My Honest Crunchi Review

I’ve been using Crunchi skincare and makeup for almost 2 years now and can I tell you just how happy my skin is. It glows and it feels so supported and nourished. Not only is Crunchi the cleanest skincare brand, their products are effective and the company is wonderful! So here is my COMPLETE Crunchi review.

This Crunchi review is a skincare review. If you’re interested in Crunchi makeup, see my Crunchi makeup review! They are a complete clean beauty brand to make it easy for you.

I discovered Crunchi when Beautycounter products became unavailable a few years ago. Many of us were calmly scrambling to find non toxic beauty brands that we love as much as our beloved Beautycounter (which is now back as Counter, btw)!

When Crunchi was brought up, I had no idea what people were talking about – I’d never seen it or even heard the name, so I was intrigued. Just like Beautycounter, their skincare and makeup are consciously created with strict clean beauty standards in mind – actually more strict!

But does their skincare perform? YES!! Gone are the days of assuming clean and safe meant that skin care and makeup doesn’t perform. Don’t sacrifice your health for products that don’t work. These products work and your skin will love them!!

Update (June 2026): I’ve been using Crunchi products for several years now, and I continue to update this review as new products launch and my experience with the brand evolves. Most recently, I’ve added reviews of the Gentle Facial Cleanser and Adaptogen Facial Cream, two newer additions to the Crunchi skincare line.

Crunchi Review

Without getting too into the weeds here, I just want to quickly go over the key points of concern before we get to my real life (honest) Crunchi product reviews.

Crunchi doesn’t use any ingredient that is known to cause harm or health hazards. They have rigorous testing for every ingredient used in products (this is really big and not super common). There are no synthetic fragrances, no talc, no retinol, and the entire line is cruelty free (leaping bunny certified) and gluten free. They also third-party test for heavy metals. Nearly the entire line is vegan* as well and it’s all EWG-verified too!!

Almost all products are in glass and aluminum packaging. Caps and pumps are made of plastic when necessary, but this is a massive reduction in plastic use and limits the amount of products we need to send to makeup recycling. They have recycling/disposal instructions on every product page and they’re consistently working to make their packaging even more sustainable.

And in terms of the efficacy of the products. Crunchi uses the highest amount of active ingredients clinically proven to be effective without being irritating to skin, so their products are designed to GET THE JOB DONE!! You can read even more about why I think they’re the cleanest skin care brand!

Ok. So let’s get to this Crunchi review…

Crunchi Skin Care Review

In my first Crunch order, I picked out the charcoal mask, the Vitamin C brightening serum the I Am Luminous Facial Oil, and the I am Polished Exfoliator. Three of these four products are still (2 years later) among my favorite Crunchi products (and the favorites of my friends and followers who’ve tried them as well)

I am BRIGHT Vitamin C Serum Review

As someone who struggled with hyperpigmentation during and after pregnancy, I’m now hyper-aware of sun spots, especially in the summer when I’m outside (yes, with my favorite sunscreen on everyday), there the I Am Bright Vitamin C Facial Serum was going to be one of the first products I tried.

A few people mentioned not liking the scent of this product. There really isn’t a scent, per se. I mean, you can smell the product (almost clinical or medical if that makes sense, maybe a tiny hint of clove), but I don’t find it noticeable, honestly. It just smells clean!

The first time I used this, I used it after the vitamin c face toner I still have from BC, and I felt tingling on my upper cheeks – where I tend to see my sun spots first. My skin was also a little dry, so maybe a bit sensitive. The feeling dissipated within the hour. It wasn’t ever painful either, but I was definitely aware of the active ingredients…and I started noticing a more even, brighter skin tone within the first week of use!!! See more on what skin toners are for.

I’ve tried an array of vitamin C and brightening products and nothing is as effective as the Crunchi vitamin c serum!

Crunchi Facial Oil Review

I LOVE face oils, so the I Am Luminous Facial Oil was the next obvious product to try. I opened up the bottle quickly to see what it smelled like, and I was in love. The main ingredient is sweet almond oil, which I adore.

This face oil has that luxurious skincare experience. I also love that because it isn’t vitamin c, I can easily use it morning and/or night! So this is another one I’m loving so far. (UPDATE: I now consider this the best facial oil – organic or otherwise) Another high performer!

I am POLISHED Exfoliator Review

I love a good exfoliant, nothing too harsh but something that works. The I am Polished facial exfoliator is the best exfoliating mask – seriously. I don’t want to say I love it more than the facial oil, so let’s say it’s a tie!

