Tula Skincare Review

When you hear the word probiotics, you probably think of them in relation to the bacteria found in the gut, but did you know that probiotics are starting to be used in topical skincare formulas as well? The idea is that these beneficial bacteria can help maintain healthy skin cells and fight against acne-causing microbes.

We’ll take a look at how these probiotic-enriched products perform in this Tula skincare review. This blog post will review Tula Glow Starts Here Bestselling Skin Essentials Kit, which includes 5 of Tula’s best-selling products.

This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.

About Tula

Tula is a skincare brand that was founded in 2013. It aims to provide skincare products free from harsh chemicals and instead use natural ingredients that help improve the skin’s appearance, like probiotic extracts and superfoods.

Tula was founded by Dr. Roshini Raj, who is a practicing gastroenterologist and passionate about skin health. It also started when Dr. Raj saw a positive impact on her patients’ internal health after incorporating probiotics into their diets and taking probiotic supplements. She also noticed her patients’ skin glowing.

Tula skincare claims to harness the power of probiotics by using different bacterial strains to provide a variety of benefits for the skin. There is some early research showing that these bacteria might produce some positive effects for the skin.

The word TULA means “balance” in Sanskrit. Tula Skincare products are designed to give you healthier-looking skin by harnessing the power of nature.

Tula works with experienced bioscience laboratories to create clean skincare formulations that are clinically tested for efficacy, so they will be gentle on your skin.

Tula’s products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sulfates, triclosan, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and retinol.

Is Tula Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Tula is cruelty-free. Tula does not test on animals and is certified cruelty-free.

Probiotics In Tula Skincare

Every single Tula product contains probiotic extracts.

The ingredients that are found in probiotic supplements are supposed to help improve your skin health.

Lactococcus Ferment Lysate comes from the Gram-positive bacteria, Lactococcus lactis. It is supposed to speed up epidermal cell growth, increase cell turnover and balance the skin microbiota, which is helpful for acne and oily skin types. It is also supposed to support a healthy and moisturized skin barrier.

Bifida Ferment Lysate is supposed to protect the skin from UV damage from the sun. Per this study, it can also help decrease skin sensitivity and help with skin barrier repair.

Tula’s probiotic extracts do not contain live cultures, so there is no need to keep the products refrigerated. Per Tula, live cultures are not needed to obtain skincare benefits from probiotic extracts.

Superfoods in Tula Skincare

Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract: Helps to improve the look of skin texture.

Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract: Contains anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant benefits that protect the skin from free radical damage from UV rays. It can even regulate excess sebum production of those with acne.

Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract: An antioxidant rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that aid in hydration.

Rosehip: Balances firms and smoothes the skin.

Tula Skincare Review

While Tula skincare products are moderately priced, they can get expensive if you want to try more than one product. So I purchased a Tula kit that contains multiple best-selling Tula products that are FULL SIZE and at a DISCOUNTED PRICE. The set of 5 products is currently priced at $138 but sold separately retail for $184.

Tula Glow Starts Here Bestselling Skin Essentials Kit includes 5 of Tula’s best-selling products:

• The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser (6.7 oz)
• So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub (2.9 oz)
• Get Toned Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner (3.0 oz)
• Rose Glow & Get It Eye Balm (0.35 oz)
• 24/7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream (1.5 oz)

I love that the kit has both basic staple skincare products for your skincare routine like a cleanser and a moisturizer but also some specialty treatment products like sugar scrub and glycolic acid toner.

Here are the 5 products from the kit that I tried:

Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser

Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser is formulated with probiotics to gently cleanse skin without disrupting its delicate balance. Probiotic extract Bifida Ferment Lysate moisturizes the skin and reduces the look of inflammation. Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental stressors.

Blueberry extract is antioxidant-rich and nourishes skin with essential nutrients to leave the skin fresh and radiant. This gel cleanser also contains anti-inflammatory turmeric extract to support a healthy skin barrier.

Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) root extract helps soothe dryness, improve skin barrier function and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is also an anti-inflammatory prebiotic that helps to improve the look of skin firmness. There are citrus oils and added fragrances in this cleanser.

The first thing I noticed about this gel cleanser was the fragrance. It’s a powdery floral that reminded me of an air freshener. It was overwhelming the moment that I applied the gel to my face. Since it’s a cleanser that is washed off your face, I figured the scent would go away pretty quickly, but unfortunately, it lingered even after rinsing the cleanser.

While the purifying cleanser removed makeup, dirt, and oil from my face and didn’t leave my face feeling stripped or dried out, I couldn’t get past the scent. I can imagine that it might irritate those with sensitivities.

Tula prides itself on being a clean skincare brand, but this heavily fragranced product was disappointing and left me reluctant to try the rest of the products. Fortunately, not all of the products had such a strong fragrance.

Tula So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

Tula So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub is formulated to work by polishing away dry, dead skin cells to reveal visibly renewed, smoother and brighter skin and more even skin tone. It lifts away excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin or leaving it feeling dry or tight.

Sugar grains gently exfoliate. Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, a probiotic extract, improves cell turnover and gently cleanses the pores for a brighter complexion. Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid and chemical exfoliator to remove dull, dead skin cells for improved radiance and clarity. Papaya and pineapple enzymes are fruit enzymes that provide a mild exfoliation. Vitis vinifera (grape) fruit extract provides antioxidant benefits.

