serum Archive | Berries in the Snow

Review: Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum

9. November 2018

//AD / PR SAMPLE / SKINCARE //

Long time, no Vitamin C Serum Review! But today it is time for a new Vitamin C Serum I have in use these days, the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum.

Dermalogica is an American Personal Care company and their products are sold in more than 80 countries all over the world. that means that it is quite likely, that you have heard of this brand before.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is always good to have in your skincare routine. I have tried a couple of serums in the past (check >>here<<). Vitamin C is an antioxidant and thus can prevent our skin from aging too early and from sun-damage. A high concentration of Vitamin C doesn’t mean automatically that it is more effective concerning anti-aging. Normally, a high concentration of Vitamin C aims at a visible effect, because it tends to operate as a chemical peeling by loosening dead and old cells. This is not a bad effect and stimulates the skin to regenerate itself, but keep in mind that it won’t affect the inner cell layers of your skin which have to be aimed if you really want an anti-aging effect. The thing about Vitamin C is, that it oxidizes with time, and you have to use it up very quickly. You will see as the color of some serums will get more yellowish with time. A possibility to prevent the vitamin C from oxidizing is to stabilize it with ferulic acid or vitamin E or use derivates. The Dermalogica Biolumin C Serum uses the approach of an ultra-stable Vitamin C Complex.

According to the description that you find on the cardboard box of the product it says that the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum is a high-performance serum that enhances the skin’s natural defense system. It acts brightening, firming and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Additionally, it is combined with AHA and peptide in enhancing its positive effects on the skin.

The cardboard box also lists the ingredients of the serum on one side.

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Lactic Acid, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Trehalose, Polyacrylate-13, Propanediol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Methylpropanediol, Carrageenan, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol

The AHA used in the serum is Lactic Acid. You can also see how Vitamin C derivates have been combined with Vitamin E (Tocopherol). The product is free from paraben, sulfate, alcohol, and silicone. Also, it contains Hyaluronic Acid for hydration. Since it contains active ingredients that chemically peel your skin you should keep in mind to use sunscreen during day. This is also noted on the packaging information. I used the serum during my night routine, and yet I use sunscreen during the day.

The serum comes in a bottle with a dropper as a cap. The bottle is opaque, which is great in case of Vitamin C. The bottle is made of glass by the way and seems to be sturdy.

Upon opening you see that the serum has a milky texture with a light yellowish color. It has an orange scent, which is not very intense or heavy. The serum has a smooth feeling upon application and feels hydrating, too. It sinks quickly into the skin and leaves a tiny bit of tackiness.

I used the serum every night for the last 3 weeks. I enjoyed using it and I had no negative experience regarding texture or irritated skin. The Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum works well with other products that are applied below or above the serum. I cannot say how it will work in combination with any makeup product though. What I definitely see is, that my skin is appearing more smooth and that my makeup gets less flakey these days. This is probably thanks to the combination of the AHA and VitaminC/E. I didn’t notice any big changes regarding wrinkles, but I don’t have very prominent ones either. I can confirm though, that the skin feels more glowy and plump.

The Dermalogica Biolumon-C Serum was a positive surprise for me. It works nicely and combines some great and effective ingredients. I’m not sure, whether it will replace my all-time-favorite, the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. Especially, since this serum is way pricier.

You can get the serum for 89€ from Dermalogica.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.brandsyoulove.de which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty Missha review

Review: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule

8. October 2018

// SKINCARE / KBEAUTY / AFFILIATE LINKS //

If you saw my latest empties post on Instagram you probably discovered the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule in my picture there. Unfortunately, I used up the last drops of it and I’ve probably never been more sad about using up a serum or ampoule this time. This ampoule has probably been reviewed a lot of times before and there have been comparisons to another high-end brand night serum in the past. I have no comparison to other products here, only my honest review about using this serum in the last months.

The Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule is from the famous Korean brand Missha. Missha has a lot of online stores all over the world and are available in US/Canada, Australia and even in Germany. It was the first Korean brand with a physical store in Germany, too! The products always come in a very mature and luxurious packaging and the design is usually very elegant although simple. I think that it can be liked by almost everyone. The aim of Missha is to create quality products that are affordable.

The Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule is directed towards anti-aging and brightening, using purple botanical ingredients like blueberries, aronia, beets, red cabbage, and purple carrots and combining these with lactic acid fermentation ingredients. It’s a powerful ampoule designed for nighttime use, making the skin smoother, firmer, revitalized, and stronger.

The ampoule comes in a signature purple color that refers to the purple plant ingredients used. The elegant glass bottle with an attached dropper comes packed in a cardboard box of the same color and design. The packaging looks timeless and elegant!

The ingredients list of this highly concentrated ampoule might put you off at first glance, but don’t fear the long list. The ingredients are very beneficial and combine a lot of goodness!

Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycereth-26, Juniperus Chinensis Xylem Extract, Sorbus Commixta Extract, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Betaine, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethyl Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Grifola Frondosa (Maitake)/Ophioglossum Vulgatum Extract Ferment Filtrate, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethanolamine, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sea Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Octyldodecanol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Acacia Arabica Stem Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Aronia Arbutifolia Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium Edta, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Dextrin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Manilkara Multinervis Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Saccharomyces/Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Ferment Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Dimethiconol, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Beta-Sitosterol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Propylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ceteth-24, Choleth-24, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Ubiquinone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Maltodextrin Crosspolymer, Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinol, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Biotin, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterol, Peg-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Bht, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Copper Tripeptide-1, Silica, Tripeptide-1

First of all, according to SkinCarisma the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule is free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol, and EU-allergens. The ingredients are safe to use, and there is only one ingredient that could be irritating for sensitive skin types. This ingredient is Retinol! So if you have been looking for effective anti-aging ingredients you will have stumbled upon Retinol. Retinol, or Vitamin A, can cause skin reactions, including peeling, redness, scaling, itching, and burning, and also increases the risk of sunburns and sun-induced mutations. Although retinol is a great anti-aging ingredient you have to keep these points in mind and use sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from the UV rays to avoid its side effects. I guess the percentage of retinol in this ampoule is very low, but still, you should keep in mind to use sunscreen during the day while using ingredients that have these kinds of chemical peeling properties.

Most of the ingredients of the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule have moisturizing properties and are perfect for hydrating the skin. Panthenol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or chamomile extract are some of these ingredients. The latter is also a great soothing ingredient, while panthenol and hyaluronic acid also have wound-healing properties. Other ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C derivates, adenosine, and retinol have brightening and anti-aging properties. Additionally, there are four different kinds of ferments included, combining Lactobacillus, Bifida, Lactococcus, and Leuconostoc! I love Fermented ingredients! Ferment filtrates have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity when applied in concentrations of 5% or more. They have skin conditioning properties, are nutrient-rich, and contains many vitamins, amino acids, and proteins and helps to improve the moisture level of the skin.

In order to use the product you take out the ampoule and dispense the desired amount into your palms and apply it to your skin. The best way is, of course, working upwards and outwards along your facial features. The warmth of your hand will help the ampoule to sink into your skin. I used this product as the last step before my sleeping mask or night cream. In the next morning, I’ve always used a sunscreen. The attached dropper makes it easy to dispense the product. since it is a glass dropper you can see the slightly red/orange colored ampoule. The serum absorbs fast and glides easily across the skin. It doesn’t feel heavy, despite all the ingredients included.

In my opinion, this ampoule really makes the skin feel smoother, hydrated, and more firm. I loved the effects in the next morning. The only downside is probably the price, sometimes 50ml are sold for around 40US$ or more. The second point is (I don’t know if that is a downside though) that Missha constantly has new formulations of their products, especially for this ampoule and the Missha Time Revolution First Essence. This can be irritating and makes it sometimes complicated to read the proper review for it. If you love to have one concentrated product that combines many beneficial ingredients in one you will love this ampoule. If you rather prefer a highly moisturizing serum, without any fuss, you can more likely switch to a serum or ampoule with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid and achieve satisfying results as well. I personally love the extra smoothness of the ferments here, and all these good anti-oxidants from the purple plants.

The Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule retails from:

Missha Germany for 46.80€

Missha US for 49 US$

Amazon.com

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asian cosmetics beauty iUnik review

Review: iUnik Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner & Synergy Serum

25. January 2018

// PR SAMPLE / KBEAUTY / SKINCARE //

A while ago I was contacted by the Korean brand iUnik whether I would like to try and test their products. While browsing through their website I discovered the iUnik Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner and Synergy Serum and I knew that these would be the products that I would love to test. After all, I love roses and I love fermented ingredients.

IUnik is a newer Korean brand that has launched a couple of interesting skincare products. Their packaging design is simple but neat, and the products sound promising. you can check out the products >>here<< on the official webpage.

