Review: Isntree – Green Tea Fresh Serum

Where to purchase: Yesstyle; LINK / Soko Glam: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Price: ~£27

Volume: 50ml

Made in: South Korea

What is it + What does it do?: A Multi-functional Green Tea serum that aims to increase the skin’s moisture levels, re-texturise the skin (reduce the look of fine lines) and balance the skin’s sebum production. The inclusion of Green Tea + other antioxidative ingredients help protect the skin from external damage (well-ageing).

Aims to: Regulate Sebum + Brighten + Hydrate + Improve the Skin’s Texture

Supposedly Good for: Oily + Combination Skin

What I think: I would agree! Not only because this isn’t heavy, but also because the ingredients work to reduce excess sebum, so Oily skins would prefer over dry skins! Sensitive skins could use too.

pH: 4.90 ~ 6.90

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Packaging: Glass bottle with a dropper

Note: There is an updated package of this product, but it’s the same formula

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Directions: Apply after a toner. Dispense a moderate amount and apply onto the face + pat gently for absorption.

How I use it: I apply in the PM as the scent (and tint) of this makes me prefer to apply in the evening.

Key Ingredients: 77% Green Tea Extract (Antioxidant + also contains Polyphenols that help reduce excess sebum), Niacinamide (Sebum-regulating + Brightening + Skin-barrier reinforcing). Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECGC – Polyphenol that helps regulate sebum production + is soothing)). Adenosine (Skin-barrier reinforcing + Soothing). Squalane (Emollient). Panthenol (Soothing), Liquorice (Soothing), Camellia Flower Extract (Emollient), Broccoli Sprout Extract (Emollient), Ulmus Extract (Moisturising), Pueraria Lobata Root Extract (Moisturising).

Full Ingredients: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bacillus Ferment, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Sprout Extract

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: A lightweight, gel-type serum that is slightly viscous but will still run down the hand. It doesn’t feel thick or heavy and requires some rubbing to fully absorb (doesn’t absorb immediately). The more you add, the more of a brown tint you could get, but a thin layer is fine!

Sticky?: No

Greasy?: No

Balls up?: No

• As you can see this is a brown, translucent gel-type serum. This is brown because the Green Tea has been brewed.

• This does feel slightly thicker than a regular watery serum and leaves the skin with a more dewy finish (without feeling too greasy or oily)

• Definitely smells of Green Tea the more you rub it in!

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes

Summer or Winter?: Both months

Layerable?: Yes

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this has a lightweight, gel-like texture to it. It hydrates the skin and does give a ”dewy” finish to the skin.

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free. This DOES smell like deep, Dark Green Tea (i.e. a distinctive Green Tea smell).

Good Under Makeup?: It should be fine but due to the smell, I would prefer to wear this in the PM.

How long have I been using this?: 3 Months

Will I use until Completion?: Yes

How Long will that take?: Another 3 Months

The Effect?: This immediately moisturises > hydrates the skin. It doesn’t sting or irritate. In terms of long-term results, this helps protect the skin from damage, and also helps with the excess sebum production in my oily T-zone without painfully drying out the skin.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Didn’t irritate the skin
• Hydrating + Moisturising
• Cocktail of skin-beneifical ingredients
• Didn’t ball up
• Not sticky or tacky

What I don’t like:

• Very potent Green Tea Smell
• Brown tint
• Moisturising > Hdyrating

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (nearly 3.9)/5 – A nice, skin-beneficial serum! I’m not the biggest fan of th ebrown tint, and you need to like a strong smell of Green Tea to wear this happily. I’m happy this didn’t cause layering/balling up issues for me, and my skin felt like it could breathe. I would have had problems if this contained Willow Bark (which does dry out the skin), but I’m glad they didn’t include that, and also included hydrating and emollient ingredients to regulate sebum WHILE hydrating and moisturising the skin.

Would I repurchase?: Yes. A good companion for oily and Oily-Combo skins 🙂

Dupe?: The Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner (Review HERE) if you want something lighter in texture. The Amore Pacific Green Tea Ferment Essence HERE. It is much lighter and faster absorbing, HOWEVER – that is more expensive. For those with Dry skins, you may enjoy the emulsion better: 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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