Hello all!
I’m a massive Exo and K-beauty fan, so when I heard that Exo’s Suho became the brand ambassador of the K-beauty Skincare Brand Anua (which I have had interest in previously), I wanted to swatch and review Suho’s picks from Anua’s Birch line, to see if the brand is worth the money and/or recommendable!
In the video, I also do swatch comparisons and recommend dupes for these products and discuss why exactly Birch Juice is an interesting ingredient in skincare and why it’s used!
I really hope you will find the video useful!
Table of Content:
Youtube Video: Swatching + Reviewing Anua Skincare’s Birch Line! + What Makes Birch Juice so special?
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Video Transcript:
Hey guys and welcome back to the Channel!
– I’m a big fan of Exo, so when I saw Exo’s leader Suho became an ambassador for the K-beauty brand Anua; I wanted to test out these products for myself and swatch them and review them to see if they are worth purchasing and if there are any similar products or just as effective dupes.
And of Note: All these products are Fragrance and Essential Oil-Free, Vegan and Cruelty-Free! It includes a Toner, Serum and Moisturiser; so a Simple K-Beauty Skincare Routine!
And the products I bought are from the Birch Line! – Now why Birch? What makes Japanese Birch Juice so special? Well, Birch Water, also called: Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice which is also included in other K-beauty brand products, is a skin-conditioning Sap from the Birch Tree. In the past; Birch Sap was applied onto the skin to treat skin ailments, and why is that? It’s because Birch Sap contains 17 Amino Acids, minerals, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants, Vitamins and Sugars which all help nourish and protect the skin. There are scientific papers and research published to back up the claim that Birch Juice does help heal and reinforce the skin’s barrier as well as moisturise it, to try and prevent further skin irritation and inflammation. In some ways it is similar to Snail Mucin which is also rich in minerals and vitamins to also reinforce and hydrate the skin.
Now let’s get on with the video!
First up is the Birch 70% Moisture Boosting Toner: This Daily-use AM and PM Toner contains 70% Japanese White Birch Water which is the highest percentage of Birch Water amongst these products. It works to balance the skin’s pH and lock in Moisture. This contains Panthenol which is skin-soothing and 10 types of Hyaluronic Acid (which are listed on the screen now) in order to deeply hydrate and penetrate the skin, as multiple forms of Hyaluronic Acid with different molecular weights are effective in hydrating the skin. It also contains Allantoin which is skin-barrier reinforcing to prevent water loss, and Betaine which is hydrating and moisturising. Cucumber Extract is included to soothe the skin and moisturise it. So overall this product works to balance the skin’s pH and Oil-Moisture balance.
In terms of the texture: This is like a ‘’Fat Water’’. It’s similar in Texture to the Dear Klairs Supple Preparation toner, so if you like that then you might like this. (add more). It’s easy to rub this into the skin and it doesn’t take too long to dry down, it isn’t sticky or tacky either and does feel immediately hydrating when it’s sunk into the skin. In terms of the scent I don’t get anything from this.
This product is aimed at all skin types, but Dry skins could enjoy this slightly thicker toner in the Summer, and Oily Skins could enjoy this in the Winter. Combination skins could use this all-year round. Sensitive skins would also find this useful, but not sensitised skins as this contains Hyaluronic acid.
Another dupe could be Pyunkang Yul Essence toner, especially if you want a hydrating and soothing Toner. It is slightly thinner in texture than this Anua Toner, but nonetheless, it feels hydrating. The Hada Labo Gokyujun Premium Lotion is another good dupe as it also contains numerous forms of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the different layers of the skin. Although, it doesn’t contain as many Hyaluronic acid forms.
In order to seal in all this moisture and reduce trans-epidermal water-loss, we should move onto the next step in this skincare routine which is the Birch Moisture Boosting Serum. This too also contains 70% Japanese White Birch Water and, like the toner; contains Allantoin, Betaine and Cucumber Extract to fortify, hydrate and soothe the skin. It also works to maintain the skin’s pH balance while improving the skin’s moisture levels. This contains Panthenol which helps soothe the skin and also contains (like the toner) 10 types of Hyaluronic Acid to really penetrate and hydrate the skin. Unlike the toner, this also contains Malachite Extract which is an antioxidant found in both the Wishful Skin Clean Genie Cleansing Balm and the Niod Antioxidant Mist. This Extract helps to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. Furthermore, this serum also contains the PHA (a gentler version of an AHA) called Gluconolactone; which is an exfoliant that helps resurface the skin, reducing the look of fine lines. This is also found in the A’pieu Fusidium Trouble-Calming Toner. This contains both Biosaccharide Gum-1 and Liquorice which are not only hydrating, but soothing. Hydroxyacetophenone is another antioxidant included that is soothing. This also contains 2 plant extracts who’s main job is to hydrate and moisturise the skin (Ulmus Root Extract and Pueraria Root Extract). So as you can see, this is a hydrating, soothing, protecting and also gently exfoliating serum that works to soften the skin and reduce the look of fine lines as well.
In terms of the scent: I don’t get anything from this.