I selected the iUnik Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner and Synergy Serum because I love it when I have a serum and toner from the same line. Next to each other, they look very pretty and perfect. But not only from the outside, but the inside also contains some notable ingredients, too.

iUnik Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner

Let’s start of with the iUnik Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner. The toner has acne-fighting, brightening, and anti-aging properties. This toner helps to moisturize, re-balance and soften even sensitive skin types with rosa damascena flower water (70%) and galactomyces ferment filtrate (10%). Moreover, it is paraben-free, sulfate-free, and free from alcohol. The ingredients of the products can be checked via SkinCarisma. Rose Damascena flower water has anti-oxidative properties and acts skin conditioning. Fermentation extract is nutrient-rich. It contains many vitamins, amino acids, and proteins and helps to improve the moisture level of the skin. Adenosine has anti-aging benefits. Moreover, it contains Licorice extract, which has anti-inflammatory properties and acts brightening. The toner comes in a large bottle containing 200ml. the bottle is made from plastic and lightweight. The formulation is a clear and water-like one (I haven’t shown any pictures this time, because both look similar on them). It has a pleasant rose scent and absorbs quickly, leaving a tiny bit of tackiness behind. The skin feels very moist and nice after application and I feel it makes the skin feel more bouncy, too.

iUnik Rose Galactomyces Synergy Serum

The iUnik Rose Galactomyces Synergy Serum is dedicated to nourishing and pore control, as well as whitening and anti-aging properties. According to the description, it is especially great if you want to tackle your T-zone and even out the oil/moisture balance of the skin. You can check out the ingredients on SkinCarisma again. Here we have 50% Galactomyces ferment and 10% rose water. Other notable ingredients are niacinamide for brightening, allantoin for soothing, sodium hyaluronate for moisturizing and aloe extract for soothing. The serum comes in a glass bottle with a dropper attached. The consistency of the serum is not as watery as for the toner, but it is not very gel-like either. I feel that the rose scent is less noticeable than for the toner. The serum feels very moist and refreshing upon application and absorbs quickly, too. The skin feels more nourished than with the toner and kind of smooth, too. I’m at the last third of the bottle, but in terms of pore effects, I haven’t noticed any difference. I love the moisturizing and nourishing part though. Also, the serum works great with other products.

All in all, both products are really nice, and especially for the price and the moisturizing effects, I can only give it thumbs up. A pity, the serum didn’t show more effects on reducing the appearance of the pores, but then again, it does what I want from a rose and galactomyces product. Both products are moisturizing and softening the skin and they apply nicely with other products. You can buy iUnik products from unique4u.net.

iUnik Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner retails for 16.49 US$

iUnik Rose Galactomyces Synergy Serum retails for 14.99 US$

Have you tried any products from iUnik, yet?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.unique4u.net/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty brands you love PR Sample review

Review: Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules

17. December 2017

// PR SAMPLE / BEAUTY / SKINCARE //

Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum are the renewed and even more potent version of the famous capsules from Elizabeth Arden. I’ve heard a great deal about the brand and the capsules before, but this was the first time for me to actually try this product. I love serums as you know and these tiny capsules make it even more appealing to use them every day! The product was offered to me for reviewing purpose by “brand you love”.

“To be beautiful is the birthright of every women” is the saying and motto of Elizabeth Arden, who established the brand and beauty industry revolving around it a century ago. The products are well-established and many people love the brand for its scientific approach and quality. Moreover, the products have a time-less and elegant packaging design.

The Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is a lightweight, silky-smooth serum targeting aging skin and helping to replenish the skin barrier using the key ingredient and name-giver ceramides. It comes packed in small, golden-colored, daily portioned capsules and looks super luxurious and elegant.

Ceramides

Ceramides help to make aging skin look younger and more elastic. Ceramides are naturally occuring lipids that fortify the skin’s moisture barrier. During aging the ceramide level in our skin decreases, which leads to wrinkles and loss of firmness, but applying ceramides topically can help to reduce the effect of the loss of the ceramides. The Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum contains three different types of ceramides which help to condition the skin and make it appear and feel smoother again.

The full ingredients list of the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is noted on the cardboard box of the product:

Iisononyl isonanoate, isodecyl neopentainoate, isododecane, isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, camellia japonicamseed oil, divinyldimethicone/dimethicone crosspolymer, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cyclopentasiloxane, ceramide 1, ceramide 3, ceramide 6 II, cholesterol, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, crithmum maritimum extract, dimethiconol, lecithin, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, medicago sativa (alfalfa) extract, phytosphingosine, retinyl palmitate, squalene, tocopherol

As you can see, there are some ingredients to point out here. First of all the serum is dermatologically tested, free from preservatives, sulphates, and alcohol, and the capsules are made from bio-degradable material. Also, it contains other important anti-aging ingredients, like vitamin A and E, apart from the three types of ceramides. Moreover, ingredients like coconut oil and camellia japonica seed oil are great for providing hydration and moisture. Nevertheless, on the downside, the serum also contains silicon if you have a closer look at it (dimethicone). Silicons act as skin conditioner, and while they are able to make your skin feel silky smooth they also act as barrier and hinder ingredients to act in the deeper layers of the skin. So the effect you will achieve is only topically.

