Review: Dr. Ceuracle – Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence (What is Kombucha and does it work?)

Where to purchase: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Price: ~£30

Volume: 150ml

Made in: South Korea

What is it?: A Vegan Cream Essence (The Cream is the white bit and the essence is the brown bit) that aims to balance the skin’s oil-moisture levels and reduce irritation and sensitive skin. (Kombucha contains probiotics to hydrate the skin and nourish/strengthen it).

Aims to: Alleviate Rough, Course, Tight Skin (Absorb fast like a toner, provide the skin with nutrition like an essence, and provide long-lasting hydration like a cream).

Supposedly Good for: Tight, Dry and Sensitive skin.

What I think: I would agree with the above. But I also think this suits Oily and Oily-Combination Skin, particularly in the Winter.

Vegan?: Yes.

Cruelty-Free?: Yes.

Malassezia Suitable?: No

EU-Allergen Free?: Yes

How long does it last after opening?: 1 year

Packaging: Glass bottle with a plastic screw-top lid (that secures tightly). This feels weighty in the hand (i.e., doesn’t feel cheap). I dropped this on the floor and it did not smash/shatter (but it did slightly chip the edge of the bottle). This also had a metallic hygiene tab stuck on top I needed to peel off before applying. It has a plastic hole dispenser inside, which prevents you from over-applying product. The packaging this came in, was a recyclable box printed with soy ink.

Directions: ”Shake well and apply a proper amount over cleansed face. Pat gently to aid absorption.” (From the Website).

Note: For Oily Skin – 1 layer is recommended (like a toner). For Combination Skin – 2 layers are recommended (like an essence). For Dry Skin – 3 layers are recommended (like a moisturiser).

How I use it: I apply this in the PM after toning (with something lighter and more watery). I apply this with the fingers (wastes too much product with this kind of texture on a pad) and tap into the skin (it’s not difficult to apply this onto the face and massage i.e. the product doesn’t just disappear). As someone with Oily-Combination Skin in the Winter, I apply 2 layers of this (anymore and it will start to be too greasy for me).

Why Kombucha? Does Kombucha Work? What does it do?: This essence contains 20% Kombucha Tea Extract. Kombucha is a ”Tea Fungus” fermented liquid that contains beneficial biologically active compounds (polyphenolic compounds) that provide it with anti-inflammatory properties for the skin.

It also contains microbial populations that are beneficial to the skin (Probiotic activity on the skin) LINK. By increasing ”good” bacteria (healthy microorganisms) inhabiting the skin, it discourages the growth of ”bad” bacteria like P.acnes (acne-causing bacteria on the skin) and also reduces skin irritation and sensitisation (seen in this study HERE – this study also suggested it may inhibit Collagen and Elastin breakdown in the skin, decreasing skin ageing).

It may have antioxidant potential (prevents free-radical induced damaged on skin cells), as seen in this study HERE, increases skin hydration and lowers the skin’s pH (also reducing the growth of harmful bacteria).

This study HERE has also stated that Kombucha can increase collagen content and NAD+/NADH levels (found in mitochondria and decreases with age), and also improve elastin in aged skin (tested on mice).

Overall, Kombucha definitely seems to provide probiotic and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin. But there needs to be more studies (on humans) determining if Kombucha can indeed reduce collagen breakdown and improve skin ageing.

Key Ingredients: 58.8% Green Tea water + Cocoa Seed Extract + Cica (Soothing + Antioxidants) / Sunflower Seed Oil + Ceramide NP (Emollients that replenish the skin’s barrier and reduce skin dehydration) / Amaranth Seed Extract (Emollient) / Hyaluronic Acid + Dextrin + Fig Extract + Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate + Ulmust Extract (Moisturising/Hydrating).

Full Ingredients: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Polyquaternium-51, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Butylene Glycol, Dextrin, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This has a lightweight milky texture (once shaken) and slides easily down the hand (see swatch video below). I’m surprised by how hydrating and moisturising this feels without being too thick or heavy (and not too greasy) for my oily combination skin. It spreads far and doesn’t take a long time to absorb and makes the skin feel like it has a glaze of a liquid cream over it.

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: This contains oils, to this could feel greasy to oily and very oily skins (in hot weather). I personally don’t feel this is very greasy in the dry months for my oily-combination skin. The more layers you apply however, the more this will start to feel greasy. But 2 layers is enough for me.

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see in this video, you need to shake the products as it’s separated in a bilayer of water and oil. When mixing together, this becomes a milky, hydrating and moisturising liquid.

As you can see, this has a milky lightweight liquid texture.

This simply runs down the hand and provides both mild hydration and moisturisation.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No, which has been very nice to use!

Summer or Winter?: Dry Skins: All Seasons. Oily-Combo: Winter (Possibly summer). Oily Skins (Winter).

Layerable?: Yes (Doesn’t ball up). However if I added 3-4 layers of this for instance, it would start to feel quite greasy. 1-2 layers is fine however for my oily-combo skin.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this has a lightweight, liquid texture that simply runs down the hand. You need to shake it to mix the water and oil elements to produce the milky liquid. You can also see that this does sink into the skin and is hydrating (doesn’t just sit on top of the skin and is lightweight)

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free. This doesn’t have a strong scent either (i.e. doesn’t smell like fermented green tea or ginseng).

Good Under Makeup?: As this is slightly more emollient, I wouldn’t recommend oilier skins wearing this under makeup, but dry skins could.

How long have I been using this?: 2-3 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another 4-5 months (big bottle).

The Effect?: This instantly feels hydrating and moisturising on the skin as I apply and massage this in. I don’t get feelings of discomfort, and what I like is that this doesn’t sting or irritate my skin, even when sensitised, and actually feels quite soothing on the skin.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Not too greasy/oily
• Not sticky
• Lightweight (Breathable)
• Hydrating + Moisturising
• Sturdy, Travel-friendly packaging

What I don’t like:

• May start to feel/become quite greasy if you put layers and layers on top.
• May feel slightly more greasier for oily skins in the summer/humid months.

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.2/5 – This is what I wished the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner was. It’s a lightweight, non-sticky and non-tacky, creamy milk, which both moisturises and hydrates the skin. This suits my Oily-combination skin in the dry weather. As long as I don’t apply loads of layers, this doesn’t get greasy. I like that this still feels breathable on my skin and didn’t sting my skin. I would recommend this to sensitive and sensitised skins. I appreciate that this is unscented and is gentle on the skin. It’s a good toner/essence and I feel like it preps, conditions and nourishes the skin.

Would I repurchase?: Yes I would! It’s been great this winter for my oily-combination skin.

Dupe?: This is a good, less-sticky dupe of the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (I would recommend the Cream skin refiner towards Dry Skins) Swatches + Review HERE.

Available at: Stylevana: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK / Sephora: LINK

• Another dupe is the Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence – This is also milky and lightweight (Also Vegan + Cruelty-Free, Fragrance + EO Free).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Illiyoon Ceramide Derma Relief Skin Softener – Swatches + Review LINK (Fragrance + EO Free). This is slightly heavier, but is still watery and hydrating.

Available at: Stylevana: 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.

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