This $24 Treatment Visibly Shrunk My Pores Overnight (& I Have The Before & Afters To Prove It)

Confession: I sometimes cut corners with my skin care routine. When I’m feeling lazy, exfoliating is the first step to go out the window.

Despite all the samples I receive as a result of my job, I’d never found a formula I love enough to stick with it—until I tried the most recent launch from Three Ships (a clean beauty brand with products that tend to leave me floored by their results).

I swear my pores shrunk overnight the first time I used this toner. The Fresh Start Resurfacing Treatment has me back on my exfoliating game—and my skin is brighter and glowing more than ever. 

What’s in the Fresh Start toner

Let’s start with what’s not in the treatment: All Three Ships products are vegan, synthetic-free, and cruelty-free. I love knowing this gentle toner is dermatologist-tested and made with traceable ingredients.

As for what is in the Fresh Start toner, its starring ingredients are prickly pear polyhydroxy acid (PHA), lime pearl alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), and aloe vera juice. Below, learn why this plant-based lineup is a skin care powerhouse:

The best part? Because the toner uses gentle ingredients, it’s even safe for sensitive skin.

My results from the Fresh Start toner

In keeping up with the theme, shall we start with what the treatment doesn’t do? Many other toners and exfoliants that I’ve tried leave my face tight, dry, and aggravated—but the Fresh Start formula makes my skin feel (and look!) smooth and supple.

Don’t worry: It still unclogs pores and clears away dead skin, just sans the redness and irritation. I love that my skin’s protective barrier is being supported, not stripped.

I tested the toner per the brand’s directions: After cleaning my face, I put the formula on a reusable cotton round and swept it across my face in gentle motions. I waited for the treatment to absorb and then moved through the rest of my skin care routine (the brand’s hyaluronic drops and a moisturizer).

Not to be dramatic, but I gasped when I saw my results the very first morning after using the Fresh Start toner. Usually (no matter how much moisturizer I apply) I wake up feeling dry, but that morning my skin looked dewy, bright, and fresh—and my typical redness was gone as well.

After staring in the bathroom mirror in awe, I walked into the bedroom to change for my workout—and my boyfriend (who, by the way, has never once shown interest in skin care) asked if I had put on makeup to go to the gym.

Once I explained that I was testing a new skin treatment, he quickly asked if he should use it too. And yes, I had to snap before and after photos in the light.

Since then, I’ve received numerous inquiries from friends about my glowing skin, and I’m pointing them all toward this sleeper treatment. We’re now calling this the summer of bouncy, healthy skin.

I’ve already noticed dark spots and discoloration starting to lighten up, my pores look significantly smaller, and my complexion looks brighter overall. Plus, I feel great knowing the best results will come with time.

And it’s not just me

The Fresh Start treatment just officially launched, and it’s already amassed 50+ glowing (pun intended) reviews.

Here’s what others have to say:

The takeaway

I’d expect a treatment this effective to drain my wallet, but the generously sized bottle is just $24—and my newfound bouncy, healthy, glowy skin is making me never want to be without it.