Plus, I’ve discovered a way to get one of these luxury products for ‘free’
As a beauty writer, my skincare stash is constantly overflowing. Every other day, a new serum or moisturiser lands on my desk, all promising to be the one that changes everything. It makes picking a favourite pretty tough.
That said, I’ve always had a soft spot for Perricone MD. Its blurring primer and lip oils are elite, but admittedly, I hadn’t delved much into the brand’s skincare.
With winter still in full force and my skin looking a little dusty (for lack of a better word), I was super intrigued by the brand’s brightening range. The Photo-Brightening Moisturiser and Brightening and Exfoliating Polish are both designed to, you guessed it, bring a much-needed glow back to my complexion while tightening and reducing dark spots
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I tested them over the course of a week, hoping for some winter skin revival. At the moment, when shoppers buy the Photo-Brightening Moisturiser and use code FREEPOLISH, they receive a free full size Brightening and Exfoliating Polish.
My review of Perricone MD’s brightening skincare
Let’s be real — no skincare product is a miracle worker in seven days. But I was genuinely impressed, especially with the Photo Brightening Moisturiser.
It has a slightly pinkish undertone, instantly giving my complexion a bit of life (a game-changer for those who look a little ghostly this time of year). Even before makeup, my skin looked fresher — like I’d slept a solid eight hours.
One of the biggest perks of the moisturiser is how effortlessly it worked as a primer for my makeup. The instant glow it gave my skin meant I didn’t need to pile as much product as usual — I skipped highlighter and foundation entirely because my complexion already had a soft, natural radiance.
I dabbed concealer under my eyes, added some bronzer to define my cheekbones and jawline and a touch of blush for warmth — that was it. The moisturiser did all the heavy lifting, making my skin look fresh and luminous without needing layers of base makeup.
Texture-wise, its formula looks thick but is surprisingly lightweight, sinking in quickly without feeling greasy. It’s also fragrance-free, which my sensitive skin appreciates.
Onto the polish — I tend to avoid facial exfoliators as I worry they’ll impact my sensitive skin, but the Perricone MD scrub feels effective without being too harsh. It gives my skin that smooth, post-facial feel without leaving it red and irritated. It’s definitely a good one to reach for when my skin feels congested and needs a boost.
My only gripe is the price; the moisturiser and polish are £64 and £55, respectively, making them less of an impulse buy and more of a splurge. However, I can’t deny the quality and pretty much instant results, so it’s worth considering if you’re looking for fast-working skincare.
Saying that, shoppers can nab a complimentary Exfoliating Polish for a limited time when spending £55 or more sitewide, meaning you could treat yourself to the moisturiser and get the scrub for free. Bonus!
While these products would shine even more with long-term use, my skin already looks noticeably brighter and smoother. The moisturiser, in particular, has earned a spot in my routine — especially on mornings when I need an instant boost.
You can shop the Photo-Brightening Moisturiser and Brightening and Exfoliating Polish via Perricone MD. Remember, you can bag the polish for free when spending £55 onsite.
Otherwise, I recommend Beauty Pie’s Brightening Niacinamide Superdrops. This £50 serum aims to brighten, clear, and soften skin with a blend of hydrating niacinamide and Evermat, a plant extract that shrinks pores and reduces shine.