Where to purchase: Available at Yesstyle / Stylevana and Soko Glam
Price: £28.48
Volume: 30ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it?: A Creamy/Gel-like serum that contains 61% Fermented ingredients to brighten the skin, strengthen the skin’s barrier and balance oil production.
Brand Description: Containing Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccaromyces Ferment Filtrate, Betula alba Juice, Rice Ferment Filtrate and Kojic Acid, this Serum helps improve skin elasticity and brightness as well as balance out the skin’s sebum production.
NOTE: If you would like to know more about fermented ingredients + their effectiveness, then check out my Review of the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence HERE
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types
What I think: I do think all skin types could use this – but in particular dry skins as this is emollient > hydrating. My Oily-Combo Skin likes to use this as a PM Moisturiser as it proves that occlusive layer on top with some emollients.
Vegan?: No
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: A Glass Bottle with a Plastic Cap and Pump (very sturdy and weighty)
Directions: ”After cleansing and toning, apply this serum after your essence when your skin is still damp. Pump a pea-sized amount of the serum onto clean fingers and smooth over the skin, gently patting in to help with absorption.” (From the Neogen Website).
How I use it: I use this in the PM as either a Moisturiser (if it’s a bit warmer) or I use it under a more watery, gel-like cream i.e. the Hello Fab Coconut Water Gel Cream or the Purito Gel Cream. I like to make sure my face and neck are covered, so I use 3 pumps.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (Anti-Acne + Brightening + Skin-barrier Reinforcing) / Green Tea (Soothing) / Adenosine (Skin-barrier reinforcing) / Cica (Soothing). Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – (Brightening) / Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate (Rice Ferment) is the Fermented Ingredient here, which is Soothing and Moisturising. Ubiquinone (Co-Enzyme Q10) – (Soothing). Thiotic Acid (Soothing) / Panthenol (Soothing) / Butylene Glycol + Glycerin + Hyaluronic Acid + Hydrolyzed Collagen (Hydrating + Moisturising).
NOTE: This does contain Silicone which means I would not recommend using facial oils on top of a product like this as it would most likely cause it to ball up.
Full Ingredients: Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Betula Alba Juice, Butylene Glycol, Rice Ferment Filtrate (Sake), Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aspergillus Ferment, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyacrylate-13, Water, Panthenol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactobacillus, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tropolone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid, Ubiquinone, Thioctic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: I find it odd when Cream-like textured products are called ‘serums’, but here it is! This feels like a Cream-Gel hybrid, BUT that doesn’t mean it’s thick! This is Moisturising and occlusive enough that I can use this in the last step of my routine (especially when it’s warm). I don’t find this sticky or tacky, it’s not greasy and seems to layer fine on top of and under skincare (just not with facial oils).
As you can see, the product initially looks opaque. It looks like a cream!
As you can see, this is now more creamy and translucent looking as you rub it in. Hopefully you can tell this contains silicone due to that transluscent nature.
After spreading this more and more, hopefully you can tell this seems to be more emollient than hydrating. This doesn’t feel oily or greasy to me, but it also doesn’t feel watery.
Does this sting if the Skin is Sensitised?: Due to the Niacinamide + HA – this will sting if the skin has been sensitised (i.e. due to heavy retinol use or facial shaving).
Summer or Winter?: Depends on the Skin Type. Oilier Skins could use this as a moisturiser in the Winter and Dry Skins could use this as a Moisturiser in the Summer.
Layerability?: Fine as long as oils aren’t used on top of this.
Video Swatch:
Fragrance?: No added Fragrance and/or Essential Oils – This product doesn’t have a strong scent either.
Good Under Makeup?: Yes this is fine Under Makeup (but try to use more silicone-based Foundations instead of more oil-based) but I think a product like this would still work in one’s PM Routine instead of under foundation.
How long have I been using this?: 2-3 Months
The Effect?: Moisturised and Healthy Skin! This has been supporting my skin barrier and improving the resilience it has against irritation.
Does this brighten the skin?: Not dramatically BUT I would not say that this serum is ineffective! I think it’s a great addition i.e. a brightening moisturiser to go alongside a brightening serum and/or toner. I would recommend for skin brightening, something like the Skinceuticals Discolouration Defense serum for a bigger punch, or The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin Serum.
Anti-ageing?: Not drastic BUT once again, this is a great supplement to go alongside Retinol use! Apply your retinol serum and then this moisturising gel-like serum on top as Niacinamide and Vitamin C work well with Retinol!
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What I like:
- No added Fragrance and/or EO
- Didn’t worsen my skin’s condition
- Good as a Moisturiser (for my Oily-Combo Skin)
- Great packaging (and easy to travel with)
- Cocktail of skin-improving ingredients that should overall improve the texture + tone of the skin gently
- Doesn’t itch the skin when applying (unless the skin is already sensitised from heavy retinol use)
What I don’t like:
- I don’t find it hydrating but more moisturising/emollient
- The Vitamin C included is very low so it’s not going to drastically brighten the skin
- Takes a while to see results as the active % is low
- A bit tricky to layer under makeup (I would recommend a silicone-based foundation)
- Doesn’t totally disappear into the skin (once again, due to the silicone – there is a layer there, but silicone does make this product feel lightweight!)
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – I think this is a great little addition to either a skin brightening or an anti-ageing routine! I would not say that this fixes anything on its own, but if you’re like me, and you like moisturisers (I use this mostly as a moisturiser unless my skin is feeling dry) that contains actives and help boost the effectiveness of your active serums, then go ahead! I do think this works well with the Essence and I get why Neogen is pairing them together (what ingredients one lacks in, the other makes up for – OR they add to each other). I like that it’s fragrance and EO free, and the packaging makes this easy to travel with.
Do I like this more than the Essence?: I think I prefer the Essence SLIGHTLY more – but I would definitely agree that using the two of this together, in conjunction with a Retinol or an Alpha Arbutin-like Skin brightening Serum, or even a Peptide Serum, would really help with the skin’s overall look and elasticity!
Would I repurchase?: Yes I would! I like to use this as a moisturiser and as I always say – If I can use a moisturiser that contains actives and doesn’t just moisturise/hydrate the skin, then I’m in!
Dupe?: The Isntree Bifida Ampoule as it also has a cocktail of Skin-improving ingredients (My Review is HERE), but the texture is very different.
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 