And indeed, when I open up a capsule, containing more than enough serum to cover the face and decolleté, I feel the silky feeling at once, and it gives you that effect that is typical for silicon containing products, the skin appears instantly smooth and feels super silky soft. Unfortunately, the oils need a long time to absorb properly, too, since the silicon doesn’t really help them to be absorbed either. In order to open the capsules you need to twist tab around and squeeze the content of it onto your fingers. You have to be careful, because the serum is released instantly, and the first time I spilled almost everything on the floor. I really like the fact that it is portioned out,and that the capsules are biodegradable, but if you are in a hurry the capsules are not really the best thing to use. A pump or pipette would be better then.

I was really happy to see Vitamin A and E on the ingredients list first, since this is a perfect combination of vitamins to battle your wrinkles. Unfortunately, I guess that the silicon will prevent these two top ingredients to sink into the deeper layers of the skin. Also, since it contains vitamin A I do not feel comfortable to use the capsules during the day, instead I prefer to use them as last step during the night (no use to add any creams on top). During the days, that I have used the capsules I noticed the instant smoothing effect from the silicon, but I didn’t see any effects it had on my wrinkles in general.

All in all, I’m a bit dissapointed about these capsules! The ingredients are really high-end, apart from the silicon! And the silicon also hinders that the other great ingredients do their job properly and penetrate into the skin. That’s really a bummer, after all the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is not cheap and has a good reputation. I would recommend these capsules at once if they removed the silicon in future, but as it is I can say that there are better and less expensive options to go for. The jar contains 60 capsules and retails for 78 US$ or 64.99 €.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.brandsyoulove.de which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty Eopenmarket PR Sample review

Review: Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum & Snail Repair Advanced 91 Serum

3. December 2017

// PR SAMPLE / SKINCARE / KBEAUTY //

I’m always up for new skin care products and I love especially trying new serums. Some of my favorite key ingredients are vitamin C and snail secretion filtrate. A while ago I received two serums containing exactly these two ingredients: the Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum and the Purito Snail Repair Advanced 91 Serum from Eopenmarket for reviewing purpose. I have tested these two products thoroughly the last weeks and here is my verdict regarding these two products. Additionally, there will be a giveaway on my Instagram account, where you can win both products!

Purito is a rather young Korean brand with cruelty-free and 10-free skin care products. The products are free from paraben, ethanol, surfactants, artificial coloring, fragrance, triethanolamine, phthalein, triclosan, petrochemicals, benzoyl peroxide.

Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum

The Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum is directed towards anti-aging and prevents the formation of new wrinkles as well. It is highly moisturizing containing almost 90% of hyaluronic acid. 10% of the serum is ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Vitamin C is always good to have in your skincare routine. I have tried a couple of serums in the past (check >>here<<). Vitamin C is an antioxidant and thus can prevent our skin from aging too early and from sun-damage. A high concentration of Vitamin C doesn’t mean automatically that it is more effective concerning anti-aging. Normally, a high concentration of Vitamin C aims at a visible effect, because it tends to operate as a chemical peeling by loosening dead and old cells. This is not a bad effect and stimulates the skin to regenerate itself, but keep in mind that it won’t affect the inner cell layers of your skin which have to be aimed if you really want an anti-aging effect. With 10 % vitamin C in this serum this serum lies between the OST C20 serum and the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. The thing about Vitamin C is, that it oxidizes with time, and you have to use it up very quickly. You will see as the color of the serum will get more yellowish with time. A possibility to prevent the vitamin C from oxidizing is to stabilize it with ferulic acid or vitamin E or use derivates.

If you look at the ingredients list of this serum you will see that the ascorbic acid is not stabilized, so the only way is, to store it in a dark and cool place and use it up quickly, once opened.

ingredients: Sodium Hyaluronate (84%), Ascorbic Acid (10%), 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Arginine, Human-Oligopeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Bude Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Pyrus Malus Extract, Red Ginseng Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA

You can check for the properties of the single ingredients via Skincarisma. Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide have brightening and anti-aging properties, and also arginine is directed towards anti-aging. The ingredients are also listed on COSDNA.

As you can see my serum already started to get darker in color and it is time to throw it out. Yet when I opened it up newly it already had a light yellow tint. The serum is a quite runny formula despite being a serum and it feels very moist and hydrating on the skin. It has no specific fragranced scent either. Once applied it will dry down after a while. At first, it will still have a slightly tacky residue, which disappears after some time without a trace. I don’t have any before and after pictures of my skin, because I use a combination of many products which affect each other. But this serum definitely makes the skin feel softer!

Purito Snail Repair Advanced 91 Serum

The second serum from Purito is the Snail Repair Advanced 91 Serum and as the name says, this serum contains 91% of snail secretion ferment. Snail Mucus claims to be rich in hyaluronic acid and antioxidants and thus help our skin to regenerate stimulating the formation of collagen, elastin and dermal components that repair the signs of photoaging. Also, it claims to minimize the damage generated by free radicals that are responsible for premature skin aging (there is a Wikipedia entry for snail mucus, too). The snail mucus is not obtained by harming the snails, but it is collected is so-called snail farms.

