I’m a self-confessed calendar devotee. If it’s not in my diary, there’s a good chance it’s not happening. Between work meetings, Pilates classes, dinner plans and the endless stream of birthday reminders, my schedule keeps me accountable.
So imagine my surprise when a skincare brand (of all things) suggested that my skin is on a schedule, too. Sure, I already knew ingredients like retinol were best reserved for the evening, but I’d never stopped to consider that our skin runs on the same circadian clock as the rest of our body. Suddenly, timing my skincare routine seemed just as important as the products I was using.
The brand in question is RAESO—formerly named RAAIE—and it’s completely reframed the way I think about my skincare routine.
Circadian Skin Science
RAESO is built around circadian skin science—the idea that your skin follows its own 24-hour rhythm, knowing when to protect, repair and regenerate.
Circadian skin science explores how our skin naturally shifts over a 24-hour cycle. Just like our sleep-wake rhythm, our skin follows its own internal clock.
During the day, your skin is in defence mode. Its barrier is stronger, transepidermal water loss is lower and absorption is slightly reduced thanks to increased skin thickness. In other words, your morning routine should focus on protection, with ingredients that help shield against environmental aggressors, strengthen the skin barrier and prevent damage before it starts.
Come evening, however, your skin switches into repair mode. As you sleep, the barrier becomes more permeable, allowing ingredients to penetrate more effectively. The downside here is that transepidermal water loss also increases, however it’s also the time when DNA repair, collagen production and cell turnover are at their peak.
It’s little wonder, then, that night creams and evening serums tend to be richer, more nourishing and packed with ingredients designed to support your skin’s overnight repair process.
RAESO brings this philosophy to life across its entire range, but it is particularly apparent in its serums and moisturisers. Take the Morning Dew Vitamin C Serum, for example. Formulated with two stabilised forms of vitamin C, it brightens, protects and defends against daily environmental stressors in a lightweight, cooling, fast-absorbing formula that feels perfectly suited to your morning routine.
Then there’s the Lunar Veil Chrono-Active Sleep Mask, an overnight treatment designed to support your skin through each phase of its nightly repair cycle. It begins by deeply hydrating and gently resurfacing, before supporting renewal during peak cellular activity and finally reinforcing the skin barrier in the early hours of the morning, when your skin is naturally preparing for the day ahead.
But the appeal isn’t limited to just these hero products. Every formula in the RAESO lineup has been created with your skin’s natural rhythm in mind, making it feel less like a collection of standalone products and more like a routine that works together.
I’ve been trialling a few of the brand’s essentials—including the cleanser, moisturiser and facial mist—and while I’m still devoted to my calendar, I’m now paying just as much attention to my skin’s schedule. And honestly? It makes a lot of sense. Read on below for my thoughts.
Read: This Under-The-Radar Skincare Brand Uses An Ingredient You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Our Review
CLEANSER
Golden Nectar Mānuka Honey Enzyme Cleanser
If there’s one thing I appreciate in a cleanser, it’s one that leaves my skin feeling clean without that tight, stripped sensation afterwards—and this one does exactly that. The luxurious honey-like gel transforms into a silky milk as you rinse, effortlessly melting away makeup, sunscreen and the day’s buildup while leaving skin feeling soft, hydrated and comfortably balanced. Better yet, it doubles as a 10-minute treatment mask whenever your complexion needs an extra boost.
Powered by nourishing Mānuka honey and gentle fruit enzymes, it lightly exfoliates to smooth and brighten without ever feeling harsh. I also loved the subtle, soft botanical scent—it felt fresh and calming without being overpowering—and the lightweight gel texture, which glided over my skin beautifully.
What we like
- Can be used as a 10-minute mask
- Gently exfoliates with enzymes
- Can be used for both steps in double cleanse
What to consider
- Heavy packaging means it’s not ideal for travel
MOISTURISER
This is the kind of moisturiser that feels like a comfort blanket (or aptly, a cocoon) for your skin. Rich, whipped and cushiony, it melts in beautifully to leave skin feeling deeply nourished without sitting heavily on the surface. Powered by a blend of seven ceramides, alongside hyaluronic acid, Mānuka honey and marine algae, it’s designed to strengthen the skin barrier while delivering long-lasting hydration and a noticeably plumper, healthier-looking complexion.
I especially enjoyed reaching for this one in the evenings, when my skin was craving a little extra nourishment. It felt incredibly hydrating and left my complexion soft, smooth and comfortably moisturised by morning. That said, because of its richer texture, I think it’s best suited to cooler months or for those with very dry or dehydrated skin. On particularly warm summer nights, I found it a little too rich for my skincare preferences—but in autumn and winter, it’s exactly the kind of moisturiser I happily slather on before bed.
What we like
- Rich, cocooning texture
- Refill available to reduce waste
What to consider
- May be too rich for some skin types
MIST
Tranquillity Water Activating Mist
I’m a firm believer that you can never have too many face mists, so this was always going to be a favourite. But unlike the refreshing sprays that feel lovely for a few seconds before disappearing, this essence-toner hybrid delivers lasting hydration alongside genuine skincare benefits. The ultra-fine mist feels beautifully weightless on the skin and leaves behind a fresh, dewy finish without any sticky residue.
It’s the kind of product I’ve found myself reaching for at every stage of the day—after cleansing, before moisturiser, or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up when my skin is feeling a little lacklustre. Infused with electrolyte-rich volcanic thermal water and encapsulated bioactive ingredients, it does more than simply refresh the complexion; it leaves my skin looking plumper, brighter and noticeably more hydrated. For anyone who loves a good facial mist, this feels like the ultimate elevated version that earns its place in your routine.
What we like
- Essence-toner hybrid that hydrates the skin
- Gentle exfoliating ingredients to help brighten the complexion
- Ultra-fine, gentle mist that doesn’t disrupt your skincare routine
What to consider
- One of the more expensive facial mists on the market
Mānuka honey is one of the hero ingredients found throughout the RAESO range, prized for its nourishing and skin-supporting properties. It’s paired with a selection of native New Zealand botanicals and science-backed actives to help hydrate, protect and strengthen the skin barrier.
Most RAESO products are suitable for all skin types, although certain formulas are better suited to specific concerns, such as dryness or dehydration. Each product includes a “Who It’s For” section, making it easy to determine which formulas are best suited to your skin’s needs.
Currently, the RAESO Cocoon Ceramide Cream is the brand’s only refillable product. Replacement refill pods are available to purchase separately for $125, helping to reduce packaging waste.
RAESO Skincare is available to shop directly through the brand’s website, where you’ll also find curated product bundles. You can also purchase selected RAESO products through Sephora Australia if you prefer to shop there.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
