial supporting ingredients, such as aloe vera, red algae, and willowherb, just to name a few. 

Thus, in our opinion, the best Tula Sunscreen is Mineral Magic. 

How Much Do Tula Skincare Products Cost?

Tula skincare products are mid-range in terms of cost; they aren’t cheap but they are ridiculously expensive. For example, Tula Glow and Get It Eye Balm costs $28 USD for a 0.35 oz tube, while the Tula Protect + Glow Sunscreen costs $36 USD for 1.7 oz. 

Where to Buy Tula Skincare Products?

Tula skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third-party online retailers, such as Ulta, QVC, Amazon, and more. 

What is The Tula Skincare Return Policy?

The Tula Skincare return policy states, “Items purchased in the last 60 days are returnable.  Once your return is authorized, you’ll receive step-by-step instructions and a prepaid shipping label via email.”

Is Tula Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Tula is PETA-certified cruelty-free. 

Is Tula Vegan?

According to the brand, “​​Although all TULA products are certified cruelty-free by PETA, not all of our formulas are vegan.” The brand has a list of their vegan-friendly products on its website. 

Tula Skincare Reviews

Tula skincare reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. We already discussed some of the reviews for the Tula Eye Balm, so let’s take a look at what customers think of the other best-selling Tula skincare products. 

Tula skincare reviews for the Purifying Face Cleanser mention that it effectively helps to reduce blemishes and even out the skin tone, as well as making the skin look healthier and brighter. 

Negative reviews for this Tula face wash mention that it can cause breakouts and dryness in those with sensitive skin. 

The reviews for the Tula Protect + Glow Sunscreen mention that it helps the skin look soft, smooth, and glowing.

For example, one review says, “Love this, it has really made my skin feel soft and look glowy. It’s lightweight and doesn’t make your face feel greasy. I have struggled with finding a good moisturizer with all of the elements that I need in it, (sunscreen). Love it and have been recommending it to all of my friends!”

The negative reviews for the Tula Protect + Glow Sunscreen are mostly from customers who found the fragrance to be overwhelming. 

Customers who have tried Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream love that it is lightweight and does not feel heavy or greasy. The Tula Skincare reviews also mention that the cream helps skin to feel soft and supple.

Negative reviews for the Hydrating Day & Night Cream mention that it can cause those with acne-prone skin to experience breakouts, and one reviewer mentioned that this could be due to the ingredient ethylhexyl palmitate, which is a comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredient.

Many Tula Skincare reviews for the Exfoliating Treatment Mask say that this mask really helps to exfoliate the skin and, therefore, leaves it feeling soft and looking brighter with a more even tone.

However, there are several negative reviews from customers who experienced acne breakouts and irritation after using this mask.

For example, one review says, “I used this a couple of separate times to make sure it was this product, but for some reason, my face really hates this. I break out and get bumps under my skin (but they never rise to form a pimple). My skin gets itchy and tough. It’s possible it’s the “purging period” but the irritation is too much for me.”

There are many Tula skin care reviews for the Tula Face Filter primer, which has earned an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars after more than 3,000 customer reviews. The positive reviews for this Tula primer mention how well it creates a smooth, even skin tone.

For example, one review for this Tula primer says, “Absolutely love this primer. The tint in this is perfect for my skin. Tones down the redness I have as well. Ever since using this primer and my Tula under eye glow stick, I stopped wearing foundation. Super easy routine and now I only wear make-up on my eyes. I’ve gotten so many compliments on my skin since using this instead of makeup. Love it!”

Tula skincare reviews for the So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub mention that it smells amazing and promotes softer, brighter skin. For example, one review says, “Used for about 2 weeks now and the scrub smells so amazing and leaves your skin feeling buttery soft!”

Our Verdict

Overall, we think that Tula skincare products are formulated well, but we wish the brand would formulate all of their products without fragrance. 

Pros

• Products contain evidence-based ingredients (probiotics, salicylic acid, AHAs, antioxidants, etc.)
• Many positive Tula skincare reviews
• Tula is cruelty-free

Cons

• Some Tula skin care products contain synthetic fragrance ingredients

What Are Some Alternatives to Tula Skincare Products?

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.

References:
JAMA. 2019;321(21):2082-2091.
Experimental Dermatology, September 2019, ePublication