The ingredients are also listed on the cardboard packaging:

ingredients: Saccharomyces/Snail Secretaion Ferment Filtrate (91%), Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Allantonin, sh-Oligopeptide-1, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumus Sativus Fruit Extract, Camelia Sinsensis LEaf Extract, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcus Oil, Cananga

You can check out the properties of the single ingredients via Skincarisma or COSDNA. The Purito Snail Repair Advanced 91 Serum contains more ingredients than the Vitamin C Serum, but mostly plant-based extracts and oils. Again, because of the oils added people with sensitive skintypes should be aware of potential reactions.

The serum has a clear color and feels a bit tackier upon application. But also here the product absorbs without traces after a while. This serum is free from any fragrance, too, and feels calming on the skin. I love using anything that contains snail secretion on irritated skin and troubles. I feel they help to reduce redness and irritations.

I’m really happy with both serums, although, I would wish that the Vitamin C in the first serum would be stabilized to make it last longer. I like the short and mainly plant-based ingredients lists and the fact that the products are free from 10 unwanted chemicals. Additionally, it is a plus that the brand is cruelty-free. On top, the price for the serums is super affordable with only 10.31US$!

If you are curious about these two serums you have the chance to win both of them on my Instagram account! Feel free to enter :)

Have you heard of Purito? And what serums are you using in your skincare routine?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://eopenmarket.com which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics bbcosmetic beauty PR Sample review

Review: 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment

21. October 2017

// PR SAMPLE / SKINCARE / AFFILIATE LINKS //

Roses are the queens of all the flowers, and that’s for a good reason. Since the ancient times these flowers have been used for therapeutic benefits. The rose essential oils are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants antibacterial and therefore widely used in cosmetics products. I’m one of those rose-loving people when it comes to skincare and I’m really happy that BBCOSMETIC introduced me to the 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment:

9Wishes is a Korean beauty brand which was unknown to me before. If you look at their official site you will also see that have a small range of beauty products and that the page is relatively new, so I guess the brand is quite new as well. The products have a sleek and pretty design and make me curious to try more.

The 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment comes in a pale pink cardboard box with English and Korean description written onto. It doesn’t look especially fancy, but very simple. But inside you will discover the beautiful bottle containing the product and on my first glance I fell in love it! Look at that gorgeous pump bottle with rose-gold cap. And the treatment has even a pale pink color contains bits of rose petals (I guess) in it!

The 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment is supposed to maximize the skin’s natural night-time renewal process and uses their special oil encapsulation technology for it. Although it is targeting the night-time renewal of the skin it can be used in the mornings and evenings on your cleansed face before using your moisturizer.

The ingredients of the treatment are listed below:

Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Water, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Akyl Acrylates Crosspolymer, Argnine, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Beeswax, Allatoin, sh-Decapeptide-9, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Ethylhexylylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propanediol, Jadminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Vaccinum Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extractm Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Rose Canina Fruit Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extractm Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Rose Flower Oil, Cl 77491, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolysed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid

You can see that there are various plant-based ingredients and especially a lot of rose extract and oils. The product is alcohol-free, sulphate-free and paraben-free. Apart from rose it contains a lot of Hyaluronic Acid for moisturizing, but also macadamia oil. Further more it contains Licorice Extract, which is one of my favourites. At the moment I’m trying a new tool for ingredients analytics and it is quite nice and I can recommend you to have a look at it: it is called Skincarisma and you can find the analysis of the 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment >>here<<.

As you can see from the ingredients this treatment is especially suited for dry skintypes, but also contains some ingredients that promote wound healing. Since it contains jasmine oil and geranium oil people with sensitive skintypes should keep in mind whether they react to these ingredients or not. According to COSDNA and Skincarisma the ingredients are safe to use, only the jasmine oil has to be noted for sensitive people.

The 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment is a gel type essence with a rose scent. Despite of the oils the application feels moist and watery and the product absorbs very quickly into the skin. The pink particles dissolve while rubbing the essence into the skin. Once absorbed there is no trace of oiliness or stickiness noticeable.

The glow and shimmer that you see on the picture below is only visible during the short moment while it absorbs. Afterwards there is no glow left on the skin, but it fully absorbs and leaves the skin matte, leaving only the rose scent behind. The skin feels hydrated on the area where you apply the essence.

You only need one or two pumps of the product to cover your face and in the time I’ve been using it I never had a bad reaction. Of course everyone is different, so be sure to check the ingredients before using and make a patch test on another part of your body if you know that your skin could react to it.

