Make Page Six a Preferred Source Michelle Moezam (left) and Victoria McDonnell (right) put Alix Earle's skin care line to the test. Page Six; Reale Actives Alix Earle has built an empire out of letting the internet into her bathroom.
From candid “Get Ready With Me” videos to famously unfiltered conversations about acne, the TikTok star has made talking about skin struggles part of her brand.
So, when she announced Reale Actives, her own skin care line, it felt like a natural next step. The University of Miami graduate has struggled with cystic acne, previously telling followers about her experience with Accutane and the frustrating cycle of trying products that didn’t deliver.
With that in mind, her collection was developed alongside her own dermatologist, Dr. Kiran Mian, giving the celebrity-led venture some additional credibility.
The launch arrives at an interesting moment for celebrity beauty. Rhode, Rare Beauty and other founder-led brands have shown that a recognizable face can turn a relatively straightforward beauty product into a must-have.
But there’s a difference between wanting to buy something because a celebrity uses it and wanting to keep using it because it actually works. That’s the question behind this Reale Actives review: Does the brand deserve a spot on our bathroom shelves?
Reale Actives What is Reale Actives? Reale Actives officially launched March 31, 2026. The original collection centered on four products: a makeup-removing cleansing balm, an exfoliating gel cleanser, a mandelic acid serum and a barrier-supporting moisturizer. The brand subsequently expanded its lineup with an azelaic acid serum.
The premise is straightforward: skin care for acne-prone skin that doesn’t feel overly clinical or intimidating. The brand emphasizes dermatologist-developed formulas, active ingredients and products designed to address breakouts while supporting the skin barrier.
“Hot and Acne can be used in the same sentence,” Earle wrote on Instagram before the launch. “My dream for this brand is to not only provide you with AMAZING products for your skin, but to change the way people think about skin ‘imperfections.’”
I follow all things beauty and celebrity as a commerce reporter, so I’m familiar with the influencer-to-founder pipeline — but, as someone who grew up in Earle’s corner of New Jersey, there’s something especially fun about watching a hometown name build a beauty business.
That said, my own skin is dry and sensitive, which means I’m far more interested in whether these formulas are comfortable, hydrating and gentle than whether they look good in an Alix-approved GRWM.
A product line designed around acne-prone skin can include exfoliating ingredients that aren’t necessarily ideal for everyone. My priority was finding out whether the brand balances its blemish-focused actives with enough barrier support to make the products approachable for skin that gets tight, flaky or irritated.
For a fuller picture, Senior Commerce Social Media Marketing Manager Michelle Moezam tried the line along with me. As someone who’s been studying influencer trends for years, she was eager to test out the latest and greatest skin care setting the internet abuzz.
The Reale Actives cleansing balm is arguably one of the easiest products in the collection to understand. Get Bare is designed as the first step in an evening double-cleansing routine, for melting away makeup, sunscreen and excess oil before a second cleanser does the rest.
The formula features squalane, green tea extract, centella asiatica, vitamin E and a blend of lightweight oils. That’s an appealing ingredient combination for dry skin: Squalane helps replenish moisture, while centella and green tea are commonly used in soothing skin care formulas.
“This is the product I’d be most inclined to reach for first given my dry, sensitive complexion. I generally prefer a balm or oil cleanser over an aggressive foaming wash when removing makeup, because the goal is to dissolve buildup without leaving my skin feeling stripped. The formula’s moisturizing and soothing ingredients are a promising starting point.” — Victoria McDonnell, Commerce Reporter & Content Strategist
“This genuinely melted all of my makeup off, even the harder-to-remove mascara; however, I felt like I couldn’t get my face clean enough afterwards. This specific formula felt too thick on my very dry skin and I would wake up with little pimples the next morning.” — Michelle Moezam, Sr. Commerce Social Media Manager
Verdict: The most approachable entry point into the Reale Actives collection, particularly for someone who wants a more nourishing way to remove makeup
Size: 1.5 fluid ounces | Best for: Removing makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup
Pore Power is the more targeted cleanser in the collection. Unlike a basic face wash, it incorporates exfoliating ingredients, including LHA and BHA, to help refine the look of pores and address buildup. LHA is a salicylic-acid derivative used for exfoliation, while BHA is commonly associated with helping clear excess oil and dead skin cells from pores. Those ingredients make sense for an acne-focused brand, particularly one founded by someone whose personal skin journey has been so public.
“This is the product I’d approach most cautiously with dry, sensitive skin. Exfoliating cleansers can be useful, but I don’t necessarily want that much exfoliation in every step of my routine. I’d be more inclined to introduce it gradually rather than automatically using it morning and night.” — Victoria
Michelle Moezam “The texture of this cleanser and foaming qualities were nice but I didn’t feel like I got as clean as I normally would when using other similar brands, like La Roche-Posay. I didn’t double cleanse, but it really felt like I had to.” — Michelle
Size: 3.4 fluid ounces | Best for: Excess oil and enlarged pores
Verdict: Best suited to shoppers who want a more active cleanser. If your skin is dry and sensitive, start slowly and pay attention to how it responds.
Here’s where the Reale Actives lineup gets interesting: Go Deep contains 8% mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used to exfoliate the skin’s surface and improve the appearance of uneven texture. Mandelic acid is often considered a gentler AHA option because its larger molecular structure allows it to penetrate skin more slowly than glycolic acid. That can make it an appealing alternative for people who want exfoliation without immediately reaching for a stronger treatment.
