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Glow Recipe

Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner.

Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner
Toners

About this product

A lightweight essence toner enriched with cloudberry concentrate, coenzyme Q10, glycerin, and rice water, designed to brighten and hydrate the skin while enhancing absorption of subsequent skincare steps.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

77%

Yay

5 experts · Moderate agreement
5Gurus
4Yay
0Mixed
1Nay
#17 in TonersSee the ranking →

What they liked

  • Absorbs quickly with a light, watery texture
  • Works as toner, essence and serum in one
  • Subtle citrusy sweet fragrance

What they flagged

  • Contains fragrance

What the gurus are saying

This toner earns consistent praise for delivering visible brightening and plumping hydration in a fast-absorbing, watery texture that feels lightweight on skin. The cloudberry concentrate (fermented to enhance absorption), coenzyme Q10, and 5% glycerin work together to brighten dull complexion, support skin barrier repair, and help with uneven tone and hyperpigmentation with regular use. It pairs well with most routines, including active ingredients like tretinoin and vitamin C, though those sensitive to fragrance may want to skip it. Apply after cleansing and before serums and moisturizer.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take May 2025

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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Yay
"This has co-enzyme Q10, which is a powerful antioxidant to improve fine lines and wrinkles, to improve signs of aging. It also has that cloudberry that is rich in antioxidants as well, like vitamin C. And this is going to help brighten the skin. And I'm telling you right now, if you can be consistent with this and use this at least once a day, if you can use this twice a day, great. The first thing that you will notice is that brightness. It might take a couple of weeks, but it really does brighten. It hydrates like a dream as well. It is also very lightweight, more lightweight than the other two that I just mentioned because this isn't milky. This has more of that gel type of texture. So, if you have oily skin, I think you're going to really like this. And this also has 5% glycerin, which is a humectant, and rice water, which is also another ingredient that is going to hydrate, nourish, and plump up the skin. This does have fragrance. It smells really nice, but if you can't do fragrance, just keep in mind that this does have fragrance. I just use two pumps and I apply this all over my face and my neck. Feel free to bring this down to your chest as well. I actually really like using this more so in my morning routine paired up with vitamin C serums or paired up with some type of antioxidant serum."
All 12 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
BEAUTY PRODUCT'S I'VE USED UP || BEAUTY EMPTIES 2024 - SINCERELY MISS ASH
"The Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner is one of the best products that Glow Recipe has come out with to date. I've been obsessed with this since they launched it several months ago and I'm now working on my third bottle. I use it every day twice a day and I can't stop using it. It works pretty quickly. This contains 5% glycerin so this formula really is super hydrating and perfect for all skin types, but if you are more on the drier skin type you're going to love it. It also contains coenzyme Q10 which is an antioxidant, so great for brightening and great to target signs of aging. The cloudberry in here is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, so this is absolutely incredible to transform a dull complexion to that brighter glowing tone. If you have post-acne marks or discoloration, then with continuous use this can help to brighten."
IF I COULD ONLY PICK 1 PRODUCT FROM MY FAVORITE SKINCARE BRANDS | THIS WAS REALLY HARD!
"I am currently obsessing over their new Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner. This has to be one of the best products that they have come out with to date. It performs really well so it's very hydrating, perfect for all skin types. Even if you have oily skin you're still going to love this. I have combination skin, I am acne prone, and the fragrance in here never breaks me out. The hydration that I get from this never clogs my pores. It's exceptional. This is what you would use after you've cleansed your skin but before your serums, your moisturizer, and so on. This has cloudberry which is rich in vitamin C as well as vitamin E. There is 5% glycerin in here and coenzyme Q10 which is an antioxidant, so this is going to help with that brighter complexion and of course with hydration. I love it. It just preps your skin for your serums, and I just feel like the more consistent you are with this, you're going to notice that your skin is going to become brighter and brighter. I can't imagine removing this from my routine right now, so I do use this every day twice a day."
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"This has co-enzyme Q10, which is a powerful antioxidant to improve fine lines and wrinkles, to improve signs of aging. It also has that cloudberry that is rich in antioxidants as well, like vitamin C. And this is going to help brighten the skin. And I'm telling you right now, if you can be consistent with this and use this at least once a day, if you can use this twice a day, great. The first thing that you will notice is that brightness. It might take a couple of weeks, but it really does brighten. It hydrates like a dream as well. It is also very lightweight, more lightweight than the other two that I just mentioned because this isn't milky. This has more of that gel type of texture. So, if you have oily skin, I think you're going to really like this. And this also has 5% glycerin, which is a humectant, and rice water, which is also another ingredient that is going to hydrate, nourish, and plump up the skin. This does have fragrance. It smells really nice, but if you can't do fragrance, just keep in mind that this does have fragrance. I just use two pumps and I apply this all over my face and my neck. Feel free to bring this down to your chest as well. I actually really like using this more so in my morning routine paired up with vitamin C serums or paired up with some type of antioxidant serum."