I’m completely happy with the 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment and I feel sad that there is only one-third left in my bottle. I received this essence from BBCOSMETIC where it retails for 19 US$ and is on sale. You can use the code Q2C8JX9N45R3O for a chance of 10 % off your order, too! You can also get the 9Wishes Rose Hydrating Capsule Treatment on amazon.com for 35.20US$.

Did you hear about the brand 9Wishes? Have you tried any of their products? What do you think about roses as ingredients in cosmetics?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://bbcosmetic.com/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample review Wishtrend

Review: I’m from Ginseng Serum

22. April 2017

// PR SAMPLE / SKINCARE / KBEAUTY //

I’m so happy to present to you another serum that has become a fixed part in my skincare routine. A while ago I received this new I’m from Ginseng Serum from Wishtrend for reviewing purpose and I’ve been using it every day since then. I’ve been so curious to try a ginseng serum since some time now and seeing that I’m from has newly launched products containing Ginseng made me really curious. I’ve been loving the I’m from Honey Mask so I had high expectations and hopes for this product, too.

I’m from is a Korean brand with the motto “a good cosmetics with a good ingredient”. I’m from is using natural ingredients in their cosmetics, and they want to be honest and quality provider. They have three promises to their customers, being 1. open composition, which means known ingredients, 2. Honest Farm, meaning honest ingredients with a true origin, and 3. being free of harmful chemicals. The I’m from Ginseng Serum is packed in a brown cardboard box with an imprinted pattern of ginseng. The brown color makes it look quite traditional in my opinion. Inside the cardboard box, you will find a 30 ml glass bottle with a dropper attached to the cap.

The I’m from Ginseng Serum is targeting nourishment, rejuvenation and has anti-aging properties. It gives elasticity to mid-aged skin containing concentrated ginseng extract.

The ingredients of the serum are listed on the cardboard packaging:

Water, Red Ginseng Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Angelica Pubescens Root Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ethoxydiglycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

You can find the ingredients list on COSDNA, too. Red Ginseng Extract is the key ingredient of the serum, but you will also find other ingredients listed, that is always welcome in my skincare: the serum also contains green tea leaf extract, ginseng oil, licorice root extract, and a couple of other plant-derived extracts. It also contains hyaluronic acid for moisturization. There are some remarks for the ingredients list though: the product also contains Cyclopentasiloxane, a cyclic silicon derivate that temporarily plumps the skin and makes it feel softer. It also enables other silicon products to absorb better into the skin and is often used together with Dimethiconol, like you will find here, too. Dimethiconol is a lipid on silicon basic that makes the skin feel soft but doesn’t feel greasy. Although it is on silicon basis it has a positive effect on the skin, because it enhances the moisture content of the skin to keep it hydrated. But, if you are generally avoiding silicons this product is not suited for you.

Ginseng

The I’m from Ginseng Serum contains 7.98 % red ginseng extract. Ginseng extract has the properties to enhance the blood circulation. It contains a large number of phytonutrients which have anti-aging properties and effect on the skin, like stimulating the collagen production. Ginseng also contains many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All these properties act positively on your skin and its appearance making it look more lively and plump and younger.

I received this serum as part of the beauty tester program and I’ve been using it every day since, mostly twice a day. This jelly, golden serum applies nicely and feels moist on the skin. It has a nice ginseng scent with a rose scent undertone. The scent is very present, so it is may be difficult to handle for scent sensitive people. It absorbs quickly but leaves the skin slightly sticky at first, but this feeling vanishes after some time. There is no greasy film left on the skin and the skin feels soft and smooth (due to the silicons). The serum makes the skin feel more bouncy and plump and it also makes the skin appear more glowy and healthy after using it. In terms of anti-aging, it is hard to say if it reduces the wrinkles or not. So far I didn’t see any visible changes here.

I personally enjoy using this serum a lot. I love the scent and the texture of the serum. I also love the effect it has considering the improved elasticity on the skin. I have to point out nevertheless, that the smooth feeling of the skin is mainly caused by the silicons in the ingredients list. Also, for people who are scent sensitive, the scent will be too strong I guess. This is the first serum I used containing highly concentrated ginseng, and to be honest I’m now curious to compare it with other ginseng serum.

If you are curious about this serum, too, it retails for 28.80 US$ and is available at Wishtrend. You will find all the information about the I’m from Ginseng Serum >>here<<. Also keep in mind the friend-referral program from Wishtrend: You can receive a 5 Us$ referral coupon if you use my invitation code 17939205 upon registration and you’ll receive this voucher immediately. There will be a specific field in your registration form called “friends invitation program” where you can put the code mentioned above. This way new customers can save 5 US$ which is a great possibility to save some money. also, Wishtrend has a Free-Shipping Area, where you can find products that can be bought with free shipping. Also, check out my Coupons & Discount page for more deals.

