Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Whitening Serum

50mL, $163 USD

This is the most expensive product in the Snowise line...

The new packaging is way better than one from the past.. which was like 5mL x 6 bottles

This serum helps reduce and brighten pigmentation and protect skin from UV light and heat. The texture is thick but liquidy and absorbs quickly.  It has a strong herbal scent, but not irritating. 


Main ingredient and function:

- Rhubarb -- main whitening ingredient in the Snowise line, suppresses melanin from forming, brightens dull skin, improves metabolism 
- Morus Alba -- detoxifies
- White Ginseng polysaccharide extracts restores skin vitality

- Hedyotis Diffusa extracts stimulates skin's natural circulation, returning a clear and bright complexion

- Other ingredients -- concentrated Korea herbs that whitens your skin, stimulates blood circulation, drain away toxic impurities, keep your skin balanced

For whitening products, you usually see results in ~6 months time. I had only been using this whitening serum for ~2 months and my acne marks visibly lightened. For best results, wrap your face with your palm immediately after applying it, so the heat from your hand can help the serum absorb faster.

Steps: Snowise Balancing Water --> Snowise Whitening Serum

Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum

60mL, $50 CAD

This is one of Biotherm's new products !!
They had a similar one long long time ago, known as Aquasource Gel, but it was discontinued
The Aquasource Gel was very light and it's suitable for day time
The Deep Serum is somewhat similar, but it's a little thicker in texture
It contains thermal plankton, a substance found in hot springs

It also contains micro pearls to help improve brightness physically
However, oily skin people would probably want to stay away from products with pearls.. yeah.. as if your face is not shiny enough you need something to bring it out even more...

My skin stays deeply hydrated and it feels good under make up
The smell is refreshing and it is non-greasy
I usually follow the serum with a moisturizer, but I find it not really necessary
This serum itself can serve as a moisturizer
With another moisturizer on top, it might feel a little heavy

Overall, I would say that this is a lovely product and I will for sure go for seconds !!

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum

80ml, 22000won

Green Tea contains anti-oxidants which helps protect your skin against pollution.
Ingredients include herbal extracts and natural green tea, smells refreshing~

Green tea extracts suck water like a sponge, locks moisture to your skin, so down from the bottom to top, your skin will feel fully hydrated!!!

The essence is smooth in texture, fast absorbing, light, non-greasy, super hydrating and doesn't give me breakouts. However, after a few hours, oil forms on my skin... so I start to use it only at night. It helps stimulate your cells and replenishes your skin.  For sensitive skin, this can also be used to reduce redness.

Most suitable for the summer time since it contained so much water moisture.
It can be used day and night

Except for the smell, I love everything else about this essence ~~

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

60mL (~$60 USD)

The Sulwhaosoo First Care Activating Serum is one of the main products in the brand. This is the 3rd step of the Sulwhasoo program. Usually you apply toner then serum, but the First Care Activating Serum is used BEFORE a toner.

I am not going to go through the ingredients again... they are all on the main page

I didn't buy the First Care Activating Serum, I was using a few samples but already fell in love with the product!!  I bought some on the internet, 4mL x 12 for ~$23 USD.  



It absorbs right after I applied it onto my skin. 
I smell ginger, but it wasn't strong. 
The herbal scent is quite calming and relaxing. 
I wonder if it contains any lavender or similar kinds of relaxing herbs...?? 

After cleansing, put ~1 pump onto the palm of your hands, warm it up then gently massage onto your skin and wrap your face with your 2 hands. 
The heat from your hands help to increase absorption.  
Any remaining serum just gently pat onto your skin.
Having used this product, I would love to have a chance to experience doing a Sulwhasoo facial !! 
I can imagine how relaxing it would be!! 
But not sure where I can find a place...

I noticed my skin tone became more balanced, moisturized, radiant and pores are finer. I will definitely continue to use this product!!

Steps:

Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil --> Gentle Cleansing Foam --> First Care Activating Serum --> Essential Balancing Water / Snowise EX Whitening Water

It's Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis

30mL, 11800 won

Propolis are brownish, sticky material collected by bees for the building of their hives.
Rich in nutrients, it is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient used in cosmetics to strengthen and brighten dull skin and tighten pores.

