I have reviewed hundreds of beauty brands over the past 12 years, and I genuinely do not say that to sound impressive. I say it because you should know that I am picky. VERY picky. Especially when it comes to my skin. I have eczema, I have hooded eyes, and I have the kind of sensitive skin that will throw a full tantrum if I look at a fragrance ingredient wrong.
So when I tell you that Tower 28 has become one of my favorite beauty brands, that means something. I spent four months actually testing these products before writing this Tower 28 review, and I’m going to tell you exactly what’s worth buying, what to skip, and why this brand genuinely works for sensitive skin.
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Quick verdict: yes, Tower 28 is worth it. Especially the skincare. The SOS line is a game changer for anyone with reactive skin, and a couple of the makeup products are really solid too. But not everything is a home run, and I’ll be honest about that.
Is Tower 28 a Clean Brand?
Yes. Tower 28 is a clean beauty brand, and it’s one of the more legit ones out there. Founder Amy Liu has had sensitive skin her entire adult life (eczema, same as me) and built the brand specifically for people who have been burned by conventional makeup products.
Every Tower 28 product is:
- dermatologist approved
- hypoallergenic
- fragrance free
- essential oil free
- silicone free
- alcohol free
- vegan
- cruelty free
The hypochlorous acid in their SOS spray is actually produced naturally by your own immune system. The concealer is formulated with hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica. These aren’t just buzzword ingredients thrown on a label. They picked them intentionally for sensitive, reactive skin.
So yes. Tower 28 is a clean brand. And it shows in how the products actually perform on skin like mine.
My Honest Tower 28 Review After Using For Four Months
I only washed my face with Tower 28 cleanser, only used their SOS spray instead of another toner, only used their makeup that I owned to bring you this honest review.
Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray Review (The One You’ve Seen Everywhere)
Rating: 10/10. Would buy again 1,000 times.
I’m gonna be honest with you, I was skeptical about the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray at first. I had tried so many toners. So many sprays. Most of them either did nothing or made my eczema flare up within a week. I have pretty much accepted at this point that my skin doesn’t like most things.
But this one? Different story.
The active ingredient is hypochlorous acid, and it’s the only hypochlorous acid spray recognized by all three of the leading U.S. skin health organizations for eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. It’s pH balanced at 4.5, alcohol free, and has literally three ingredients: water, sodium chloride, and hypochlorous acid. That’s it. Nothing to react to.
I’ve been using it a couple of times a week on dry, freshly washed skin before the rest of my routine, and my skin has genuinely never looked better. I’m not breaking out as much. I haven’t had a rash on my face. My skin tone is more even. I honestly had to stop and think about what had changed in my routine when I noticed the difference, and this was it.
Also, yes, celebrities like Mila Kunis have used this spray, and it’s gone pretty viral with creators. I get why. It works.
- Pro-tip: you can also use it throughout the day over makeup to refresh your skin. The bottle comes in a standard 4 oz size, a duo, a jumbo, and a travel size, so there are options depending on how committed you want to get.
- Worth it if: you have eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, reactive skin, or really any skin that has ever thrown a fit at a normal skincare product.
- Skip it if: you’re looking for a toner with a lot of extra actives. This one is beautifully simple and that’s the whole point.
Tower 28 SOS Gel Cleanser Review
I love this cleanser so much that I had to ask Robin to stop using it in the shower. I was not sharing. It’s mine.
The SOS Gel Cleanser is gentle, smells good without being perfumey, and actually removes makeup really well. I double cleanse, so I’m using this as my second cleanse after an oil or balm cleanser, and it does a great job. The bottle design is smart for the shower too. It’s not slippery, it stays put, easy to squeeze out exactly what you need.
Here’s the deal: when I was using this cleanser paired with the SOS spray, my skin was having an absolute moment. Like, the best skin of my life kind of moment. The two together are genuinely a beautiful combination for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
If you only buy one thing from Tower 28’s skincare line, I’d actually say start with the spray. But if you want to go all in on the SOS routine, add the cleanser and you will not regret it.
Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer Review
Rating: 9/10
I have the Swipe Serum Concealer in shade 1.0 BH (Bel Hor, neutral undertones). I’m pale and this is the lightest neutral shade, so if you’re similarly light-skinned, that’s your starting point. They now have 28 shades total, which is a lot and genuinely impressive for a brand this size.
This concealer is a hydrating concealer, and it actually delivers on that. It doesn’t cling to dry patches under my eyes. It doesn’t look cakey at the end of the day. On days when I want minimal makeup, this is my whole face. Just concealer, maybe mascara, done. It’s the kind of product that makes you look like you’re not wearing makeup while still covering the things you want covered.
I’m gonna be honest: my personal favorite under-eye concealer is still the one by Typology. That one has a slight edge for me specifically. But the Swipe Serum Concealer is genuinely excellent, especially for sensitive skin, and it earns a nine out of ten easily.
Pro-tip: Tower 28 recommends going one shade lighter than your skin tone under the eyes to brighten. Worth trying if you’re between shades.
Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara Review
Rating: 8/10
Okay so I initially was going to give the MakeWaves Mascara a seven, and then I thought about it more and I changed my mind. This is an eight. I genuinely like this mascara.
I have the brown shade, which I love because I’m a redhead and jet black mascara can read really harsh on me. The brown is perfect. It looks natural and polished at the same time.
Now, the honest caveats. It is mildly clumpy sometimes. Not terribly, but it’s there. And I have hooded eyes, so on really sweaty days (or just humid ones), it can leave a slight mark on my lid. This is honestly a hooded eye problem with most mascaras, not specifically a Tower 28 problem, but I wanted to flag it.