What is your opinion on ginseng? Do you use any products containing ginseng extracts?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://www.wishtrend.com/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample review Wishtrend

Review: Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum

5. April 2017

If you are a reader of my blog for some time you might wonder about this review, since I already reviewed the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum in the past. But time has passed and it has been renewed since then, so I wanted to have an updated review for this product. I can say that the brand Klairs has introduced me to some really awesome product, and for those with sensitive skin I can really recommend you to try the one or the other product from this brand. Okay, let’s go ahead with this review now:

Klairs is a Korean brand sold and by Wishtrend. It is eco-friendly, claiming to produce products which are animal-testing-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, and artificial-color-free. Their products adress people with sensitive skin and people who want to moisturize their skin. I reviewed some of their products before, like the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum or the Klairs Midnight Blue Cream, which both convinced me in their effects. I also love the Klairs Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner, which by the way has been updated and improved, too. The Klairs Rioch Moist Soothing Serum is part of the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing line of Klairs.

The renewed Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum comes – similar to the old version – packed in a cardboard box with a minimalist and simple design. It contains desription in English and Korean. The product comes in a pump bottle, which is larger than the old version and also is made of a clear colored hard plastic. The volume is now 80 ml instead of the former 50 ml. I remember that this was my main downside for the product, because I used it up within a very short time back than. The clear bottle is also nicer to see how much serum is left in the bottle. The brown colored bottle of the old version made it also possible to see what is inside, but not as clearly as now.

The Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum is designed for moisturizing and soothing the skin with help of a rich blend of organic complexes. It contains the patented ingredient Phyto-Oligo, Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea Extract, and beta-Glucan as key ingredients, but there are much more:

Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Natto Gum, Propanediol, Polyquaternium-51, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Illicium Verum(Anise) Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi(Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Panthenol, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Apium Graveolens (Celery) Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Brassica Rapa (Turnip) Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract

You can check the ingredients via COSDNA. I discovered that they have removed or replaced the doubtful ingredients from the first formulation, and now there are much less irritating ingredients and potential acne triggers included.

Like with the old version I really love that the serum comes in a pump bottle. It makes it not only easier to apply, but also more hygienic. According to Wishtrend they also managed to enhance the absorption and texture of the serum. Since a long time has passed since I tried the old version it is now hard to tell for me.

The texture of the serum is still the same gel-type clear liquid. It feels cooling and moisturizing and even after absorbing you will feel the cooling effect of the serum on your skin. This is maybe one of the properties of this serum that make it very suitable for irritated and heated skin. You will really feel how it cools you down. It does not leave any finish, but simply is absorbed completelly. It is not sticky either. The scent is fresh, but fades quickly, so it should not be a problem for people that are sensitive to scents.

The cream retails for 22.99 US$ and contains 80 ml. It is available at Wishtrend and you will find all the information about the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum >>here<<. Ah, and by the way, you can look up my other reviews on Klairs products >>here<<. Also keep in mind their friend-referral program: You can receive a 5 Us$ referral coupon if you use my invitation code 17939205 upon registration and you’ll receive this voucher immediately. There will be a specific field in your registration form called “friends invitation program” where you can put the code mentioned above. This way new customers can safe 5 US$ which is a great possibility to safe some money. also, Wishtrend has a Free-Shipping Area, were you can find products that can be bought with free shipping.

Do you use a serum in your skincare routine? What kind of serum do you use?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://www.wishtrend.com/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample q-depot review

Review: It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule

2. November 2016

Another propolis ampoule I’ve been trying since I finished up the COSRX Propolis Light Ampule: I received the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule by Korean cosmetics online shop Qdepot and I’ve been testing it for quite a while now. Actually, I’ve been wanting to try something from the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula line a long time already, so I’m happy I was offered this opportunity.

It’s Skin is a Korean brand made by dermatologists at Seoul University and it was created to recover the natural power of the skin. The brand is not expansive, but on the same level like Etude House. They also have some cute designs for some of their products, so in general it is an interesting brand, especially their Power 10 Formula intrigued me for a long time. There are 12 or even 13 different kinds of ampoules reaching from Vitamins to Q10, and even yeast filtrate. I guess you will find every possible ampoule. I decided to try another Propolis Ampoule since I enjoyed the previous one already so much.

The It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule comes in a glass bottle with an attached pipette as lid. The bottle is yellow colored, but transparent enough to see how much product is left inside. Of course the key ingredient here is Propolis. Propolis is a resinous mixture collected from barks of trees by bees to seal their chambers with the larvae. Propolis has antibacterial and antifungal properties and thus protects the larva, but this also makes it useful in skincare, especially for troubled skin, but it also has skin conditioning properties and makes your skin feel smooth.

If you check COSDNA you will see that the ingredients list is not too long, which is quite positive. Apart from Propolis the ampoule contains honey, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which are all great and effective ingredients for anti-inflammatory effects, hydration and brightening. The majority of the ingredients is green labelled, too.

