Where to purchase: Available on Yesstyle: HERE
Available on Stylevana: (UK): HERE / (US): HERE / (AU): HERE / (CA): HERE / (DE): HERE / (EU): HERE / (FR): HERE
Price: £25
Volume: 150ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it?: An Essence that tries to Hydrate + Moisturise the skin while gently exfoliating.
What does it do: This contains 62.7% Fig Extract hence why this is called a ”Fig” essence. The peptides + amino acids help provide hydration into the skin. Polyphenols from the Fig extract are meant to provide antioxidant effects (but this paper says these form a film on top of the skin which helps prevent Trans-epidermal water loss), so this Essence is best at gently exfoliating + improving skin hydration overall.
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types
What I think: I would agree all skin types could use. I think Oily and Combo skins would prefer over dry skins (as the betaine salicylate helps like BHA does). I also think those living in hot and humid weathers may prefer due to how lightweight this product is.
- I think this is also more beneficial towards those who are sensitive to exfoliating acids but would like to gently exfoliate the skin (i.e. improve the tone + texture more slowly and gently, and help keep blackheads in check).
Youtube Video: Swatching + Discussing the Fig Essence
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pH: 4.97±0.50 (So as you can see, slightly acidic – which is why if the skin is sensitised/irritated from Retinols/shaving etc, this can sting a bit). Note: The skin is usually at 5.5
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Glass bottle with a plastic screw top. This also has a little plastic piece inside which prevents you from tipping out too much product (see picture below).
Directions: Pour 3-4 drops onto the palms and then pat along the skin.
How I use it: Due to the lightweight texture, I could use this both in the AM and/or PM. Sometimes I used this as a toner (swiping the face with a cotton pad) or as an essence, right before a serum.
Key Ingredients: Betaine Salicylate is an ingredient I want to highlight as it is a moisturising, more gentle version of Salicylic Acid (a BHA). So this ingredient helps gently exfoliate the skin (+ is also antibacterial, reduce P.acnes) and help with blackheads and/or excess sebum production and pore care. I think this ingredient pulls a lot of weight in terms of helping keep my skin texture + pores in check.
- This also contains Glycerin + Hyaluronic Acid, and sugars such as Fructose and Glucose for hydration (Glycerin gives that translucent/opaque look to the product).
- Allantoin, Panthenol and Soy Bean Seed extract help soothe the skin.
- Of course, Fig Extract is the Major ingredient which mainly Hydrates + Moisturises.
Does Fig Extract do anything? I could only find 1 paper using fig extract on the skin, published in 2014 HERE
The study using Fig Extract was done on 11 Asian Males aged 20-35. It wasn’t in an essence format, but in a cream/gel format. They tested Pigmentation, Hydration + Sebum production throughout 8 weeks of use. (Notice that this was done only on 11 people so not a big case study. And was only done on men).
It was concluded that Fig Extract helped with Skin melanin (helped reduce pigmentation), Water loss (helped reduce water loss), Hydration (improved skin hydration) and Sebum content (helped reduce oiliness).
Use on Hyper pigmentation, Acne, Freckles + Wrinkles needed to be studied some more (inconclusive).
It’s the antioxidants and Phenols in Fig Extract that help reduce Water loss from the skin as these spread over the skin in an occlusive film (like a barrier to stop water escaping).
Fig Fruit is high in Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) + Antioxidant compounds which supposedly do help with Hydration levels in the skin (but less is discussed about its photoprotective qualities and collagen synthesising properties in Fig Fruit Extract, so this should be looked into.
The main takeaway from fig fruit extract is that it needs to be looked into some more to conclude skin benefits.
However, the additional ingredients help provide benefits to the skin i.e. Panthenol, Betaine Salicylate and Glucose – so this isn’t solely depending on the supposed benefits of Fig extract to hydrate + gently exfoliate the skin.
Full Ingredients: Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Allantoin, Betaine Salicylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Octanediol, Tocopherol
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: Literally just feels like water. Same texture as the Isntree Green Tea Fresh toner but less drying.
This simply runs down the hand when applying. This doesn’t make my skin feel dry after applying, and is easy to rub in and pat into the skin. It feels cooling and refreshing and makes the skin feel like it’s had a drink of water.
Hopefully you can see how this is glossy (not oily or greasy at all, but watery). This eventually absorbs into the skin and simply provides a hydrated sheen to the skin. Doesn’t ball up, not sticky or tacky.
Video Swatch: See the texture live!
Hopefully you can see how watery and lightweight this is. It’s the same thickness as I’m From’s other products i.e. the I’m from Rice Toner (Review HERE) and the I’m from Mugwort Essence (Review HERE).
Layerability: Very easy to layer as this is so watery.
Sting if the skin is sensitised? (I.e. from shaving or High Retinol use): Yes, this will sting due to the exfoliator in here.
Summer or Winter?: Can be used in both months but because this is so lightweight, it may be preferred to use in the Summer.
Fragrance?: No added fragrance and/or essential oils – This smells like nothing to me 🙂
Good Under Makeup?: Yes it’s fine, no issues.
How long have I been using this?: Every other day for about 2-3 months.
The Effect?: Skin that has as subtle improvement in the skin tone and texture + sebum production. No drastic changes, but more like a supplementary product.
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What I like:
- No added fragrance and/or essential oils
- Gentle exfoliation (my sensitive skin can use)
- The packaging makes this easy to use
- Didn’t itch/burn the skin (i.e. didn’t worsen my skin)
- Subtle (not crazy) hydration and I was also able to use this as a toner due to the thinness in texture (works well with a pad to swipe the face).
- No balling up / layerability issues
- I like that additional skin beneficial ingredients have been added instead of providing solely on Fig Extract which not enough research has been done on to prove much.
- Slightly (not very) hydrating
What I don’t like:
- Does sting if the skin is sensitised i.e. from high retinol use or shaving
- A thicker texture would have been nice for some extra hydration/moisture
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4(nearly 3.9)/5 – Overall, this is a very nice addition to a routine. It’s not a solution for any skin issues, but it didn’t make my skin feel or look worse. It’s unscented, it’s lightweight, it gently exfoliates and is slightly hydrating. It’s so gentle it can be added in a routine with other exfoliating acids (if you just want a little boost), and can be used by those who can’t handle too much exfoliation as it’s so gentle. It does provide some hydration, it doesn’t layer poorly and this product doesn’t JUST have fig extract, there are some nice skin-beneficial ingredients to make it worth the money. Is it a skin-changing, game-changing product? No. I think people may find this too gentle + not do much, but for those who have sensitive or easily sensitised skins, this could be a nice product.
Would I repurchase?: Yes I would. I really enjoy exfoliating products that are gentle and this is one of them.
Dupe?: I think this is a dupe (an even more gentle version) of the already gentle Geek and Gorgeous Cheer Up exfoliating liquid Review 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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My Skincare Regime 