BEAUTY PRODUCT'S I'VE USED UP || BEAUTY EMPTIES 2024
"I have an empty Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner and I am obsessed with this. This has to be one of the best products that Glow Recipe has come out with to date. This is extremely brightening but also very hydrating on the skin as well. You can pair this up with anything and everything. This has coenzyme Q10, which is a great antioxidant, so perfect for signs of aging. The cloudberry in here is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, and there's glycerin in here as well, so this helps to repair the skin barrier as well but is super brightening. I like to use this both morning and evening. I pair this up with tretinoin, I pair this up with vitamin C or copper peptides. I use this with everything and I just can't remove it out of my routine. It really has made a big difference in my everyday routine. If you're looking for something for hydration and for brightness, pick up this."
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"This is a product that I use every day twice a day and I couldn't believe how brightening this was when I first started using it, which is why I have been using it non-stop since then. This is very plumping and very hydrating with the 5% glycerin. When your skin is really hydrated and it has that plump to it, your skin already looks rejuvenated and healthy and glowy. It's contributing to that complexion, but also we have co-enzyme Q10 in here which is an antioxidant and this is going to brighten up the skin, it will protect your skin from everyday pollution and it can also help to address signs of aging. Cloudberry is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E and vitamin C is also another ingredient that can help to brighten up your skin. The first thing that you will notice once you start using this is how much hydration that you get."
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"This is amazing and this has to be my favorite product from Glow Recipe. It really is hydrating, it gives this brighter complexion, and how your skin looks and feels after you've used this, and especially with consistency, your skin, your complexion just looks so youthful. I especially love using this before tret, before retinol, or any other type of active because it really gives your skin that boost of hydration. This has cloudberry which is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. There is Coenzyme Q10 in here which is an antioxidant, so perfect for signs of aging. But this also has 5% glycerin which is very moisturizing. You would want to use this right after cleansing, or you can use this after a facial mist but before your serums and then of course your tretinoin and retinol. You can use this everyday, twice a day, which I have been doing. It does have a fragrance to it. Most of the products from Glow Recipe, if not all of them, have fragrance, so please keep that in mind. But it is very subtle. The results that you get from this is just truly amazing. I can't wait to purchase another one. This is definitely going to be on repeat."
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"This is my third bottle by the way and this just came out this year and I am obsessed. I can't remove it out of my routine. I will even pair this up with copper peptides, sometimes I will pair it up with just regular peptides, different types of vitamin C's. I pair this up with anything and everything and I just love that glow and that plump that I get."
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"The Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner is fairly new to the market and I have to say I am really impressed and I feel like this is my favorite product from Glow Recipe so far. This is extremely hydrating but it's also quite plumping and repairing. This has 5% glycerin and also contains coenzyme Q10, which is a fabulous potent antioxidant that can really improve signs of aging, but it also contains cloudberry which is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. So this essence is really brightening but again it provides a lot of hydration, and if your skin is feeling a little tight and compromised, I do feel like this helps to repair the skin as well. This can be used everyday twice a day, and because this is an essence toner you would want to apply this before your serums and your moisturizer. [...] I've been using this every day twice a day [...] and it's amazing."
MY NIGHTTIME ANTI-AGING SKINCARE ROUTINE - P.M. SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE USING TRETINOIN
"This is very hydrating, plumping, but also very brightening to the skin. It has 5% glycerin and contains co-enzyme Q10, which is an antioxidant, so perfect to brighten up your skin and target signs of aging. And there is cloudberry, which is rich in vitamin E and vitamin C. [...] If you're looking for an essence toner that brightens the skin but also hydrates and plumps, you're going to really enjoy this. Yes, it does contain fragrance, so if that's not your thing then you probably would want to stay away from this, but I really love this for my nighttime routine and I especially love this for my morning routine. I've been using this for quite a while now and this bottle is actually almost finished. This is my second bottle and I do have a backup in my linen closet."
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"Glow Recipe came out with a new product and when I saw this release not long ago I knew I had to try it. I love this brand honestly, I feel like I have never had one bad experience with their products as of yet. Their formulations are truly beautiful and they all smell incredible. This is the Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner and I love products like this. This is a concentrated essence toner that is formulated with cloudberry, which is a superfruit rich in vitamin C and powerhouse antioxidant CoQ10. Great for normal, dry, combination, oily skin types. Great if you have dryness, dullness, that uneven texture. Cloudberry concentrate is fermented for enhanced absorption and also packed with vitamin C, vitamin E to help brighten and hydrate the skin. It also has coenzyme Q10, which is a powerful antioxidant, so great for signs of aging, great to visibly strengthen your skin barrier as well. And it has 5% glycerin and rose water to seal in moisture and to hydrate the skin. This is $50, $2 Canadian and you are getting 75 mls of product."