The It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule has a milky consistency, which is not totally liquid like a toner but shows some substance. It is easily blended in though and turns into a watery solution once starting to rub it in. It makes the skin feel smooth while applying and glides over the skin– not in the same way as oil, but in a silky smooth way, if you know what I mean. The scent is nice, too, and not overly strong. The ampoule absorbs quickly without a sticky or greasy feeling, but it leaves a nice glow on the skin. I use a few drops on my skin until I feel I have used enough to cover my face and neck.

It is hard to say which ampoule I would prefer, the one from COSRX or the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule. Both are different in their consistency and in the feeling they leave on the skin. The COSRX serum has the shorter ingredients lists and doesn’t contain any potential triggers. Since it is a light ampoule it is probably suited better for sensitive skintypes. The Propolis serum from It’s Skin feels “heavier” without being heavy on the skin, but the texture feels richer. I like both ampoules but if I had both at hands I would prefer the COSRX one for summer season and the one from It’s Skin for winter. You can buy the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule from QDepot for 18.13 US$.

Q-depot is an online retailer for Korean cosmetics. They have already quite a variety of the most popular Korean brands and they keep adding products frequently. The site is easy to navigate, too. And they offer free samples for each order and free shipping for orders above US$ 49. They are committed to contributing 3% of their group’s net profit for social causes in different countries. So you can shop for your favorite Korean products and do something good, too. Also, Q-depot is having a promotion were you can get 5 US$ off your first order by using the code SW5OFF (orders +50 US$) or 10% off your first order using SW10OFF.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://q-depot.com/, which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty review Wishtrend

Review: COSRX Propolis Light Ampule

28. March 2016

// KBEAUTY / SKINCARE / AFFILIATE LINKS //

Happy Easter holidays everyone! Instead of easter eggs, I have a new review for you in my Easter basket…The COSRX Propolis Light Ampule is one of the products I’ve been using for a long time now, but I always was too busy to write the review. That does not mean that I do not like it- on the contrary! I really enjoyed and enjoy using this, especially since my cheeks have been extremely dry and reddened in the last weeks.

COSRX is an affordable Korean brand “offering good quality beauty items for 10 years”. The brand name is composed of COS for cosmetics and RX for prescription. Brands like Ciracle and C20 (yes, the famous vitamin C serum) are also part of COSRX. One of the rather popular skincare lines from COSRX is the AHA/BHA skincare products. I’ve been using the COSRX BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum and the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner in the past and I really enjoyed using them, especially the toner.

The packaging design of all the COSRX products is simple and similar. They all come in a white cardboard box with a black area where the product name is written in. The rest of the cardboard box contains detailed descriptions in English and Korean. You can click on the image below to enlarge and read the description. The ingredients are listed on COSDNA and the list is remarkably short- it only contains what is needed, which makes me also very fond of the product.

The key product is Propolis Extract and it is in the first place of the list. Propolis is a resinous mixture collected from barks of trees by bees to seal their chambers with the larvae. Propolis has antibacterial and antifungal properties and thus protects the larva, but this also makes it useful in skin care, especially for troubled skin, but it also has skin conditioning properties and makes your skin feel smooth. You will also spot glycerin and hyaluronic acid as moisturizing ingredients, too. Also, the Cassa Obtusifolia Seed Extract has skin conditioning properties, as well as panthenol.

The COSRX Propolis Light Ampule is an ampoule (concentrated serum) and comes in a transparent glass bottle with an attached dropper to the cap. You will see that the ampoule has a light yellow color. It has a thicker fluid texture, no scent, and spreads easily with a moist texture. Ones it is rubbed in it absorbs quickly but leaves a light tackiness, which decreases after few minutes. The skin feels soft in the areas where the ampoule has been applied. According to the description, the ampoule can be either mixed with a BB cream or daily moisturizer or used on its own. Mostly, I used it during my nighttime routine, but it is also wearable during the daytime. Sometimes it made my bb cream/cushion foundation fade quicker than usual, but this happened mostly when I was in a hurry and had no time to wait for proper absorption. Compared to the ampoule I was using before from the Coréana Sho EGFactor 28 Days Timeless Program, this ampoule is much lighter and less heavy and therefore it fits to have it named “Light Ampule”.

The COSRX Propolis Light Ampule is perfect for anyone who never tried an ampoule before. It is light, has a moist texture and still gives the skin a nice glow. The ingredients are really nice and to the point and the price is affordable, too. You can buy this ampoule from Beautytap for 24 US$. I really like this ampoule and there are no negative points I can give this product, despite the simple packaging :D.

Don’t forget to check out my page for current coupons and discounts >>here<<!

Do you have a favorite ampoule? Leave me a comment below :)

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