The polish is a quick scrub you do after cleansing your face. It’s in a cooling gel form that has a wonderfully subtle scent. The scrub can be as intense as you wish, and you can absolutely spot treat – or area treat.

After scrubbing it on, just rinse off with water and follow with your toner, serum, and moisturizer of choice. I’m using it 2-3 days per week and noticing my summer hyperpigmentation spots minimizing already!

Crunchi Charcoal Mask Review

A few things to note about the charcoal mask. It is a gel formula – nothing like I’ve seen before. You MUST shake the container before using it – A LOT. It’s weird because it sounds like liquid in there, but it comes out in a creamy-like consistency.

The mask goes on like a gel. It doesn’t dry, harden, or crack. It’s cooling on the skin. And the BEST PART is how easily it comes off. I think it works fine nothing I plan to rebuy. Some friends noted that it helped with their pore size, but since I learned how to double cleanse, I just so rarely have a need to clear my pores or want to make them appear smaller.

Complete Crunchi Skincare Line Review

This Crunchi review is already pretty long, so I’ll give you a quicker review of each of the remaining products in their skincare line (I’ve tried all but 2)!

Cleansing Balm

I’ve never enjoyed cleansing balms, loving the one-step Counter cleansing oil. But I finally gave this cleansing balm a try – first as a moisturizing mask (apply for 5 minutes after cleansing) and then as the first step of double cleansing with their gentle cleansing bar. I’m now a nighttime convert to the balm and bar situation. It’s great for getting off my makeup, moisturizing, and it’s just easy. I don’t like it more than the cleansing oil, but it is nice. And it has the TINIEST grit that makes my skin softer. See how to use a cleansing balm.

Gentle Facial Cleanser

The Crunchi Gentle Facial Cleanser is one of Crunchi’s newest skincare products, and it’s quickly become a staple in my routine. It’s a soap-free, pH-balanced cleanser that’s completely fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types.

What I love most is that it actually feels like it’s cleansing my skin. Many gentle cleansers can leave me wondering whether they did anything at all, but this one creates a slight lather while still feeling nourishing and soothing. My skin feels clean after using it, but never tight, dry, or stripped. It’s wonderful!

I have a bottle in my shower and by the sink, so I’m using it most mornings. While I still prefer the Crunchi Cleansing Balm for nighttime use, sometimes I want something simpler, and this cleanser fills that role perfectly.

One unexpected benefit is how universal it feels. Because it’s so gentle and fragrance-free, I can easily see it working for just about anyone in my family. My husband has already started using it, and I can see it being a great option for my son as he gets older.

The only downside? As someone who enjoys subtle natural scents in skincare, I occasionally wish it had a little fragrance. But that’s also part of what makes the Crunchi Gentle Facial Cleanser such a great option for sensitive skin—the formula is completely unscented.

Clarilight Facial Essence

This is the toner in the Crunchi skin care routine. See more on what skin toners are for. I’m a firm believer in the need for toners in a skincare routine but I find them all to be fairly effective. Their toner is nice. It’s on the milkier side of essences, which is a good base for moisture. My only complaint on the toner is that a lot comes out of the wide-opening. Since I apply essence/toner with my palms, I don’t need a lot and often get too much.

Crunchi Peptide Serum Review

The Goldenlight Multipeptide Facial Serum was the last Crunchi skincare product I tried and it’s another winner. Peptides in skincare help fill fine lines. I don’t consider fine lines a huge problem, but I’m always here for the prevention of things (and I can see they’re starting).

Wildly enough, within a few weeks of using this serum every night, I looked in the mirror and noticed my face looking plumper, fuller, and glowier! Bonkers, right? The peptides and the hyaluronic acid were already at work.

Advanced Daylight & Nightlight Creams

Advanced Daylight & Nightlight creams: The Advanced line of their morning and evening creams have bakuchiol – the best natural retinol. I find them to be easy and enjoyable to use. I love that the addition of bakuchiol is great because they’re like 2-for-1 products, providing moisture and that cellular turnover.

The daylight and nightlight creams are the 2 items I haven’t tried yet. They both contain sunflower seed oil (learn more about sunflower oil here), which is a highly absorbent oil that’s gentle on skin, filled with antioxidants, and helps maintain the skin’s natural barrier!

Adaptogen Facial Cream Review

One of Crunchi’s newest skincare products is the Adaptogen Facial Cream, a lightweight moisturizer designed to help support skin through everyday stressors.