- What I love: it volumizes, it lengthens, it’s ophthalmologist tested and contact lens safe, and it doesn’t flake. For sensitive eyes this is huge. And at $20, the price is really fair for a clean mascara.
- Worth it if: you want a clean, buildable mascara that actually performs and is safe for sensitive eyes. Especially worth it in the brown shade if you’re a redhead or brunette.
- Skip it if: you want something completely flake-proof and transfer-proof even in high-humidity conditions. It holds up well but not perfectly on my hooded eyes in heat.
Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment Review
Rating: varies by product (I’ll explain)
Here’s my take on the LipSoftie Lip Treatment: the clear SOS Vanilla version is wonderful and the tinted ones are skippable.
I have really dry lips in winter. Like, uncomfortably dry. The SOS Vanilla (clear) LipSoftie has been great as an overnight lip mask. It’s not sticky, it’s food-grade flavored, it actually heals and hydrates, and it’s made with shea butter, jojoba oil, and lysine. Genuinely a really nice lip balm that does what it says it will do.
The tinted versions? I’m not the biggest lip gloss person in general, and these just didn’t stand out to me. The colors are fine but nothing you can’t get from a dozen other brands.
The shades include things like Red Bean Mochi (sheer rosy nude), Confetti Cake (sheer lavender-pink), Sugar Plum (sheer mauve), and Blood Orange Vanilla (sheer red-orange). Cute names, pretty sheer payoff. If you love a tinted balm, you’d probably like them fine.
But if I’m pointing you somewhere, it’s the clear SOS Vanilla. That one I actually repurchase.
- Worth it if: you have dry, chapped lips and want a clean lip treatment that actually works overnight.
- Skip it if: you’re hoping for something with a real color payoff. These are very sheer.
My Honest Tower 28 Review After Testing For 4 Months
Here’s what I actually think, bottom line:
The SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray is a must-buy for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin. It changed my skin.
The SOS Gel Cleanser is excellent and pairs beautifully with the spray. The Swipe Serum Concealer is a really solid hydrating concealer that I’d recommend to anyone, especially if you hate that cakey under-eye look.
The MakeWaves Mascara is a genuinely good clean mascara with a slight caveat for hooded eye people. The LipSoftie in SOS Vanilla is great for dry lips. The tinted lip products are cute but nothing special.
This brand gets sensitive skin in a way that a lot of brands claim to but don’t actually deliver on. Amy Liu built it from a personal place, and that comes through in how the products perform. I’ll keep buying from them.
Have you tried anything from Tower 28? I’d love to hear what’s working for you. Drop a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions About Tower 28
Is Tower 28 worth it?
Yes, Tower 28 is worth it, especially if you have sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin. The SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray is a must-buy and the product I’d recommend to anyone starting with the brand. The SOS Gel Cleanser, Swipe Serum Concealer, and MakeWaves Mascara are all genuinely solid.
The tinted LipSoftie shades are the only products I’d skip. After four months of testing, I keep buying from this brand.
What is the best Tower 28 product?
The best Tower 28 product is the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray. It’s the one product I’d tell anyone with sensitive skin to buy first. It uses hypochlorous acid, has only three ingredients, and is the only spray of its kind recognized by all three leading U.S. skin health organizations for eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
It’s also the product that made the most noticeable difference in my own skin after four months of testing.
Is Tower 28 good for sensitive skin?
Yes. Tower 28 was specifically formulated for people with sensitive skin, including those with eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Every product is derm-approved, fragrance free, alcohol free, and hypoallergenic.
The SOS line in particular uses hypochlorous acid, which is naturally produced by the body’s own immune system and is non-irritating even for very reactive skin.
What Products Does Tower 28 Beauty Make? (Quick Overview)
Tower 28 makes both makeup and skincare products. On the skincare side, the SOS line is the star: the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, SOS Gel Cleanser, and SOS Cream.
On the makeup side, they have the Swipe Serum Concealer, MakeWaves Mascara, LipSoftie Lip Treatments, SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30, OneLiner Lip Liner, ShineOn Lip Jelly, and the GoGo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow, among other products. You can shop all Tower 28 products directly on their website.
Everything is made with sensitive skin in mind. Every single product is derm-approved and formulated without the usual irritants.
Where to Buy Tower 28
You can shop Tower 28 directly. They offer free shipping on orders over $30 and free returns, which I appreciate. You can also find Tower 28 at Sephora if you prefer to shop in store.
Is Tower 28 a clean brand?
Yes, Tower 28 is a clean beauty brand. All products are free from fragrance, essential oils, silicone, gluten, and alcohol. They are also vegan and cruelty free. The brand was founded by Amy Liu, who has eczema herself and built Tower 28 around the idea that people with sensitive skin deserve fun, effective beauty products.
What is hypochlorous acid and why is it in the Tower 28 spray?
Hypochlorous acid is an antimicrobial compound that your own body’s immune system produces naturally. It’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, which makes it effective at calming redness, reducing breakouts, and soothing irritated or eczema-prone skin without causing further irritation.
The Tower 28 SOS spray is the only hypochlorous acid spray recognized by all three leading U.S. skin health organizations for eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
What shade of Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer should I get?
Tower 28 has 28 shades total, and they recommend going one shade lighter than your skin tone if you’re using it under the eyes to brighten. If you’re fair skinned with neutral undertones, shade 1.0 BH is a great starting point.
You can also take the Tower 28 shade finder quiz on their website to get a personalized recommendation.
Is the Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara waterproof?
The MakeWaves Mascara is water-resistant but not fully waterproof. It holds up well throughout the day and doesn’t flake, but it can leave a slight transfer mark if you’re very sweaty or in high humidity, especially if you have hooded eyes. It removes easily with a gentle cleanser, which is actually a plus for sensitive eyes.