I wasn’t sure what to expect since I generally prefer chemical exfoliation over physical exfoliation, but I really liked this scrub. The sugar crystals, lactic acid, and fruit enzymes gently exfoliated my skin without irritating it or causing any redness.

The scrub is fragranced and has a fruity pineapple tropical fragrance that is not as strong as the cleanser. The scent goes away after rinsing the scrub off your face.

I really liked the results I got with this sugar scrub. It left my skin softer, smoother, and brighter. I like how it combines both physical and chemical exfoliants but was gentle and did not irritate my skin. I will use this a few times a week in the morning to compliment the exfoliating acids that I use a few evenings each week.

Tula Get Toned Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner

Tula Get Toned Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner is formulated with a 10% pro-glycolic complex to exfoliate the skin. This complex contains a blend of a probiotic (Lactococcus Ferment Lysate) and prebiotic extracts (chicory root extract) plus glycolic acid to exfoliate, smooth, and brighten the skin.

The resurfacing gel toner also contains lactic acid for additional chemical exfoliation and sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) to hydrate and attract moisture to the skin. Blueberry fruit extract and turmeric extract offer antioxidant benefits.

Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract, a moisturizing sugar molecule, retains water just as well as hyaluronic acid.

Although glycolic acid is the 2nd most concentrated ingredient in the formula, it certainly does not feel like a 10% glycolic acid toner. So while Tula does not disclose the actual amount of glycolic acid in the toner (remember, the 10% is a complex of probiotic and prebiotic extracts and glycolic acid), I would guess that it is much much lower than 10%.

Upon application, I did not experience any stinging or burning and only the tiniest bit of tingling, which is unusual with glycolic acid products since my skin always reacts to even a 5% glycolic acid formula.

That’s not saying that I didn’t like the toner because I do like it. It’s perfect for someone like me who has somewhat sensitive skin. It really targets dullness and uneven skin texture, and skin tone. This pH-balanced formula is gentle enough to replace your regular daily toner.

The directions recommend applying 1-2 pumps of toner to a cotton pad and then sweeping across your face, but this toner has more of a gel-like consistency, so I like to pump the product onto my fingers and spread it evenly across my face so as not to waste any product.

Related Posts: The Inkey List Skincare Review, Naturium Skincare Review

Tula Rose Glow & Get It Eye Balm

Tula Rose Glow & Get It Eye Balm is Tula’s best-selling hyaluronic acid eye balm formulated to hydrate, tone, tighten and brighten the delicate skin around your eyes. It contains the same ingredients as Tula’s original eye balm (Glow & Get It): probiotic extract Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, circulation-improving caffeine, soothing aloe, and antioxidant watermelon extract.

This version of Tula’s eye balm also contains rosewater and rosehip oil, rich in moisturizing fatty acids. Blueberry extract hydrates and offers antioxidant protection. Hyaluronic acid hydrates, and lactic acid gently exfoliates, helping to improve the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

Apple extract provides a mild exfoliation. Lentil fruit extract, when combined with apple and watermelon extracts, forms a trio of moisturizers. Per the manufacturer, the trio (combined with Sodium PCA & sodium lactate, which are also in this eye balm) is called AcquaCell and provides extended hydration and can help with fine lines.

Tula notes that this eye balm can be used under or over makeup and as needed during the day as a touch-up. You can also use it as a highlighter on your cheekbones, nose, and anywhere you want some instant brightening.

This eye balm is tinted a very pale rose shade to provide a healthy glow. It’s nice and hydrating and creates a noticeable cooling effect around my eyes. It leaves the skin around my eyes bright, smooth and plump.

I use it after eye cream and concealer for an understated glow. It creates a more wide-awake look around my eyes, which I always need.

Related Post: The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Review

Tula 24/7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream

Tula 24/7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream is a lightweight but deeply hydrating moisturizer formulated to be used both day and night.

It contains several skin-loving ingredients like probiotic extract Bifida Ferment Lysate, which supports a healthy skin barrier. Squalane moisturizes while chicory root, a prebiotic, balances the skin.

Apple, lentil, and watermelon extracts work with sodium lactate and sodium PCA to hydrate and smooth the look of wrinkles and fine lines. Green tea extract is an antioxidant that protects the skin and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.

While it is formulated for most skin types, I think this day/night cream may be a little too rich for those with combination, oily or acne-prone skin, although it is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. I think it is best suited for those with dull skin or mature or dry skin looking for anti-aging benefits and rich hydration.

I have combination skin, and I preferred it as a night cream, as it left my skin a little too dewy than I’d like for wearing under makeup during the day.

For my skin type, I think this lightweight cream would be ideal for use in the cool weather months or after using strong actives like retinol or AHAs, as it calms my skin and provides a fantastic boost of hydration and moisture.

Lastly, the cream contains fragrance, which I don’t love, but it is not as strong as the cleanser.

Related Post: Olay Retinol 24 Review

Final Thoughts on Tula Skincare Products

Although I was a little skeptical about the skincare benefits of topical probiotics, these Tula probiotic skincare products are formulated to reap the benefits of probiotics in addition to effective actives like superfood extracts, gentle physical exfoliants, and chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid and lactic acid, and other plant and fruit extracts that target the signs of aging.

I really like Tula’s exfoliating products. The sugar scrub provides a gentle physical and chemical exfoliation. The glycolic complex toner works to resurface my skin without the irritation and redness that I typically get from chemical exfoliants.

Thanks for reading!