[Video] TXT Soobin’s K-pop K-beauty Skincare Routine: Swatches, Review, and Dupes Revealed!

Hello all! – I am thrilled to be back with another instalment of the K-pop K-beauty series, where we delve into the skincare routines of K-pop idols.

Just like my Le Sserafim Chaewon and NCT Jaehyun’s Skincare Routine Breakdown Videos, in this video, we will be exploring and reviewing the K-beauty skincare routine of TXT’s Soobin, analysing and dissecting the formulations in detail.

Additionally, I will be sharing various dupes and swatches to help you determine which skincare products are most suitable for your skin type. Throughout my testing of the products in Soobin’s Skincare routine, I have discovered both standout hits and misses.

I trust that you will find this review informative and beneficial for your skincare journey!

Watch the Video Here:

Soobin’s Skincare routine focuses on hydration, sealing all that moisture in, while improving the skin’s tone and radiance.

Note: Check out my other K-Pop Skincare Routine Reviews HERE

Introduction

First of all, as TXT are skincare ambassadors for the K-beauty brand Manyo; most of the products Soobin uses (apart from the moisturiser) are from the brand (which is Vegan). Their products all contain two key ingredients: Heartleaf Extract and Centella Asiatica.

But why Heartleaf and Centella Asiatica?

Image from Javique.com

Heartleaf [or Houttuynia Cordata] has a rich flavonoid [quercetin, quercitrin, hyperoside, and rutin] content i.e. it is anti-inflammatory and provides antioxidative benefits. [Supposedly also UVB protective properties]. It also contains polysaccharides [sugars] which provide hydration to the skin [excellent humectants] and potentially help alleviate Eczema as it provides anti-allergic effects.  

Why Centella Asiatica? Well, Cica helps improve wounds and burns and is also anti-inflammatory like heartleaf [and helps against eczema]. And Centella has good moisturising properties, stimulating hyaluronic acid production in the skin [due to Centellosides] and can stimulate GAGs (sugars in the liquid between skin cells, lubricating it)]. Allegedly, Madecassoside [a Centelloside] can help enhance collagen synthesis and provide antioxidative protection!

So, let’s get into the products in Soobin’s skincare routine!

Cleansing Soda Foam

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK – £18.07 for 150ml

First off, Soobin goes in with a cleanser which is the Ma:nyo – Cleansing Soda Foam.

Fragrance + Essential-Oil Free: No

Eu-Allergen-Free: No

Malesezzia Suitable?: No

Cruelty-Free: Yes

Vegan?: No [contains beeswax]

Directions: Dispense a pea-sized amount and lather up. Message the face gently and rinse with lukewarm water.

This is supposed to be a sensitive skin cleanser that is still very powerful and removes dirt and makeup, also unclogging pores while simultaneously not stripping the skin of its moisture. This contains Green Tea Water instead of purified water to help soothe the skin. As the name says, this contains Baking Soda and Kaolin [and corn starch], which are used to draw out dirt and oil from the pores.

• Although this contains Tea Tree Oil which is an essential oil and therefore gives this cleanser a Tea Tree scent, it’s also anti-acne as it provides anti-bacterial properties, along with lauric acid, to help supress the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

[If you would like to learn more about Tea Tree Oil then check out my review of the Purito pH cleanser here.

The Antioxidative ingredients [that protect the skin from environmental aggressors] included are: Green Tea, Olive Fruit Oil, Ginseng and Portulaca Oleracea Extract [And Tea Tree].

Morus Alba Root Extract and Liquorice Root Extract are included to help brighten the skin. This also includes Hyaluronic acid and Sodium PCA which are hydrating. Apart from Tea Tree and Green Tea, other soothing ingredients include Aloe Leaf Extract and Liquorice.

• Lavender Oil + Saponaria Officinalis Extract also provide antibacterial effects, along with Tea Tree. And emollients that soften the skin are Aloe, Olive Oil, Ginseng Root extract and Beeswax.

 This contains fragrant ingredients like Orange Peel Oil, Tea Tree, Lavender Oil, Limonene and Linalool, so this definitely has a lemon-based earthy scent to it.

The Surfactants help to remove dirt from the skin: Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside.

In terms of the texture: this looks like a clay mask when spreading on dry skin. But when water is added, this foams up a lot and becomes milky thereby easy to wash off.

