New skincare brands pop up on the daily. As an editor, my inbox is regularly flooded with pitch after pitch of buzzy brands touting formulations with the latest and greatest ingredients. Apparently, I’m always just a purchase away from taut, bouncy, and glowing skin. But in the wide and ever-expanding world of beauty buys, some brands stand this test of relevancy and efficacy. My all-time fave? Versed skincare.
Like many, the cult brand came onto my radar when it hit the Target shelves in the spring of 2019. Getting snatched up by the retail giant (and the site of many a Sunday well-spent) is a rite of passage for countless small brands. But getting our hands on non-toxic eye creams and cleansers all for under $25? I—and millennial/Gen-Z women everywhere—was thrilled. Clearly, the brand is worth the hype. We’ve been buying up Versed ever since.
Versed Skincare Review: The Hydration Trio
Now, Versed is dropping its biggest launch to date. The Hydration Trio highlights a hardworking cleanser, serum, and eye gel—all priced at under $15. For insights into the intention behind this line and the effective ingredients each product features, I spoke with Kerry Sullivan, Versed’s CEO. Be sure to scroll to the end where I share my honest review. You won’t believe the before and after.
Read more: Two Editors Tried the Most Popular Skincare Products From Versed—These Are Their Honest Thoughts
Kerry Sullivan
Kerry Sullivan is the CEO of Los Angeles-based skincare brand Versed. She previously served as CMO at Dollar Shave Club and had also spent some 17 years in several executive roles at Johnson & Johnson, including as VP of Marketing and General Manager of Neutrogena. Kerry received her MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business and her BA from Georgetown University.
Many dermatologists support a pared-down, minimalist skincare routine. How do these three products fit into someone’s current routine?
Versed is all about centering on—and perfecting—the basics. “The Versed MO is to simplify skincare so you can solve your biggest skin concerns,” says Sullivan. While we love an hour-long, skincare-as-self-care sesh, time doesn’t always allow. When that’s the case, it’s important to lean on results-centric products—like the Hydration Trio—to ensure dewy skin.
But why the focus on hydration specifically? Sullivan is quick to note that hydration is a constant—no matter how someone’s skin may change and evolve. “It’s not just a lightweight moisturizer; it’s a fundamental part of our skincare. We’re firing all cylinders on that hydration with this trifecta of products. Comforting cleanser? Check. Powerhouse serum? Check. Lightweight, refreshing eye gel? Check.”
As for a hydration-based routine, Sullivan emphasizes a more is more approach, recommending that all three products be used together. To complete your daily, AM skincare ritual, top it off with a moisturizer and SPF.
Other brands put moisture—not hydration—front and center in their product lines. What is the difference? Where do each of these focus areas fit into an optimal skincare routine?
Sullivan defines the difference, noting that “hydrating ingredients attract water to the skin whereas moisturizing ingredients seal in moisture that’s already present in the skin.” However, while not interchangeable, hydrating ingredients can have moisturizing properties, with the opposite also being true.
If you’re coming to these products with dehydrated skin, “using a product like Water Rush [Intensive Hydrating Serum] that focuses on hydration will help replenish the water loss that’s causing your skin to look dull or feel tight.”
Though hydration is front and center with this line, the trio pairs well with Versed’s other moisturizing products. Sullivan recommends Skin Soak Moisture Cream, one of her favorites, “to seal in that water” keeping skin healthy and supple.
Aside from featuring clean ingredients and effective formulations, Versed is known for its commitment to accessible pricing. How were you able to set such competitive, compelling price points without sacrificing quality?
Having spent her career in skincare for over 25 years, Sullivan has an eye for formulations. As such, she’s proud to say that “Versed products stand toe-to-toe with products triple our cost.”
She cites several factors that play into this. First is their scaled roll-out through Target, where the brand launched within six months of its inception—and still finds itself today. Second is Versed’s commitment to stock componentry vs. spending on custom packaging. The latter of which, Sullivan notes, offers no end benefit to the consumer. Finally, Versed is formula-first in its focus—in contrast to other brands that market expensive ingredients without the added payoff.
During a time when inflation keeps our beauty budgets tight, it’s impressive to see a brand like Versed bring quality, non-toxic products to consumers for under $25. Can your go-to beauty brand say that?
Clearly, my before and after pictures above speak to the dewy, hydrating magic behind this trio of products. Ahead, discover my full review. Spoiler: I’m due for a restock soon—what can I say? The glow is truly addicting.
Soft Launch Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
My Review: I’ve always been picky with my cleansers. There’s nothing I hate more than the feeling of a cleanser that strips my skin, leaving it dry and tight. What’s more, I also double cleanse in the evening, starting with an oil-based cleanser (my favorite is from Nusa Holistick) to remove my top layer of makeup. After that, I want a cleanser that brightens and hydrates the skin before applying my serum. Thanks to the Soft Launch’s hyaluronic acid, my skin appears noticeably plumper and smoother after use. It’s squeaky clean without that too clean feeling—IYKYK.
Highlights: A low-lather cleanser that gently but effectively cleans the skin without drying it.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Pro Vitamin-B5, Green Tea Extract, and Aloe Leaf Juice
Water Rush Hydrating Eye Gel
My Review: I’ve long been an eye cream skeptic. Why should I be shelling out $50+ for something that seems to do little beyond moisturizing my under-eye area? (Even after using some of the most notoriously expensive creams, the dark bags persist.) Well, that was all for naught, because $12.99 is all it takes to brighten and hydrate this delicate area—and fend off any sign of wrinkles. I love that this product feels like a cream/water-based gel hybrid. It doesn’t go on too thick while still flooding the skin with hydration (key for softening fine lines). I apply a few small dots around my eye area both in the morning and evening. Whereas I’m overly cautious not to use too much of the more expensive creams, I have no qualms about picking up a new tube of this on my next Target run.
Highlights: Travel-friendly and hydrating, this under-eye treatment blends the lightweight feel of a water-based gel with the intense moisturization of a cream. The best part? It pairs perfectly under makeup, with zero creasing.
Key Ingredients: Five types of Hyaluronic Acid, Pro-Vitamin B5, Green Tea Extract, and Aloe Leaf Juice
Water Rush Intensive Hydrating Serum
My Review: I’m a serum junkie, through and through. (All the money I save on refusing to buy expensive eye creams, I spend on luxurious serums.) But once again, Versed is doling out effective formulations with my beauty budget in mind. Though the most expensive product of this hydrating trio, the Water Rush Intensive Hydrating Serum floods the skin with a combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds (I’m currently obsessed with Aloe Leaf Juice for that very reason). The result is hydration that deeply penetrates the skin, strengthening the skin barrier and keeping hydration locked in. I’m mindful to use this on my neck and chest as well. Those often show the first signs of aging and can benefit from a rush of hydration as well.
Highlights: A lightweight, non-sticky hydrating serum (in a travel-friendly, airless pump) that pairs perfectly as a final step before your favorite moisturizer.
Key Ingredients: Pro-Vitamin B5, Green Tea Extract, and Aloe Leaf Juice