BEAUTY EMPTIES 2025 || SKINCARE, MAKEUP AND HAIRCARE PRODUCT'S I'VE USED UP - PROJECT PAN
"This is probably my third bottle now and I love this. I do have a backup already waiting to go. This has to be one of the best products from Glow Recipe because it actually works. I really love the results that I see. It's very brightening, it's hydrating, it deeply hydrates your skin, and it's also quite plumping as well. There is co-enzyme Q10 in here which is a powerful antioxidant for signs of aging, but it also can help to protect your skin from pollution from environmental stressors. There's cloudberry which is rich in vitamin C, and there is also glycerin at 5% if I'm not mistaken. It is very hydrating and it has like that serum type of texture. I like to use this after cleansing, after a facial mist, use it within my serums, and then of course before moisturizer and sunscreen. You can use this every day, twice a day. It's a very friendly product that can be used with anything. I literally use this with everything and anything and I love my experience with this."
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"The Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner is their newest launch and I am obsessed with this. I almost done it and I will be purchasing another one during the sale absolutely. This is very very hydrating but it's also very brightening as well. This has Cloudberry which is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, there is 5% glycerin so very moisturizing on the skin, and there's also co-enzyme Q10 which is an antioxidant. The more consistent you are with this you will notice that your complexion will become brighter and that is the first thing that I noticed when using this. I've been using this every day twice a day since I received it. I do pair this up with toner, I have used this with peptides, vitamin C, honestly I've paired this up with anything and everything and I've never had issues with peeling, nothing, because again this is your essence toner so this would be the first product that you would apply after cleansing your skin but before your serums and then of course your creams your sunscreen and then of course your makeup. This is very hydrating on the skin and if your skin is feeling tight, it's angry, I feel like this does a very good job."
Yay
"The Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner is enriched with antioxidants so it not only helps to protect your skin against environmental aggressors but also helps to brighten your skin as well as help to hydrate and also enhance the penetration of the rest of your skincare products like serums. It contains Cloudberry concentrate that is rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants along with coenzyme Q10 that we know is an antioxidant powerhouse, so together it really helps to protect your skin from free radical damage. At the same time it also contains 5% glycerin and rice water that helps to moisturize and brighten your skin. Vitamin C itself is also a really great brightening agent. It has a nice texture that absorbs really quickly. Usually what I do is I would just pat this product on after cleansing, let it absorb, and then before it absorbs completely I'll move on to my serum, moisturizer, and then sunscreen if it's in the morning or just moisturizer at night."
Top Pick: essence toner
All 2 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu
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"The Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner is enriched with antioxidants so it not only helps to protect your skin against environmental aggressors but also helps to brighten your skin as well as help to hydrate and also enhance the penetration of the rest of your skincare products like serums. It contains Cloudberry concentrate that is rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants along with coenzyme Q10 that we know is an antioxidant powerhouse, so together it really helps to protect your skin from free radical damage. At the same time it also contains 5% glycerin and rice water that helps to moisturize and brighten your skin. Vitamin C itself is also a really great brightening agent. It has a nice texture that absorbs really quickly. Usually what I do is I would just pat this product on after cleansing, let it absorb, and then before it absorbs completely I'll move on to my serum, moisturizer, and then sunscreen if it's in the morning or just moisturizer at night."
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"This is a concentrated essence and toner [...] that you apply immediately after cleansing before your serum. It contains powerful antioxidants including cloudberry, which is really rich in vitamin C, along with another really potent antioxidant called coenzyme Q10 that really helps to boost our skin's ability to fight out free radicals. [...] Antioxidants really work well together when they're combined. It also contains 5% glycerin as well as rice water to really hydrate the skin, plump the skin, improve overall complexion. With those ingredients, it helps with hyperpigmentation, dullness, uneven skin texture and skin tone. It's really meant to be used like an essence toner to boost the benefits of the rest of your skincare. However, [...] with this wonderful formulation, if you want to simplify your routine, this could really serve as your essence toner as well as serum in one, just depending on how many steps you want to take. [...] You can use this alone as your essence and slash serum in one or it would be a great addition to the rest of your skincare routine."
Nay
