You’ve probably heard of juice cleansing as a fad diet to lose weight and detoxify the body. What you probably haven’t heard of, however, is a juice cleanse for your skin. By taking antioxidant rich superfoods and incorporating them into clean, natural skincare products, Youth to the People has essentially created a juice cleanse for your skin.
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?
The story behind this brand began when cousins Joe Cloyes and Greg Gonzalez, who had both worked in the skincare industry for years, noticed a void in the market. There wasn’t a modern, straightforward, vegan skincare line that was good for all skin types and everyday use. So they created one.
The brand’s mission is in their name: to bring youth to the people. They believe that the products you put on your skin should be as whole, clean, and packed with nutrients as the food you put in your body.
But are kale, spinach, and other superfoods really the key to healthy skin? To answer that question, we’ll evaluate the Youth to The People product formulations, including the key ingredients and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare. We’ll also share some Youth to The People reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What’s Inside Youth to The People Skin Care?
Harnessing powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients from cold-pressed plant extracts, Youth To The People combines superfoods and science to keep your skin youthful and vibrant. But what exactly are antioxidants? And how do they benefit your skin?
Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals. Free radicals only have one unpaired electron, which makes the free radical unstable and highly reactive. In an attempt to become more stable, free radicals will either donate their single electron to another molecule or accept an electron from another molecule.
Ultimately, this leads to a chain of events that rips electrons off all nearby molecules. This is problematic because free radicals can rip electrons off our important cellular structures, like DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, or the cell membrane, which damages the cell and may even lead to cell death.
The International Dermal Institute explains, “Antioxidants help prevent such damage by giving free radicals what they want before they attack your cells.” This is important because when oxidative damage accumulates in the skin the result is inflammation, uneven skin tone, and premature signs of aging.
Fortunately, research has proven that applying antioxidants to the skin can help counteract these effects and protect the skin from further damage. There are plenty of antioxidants in the Youth to The People products.
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.
It’s in Youth to The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine.
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.
Green Tea
Another antioxidant-rich ingredient used in several Youth to the People skincare products is green tea leaf extract.
Green tea leaves contain epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a type of polyphenol that is widely regarded as one of the most powerful antioxidants available. EGCG targets free radicals, particularly those caused by UV-induced oxidative damage.
According to a publication in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, “Catechin molecules such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are capable of attenuating the biomolecular damage induced by UV radiation, possibly through molecular mechanisms involving the cell membranes.”
Lastly, EGCG in green tea is also anti-inflammatory, which means it can help to reduce skin redness and irritation.
We love Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum because it combines green tea with soothing and brightening botanicals like chamomile and licorice root.
What Are The Top 10 Best Youth to The People Skincare Products?
The Youth to The People collection consists of cleansers, toners, exfoliants, serums, creams, and more. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best Youth to The People skincare products.
Youth to The People Cleanser
The most buzzed-about product by this brand is definitely the Youth to The People Superfood Cleanser. They call it a “green juice cleanse for your face” because of the inclusion of superfoods like kale, spinach, green tea, and alfalfa. Kale is rich in skin-loving phytonutrients and vitamins C, E, and K. Spinach has the ability to soothe the skin while adding hydration. Green tea contains the polyphenol EGCG, which has anti-inflammatory properties and has also been shown to decrease oxidative stress. Alfalfa contains flavonoid antioxidants that protect against free radicals.
While the Youth to The People Cleanser sounds amazing in theory, keep in mind that this is a rinse-off product. That means the antioxidants in these superfood extracts really can’t provide protection against environmental free radicals if they are being washed off of your face! The true key ingredients in the Youth to The People Cleanser are coconut-derived surfactants, which help to remove excess oil, makeup, dirt, and other impurities.
Youth to The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
With all of the stressors in our modern environment, from traffic to pollution to politics and more, it’s no wonder that adaptogens are becoming increasingly popular. An adaptogen is a natural substance that helps the body “adapt” to stress and exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. While most adaptogens are taken internally, Youth to The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream provides your skin with a dose of adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms (ashwagandha, reishi, and rhodiola) in order to calm the skin when faced with daily stressors like UV rays and environmental pollutants.
Youth to The People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil
Maqui, açaí, and goji. Sounds like the ingredients to make a pretty delicious smoothie, right? Well, it turns out that these fruits are not only smoothie-worthy, they are also packed with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients that can give your face a radiant glow. Youth to the People added these skin-loving ingredients into their Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil. Maqui, the most antioxidant dense fruit in the world, is combined with açaí and goji, creating a potent antioxidant elixir. Intensely hydrating prickly pear and squalane oil lock in moisture with the help of omega fatty acids and high levels of vitamin C.
Youth to The People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream
The Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream is a lightweight facial moisturizer that can be used by all skin types, but is best for those with oily and combination skin. As the name implies, it has an “air-whipped” gel cream texture that absorbs into the skin quickly without feeling heavy or greasy.
The superfood antioxidant blend in this cream includes kale, spinach, green tea, and alfalfa. The formula also contains two moisture magnets: hyaluronic acid and panthenol (provitamin B5). These are two of the best ingredients for drawing moisture into the skin, giving you a plumped up, dewy complexion.
Youth to The People Superfood Skin Reset Mask
This Youth to the People Mask is said to instantly balance and restore dull, tired skin thanks to spirulina and bioactive microalgae. Kaolin, a type of white clay, is also a key ingredient in this mask. After being applied to the skin, kaolin helps remove excess oil and dead skin that can clog pores. Kaolin also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and swelling around existing blemishes. When you wash off this Youth to the People mask, kaolin also functions as a gentle abrasive to exfoliate the skin.
