About the product

Meet Strawberry Smooth: Gently smooth texture, clear breakouts, and refine pores, while calming skin with our most powerful, yet gentle daily clarifying BHA+AHA serum.

Powered by our 10% Clarity Acid Complex™–a special blend of 2% salicylic acid & mandelic acid (AHA+BHA), strawberry, azelaic acid, and succinic acid–this serum gently smooths texture, clears breakouts, and refines pores, while calming skin. These clarifying qualities are balanced with hydrating & soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid & allantoin to add moisture and protect your skin for a soft-glow finish. It’s time to ditch over drying acid treatments & get Strawberry smooth!

The shelf life for this product once opened, is 12 months.


SELF Healthy Beauty Awards ‘Best Facial Exfoliant’  2022
CEW Beauty Creator Award 'Best Indi Skincare' 2022

About Glow Recipe: Glow Recipe creates clean, fruit-forward, clinically-effective skincare for glowing skin. Anchored in Korean skincare philosophies, this sensorial skincare line develops innovative formulas that pair antioxidant-rich fruit with gentle yet powerful actives for real results and your healthiest, glowiest skin yet. Vegan. Cruelty-free. 

    10% Clarity Acid Complex™

    • 2% Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (BHA): Closer to skin’s pH level, this encapsulated form of salicylic acid gently dissolves blemish-causing buildup and balances oil with minimized irritation.
    • Mandelic Acid (AHA) A larger exfoliating molecule that smooths rough texture and slowly penetrates for minimal irritation.

    Strawberry:

    Naturally occurring enzymes found in strawberry water and leaf extract work to hydrate & resurface skin while reducing production of excess oil.

    Azelaic Acid Liposome:

    Boosts the performance of salicylic acid to gently calm sensitized, blemish-prone skin and provide a brightened complexion.

    Succinic Acid:

    A naturally derived acid that hydrates, soothes, & decongests your skin

    Hyaluronic Acid:

    A holy grail hydrator that retains 1000 times its weight in water and plumps and restores moisture to the skin (a.k.a all day hydration!)

    Allantoin:

    A moisturizing skin protectant that also smooths the skin.

    Bisabolol:

    A soothing form of vitamin B with skin brightening benefits.

    Free Of:

    Parabens, Mineral Oil, Silicones, Phthalates, Drying Alcohols, Synthetic Dyes, & Synthetic Fragrance. Vegan & Cruelty-free.

    View All Ingredients

    Water/Aqua/Eau, Methylpropanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Succinic Acid, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Prickly Pear) Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Glucosamine, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dextrin, Polydextrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Amylopectin, Butylene Glycol, Succinoglycan, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Fragrance/Parfum.

    This serum is gentle enough to use daily, both morning & night. Dispense 1–2 pumps and gently pat onto a clean face and neck until fully absorbed. During the day, follow with sunscreen after moisturizer.

    Pro Tip:

    Double serum with our other serums for double the benefits! We recommend applying your serums in order of density, starting with the thinnest, more lightweight of treatments.

    Double Serum Combinations:

    Strawberry + Plum Serum = Clarify + Plump
    Strawberry + Avocado Serum = Clarify + Soothe
    Strawberry + Guava Serum = Clarify + Brighten
    Strawberry + Dew Drops = Clarify + Instantly Glow

    What is the proper way to store my Strawberry Serum?

    Keep in a cool, dry place. Do not keep in direct light.

    Can you use it day and night?

    Yes! If this is your first time using an acid treatment we recommend patch testing first and gradually introducing the serum into your routine. Our formula is gentle enough to be used either day or night or both, even with the high percentage of acids. The encapsulated salicylic acid we chose is closer to skin’s natural pH level while the mandelic acid is a larger exfoliating molecule that penetrates skin slowly - both producing real results with minimized irritation.
    If used during the day, make sure to wear sunscreen at the end of your skincare routine.

    Are there any other ingredients to avoid when using this serum?

    This formula pairs great with most ingredients, except benzoyl peroxide. There’s a common misconception that salicylic acid (BHA) cannot be used while using retinol products, which is not the case. The two ingredients can actually work synergistically together to be more effective. People with oily skin that are not particularly sensitive may be able to tolerate using both on a daily basis. People with more dry or sensitive skin, can ease into using both ingredients into their routine by using a salicylic acid formula in the day and retinol at night. As always, we recommend patch testing.