"This is the cloudberry toner, my very last purchase from the brand, which I promptly returned. I've said this is a brand that has some fragrance, but this has a long list of essential oils, more than I'm used to seeing from them. I got too comfortable with the brand not formulating like this, bought it, and realized it wasn't going to work for my skin, I have a sensitivity to one of those essential oils, so I promptly returned it."
All 2 takes from AliceintheRabbitHole
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"This is the cloudberry toner, my very last purchase from the brand, which I promptly returned. I've said this is a brand that has some fragrance, but this has a long list of essential oils, more than I'm used to seeing from them. I got too comfortable with the brand not formulating like this, bought it, and realized it wasn't going to work for my skin, I have a sensitivity to one of those essential oils, so I promptly returned it."
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"I actually had to return the Cloudberry Essence from Glow Recipe because of my fragrance allergies."
Yay
"This is from Glow Recipe. This has citrus in it, my skin has been loving this. They did make this for sensitive skin, but the cloudberry, my skin is fine, but bergamot does tend to screw me over, so I'm definitely patch testing this first."
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"This is from Glow Recipe. This has citrus in it, my skin has been loving this. They did make this for sensitive skin, but the cloudberry, my skin is fine, but bergamot does tend to screw me over, so I'm definitely patch testing this first."
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"I love the cloudberry toner, the essence toner. Oh my God, I love it. If you're an adult and you need a little extra hydration, you want that gorgeous bouncy glass skin, do not sleep on the cloudberry."
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"I have absolutely fallen in love with this. This right here is the Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner, and they call it this because it's like an essence toner formula. I fell in love with this, it's one of my favorite face waters. There's a huge amount of CoQ10 in here, but there's also rice water and cloudberry. This cloudberry is fantastic, it's from Scandinavia, and the way they harvest it is insane. It's flash frozen and then it is fermented to basically ferment or break up all of the particles to make them smaller and easier to absorb into the skin and then they can have additional benefits. [...] These cloudberries are resilient plants that grow in harsh conditions, [...] and when scientists and researchers started looking at them they said cloudberries are amazing [...] for skin. There's things like vitamin E, there's beta carotene which is vitamin A, and yes there's forms of vitamin C naturally found in the cloudberries that are different from what we use in skincare with ascorbic acid that can burn the skin, but as the cloudberry extract there's this entire bundle of benefits."
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"I've actually been using their Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner and it is phenomenal. My skin normally doesn't work with vitamin C, but this one does."
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"This has CoQ10 as well as some vitamin C ingredients and they say it's safe for sensitive skin. I tried this and I have fallen in love. I would say this is the absolute best brightening essence toner that I have found, especially if you have sensitive skin. I'm usually sensitive to citrus, this actually doesn't have a lot of citrus in it. It's mainly the cloudberry, which does have vitamins A, C, and E in it, but I can put it all over my face and I don't get red. So with this I can actually enjoy citrus without the irritation. I also love the pump top of this. I feel like with the other ones it's kind of fun to scoop, but the nice pump helps me get the perfect amount. If you're dry, this is fantastic under a moisturizer, but if you're oily, honestly, it's so thick and juicy I could use this as a brightening one step and just put sunscreen over this in the morning. For my oily-prone skin, this is so nice and lightweight I don't even need more. This has been an absolute slam dunk and it's one of those products that I was suspicious of until I actually got to know her."
Yay
"The fermented rice water helps give your skin a more luminous complexion, and fermented rice water is especially a staple in K-beauty for helping to soothe the skin as well. Fermentation allows the ingredients to be better absorbed into the skin. Fermented ingredients [...] in an essence are a must-have for me. This is such a nice watery toner. [...] It almost looks like a little bit of a watery jelly in the packaging, but the moment you pump it out into your hand, it [...] turns into a more liquidy toner. When you put it on your skin, it almost just feels like water on the skin, and it just sinks in. You feel like your skin's just had a little drink of something. This does have a slight smell to it, but it's very refreshing, citrusy sweet without being lemony and bleachy. [...] It's a multitasker. You can use it in the toner essence stage, and this works as the toner, essence, and serum all in one. I used it as [...] the only step between a cleanser and a moisturizer for a week and that's all I needed."
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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner?

A lightweight essence toner enriched with cloudberry concentrate, coenzyme Q10, glycerin, and rice water, designed to brighten and hydrate the skin while enhancing absorption of subsequent skincare steps.

Is Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner worth it?

Mostly yes. 4 of the 5 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 77%.

What is Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner's Guru Score?

Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner holds a Guru Score of 77%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

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