Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum : Ginseng + Retinal, 30ml, 1fl.oz.

Product Information

The fermented bean part explains the texture – it’s really gooey and stringy, a lot like snail essence. It’s reminiscent of the stringiness of natto (edible Japanese soybeans). In addition, 2% (active ingredient 0.02%) of retinal stabilized in the form of liposomes was blended into the formula. All of this to achieve stability and reduce skin irritation at the same time. Last, but not least, we want to mention a pretty big (but subjectively evaluated), Avene (the French pharmacy brand famous for its Retinal products) sponsored study that examined the tolerability and efficacy of a 0.1 Retinal + 6% glycolic acid product in the treatmentof acne. The product was added next to the standard anti-acne regimen of1,709 patients for 90 days and the study concluded that the formula was both very well tolerated as well as effective next to other standard anti-acne medications such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics.

Retinal is a vitamin A derivative and has long been used throughout skincare history to improve wrinkles.

The pomegranate extract is a natural source of AHAs, which provide some of the exfoliating effect, the other extracts also have antioxidants, vitamins – the standard plant extract benefits. I’ve found that this essence is just amazing for hardcore hydration with a side of soothing. I’m not sure if this does actually help my skin recover faster when it’s irritated or if it’s just the hydration helping, but it works really well for this.

For exfoliating, you prep your skin with warm water, pump out some product and just start massaging. After about a minute, you start to feel little sand-sized grains forming under your fingertips. It’s very satisfying! Vitamin A derivatives are the gold standard ingredients in skincare, and retinal has been making its way into more skincare products recently. It’s usually encapsulated, which improves the stability of the retinal (retinoids are notoriously unstable – one study found that some retinol products on the market are 80% decomposed after 6 months), but also releases the retinal gradually onto the skin, so there’s less irritation. Glycerin: Also found in the top layer of our skin, glycerin is a natural skincare ingredient that works to keep our skin cells in their correct form, protect our skin barrier, and treat really dry skin and/or irritation.

They’re SPF 50+ and PA++++, which is as high as the rating system goes in Korea. They don’t leave a white cast unless your skin is quite dark (the whiteness probably comes from the MBBT UV filter, which is a chemical sunscreen but it’s in particulate form which scatters some visible light). I use it before I go to bed. At first I was very nervous about the retinal over-exfoliating my skin, so I started with once a week. I’ve worked up to be able to use this every night I don’t use glycolic acid with no negative result at all. If anything, my skin feels smoother, more moisturized, and plumper after I use it. Snail essence has a complex mix of long-chain sugary molecules (glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans), which is what gives it the stringy texture and that super hydrating effect. So where does our current molecule, Retinal, akaRetinaldehyde fit into the family (btw, here is a nice visual family tree about who is who)? Remember that retinol needed two conversion steps to become retinoic acid? Yes, you are right, Retinal is the intermediate step betweenretinoic acid and retinol, meaning it needs only one conversion step to become active in the skin. If we go with our royal familyanalogy, Retinal is Prince William, directly next in line to the throne.

It works well with all skin types. However, for sensitive skin, use a small amount to give your skin time to adapt first and increase the amount slowly. While a peeling gel starts bunching up immediately, this takes a bit longer and there are less particles. Mixsoon Bean Essence is another product I heard about from Soo Beauty. She uses it as a hydrating essence, and she’s raved about it enough that I started using it just off her recommendation.Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum : Ginseng + Retinal is an eye serum that helps to improve wrinkles on the sensitive skin around the eyes by combining ginseng extract and retinal. I have mixed feelings about having all these very similar Kolmar sunscreens on the market. I’ve seen Odile Monod say it’s boring, and while I kind of agree, it’s also really nice to have variations of my favourite formula. If you don’t like this formula or if you’re allergic to one of the components it’s probably less of a good time for you… Mixsoon Bean Essence

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ has been hyped up so much – it was in both Soo Beauty and EuniUnni‘s top lists of 2021, Bonnie Garner of Beauty Alley’s comprehensive sunscreen roundup, Sugar Peaches Loves, and Alice in the Rabbit Hole. So I think this product could work if it fits into your routine. If you have really dehydrated skin and you want one hardcore hydrating product in your routine that keeps your skin plump all day – this isn’t it. But if you want something lightweight and soothing, if your skin isn’t super thirsty, if you want a hydrating toner for summer, or if you use lots of layers of hydration, if you’re doing the 7 skins method, this is great. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream I found this one very slightly heavier and richer than the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen, so I think this is more suitable if your skin is drier. I also found it more hydrating and slightly lighter than the Isntree one.In particular, it is recommended for people who worry about reduced skin elasticity and fine wrinkles.