My Review + Experience: As someone with dehydration-prone skin, I found this quite stripping [7.8/10 stripping power] and my skin felt tight after washing off. This cleanser feels almost like a mud pack or a blackhead mask, the baking soda and kaolin suck out excess oil, so I’d recommend this to oilier skins, particularly those living in hot and humid weather [not recommended to sensitive and sensitised skins]. I would also recommend spacing out uses to avoid dehydrating the skin. [Will make pores look smaller temporarily].

Dupes:

In terms of more gentle Dupes that shouldn’t feel too stripping; The CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Foam is a gentle, Fragrance + EO Free cleanser [good for Combination and Sensitive Skins]. It foams up slightly without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Swatches + Review HERE.

Available at: Look Fantastic: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK

• Another good dupe is the Purito Real Barrier Cleanser (Swatches + Review HERE). This is a gel cleanser that foams up slightly. It contains Tea Tree and does not strip the skin. [Cruelty-Free].

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Foam Cleansing Gel is Vegan and Cruelty-Free as well as Fragrance + EO Free and also doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture [Swatches + Review HERE).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Vegreen Rice Foaming Cleanser [which I have reviewed in this video]; is a fragrance + EO Free, Vegan + Cruelty-Free, gentle foaming cleanser that also does not make the skin feel too tight or dry after cleansing. [Blog Post].

Available at: Stylevana: LINK

Vegreen Cleanser Youtube Video Review:

Ma:nyo – Galactomy Enzyme Peeling Gel

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Next up, Soobin uses an exfoliating Peeling Gel after cleansing. This is also from ma:nyo, the Galactomy Peeling Gel [£11.51 for 75ml].

Vegan: Yes

Cruelty-Free: Yes

Malesezzia Suitable?: No

Eu-Allergen-Free: No

This is an exfoliating gel meant to slough away dead skin cells via slight physical exfoliation, to reveal smooth skin.

This formula is meant to not strip the skin, using Hyaluronic acid [Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid], Aquaxyl [consists of 3 sugars: Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol] and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate to Hydrate the skin. 

• In terms of other key Ingredients: This contains Centella Asiatica Extract which is soothing [anti-inflammatory] as well as Algae Extract, Jasmine Extract, Beta-Glucan, Borago Officinalis Extract, Althea Root Extract and Ceramide NP, to moisturise the skin.

You’re supposed to apply this onto dry skin after cleansing and massaging the skin, which will cause the product to ball up, so you can provide gentle exfoliation to the skin. This is supposed to gently slough off dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling softer. You can also see that it’s easy to wash off.

Directions: 1. After cleansing, tower dry your face and apply a proper amount on the entire face evenly (avoid eye & lip area). 2. Massage your face gently in a circular motion for a while, then rinse off with lukewarm water thoroughly.

You can see from the texture that this looks like a watery gel and then when you start rubbing onto dry skin, it begins to ball up (Please see the video).

If you like this balling up mechanism, a similar alternative is the Wishful Skin – Yo Glow AHA & BHA Facial Enzyme Scrub (Swatches + Review HERE) which also uses cellulose (physical balling up aspect for physical exfoliation) and Enzymes, such as Papaya and pineapple to chemically exfoliate the skin.

Wishful Skin – Yo Glow (Enzyme Peeling Scrub)

• In terms of a K-beauty alternative; Missha also offers the Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Peeling Gel which has a similar balling up mechanism.

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK

My Experience + Review: Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of this kind of product and don’t find it really softens the skin. Also, after washing this off, my skin felt a bit tight (for my oily-combo skin). So I prefer using gentle chemical exfoliants, aimed at more sensitive skins; like the Clear Skin Days PHA BHA Exfoliating Serum which is hydrating, while reducing the look of pores and an uneven skin texture [Swatches + Review here]

• If you like an exfoliating cream, then the 23 years old AHA BHA Cream is both moisturising while chemically exfoliating the skin (Swatches + Review HERE).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK

• Or the Isntree PHA Cream [Gluconolactone is a gentler version of AHA] – Available HERE. This is a fragrance + EO Free, Vegan + Cruelty-Free, gently chemically-exfoliating cream gentler than the Badecasil P cream above).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Ma:nyo – Bifida Biome Ampoule Pad

Available at: Stylevana: LINK / Amazon: LINK

What Soobin uses next is also from Ma:nyo which is their Bifida Biome Ampoule Pads. [~£18 for 70 pads].

