Product Review #2

 

Hey guys!!!

Here is the next installment of my 'Product Review 2022' series :) These are all Korean products which I've been using since March of last year. Two of them I love and the other two I'm not so sure about. I feel abit "meh" towards them due to the consistency and experience of applying them. I used up the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water around December time, which is why it's empty. I just wanted to use it up as quickly as possible, so I was using two layers of product for my face and neck every morning (I'll explain in more detail why I don't like it in a minute). So without further ado, let's just jump right in...

#1) Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner

Used for: 1 year

Reasons for purchase: I first bought this a year ago as I'd seen Felicia raving about it on the Beauty Within YouTube channel. She said it was really effective on her oily skin and was one of her Holy Grails, so I thought I'd give it a go!

My thoughts: I started off by purchasing the 150ml bottle and used it in the PM as that's when I need the most hydration to prevent TEWL. I initially found the lavender fragrance abit overpowering but after about a week I was already used to it and found it very soothing before bedtime. It's super hydrating and helps balance my oil-water levels when my skin is overproducing sebum. It's the perfect mixture of soothing and hydrating which is what I look for in a toner. It has Ultra Deep Technology which helps the hyaluronic acid to penetrate more deeply into the different layers of the skin. This means that the skin can retain the hydration for longer. I am currently using the 300ml bottle and am still loving it!

Rating: 10/10 (Holy Grail)

#2) Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water 

Used for: 4 months

Reasons for purchase: Again, this was another purchase bought on impulse due to YouTube influencers (Kelly and Felicia, I'm looking at you!). I heard really good things about this product and how it was good for oily/combination skin.

My thoughts: My first impressions were that it looked and smelt exactly like the Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner, which I didn't enjoy. It's very watery like a toner however it takes a awhile to absorb into the skin. I used two layers of this toner in the AM and found that it would leave behind a slightly tacky feel. However I did find that my skin responded really well to this product and that my skin was the best it's ever been. I'm not sure I would repurchase it though, as I didn't particularly enjoy applying it.

Rating: 6/10

#3) iUnik Black Snail Restore Cream

Used for: 6 months

Reasons for purchase: I'll admit that this was bought on a complete whim due to the snail secretion filtrate and it's fun texture! I saw this featured in a YouTube video and it had a stringy/gummy texture. I didn't particularly need another moisturiser in my skincare routine but I wanted it just the same haha.

My thoughts: This is a medium-weight cream consistency which absorbs really nicely into the skin. It's very stringy which can make it messy to apply, however it's very soothing as it contains 9.8% centella leaf water. The snail secretion filtrate makes it super moisturising and it's also great for reducing redness on the skin. I use this about once a week in the evening, especially when my skin is feeling irritated or after using a chemical exfoliant. I love that it's fragrance free as well.

Rating: 8/10

#4) Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser

Used for: 4 months

Reasons for purchase: I was looking for a different gentle/non-stripping cleanser and had heard good things about this cleanser from- you guessed it- YouTube. I liked that it came in a pump bottle and that it had a lather to it. 

 My thoughts: Although this cleanse is gentle I find that it smells kind of soapy which I wasn't expecting from a non-stripping cleanser. Maybe it's just me but that makes it alot less appealing to apply, so I've been trying to get through it as quickly as I can! It was only £8.23 from Stylevana, however with postage that's quite pricey for a cleanser. It comes in a 175ml bottle but I just bought a 473ml bottle of Cetaphil for £10 which is alot better value for money. I also found that it doesn't lather as much as it appeared to in the videos that I watched. 

Rating: 5/10

Overall this group of products were definitely a mixture of hits and misses! I'm also realising how drawn in I am by nice packaging and influencer reviews. I probably should've researched some of the ingredients before I bought these products rather than trusting the opinions of strangers haha. When did I become such a naive consumer?! I think in future I will have to avoid buying every product that an influencer likes and use my own judgment instead. It's kinda scary how alot of our consumer choices are led by social media. I have definitely learnt that you don't need a fancy cleanser in the morning, just one that does the job of removing sweat and dirt from the night. I also think that morning cleansers that lather are overrated as they tend to be the most drying. In regards to the Ginseng Essence Water I probably need to judge less on the aesthetics of the product and more on the performance. However, I also believe that your skincare routine should be an enjoyable experience and the products you reach for should be fun to apply!

Who Cares, We Care, Skincare :)