    At Glow Recipe, we’re committed to glowing responsibly, creating products that are good for your skin and the planet. In partnership with Pact Collective, we aim to give your glow empties a second life! To learn more about our sustainability initiatives click here

    Real Results

    100% had a visibly significant improvement in fine lines/wrinkles**
    100% agree this serum has reduced their blackheads
    96% agree this serum minimizes the appearance of their pores
    96% agree this serum has reduced their breakouts/blemishes
    93% had a visibly significant reduction in pore size**
    93% agree this serum smoothed the texture and bumps on their skin
    93% agree this serum helps reduce blemishes without overdrying their skin
    93% agree this serum is not sticky or greasy
    90% agree this serum diminishes post-acne hyperpigmentation
    90% agree this serum helped prevent future breakouts
    90% agree skin instantly appear less inflamed after application

    *Based on a consumer use study of 31 participants after 4 weeks

    **In a clinical study of 34 participants, after 4 weeks of use

    Clinically Effective Serums $45 & Under

    Our serums are packed with clinically effective ingredients that target your skin's daily needs. Formulated to achieve real skin results, our serums are made to be used together so you can target multiple skin concerns at once. We recommend layering serums from thinnest consistency to thickest for optimal absorbtion & love to switch up which serums we use based on ever-changing skin concerns. Curious which serums are right for you? There's a guide for that.

    Explore The Serum Guide >>

    Sustainability

    Carbon Neutral

    Recycle your empties with Pact

    Clean Ingredients

    Responsible Sourcing

    100% recyclable & FSC-Certified paper packaging

    average rating 4.7 out of 5
    Based on 680 reviews
    • 5 Stars
      578 Reviews
    • 4 Stars
      62 Reviews
    • 3 Stars
      17 Reviews
    • 2 Stars
      12 Reviews
    • 1 Star
      11 Reviews
    94% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
    Results
    Rated 4 out of 5
    Customer photos and videos
    680 Reviews
    Reviewed by Shea
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5
    Review posted

    4 Stars

    I love Glow products!!! This serum smells amazing and it’s pretty lightweight! Used it for the first time last night and woke up to find some blemish areas significantly smaller but at the same time, a new spot popped up. Could be the serum working to unclog my pores but I’m not sure. Either way, I’m going to keep using and see how it all plays out.

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    Reviewed by Ashley
    Verified Buyer
    I don't recommend this product
    Age Range
    35 - 44
    Skin Type
    • Combination
    • Sensitive
    Skin Concern
    • Pores
    • Acne
    • Anti-aging
    Rated 2 out of 5
    Review posted

    Like the product…hate the applicator…disappointed by the company communication

    I liked this product enough to enroll in a subscription (which I have since canceled). Unfortunately, with about 1/5 of serum left in the jar, the pump stopped working. I gently tried to finesse it but ultimately had to remove it completely to use the product. Glow support would not assist me because I didn’t take pictures of the broken pump before discarding it. I really want to keep buying from this brand but am soured by their poor customer support communications.

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    Rated 3 out of 5
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    Reviewed by Mylie
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5
    Review posted

    4 Stars

    I love the smell of this serum and it exfoliates my skin overnight making my skin feel very smooth the next morning and helps with any breakouts or spots

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    Reviewed by Charline
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Review posted

    5 Stars

    I swear by Glow Recipe seriously. I have sensitive skin and this brand works wonders for me. The first time I tried these products it cleared my target acne within 6 hours no joke. I don’t always do all the steps but I definitely use the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer daily.

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    Reviewed by Amy S.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Age Range
    25 - 34
    Skin Type
    • Combination
    • Acne
    • Sensitive
    Skin Concern
    • Acne
    • Uneven tone
    • Dullness
    • Dark spots
    Rated 5 out of 5
    Review posted

    An Absolute Skincare Staple!

    I've been using the Strawberry Smooth BHA and AHA for a few years, and I couldn't imagine my skincare routine without it! I have acne-prone, sensitive skin and it has been safe to use both morning and night after I wash my face and has not caused excessive dryness whatsoever. It has helped even out my skin texture and has lightened up my acne marks. I highly recommend this product for those who want to try an AHA/BHA for the first time or want to find a more gentle alternative to an exfoliating serum!

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    Rated 5 out of 5
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