Eu-Allergen-Free?: Yes

Vegan: Yes

Cruelty-Free: Yes

Malesezzia Suitable?: No

These are Toner Pads containing the chemical exfoliants Gluconolactone (PHA) and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid [LHA] which are both hydrating chemical exfoliators, removing dead skin cells and gently reducing the look and size of clogged pores.

The inclusion of Bifida Ferment lysate, a probiotic ingredient, conditions the skin [Allegedly helps with skin cell repair] and helps soothe and tackle skin sensitivity. This contains Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate which is a conditioning emollient. This also uses multiple hyaluronic acids to penetrate and hydrate the skin on different levels: 1. Sodium Hyaluronate 2. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid 3. Hyaluronic Acid 4. Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer (also an antioxidant), 5. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, 6. Potassium Hyaluronate, 7. Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, 8. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate].

• Arginine is also included [Amino Acid] which is a Natural Moisturising Factor [Moisturising Factors explained in The Ordinary Moisturiser Video HERE], and Allantoin and Liquorice [extract], which are soothing.

Directions: You can swipe the face with these pads immediately or place them on red areas of the skin or very dry areas of the skin for a few minutes before swiping.

In terms of the texture: these have a soft side and a textured side for very soft, mild gentle exfoliation when sliding these against the skin. The pads are very big and are loaded with serum so that they don’t dry out. They leave a very hydrating residue on the skin after applying too.

My Experience + Review: I really like these pads! I like how soft they feel on the skin, they don’t scratch my skin and they swipe nicely along the skin i.e. they stick well. They haven’t dried out on me yet and I do find them both hydrating and soothing [good for my oily-combination skin]. Even oily skins could enjoy these pads and find them refreshing in the summer, to help swipe off any dirt or excess residue as well.

Dupe:

Some other nice soothing pads are the Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad Calming Touch (Available HERE), which are aimed at sensitive skins and helps hydrate the skin [£16 for 75 pads] Swatches + Review HERE – albeit the pads are smaller compared to the ma:nyo pads.

Ma:nyo – Galac Niacin 2.0 Essence

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK

Next up, Soobin moves onto a serum which is the ma:nyo Galac niacin 2.0 essence. [£21.43 for 50ml]

Eu-Allergen Free: Yes

Cruelty-Free: Yes

Vegan?: No.

Malesezzia suitable?: No

This serum aims to brighten the skin and reduce the look of dark spots and pigmentation. This is an improved version of their previous essence [hence the 2.0] as it contains twice as much Niacinamide which is brightening and reduces the formation of dark spots on the skin [Reduces Melanin formation from reaching the top of the skin]. Niacinamide also helps to reduce redness and excess sebum production in the skin, discouraging the formation of blemishes.

• This also contains Hyaluronic acid which is hydrating and draws water into the skin, as well as Panthenol [also hydrating] and Witch Hazel which are soothing. Witch Hazel acts like an astringent therefore, helping to reduce excess sebum in the skin. This also contains Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (93.69%) which is hydrating and moisturising.

Side note: I’m not really a fan of the tilted nozzle as I keep accidentally squeezing product that shoots out in the opposite direction and wasting it.

In terms of texture: this is very thin and very lightweight and is closer to water than a gel. It spreads easily along the skin and absorbs very fast. The texture is very suitable to those with oilier skins and those in hot and humid weathers as it doesn’t feel heavy at all. It’s not sticky or tacky and doesn’t feel greasy.

My Experience + Review: Personally, I like how lightweight this serum is and how it layers well under skincare. I also like the inclusion of a lot of Niacinamide to help brighten the skin and reduce the look of pores [Suits Oily + Oily-Combination skin, particularly those in hot and humid weather].

Dupes:

A serum with a very similar extremely lightweight and watery, fast-absorbing texture is The Ordinary’s Marine Hyaluronics [Full Swatches + Review HERE]. It doesn’t contain Witch Hazel [astringent] so it suits dehydrated skins even more. [However it is not a brightening serum].

Available at: The Ordinary: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK

• If brightening the skin gently is what you’re after, then the Tiam Vita B3 Serum (Swatches + Review HERE) is a recommended serum that contains 10% Niacinamide and 4% Arbutin to brighten the skin.

