Where to purchase: Available on Yesstyle HERE
Also Available on Stylevana: (UK): HERE / (FR): HERE / (EU): HERE / (GE): HERE / (CA): HERE / (AU): HERE / (US): HERE
Price: ~£20
Volume: 100ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it?: A moisturising Cream containing Japonica Root (Medicinal Herb). Supposedly also suitable for babies.
Brand Description: A Mild Yet Effective formula that delivers moisture to even sensitive skins. This has a non-sticky, non-greasy formula that is easily absorbed into the skin, leaving it moisturised + supple. It also cools + soothes the skin.
Do I agree?: I agree with most of the above statement! As long as too much product isn’t applied, this is non-greasy and I think it does actually provide a cooling effect to the skin upon initial contact.
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types (Including Oily + Acneic Skin)
What I think: I think this suits Dry and Combination-Dry Skins OR Combo-Oily skins living in Dry Weathers. That is because this has a creamy texture that works to moisturise the skin better than hydrate it. I have Oily-Combo Skin and prefer to use this as a PM Winter Moisturiser.
I also think those who have irritated skin from Retinol or Shaving may fine this cream stings a bit. But sensitive skins could use this.
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Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Glass Jar with a Plastic Screw-top lid. Did not come with a spatula.
Directions: Use in the AM and PM at the last step of one’s skincare routine (before SPF in the AM), tap in gently to maximise absorption.
How I use it: I use this in the PM as a Moisturiser. I’ve also used it as a Makeup Primer (to prep the skin before Foundation) and it did not ball up / I didn’t have issues with it. This has more of that Shea butter rather than silicone texture so it’s very creamy and less watery, meaning that I don’t need to put too many product on the skin before applying this moisturiser otherwise it might feel like too much. A little goes a long way with this cream as well! I think it would last a long while since little is needed to spread so far.
Key Ingredients: Coptis Japonica Root Extract (An antioxidant + Soothing). This plant extract is used in East Asian Medicine as it seems to have antibacterial properties. It doesn’t mean that this cream doesn’t tingle when applied to recently sensitised (either by shaving the face or over-using high % retinol) skin.
Jojoba seed oil is an emollient and helps give that soft finish to the skin + Butylene Glycol helps with Hydration.
Full Ingredients: Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Caprylate
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Video Swatch:
Texture: Upon Initial contact, this feels cooling/refreshing!
I would like to add that Shea Butter is an ingredient I’m not the biggest fan of. It usually makes the creams feel thicker and less viscous on the skin. Usually this ingredient steers the cream to suiting more dry skins. Of course it depends how much Shea butter is actually added into the product, but I will say that I could tell this product had Shea butter before I checked the ingredients (just to give you an idea of the texture).
I would still call this a lightweight cream, but it is a cream. I.e. it doesn’t run down my hand, it’s emollient, it’s viscous and it does form barrier between your skin and the outside world.
This is definitely moisturising, I don’t have layering or texture issues and actually a little goes a LONG way so this tub could last a good long while! (I’ve been using this for about 3 months and I’m only half way).
But this creaminess does mean that I don’t like to use it in the Summer or in the PM. I prefer it when I have a short PM skincare routine and just want to whack on a moisturiser and go to bed. This definitely is moisturising without making me feel uncomfortable or like my skin can’t breath, as long as I don’t have too many skincare products on underneath and as long as it’s not a hot or humid day.
Hopefully you can see how smooth and creamy this product is. There is still some decent hydration there.
Hopefully you can see what I’m talking about when I say I can feel/tell that there is Shea Butter in this. It has that sort of texture where it takes a bit of massaging to get the product fully into the skin. It definitely makes the moisturiser ”creamy” and less watery than something like the Curel Cream.
Before and After
Hopefully in the before and after pictures – you can see that this does absorb into the skin and DOESN’T make the skin look overly greasy or oily. No it’s not mattifying, but it doesn’t make my skin look incredibly shiny either. It does make the skin feel nice and soft.
Video Swatch
Layerability: Yes this is fine to layer. Doesn’t ball up or pill, hence why it makes a decent makeup primer! (but no oil control).
Stings the Eyes?: No!
When/If the skin is sensitised?: If the skin is very irritable due to retinol, I find that this does kind of sting or ”tingle” so it’s better for sensitive (not sensitised) skins.
Summer or Winter?: For me this is a Winter Moisturiser (Combination Skin). So Oily Skins may also prefer in the Winter. Dry skins would find this suitable as a Summer Moisturiser.
Fragrance?: Fragrance + Essential Oil Free (This just smells of a cream)
Good Under Makeup?: Yes! Very similar to the Glossier Priming Moisturiser Review HERE – Meaning that this is good as a primer! (No oil control however, so more suited to dry skins and dry weather makeup).
How long have I been using this?: For about 3 months (and I’m only halfway! A little goes a long way).
The Effect?: Moisturised and Lightly Hydrated Skin (no special changes, but this does the job!)
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What I like:
- Didn’t irritate my skin
- Moisturising
- Fragrance + Essential Oil Free
- Makes the skin feel soft once absorbed
What I don’t like:
- Just a little too thick for me to use in the summer. And also I wouldn’t use this in the AM.
- Wish it came with a spatula
- Not too hydrating or watery
- No added Peptides/Actives etc (but I understand this is aimed at sensitive skins)
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4(very close to 3.9)/5 – I like that this is unscented, I like that this doesn’t sting or irritate the skin (unless my skin is sensitised by retinol and already is in a bad position). And this is moisturising for my oily-combo skin in the PM During the Colder Months.
BUT I just find it slightly too thick (to use as an AM Moisturiser / Summer Moisturiser) – It’s the Shea butter I’m not a fan of and it pervades so many creams I try and ultimately prevents me from ADORING the product. I think Dry skins and Comb-Dry skins would eat this up however. It’s very simple and basic, all it aims to do is moisturise and I think it does that well!
Would I repurchase?: No because I prefer a cream that’s just a tad bit lighter (like the Krave Oat so Simple Water Cream, Review HERE).
Dupe?: The Glossier Priming Moisturiser: HERE (I also find it slightly lighter than the Pyunkang Yul Cream). Also very similar in texture to the COSRX Propolis Light Cream HERE
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
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