In terms of the texture: This almost feels like snail-mucin such as the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence which is just as hydrating, with the smooth, gel-like feel this product has. The Isntree TW Bifida Ampoule could be a good dupe due to its numerous hyaluronic acid, skin-retexturing and fortifying ingredients.
This product is aimed at all Skin Types which I would agree with; Even oily skins could use this product and not find it thick or greasy. Dehydrated, rough skins would benefit from this the most. Sensitive but not sensitised skins could use this too.
So once the skin is fully hydrated and subtly treated with both the toner and serum, it’s time to move onto the Birch Moisture Boosting Cream, to seal it all in!
This daily use AM/PM Cream also contains 70% Japanese White Birch Water to hydrate and moisturise the skin. This also contains Allantoin, Betaine and Cucumber Extract like the Toner and Serum; to protect, hydrate and soothe the skin, and it also contains Panthenol and 10 types of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the inner and outer layers of the skin. And with this emollient cream; the hydration and moisture can be sealed in, preventing trans-epidermal water loss.
Like the Serum; this also contains the PHA exfoliant: Gluconolactone, which gently exfoliates the surface of the skin while hydrating it. Squalane, a skin-identical emollient is also included, as well as numerous other emollient and moisturising ingredients, including Ulmis Root Extract and Pueraria Lobata Root Extract and Liquorice like the Serum! So as you can see, this is cream works to hydrate the skin, form a barrier and prevent water loss while soothing and reinforcing the skin’s barrier.
In terms of the Scent: I don’t get a scent from this.
In terms of the Texture: Due to the emollient nature of this product, it isn’t sticky or tacky. It could feel slightly greasy to Oily skins, but Dry skins could find this pleasantly comfortable and softening on the skin. It does have some weight o heaviness to it, and doesn’t run down the hand even though it has a watery base.
In terms of a Dupe: The Pyunkang Yul (Cream) has a similar texture and is also fragrance free, and the 107 Cream is also just as weighty and creamy on the skin. Or the Geek and Gorgeous happier barrier cream.
This Cream is aimed at all skin types however I do think Dry Skins would prefer this over Oily skins, as it might feel a bit too thick for oily skins, but would be comfortable for dry skins. Combination Skins might be able to use this in the dry, cooler months. But Dry, Dehydrated and Sensitive skins would enjoy this the best.
A lighter version for oilier skins could be the Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Cream if you still want emollients in your cream, or the Krave Oat So Simple Water Cream.
So overall; my favourite product is the serum (I like the inclusion of exfoliating PHA and how hydrating and smooth it feels on the skin, and I found it to be the most effective in terms of hydrating results. My least favourite is the cream as for my oily-combo skin, I found it a bit too heavy, but dry skins could enjoy it.
And that’s it for this Video! I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful. If you did, then please give it a big old thumbs up and subscribe today for future content. I’ll see you in the next one, bye!
Products Filmed:
Anua: Birch Moisture Boosting Toner – Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Birch Moisture Boosting Serum: Available at: Yesstyle: LINK
Birch Moisture Boosting Cream: Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Products Mentioned:
Hada Labo: Premium Lotion: Swatches + Review: LINK Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Dear, Klairs: Supple Preparation Toner: Swatches + Review: LINK – Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
A’pieu: Fusidium Calming Trouble Toner: Swatches + Review: LINK – Available at Stylevana: LINK / Yesstyle: LINK
Then I might you: Birch Milk Toner: Swatches + Review: LINK – Available at: Cult Beauty: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK
Cosrx: Snail Mucin Essence: Swatches + Review: LINK – Available at: Yesstyle: https://ystyle.co/SBiw / Stylevana: LINK / Ulta: LINK
Isntree: Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus: Swatches + Review: LINK – Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Pyunkang Yul: Moisture Cream: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Nutrition Cream: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
Pyunkang Yul: Essence Toner: Swatches + Review – LINK / Available at: Beauty Within: LINK / Yesstyle: LINK
Krave: Oat So Simple Water Cream: Swatches + Review: LINK Available at: Krave Beauty: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK
Geek and Gorgeous 101: Hydration Station Cream: LINK / Happier Barrier Cream (thicker): LINK
107 BEAUTY: Everyday Plump Hydro Cream: the 107 website: LINK / Beauty Within: LINK
Videos Mentioned:
Twice told me to buy A’pieu Products:
- As I discuss the A’pieu Fusidium Line Toner, here is the video swatching + reviewing this lovely product!
COSRX Snail Mucin Line:
- As I mention Birch Juice being a Vegan Alternative / Dupe to Snail Mucin, here’s the COSRX Snail Mucin Line Swatches + Review in case you in particular wanted to check out the essence which I compare to the Anua Toner!
Pyunkang Yul: Swatches + Review:
- As I mention the Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream and Moisture Cream in my review as Dupes for the Birch Moisture cream, here’s a video swatching + reviewing the Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream!
Research Papers:
Birch Sap Discussions + Review:
Paper 1: LINK / Paper 2: LINK / Paper 3: LINK / Paper 4: LINK / Paper 5: LINK / Paper 6: LINK.
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.
My Skincare Regime 