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

TI’AM – Swatches + Review

• The Geek and Gorgeous B-Bomb (Swatches + Review HERE) is a 10% Niacinamide serum that is gentle and effectively provides Niacinamide’s beneficial effects.

Available at: Geek & Gorgeous: LINK

• The Haruharu WONDER – Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum is a Brightening, Vegan serum containing 4% Tranexamic acid and 4% Niacinamide.

Available at Yesstyle: HERE

Ma:nyo – Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK

Next up Soobin moves onto an Ampoule which is the Ma:nyo, Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule [£24.44 for 50ml]

pH level: 7.4

Vegan: Yes

Cruelty-Free: Yes

Malesezzia Suitable?: No

EU-Allergen-Free?: Yes

Le Sserafim’s Chaewon also used this ampoule in her skincare routine, which I broke down in this video (so I won’t go on too long about this ampoule), but: this aims to strengthen sensitive skin, using five probiotics to encourage the growth of ‘’good bacteria on the skin’’ and includes 10 types of hyaluronic acid [listed on the screen now] to reinforce the skin and brighten dullness, but also plump, hydrate and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles {also through the use of a Copper peptide} [Copper Tripeptide-1 = helps stimulate collagen].

This also contains Niacinamide (Brightening + Sebum-regulating), Antioxidants such as Caffeine, Ginseng and EGCG (Anti-inflammatory too), Argireline (allegedly Line-reducing) and Adenosine [Wound healing, anti-inflammatory, barrier repair and protection].

In terms of the texture: This is thicker or more viscous than the previous serum and doesn’t run down the hand as easily. It has a brown tint to it and feels very cooling, soothing and hydrating when massaging into the skin.

• Like the previous serum, the nozzle is slightly curved to help the ease of application. But because this is thicker, it doesn’t shoot out and waste product (like the previous serum).

My Experience and Review: This has been a wonderfully hydrating and multi-beneficial serum to use and has improved the overall look and texture of my skin. I would recommend it to all skin types, even oily and oily combination skins could use this [especially in the PM].

Dupes:

• The Numbuzin Number 3 Skin Softening Serum which I reviewed in this video, also contains a cocktail of fermented bifida ingredients and is also hydrating and moisturising, albeit, slightly thinner than this ampoule.

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Isntree TW Bifida Ampoule is another good dupe that contains a plethora of fermented ingredients and well-ageing peptides to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Available at Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Isntree – TW-Real Bifida Ampoule – Swatches + Review

Real Barrier – Extreme Cream

Then, Soobin finishes his routine off with a moisturiser which isn’t from ma:nyo, but Real Barrier, it’s their Extreme Cream. [£30 For 50ml].

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Vegan?: No

Cruelty-Free: Yes (the brand states it is)

Eu-Allergen-free?: No

Malesezzia Suitable?: No

What makes this cream different from others?: Well, this is mildly acidic cream containing a patented ingredient called ‘’Omega-Ceramide-16’’ which is an emollient, meant to actively repair a damaged skin barrier and supply intense moisture to the skin and improve the skin’s barrier using both ceramides and peptides. A particular Peptide; ‘’Calmosensine’’ specifically works to actively reduce the symptoms of irritation in the skin [reduce itching/burning sensations].

Directions: Spread evenly on the face and pat gently with fingertips to help with absorption. Note: to enhance absorption, warm the product up by rubbing between the palms of the hand and then apply onto the skin.

• Other key ingredients include: Olive oil [Antioxidant] Sunflower and Meadowfoam Oil, these are key emollients to help moisturise and soften the skin. As well as Madecassoside, a soothing antioxidant. Hyaluronic acid is included, which is hydrating. This also contains Phospholipids and triglycerides, which help reinforce the skin’s barrier [fatty emollients]. This contains numerous soothing ingredients like Panthenol, Mistletoe Extract, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1 [and Roman Chamomile Flower oil, but it’s also perfuming].

This also contains numerous sugars which help hydrate and draw water into the skin [Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Glucose].

• In case you are sensitive, this contains perfuming or scented ingredients, such as Cardomum seed oil, Roman Chamomile Flower Oil [also soothing] and Patchouli Oil [anti-fungal]. In terms of the scent, this smells exactly like the Atopalm cream [Real Barrier + Atopalm are owned by the same company] and has a limonene scent [Lemon + Grass].

