FOUR EDITORS TRY

Putting Furtuna Skin, the Object of Beauty Editors’ Obsessions, to the Test

How did the three-step Skin Set from the Sicily-based clean, organic brand stack up? Four W editors tried the products and gave their honest opinions.

by Tilden Bissell, Oona Wally, Hannah Westbrook and Maridelis Morales Rosado

Three-step Fortuna skin care set
Photograph by Maridelis Morales Rosado for W Magazine

When it launched on November 13, the beauty brand Furtuna Skin had all the markings of must-have skincare: the founders were fashion and beauty-worlds adjacent (model Agatha Relota Luczo and Lime Crime’s Kim Walls); and the products boasted clean, organic ingredients sourced from a sprawling farm owned by the Luczo family: a 700-acre estate with tens of thousands of olive trees, and all kinds of plants and medicinal herbs. The idyllic story behind the company turned heads in the industry—and soon, Furtuna became the object of beauty editors’ obsessions.

Among its most popular offerings is the Skin Set, consisting of the Acqua Serena Micellar Cleansing Essence, the Porte Per La Vitalità Face and Eye Serum, and the Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil. This three-step cleansing and moisturizing system is said to deliver luminous, plump skin. How did it stack up? Four W editors tested out the products, and gave their honest opinions.

Maridelis Morales Rosado, Assistant Visuals Editor

What were you hoping the Furtuna Skin Set would help you with, in terms of skin concerns?

This skincare set arrived at my doorstep right on time. I had just experienced rather disappointing results from trying the overhyped [redacted] products, so I was thrilled to have a refreshing start with Furtuna. My skin was lacking bounce and luminance, and the skin under my eyes was especially sloppy. I was hoping to return to my youthful self (I am only 24, after all), which I understand was a big ask, but I think Furtuna delivered.

Describe your opinions of each product.

They slotted in perfectly with my existing routine, since they are gentle yet effective. I’m very lazy in the mornings, so I love starting my day with the micellar/toner water, which leaves me feeling cleansed without having to try too hard. Returning to my laziness, I love that the serum is for both my face and eyes, so I don’t have to reach for a second product. Finishing with the moisturizing oil is my favorite product out of the set.

The glass bottles feel luxe, but not too delicate (I just traveled with them, stuck them in my suitcase, and they very much survived). I especially love the dispenser for the micellar/toner since it allows you to control how much is administered without wasting product. The smell isn’t my favorite, but it isn’t fake fragrance-heavy, which I prefer—and my skin reacts better to natural.

Did you see results? Would you use the Furtuna Skin Set again?

Thrilled to announce that I saw results just two days after starting to use the set. (I waited three months to see any positives from my past products, so this is very exciting for me.) My skin is brighter and feels tighter, and my under-eye area already has less wrinkles and are significantly less dark. As someone who tends to be on the oilier side of things, the moisturizing oil surprised me the most. A little goes a long way, it absorbs into my skin rather quickly, and doesn’t look like I’ve been sitting in the sun for eight hours. I’m so happy to have these and plan on keeping them in my routine.

Tilden Bissell, Digital Designer

What were you hoping the Furtuna Skin Set would help you with, in terms of skin concerns?

I was having a pretty bad bout of hormonal acne and inflammation when I started using these—so I figured simplifying my routine to a few key products was the way to go. I’d recently tried azelaic acid to help with it, which can be very drying, so I was a little hesitant about the lack of a thicker moisturizer, but still cautiously optimistic.

Describe your opinions of each product.

First off, these products smelled amazing, in my opinion. There was something herbal and fresh about them—I realize this sounds like food and not skincare—but it was right up my alley. I was pretty skeptical of the micellar water: in the past I’ve liked it fine, but usually I gravitate toward a thicker balm or cream cleanser to take off all my makeup at the end of the day. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and refreshed my skin felt after using it. The serum left my skin feeling very soft and plump, for lack of a better term. I wasn’t quite as wowed by it as the moisturizing oil though, which I loved for a lot of reasons, but specifically for how glowy it made my skin look. Also, the packaging was gorgeous—the glass bottles had a lot of weight to them and looked very chic among the other things in my medicine cabinet. It’s probably some of the prettiest skincare I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot.

Did you see results? Would you use the Furtuna Skin Set again?

It definitely helped my skin clear up and improved my overall tone and texture—I still would supplement it with the occasional mask or spot treatment as needed. These products are perfect for a warm-weather skincare routine, or if someone is looking for a simple three-step system for summer. That being said, it’s also a great luxury skincare routine; I was so impressed I’m debating trying the Replenishing Balm to soothe my dry, winter skin.

Hannah Westbrook, Assistant Visuals Editor

What were you hoping the Furtuna Skin Set would help you with, in terms of skin concerns?

With winter approaching, my skin gets pretty dry and dull—of course, I’m looking for a glow; and a routine that will keep my skin from drying out without being too heavy. I especially have hope for the “Porte Per la Vitalita” face and eye serum, as I hear that it’s meant to help “illuminate” the skin—AKA give me life in the dead of winter.

Describe your opinions of each product.

I incorporated these products into my morning routine about a month ago. Normally, I’d start with the micellar water post-shower, which removes all the dirt I may have missed while cleansing (gross, I know). It’s refreshing and light, and I have loved adding it to my daily cleansing ritual.

Now, as mentioned, I had high hopes for the face serum. This serum really does do exactly as it describes: I count on it in the AM to brighten my skin. It’s smooth and light, which are my favorite qualities in a face product; it doesn’t feel thick or greasy under makeup. I also recently learned you’re supposed to massage serums in for approximately two minutes, so I’ve been making sure to get the most out of this product by working this product into my skin and following with a gua sha.

Lastly, I use the “Due Alberi” face oil. The first thing I would say is to remember to shake this before use—I did not the first few times I tried the product, and definitely noticed when I started using it properly. I did find the Due Alberi doesn’t absorb quickly, and sits on my skin for a while, making it difficult to apply makeup soon after. I don’t use this one daily, maybe once a week to help keep things hydrated without over-oiling my face.

Did you see results? Would you use the Furtuna Skin Set again?

I love the full set, but if I had to choose one product, it would be the face serum. I definitely find the most noticeable result from the Porte Per la Vitalita; it was soothing and nourishing for my skin.

Oona Wally, Senior Visuals Editor

What were you hoping the Furtuna Skin Set would help you with, in terms of skin concerns?

With the onset of winter and my building turning on central heaters in my apartment, my skin began to dry, and I suddenly looked super dull. So I looked forward to trying this brand, which I had seen on Instagram and reviewed in publications as “hydrating and illuminating.”

Describe your opinions of each product.

The texture and feel of both the micellar water and the oil were nice, but the serum left a bit of a residue and a tight feeling on my skin, which I didn’t love. The scent was not my favorite at all, I found it overpoweringly herbaceous.

Did you see results? Would you use the Furtuna Skin Set again?

Unfortunately, two days into using the three products, I started to realize I am allergic to something in the set. My eyes would swell and tear up after use, and I noticed some reddish, splotchy spots (until I washed my face). I used the three products at the same time, so I haven’t been able to isolate which product (if just one) I am allergic to, since I stopped using them all. But I truly hope it’s not the oil, as that’s my favorite of the trio—it gave my skin a healthy plump and brightness.

Related: What It’s Like to Get a Facial During a Pandemic