The serum is quite watery, cloudy, clear and opague.
It's a little thicker than the It's Skin Power 10 Formula Syn-ake serum
Absorbs quickly into the deeper layers to prevent damages from forming in your skin!
According to the description, it should repair, moisturize, protects and whiten the skin.



It does provide an adequate amount of hydration for normal to oily skin.. but it probably wouldn't be moisturizing enough for those with dry skin...
I haven't used it long enough to see any whitening effects..
More suitable for acne or troubled skin.
Use 2-3 drops after applying toner and spread it on your face and neck.
Follow with Dermal Bee Venom Relaxing Cream

During the day time, use Syn-ake products.
At night time, use Bee Venom products.

It's Skin Power 10 Formula Syn-ake

30 mL, 11800 won

The first time I heard about using venom for skincare, I was totally shocked!!
The Koreans had turned snake and bee venom into skincare...
snakes are... poison.. aren't they??
putting their venom on your face is... creepy!!!

Anyways... I ended up trying it cause someone was telling me how awesome it was!!
it's like.. using botox on the face, but without an injection!
after some time of absorbing the new technology... why not?? let's give it a shot!!

Instead of having the creepy word "Snake" as part of the product names, they use "Syn-ake"
Syn-ake is a peptide with chemical structure similar to snake venom
It is high in proteins, improves firmness, supplies nutrients, hydrates and moisturizes your skin.
Adenosine soothes wrinkles and fine lines.

What makes Syn-ake products so different from other wrinkle products?
Syn-ake prevents muscles from tightening to form fine lines... 


After toner, use 2-3 drops and spread on your entire face and neck.



The smell is just like any other serum, don't worry it doesn't have any smell close to snakes..!!
Milky white but opague, light in texture and easy to spread.
It actually works quite well, I do notice my skin turned better.
Fine lines were gone and my skin looked younger too!

You should only use Syn-ake products in the morning.
At night time, use Bee Venom products.

After using this serum, follow with Dermal Syn-ake High Lifting Cream

I will definitely keep buying this product!!

Laneige Hydra Solution Essence

40mL, 40000 won, $380 HKD

Ingredients include freshly preserved Himalaya Snow water particles, vitamin and amino-acid components.

Made using nano technology, the product absorbs fast and penetrates into your skin!

The texture is a super light weight gel, non-oily, absorbs quick!

As you rub/pat it, you will see water drops that eventually melts into your skin. 

It provides great hydration! 

Be careful not to use too much or you will over hydrate your skin. 

Suitable for dry skin, but I think everyone, no matter what skin type, needs hydration.

 

I first started using it when I was travelling. 

After 2 days, I do see improvement!

My skin feels soft, not flakey, and it helps my foundation stay on.

The packaging is easy, clean and convenient to use.

You just need ~2 pumps for your entire face and just pat it on. 

If you use it day and night, 1 bottle of 40mL can last for about 5-6 months.
In the summer time, try leaving this in the fridge.
It feels cool when you apply it on your skin!!

The Laneige website says it can provide anti-wrinkle and whitening effect.

Since this product provides much hydration, it can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

However, I do not see any obvious whitening effect.... 

Skinfood Black Raspberry Su Serum

45 mL, 14900 won

This serum has a clear watery base and provides lots of hydration and nutrients to your skin. 

It contains Jayangboeumdan (滋養補陰丹), Cheongyeondan (淸連丹), black raspberry extract and sap from 12 herbal plants that provides anti-aging and aims for dry and coarse skin. 

The serum absorbs quickly and penetrates into the skin's deep layers.

Just 1 pump is good enough for the entire face... 

I find the scent rather strong, but after awhile it disappears... 

The Black Raspberry line strengthens and revitalizes skin for a noticeable improvement in skin health and suppleness.

Skinfood Black Raspberry Youngyang Serum

45mL, 14900 won, $295 HKD (so expensive in HK.....), 900 NT

Used Nanotechnology, so the molecules in the serum are so small that they can penetrate your skin pores and deep down the layers. It contains black raspberry and 12 different oriental medicinal herbs. It contains anti-oxidant and helps to prevent damage of skin cells and anti-aging.