In terms of the texture: This is quite thick, it’s a viscous cream that needs some rubbing and massaging to absorb fully into the skin. It is moisturising and isn’t sticky or tacky. It really works to reduce dryness and is definitely suitable for dry skins [Higher Oil:Water content]. This can also work for sensitive skins as long as you are not sensitive to the fragrant ingredients. [Aimed at Dry + Sensitive Skins and is particularly recommended to use in dry weather, to prevent drying out the skin]. [This is good under makeup].

Experience + Review: if I had dry skin, I would enjoy this cream apart from the scent [not a fan of essential oils]. However, I have oily-combination skin so this felt too heavy and unbreathable for my skin type.

Dupes:

A Fragrance and Essential Oil Free (Vegan + Cruelty-Free) alternative aimed at dry skin, is the Glossier Rich Cream which has a similar rich cream texture and is great for wearing under makeup.

Available at: Sephora: LINK

• The Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask is also very creamy and emollient as well (Swatches + Review HERE)

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• A slightly waterier alternative that is still very nourishing and creamy is the Krave – Oat so Simple Water Cream which is [Fragrance + EO Free, Vegan + Cruelty-Free. Aimed at Sensitive Skins] with a simple formula. It’s slightly lighter in texture, so even oily-combination skins can use it in the wintertime (Swatches + Review HERE).

Available at: Soko Glam: LINK / Krave: LINK

• The Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica cream [Fragrance + EO Free, Vegan + Cruelty Free] is very emollient and nourishing, suitable for normal, combination and dry skins. [Aims to relieve sensitive skin].

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Anua – Birch Cream [Review HERE] is a very rich, yet hydrating cream aimed at normal-dry skins and is rich in birch extract which is loaded with vitamins, minerals and humectants.

Available at: Stylevana: LINK

Anua Birch Line Swatches + Review (Includes the Birch Cream)

• The Skin & Lab Barrierderm Intensive Balm or Cream; are similarly thick and moisturising with the balm having less water than the cream but both are suitable for dry and sensitive skins [Vegan + Cruelty-Free, Fragrance + EO Free].  [Aims to relieve sensitive skin]

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• A cheaper alternative is the CeraVe Moisturising cream which is loaded with ceramides [to reduce itchiness and dry-skin issues] and is more suited towards dry skins.

Available at: Cult Beauty: LINK / Target: LINK

• If you have Oily-Combination skin like me, then I would recommend the Numbuzin Number 1 Deep Purple Cream as a lighter, more watery alternative [Fragrance + EO Free]. And like the Real Barrier Cream, it aims to relieve irritated skin.

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Biossance Squalane + Omega, Vegan Cream is very emollient, thick and viscous which would be excellent for Dry skins (Also Fragrance + EO Free).

Available at: Cult Beauty: LINK / Sephora: LINK

Conclusion

So overall, Soobin’s Skincare routine has been interesting to try out, but there are some hits and misses: I wasn’t a fan of the cleansing foam; I found it made my skin feel tighter after using. I would only recommend it to those living in hot and humid weather and oily skin types. [Would not repurchase].

• I also wasn’t a fan of the peeling gel as I’m not sure I noticed a noticeable effect on the skin and also made my skin feel tight after using. I prefer using chemical exfoliators like AHA and BHA in serums or creams instead [better long-term effect at reducing blackheads and pores too]. [Would not repurchase].

I was pleasantly surprised by the pads and am still using them. They are genuinely hydrating, big and don’t scratch the skin [feel soft] and I like the skin-beneficial ingredients included [didn’t irritate my skin].

I enjoyed how lightweight and fast-absorbing the serum/essence is. It may seem too thin for those with dry skins and due to the inclusion of Witch Hazel and Niacinamide, it is more suited towards those with oily skin in hot and humid weather. [I love the texture, but I’m not the biggest fan of witch hazel, so I’m on the fence about repurchasing].

The ampoule might be my favourite product in this lineup; it feels very hydrating, soothing and moisturising and is unscented. I like the cocktail of skin-beneficial ingredients and how it works to improve skin radiance and pigmentation. [Would repurchase].  

• The cream is definitely moisturising and great for dry skin issues. But it doesn’t suit my oily-combination skin type and I’m not the biggest fan of the scent.

And that’s it for the video and this post! I hope you found it informative and useful if you were interested in any of Soobin’s Skincare items and for any potential dupes.

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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.