“The 8% concentration is worth noting, especially for someone like me with dry, sensitive skin. I appreciate that the brand has chosen mandelic acid rather than building its entire exfoliating story around a more aggressive acid. Still, gentler doesn’t mean irritation-proof. I’d introduce this serum gradually, avoid layering it with several other exfoliants and make sunscreen a nonnegotiable part of my morning routine.” — Victoria
Michelle Moezam “The Go Deep is by far my most loved product of the essentials kit. The serum felt so silky going on and like my face had been begging for this for years.” — Michelle
Verdict: One of the more compelling products conceptually, but not necessarily an everyday serum for someone with a compromised skin barrier
Size: 1 fluid ounce | Best for: Uneven texture, dullness and the appearance of post-acne marks
The Go Calm serum is an interesting addition because azelaic acid has a reputation for being a versatile skin care ingredient. It can help improve the appearance of redness, uneven tone and blemish-related discoloration. Unlike exfoliating acids, azelaic acid is not an AHA or BHA. It’s a dicarboxylic acid with anti-inflammatory properties, which helps explain why it’s often included in routines for redness-prone and acne-prone skin.
“Of all the active-focused products, this is one I’d recommend for a complexion that can be both dry and reactive. Azelaic acid can be a useful ingredient for people dealing with visible redness, but a 10% formula still deserves a careful introduction. I’d start with a small amount and avoid combining it with multiple exfoliating treatments until I knew how my skin responded. It was refreshing and silky smooth, though it still tingled a bit. (It really works for redness, and it’s the *Reale Actives* working!) My skin was extremely dewy after, and this may be my favorite product from the line!” — Victoria
Michelle Moezam “I suffer from rosacea like all hot girls do and this really did calm down the redness I struggle with on my nose and brow area. It didn’t color correct or calm down the redness too much on my cheeks during application (it’s not makeup) but I did wake up the next morning with significantly less, if any, redness. I really loved this on my neck as well.” — Michelle
Verdict: A promising option for people who want to address visible redness and uneven tone without making exfoliation the centerpiece of their routine
Size: 1 fluid ounce | Best for: Visible redness, uneven tone and blemish-prone skin
Dew More is Reale Actives’ answer to the hydration side of an acne-focused routine, and its positioning is relevant for anyone using exfoliating treatments.
“If there’s one category I never skip, it’s moisturizer. Because my skin needs constant hydration, this is a must. I want a moisturizer that leaves my complexion comfortable rather than simply giving it a temporary dewy finish. For dry skin, texture and lasting moisture are just as important as the ingredient list.” — Victoria
Michelle Moezam “Every day I clock into the Big Forehead Club, and drenching my skin in this leaves me the most plump I’ve ever looked. I woke up glistening. I was convinced overnight to completely alter my skin care routine.” — Michelle
Verdict: An essential category in the collection, and potentially the most important step for anyone using Reale Actives’ exfoliating products
Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Best for: Dryness, moisture support and maintaining the skin barrier
Page Six Is Reale Actives worth it? Reale Actives just might be one of the most promising celebrity skin care launches for acne-conscious beauty shoppers.
The reason? It has a clear identity. It isn’t simply selling the promise of perfect skin or another viral glow product. It’s built around a recognizable founder story, a specific skin care concern and ingredients that have established roles in dermatology.
I’d give it extra credit for making barrier support part of the conversation rather than treating exfoliation as the entire solution.
The individual products range from $28 to $39, putting the collection in the accessible prestige skin care category. That’s not drugstore pricing, but it’s also not the kind of luxury skin care investment that requires a second mortgage.
Victoria McDonnell At $29, the Get Bare Cleansing Balm is a reasonable starting point. The $39 Go Deep and Go Calm serums are more specialized purchases, so I’d choose based on your actual skin concerns rather than buying both simply because they’re part of the collection.
The $28 Pore Power Cleanser is another targeted option, while the $38 Dew More Moisturizer is the step I’d consider most important for maintaining hydration alongside active treatments.
Is Reale Actives worth the hype? I think the brand has a compelling premise, especially for Earle’s existing audience and people who want acne-conscious skin care. But celebrity appeal shouldn’t replace ingredient research or an understanding of your own skin.
For someone with dry, sensitive skin like mine, I’d approach the collection selectively rather than automatically buying the entire routine. A celebrity founder can get a product onto my radar, but a comfortable formula is what gets it to stay in my bathroom.
The bottom line: Reale Actives is more than an Alix Earle merch moment. It has a defined skin care philosophy, interesting active ingredients and a recognizable point of view. Whether it earns a permanent place in your routine will depend on your skin type, your concerns and how well the individual formulas work for you.
I’d put Reale Actives on the radar of people who:
For very dry or sensitive skin, I’d be more selective. The cleansing balm and moisturizer are the categories I’d prioritize, while the exfoliating cleanser and mandelic acid serum would require a slower introduction.
Anyone with a compromised skin barrier should focus on restoring comfort before adding multiple active ingredients. And if you’re dealing with persistent or painful acne, a dermatologist can help determine whether over-the-counter products are enough.
Victoria McDonnell For a comprehensive review, we evaluated the collection using the following criteria:
