Where to purchase: Yesstyle: LINK / Round Lab: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Amazon: LINK
Price: ~£14
Volume: 30ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it + What does it do?: An ampoule containing 79% Pine Tree Leaf Extract and x3 Centella Asiatica-derived ingredients (+Hyaluronic acid + Japonica Root Extract) to strengthen the skin’s barrier and reduce redness and irritation and hydrate the skin.
Aims to: Hydrate, Soothe + Calm + Reduce Redness
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types (Including Sensitive Skins).
What I think: I would agree this suits all skin types, including sensitive skins. However Oily Skins may prefer this over Dry skins as this is a lightweight and watery serum (not an emollient emulsion). THEREFORE for DRY SKINS, you may prefer the Pycogenol (Which is the Scientific name for Pine Tree Leaf Extract) Oil-serum from The Ordinary may be more suitable to you LINK.
NOTE: I have also reviewed the Pine Cica Body Mist in the Olive Young Beauty Box HERE
Vegan?: Yes (Round Lab states that all of its products are Vegan + Cruelty-Free.
Cruelty Free?: Yes.
How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.
Packaging: Plastic bottle with a dropper lid. This also has a nib inside that helps prevent leakage.
Directions: ”Apply onto clean skin and pat to increase absorption.”
How I use it: I use this in the PM after toning and before applying a cream. I particularly use this if/when the skin is irritated i.e. through shaving, waxing or if the skin is irritated due to Retinol use.
Why Pine Extract?: Pine Bark Extract is included due to its Antioxidant, Microbial and Antibacterial properties. NOTE: You can check out the efficacy and use of Pine Bark Extract on the skin in these Papers HERE and HERE. So therefore, adding this with the efficacious Cica Extract and its 2 derivatives; you have yourself a soothing serum.
Key Ingredients: 79% Pine Leaf Extract (Antibacterial + Antioxidant) / Centella Asiatica Extract (11%), Asiaticoside, Madecassoside (Anti-inflammatory + Antioxidant) / Coptis Japonica Root Extract (Antioxidant and Soothing) / Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (Exfoliant) / Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hydrating) /
Full Ingredients: Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Glycoproteins, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Citric Acid
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: Lightweight and watery texture. This spreads very far and doesn’t take ages to absorb/ dry-down.
Sticky?: No.
Greasy?: No.
Balls up?: No.
- As you can see this has a lightweight, almost watery-gel texture.
Swatch Comparison: Product (Left) Vs No Product (Right)
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No, hence why this is good to help soothe irritated skin.
Summer or Winter?: Oily skins can use this both seasons. If Dry skins use this, this would be a great, soothing Summer serum.
Layerable?: Yes.
Video Swatch:
Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free (this has no strong scent to it either).
Good Under Makeup?: It is fine under makeup as it’s lightweight.
How long have I been using this?: ~3 Months.
Will I use until Completion?: Yes.
How Long will that take?: I have now finished the product.
The Effect?: This immediately feels cooling, soothing and hydrating on the skin. It helps reduce my skin irritation due to retinol etc.
Support the Blog!
Giving a donation really helps with the maintenance of the blog! any money made will go towards purchasing products for review!
£2.00
What I like:
- Fragrance + EO Free
- Cruelty-Free
- Soothing
- Hydrating
- Didn’t irritate my skin
- Not sticky or tacky
- Not oily or greasy
What I don’t like:
- I’m not sure Dry skins would appreciate how lightweight and almost watery this is
- I only reach for this if/when the skin is irritated (as I would go for even more hydrating serums or brightening serums when the skin is in a normal condition)
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (nearly 3.9)/5 – A genuinely soothing ampoule/serum that does what it says on the tin; reduce redness and somewhat hydrate the skin. I would like to clarify that this isn’t as intensely hydrating as something like the MMHC serum from The Ordinary or HA5 Light serum from G&G, but pairing this with a hydrating toner or cream on top would be great. I think this suits sensitive and sensitised (Oily / Oily-Combo) skins the absolute best and those who live in hot and humid weather. It pairs well with a Retinoid routine to try and alleviate any irritation caused.
Would I repurchase?: Yes. This has been a nice, soothing and hydrating ampoule and I would reach for it again if/when the skin is irritated / sensitised.
Dupes?: The La Roche Posay Dermallergo Serum – contains a specific neural ingredient which reduces you feeling irritation and sensitivity! (Swatches + Review HERE).
Available at: La Roche-Posay: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK / Sephora: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK
- The Ordinary’s Aloe + NAG Solution (Serum) – is also meant to reduce redness and sensitivity (Swatches + Review HERE)
Available at: The Ordinary: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK / Ulta: LINK
- The Skin1004 Cica Ampoule – contains just Cica (so a little bit more simple but still relatively effective) to soothe the skin and reduce redness (Swatches + Review HERE)
Available at: Yesstyle: LINK/ Stylevana: LINK
You can see live swatches of the Skin1004 Cica Ampoule AND other products from the Skin1004 Brand in the video above.
- FOR DRY SKINS; The Ordinary offer the Pycogonol 5% serum which IS 5% Pine Bark Extract in an oil-based serum!
Available at: The Ordinary: 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.
Follow me on IG for Updates!
Note: I earn a small commission when you purchase through affiliate links, which helps me purchase products for review + also help improve the Blog! If you would like to support me, thank you ever so much! and if not, that’s fine – I hope you enjoy my posts!
My Skincare Regime 