Youth to The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine
There’s no such thing as a miracle treatment when it comes to combating the signs of skin aging, although vitamin C comes pretty close. Why? Because it’s a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from environmental free radical damage. Vitamin C also discourages melanin production in the skin, which helps with hyperpigmentation issues, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that topical vitamin C can significantly reverse signs of aging by promoting collagen synthesis. A vitamin C serum is the best way to deliver this active ingredient into the deeper layers of your skin.
The Youth to The People vitamin C serum offers a 15% blend of three vitamin C derivatives (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate). The formula also includes plant-derived caffeine from superleafs yerba mate and guayusa to immediately brighten, enhance circulation, and visibly reduce morning puffiness.
Youth to The People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask
Applying a clay mask and relaxing in a hot bath is one of the best ways to unwind from a long day. While most clay masks include only clay as the key ingredient, the Youth to The People Superclay Mask takes things a step further. This triple-clay mask is “supercharged” with 2% niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3. Niacinamide is an amazing, multi-tasking skincare ingredient. A publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling.
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask
As an Allure 2019 Best of Beauty Award Winner, you know the Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask has to be pretty good. The formula is packed with hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and betaine, that draw moisture into the skin to give you a hydrated, plumped complexion. Plus, vitamin C and antioxidant-rich superberries help to target dullness and uneven skin tone. The result? Brighter, more radiant skin.
Youth to the People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial
Yerba Mate is a popular beverage because it provides the strength of coffee along with the health benefits of tea thanks to its rich supply of 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, and abundant polyphenols. All these nutrients make Yerba Mate an excellent skincare ingredient, too. It’s one of the key ingredients in the Youth to the People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial, a dual-action microdermabrasion facial. This creamy polish helps to break down dead skin cells with active enzymes, papaya, and pineapple, while sustainable micro-exfoliants bamboo and diatomaceous earth smooth skin texture. Plus, the caffeine from yerba mate and guayusa leave your skin energized and invigorated.
Youth to The People Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner
Think kombucha was only good for your gut? Think again! This Youth to The People toner combines kombucha black tea ferment with tree bark ferment to provide your skin with prebiotics. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria that make up your skin’s microbiome. This is important because 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 toner also features a blend of 8% lactic acid and 3% glycolic acid, which are both alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs exfoliate the skin by enhancing the breakdown of dead skin cells, leading to smoother, more radiant skin. The combination of these two AHAs not only exfoliate but work synergistically to retain hydration.
Is The Youth to The People Cleanser Right For You?
Even though the Youth to The People Cleanser is extremely popular right now, it’s still important to consider the most important factors before making a purchase. Here’s our summary:
- Key ingredients? Surfactants, kale, spinach, green tea, alfalfa
- Skin type? Recommended for all skin types
- Texture? Gel
- Fragrance? Yes
- Cruelty free? Yes
- Cost? $36 USD
Where to Buy Youth to The People Skincare Products?
Youth to The People skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as numerous third party online retailers such as Sephora, Amazon, and more.
What is The Youth to The People Return Policy?
The Youth to the People return policy states, “If at any time within 30 days of receipt you are not happy with the product, please email us and we will replace or refund your product. Products must be returned in new or gently used condition. All returns are free and a label will be provided.”
Is Youth to The People Cruelty Free?
Yes, Youth to The People is cruelty free.
Youth to The People Reviews
Youth to The People reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Youth to The People Superfood Cleanser, which has received an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars after more than 1,500 customer reviews.
The positive reviews for the Youth to The People cleanser mention that it’s “worth every penny” because of how well it works to keep the skin clear and smooth.
For example, one review says, “This cleanser has seriously helped out my skin. I’ve always suffered from little bumps and small pimples around my face, and in the span of 3 weeks, they’ve almost vanished. I was a little wary of purchasing such an expensive cleanser, when I’ve always bought drugstore face washes, but I don’t regret a single thing. The scent is light and not too powerful, and a little goes a long way. I absolutely love it.”
And another very positive review for the Youth to The People cleanser says, “I really enjoy this cleanser. A little bit goes a long way. Fresh and earthy scent. Doesn’t bother my allergies. Cleans well and doesn’t leave my skin dry afterwards. Though pricey for a facial cleanser, it is WELL worth it.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Youth to The People cleanser from customers who experienced side effects from this cleanser, such as skin dryness, tightness, and even breakouts. Many customers discovered that it stripped their skin of moisture (which is the opposite of what it’s claimed to do).
For example, one review says, “This is the worst cleanser I have ever used on my skin. I was excited to try this product and before making the purchase I did my research and thought the ingredients were safe. After using it, it over stripped my skin and left my skin feeling exaggerated, dry, and red. After a couple of uses, I noticed my skin started to break out. Also, the smell is horribly strong.”
And a similar review says, “I bought this product because it is raved about and was prepared to love it. After using this stinky product, my skin was very red and dry. If you like a lot of fragrance and have very oily skin this might be for you. I was prepared to love this company but this was very disappointing.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that the Youth to The People products are formulated well, although we wish the brand would formulate all of their products without fragrance.
Pros
- Products combine natural ingredients (kale, spinach, green tea, etc.) with safe synthetics (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, etc)
- Many positive Youth to The People reviews
- Youth to The People is cruelty free
Cons
- Some Youth to The People products contain fragrance
What Are Some Alternatives to Youth to The People Skincare Products?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend The Defence Serum, followed by The Moisturizer.
References:
Nutrients. 2017 Aug; 9(8): 866.
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Feb; 3(2): 22–41