After I tried it, hey it totally fits the description~ 
My skin feels super soft and it also does a very good with oil control. 
After a few hours my skin doesn't feel oily at all (usually it feels very oily after few hours). 
It has a pink creamy texture, but thin and easy to spread onto your skin. 
I definitely recommend this product.

There is another serum in the Black Raspberry line know as the Skinfood Black Raspberry Water Serum, I will review this one next~ This one would probably be better for normal to oily skin and I expect that it will be lighter than the Skinfood Black Raspberry Youngyang Serum~

Laneige White Plus Renew Essence

40 mL, 40000-45000 won

The essence is the most important product in the whitening line !!

You really can't skip this step if you want really good whitening effects ~~

It contains strong whitening ingredients, together with the 3-stage melanin blocking effect makes your skin look brightened and transparent. 

Ingredients include:
satsuma peel extracts - achieve more clarified look with the inner skin detox

marshmallow extracts - deliver skin nutrients and recover skin flexibility effect

The texture is smooth, creamy and absorbs fast!

Since I have combination to oily skin, I find the essence quite moisturizing... 

I don't really wanna put anything more above this layer... 

The essence is contained in a plastic pump bottle, easy and clean to use.

Only 1 pump is needed for your face ~

I notice an immediate slight change in my skin tone after I applied it on...

My skin looks less dull and more brightened

I would probably get it again, but it's quite expensive....

Innisfree 7 Herbs Whitening Essence

50mL, ~20000 won

Ingredients include Peppermint, Primula, Mallow, Lady's mantle, Speedwell herb, Balm mint and Yallow. Arbutin brightens dull skin and reduces the appearance of dark spots. These ingredients provides triple whitening effect, moisturises and hydrates your skin! 

Surprisingly this essence didn't have as strong of a herbal scent like the other toner. I was kind of disappointed on this one... based on the price, I was expecting a little more... the texture was ok, medium moisturising, not heavy.. but there's really no WOW feeling....

Missha Time Revolution White Cure Science Blanc

50 mL, 45000 won

Ingredients: Fullerenes, DN-Aid, Aquaphyline, White-Cure

This has dual function, whitening and sun protecting
I've tried a lot of whitening essence, most of them are thick and greasy....
not easy to absorb, feels sticky and... heavy!!
Missha's whitening line is totally not the same!!
It feels sooo good!!

It is quite expensive... but you pay for what you get ~~
Out of the whole MIssha whitening line, this is the product I loved the most!
The essence is the most important whitening product in the line!
This is a MUST have ~~
It helps improve and brighten dull skin and prevent melanin from forming

It uses the pump design, which is convenient and clean !
White, light cream texture, non greasy
I've been using it for ~1 month, my previous acne marks have lightened a lot!!
I use it at night with a whitening night cream on top
Our skin goes through the repairing process from 12-2am
so using intensive whitening skincare during this time can gives the best result

Innisfree White Tone Up Essence

50 mL, 20000 won

Most whitening essence I've tried are thick, sticky and greasy... I just love this one!! It's non-greasy, soft and absorbs fast!! It's feels different from other skincare I've tried! This one, you put it on and you wouldn't feel like you've put on anything... 

I usually like to use a thin hydrating serum before I apply a whitening serum, that way I can have both effects and wouldn't feel too heavy ~~

Ingredients﹕

Mulberry + Vitamin B3 -- prevents melanin from forming, improves dark eye circles and fine lines, hydrates your skin, making it look radiant

Blueberry -- strong anti-oxidant, anti-aging, provides firmness and softens skin

Acai Berry -- a fruit that contains a huge volume of anti-oxidant particles, anti-inflammatory, suitable for sensitive skin too! cell regrowth, locks collagen to your skin
Grape seed oil -- whitening and hydration 

 

I would want to get this one again. But the price is a bit pricey compared to other Korean products. Innisfree is repackaging many of their products and approaching to a higher end.