Adaptogens are herbs, roots, and mushrooms traditionally used to help the body adapt to stress. While they’ve long been popular in supplements, they’re now making their way into skincare. Research suggests adaptogens may help support the skin barrier and reduce the appearance of dryness, redness, and irritation.

I typically use the Advanced Daylight and Advanced Nightlight moisturizers, but I’ve recently been reaching for the Adaptogen Facial Cream in the mornings. The texture feels lighter than many moisturizers, but it spreads easily and keeps my skin feeling hydrated throughout the day without feeling heavy.

Another feature I love is the packaging. The cream comes in an infinitely recyclable aluminum bottle and contains 1.7 ounces of product—significantly more than the 1-ounce Daylight moisturizers for less cost.

If you’re looking for a lightweight daily moisturizer that works well for most skin types, the Adaptogen Facial Cream is definitely worth considering.

Sunlight Facial SPF

The Sunlight Facial SPF is a daily facial sunscreen that offers SPF30 and is untinted. I’m a huge proponent of daily sunscreen year round and this one is perfectly fine – easy to apply and works well. And because it’s clean, I use it on my son’s face before school and sports!!

You should also check out my Crunchi Body Treatment Review.

My Most Repurchased Crunchi Products

I use Crunchi almost exclusively for my skincare at this point. My skin has never been happier—more balanced, brighter, and stronger. While I occasionally try products from other brands, I continue coming back to these favorites because of their effectiveness, clean ingredients, and overall user experience.

Double Cleanse Duo

Now that I’ve added double cleansing to my routine, I simply can’t go back. My skin feels cleaner than it ever did with a single cleanser, and I’ve noticed less congestion and a healthier glow overall. The Cleansing Balm also adds a level of hydration that my skin appreciates.

Vitamin C Serum

I’ve tried a number of vitamin C serums over the years, and this remains one of my favorites. The formula is lightweight, absorbs easily, and layers beautifully with the rest of my skincare routine.

Multipeptide Serum

This is one of those products that makes my skin look and feel better almost immediately. My skin appears smoother, more hydrated, and generally healthier whenever it’s part of my routine.

I AM Luminous Facial Oil

I’ve used this facial oil for years and always keep a bottle on hand. It adds hydration without feeling greasy, works beautifully on its own or mixed with moisturizer, and is often the product I reach for when my skin feels dry or sensitive.

FAQs

Is Crunchi skincare worth the money?

Yes. Their products are wonderfully effective. Start with the one item that’s most in need of a replacement in your routine. I’m also always happy to help – comment below or email with any questions.

Is Crunchi skincare EWG Verified?

Yes. Every one of Crunch’s skincare products is EWG-verified, including the newly launched gentle facial cleanser and adaptogen facial cream.

Is Crunchi skincare good for sensitive skin?

Crunchi skincare is great for sensitive skin, but start with the items with few actives. These are the Cleansing Balm, Gentle Facial Cleanser, Clarilight Facial Essence, Adaptogen Facial Cream, and Facial Oil.

Which Crunchi product should I start with?

If you need more moisture, try the cleansing balm (preferably with the facial bar for a double cleanse). If you’re skin feels like it needs support, try the adaptogen facial cream (it adapts to your needs). For an indulgent experience you’ll want to share with the world (no, seriously), the I AM exfoliated exfoliating mask.

Is Crunchi Skincare Worth It?

After several years of using Crunchi skincare, I continue to repurchase many of the products and use them as the foundation of my daily routine. While the products are an investment, I’ve found the quality, ingredient standards, and performance worth the cost. If you’re looking for cleaner skincare without sacrificing effectiveness, Crunchi is a brand I feel comfortable recommending.

Crunchi Discount Code

I always update this Crunchi discount code page with the current sales and deals. You can also absolutely comment below or email me.

Use Code ADVOCATE15 for 15% off your first order. Saving money already!

Crunchi Return Policy

Crunchi offers returns within 30 days. For their foundation and tinted SPF in particular, they offer one free replacement shade if the color isn’t right.

Otherwise, returns can be initiated easily through their returns portal. Returns are not allowed on sale items or items included in a set or as a free gift. You’ll be responsible for the return shipping. These are all sustainable decisions to prevent waste and fraud!

Looking to build your own clean skincare routine? Read my guide!

Have questions? See what order should I do my skincare? And reach out with any questions!

*The only Crunchi item that isn’t vegan is their hydrogloss lip oil, which contains beeswax.

Clean Beauty

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Counter Review (previously Beautycounter)
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razor and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!