Nature Republic Original Power Whitening & lineless Ampoule

30 mL, 9900 won (regular 19800 won)

Ingredients: MD Water 401, Arbutin, Adenosin, Grapefruit essence﹐ apricot essence, apple essence﹐ tea tree leave oil, lemon essence, lotus flower essence 

I was just shopping at Nature Republic and this was on for 50% off!!

I didn't even think and just took a few different bottles from the series

This is an ampoule, but it works the same as an essence.

I've always wanted to find something for whitening and anti-aging at the same time!

cause I am always indecisive rather I should use the whitening or anti-aging serum...

milky white essence, a bit thick in texture
whitening effects aren't that obvious
but it's anti-aging effects are quite good
since the texture is a bit thick, I prefer to use it at night
The white and golden packaging makes it look elegant
I like the idea of using an eye dropper than the pump, that way I can control easier how much I am using
However... after using 2/3 of the bottle, it becomes harder to squeeze out the serum

I don't have much feelings for it... the effects are really just... ok....

It's Skin Power 10 Formula WH Effector

9900 won, $138 HKD

It's Skin Power 10 serums are very popular in Korea. I saw it in Hong Kong as well, but it's 2x the price of Korea!!
The whole series has 11 products:
- Power 10 Formula WH Effector (whitening)
- Power 10 Formula WR Effector (fine lines and wrinkles)
- Power 10 Formula VE Effector (moisturising)
- Power 10 Formula PO Effector (oil control, pore refining)
- Power 10 Formula LI Effector (calms sunburnt skin)
- Power 10 Formula GF Effector (deep moisturising, for dry/ sensitive skin)
- Power 10 Formula VC Effector (Vitamin C, brightens skin tone)
- Power 10 Formula YE Effector (stimulates cell regrowth)
- Power 10 Formula CO Effector (collagen, firming)
- Power 10 Formula  Q10 Effector (Q10, brings radiance and firmness)
- Power 10 Formula  VB Effector ( Vitamin B6, oil control and balances water moisture)



I had so many customers ordering this product, so I bought one to try!
The whitening serum I've used are all thick in texture
But this one is transparent, light and absorbs fast
30mL for day and night will last you ~1-1.5 months

Ingredients include Arbutin, which is the main ingredient in whitening products.
It helps lightening dark spots and prevents melanin from forming.
It feels gentle and has sanitizing effects
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
Just a few drops will be enough for the whole face
Effects are just so so, I didn't see any WOW improvements

But for sure next time I wanna try the following!!

- Power 10 Formula WH Effector (whitening)
- Power 10 Formula WR Effector (fine lines and wrinkles)
- Power 10 Formula PO Effector (oil control, pore refining)
- Power 10 Formula VC Effector (Vitamin C, brightens skin tone)
- Power 10 Formula YE Effector (stimulates cell regrowth)
- Power 10 Formula  Q10 Effector (Q10, brings radiance and firmness)
- Power 10 Formula  VB Effector ( Vitamin B6, oil control and balances water moisture)

Enprani Super Aqua Booster

50mL, 17000 won

I didn't see any Enprani stores while I was in Korea

I saw this product at Olive Young, buy 1 get 1 free

Olive Young is similar to SaSa in Asia, they carry many different brands

I've seen "booster" products in Nature Republic 

The salesperson said you use it before toner, so I am guessing you do the same with this one

I prefer using a toner that is thicker in texture

If you use a watery toner and apply the booster

booster will be mixed with watery toner on the face 

the booster will become watery too...

Later I used it like an essence (after toner)

it absorbs much quicker and faster

I really like the hydration effect it brings

The booster is stored in a glass container, so the mixture is always kept in a cool temperature

You can also apply a different serum on top of this one

Sometimes in the morning I will first apply the Enprani Super Aqua Booster, then a whitening serum

At night I will use an anti-aging serum on top of this one

That way, I can get hydration and another effect at the same time!!

I will definitely buy this again!!

The whole line includes:

Super Aqua Toner

Super Aqua Emulsion

Super Aqua Capsule Essence

Super Aqua Serum

Super Aqua Cream

Super Aqua White Solution

Super Aqua Mask

Super Aqua Blue Water Gel Mask

Super Aqua Total Solution

Super Aqua Blue Water Sheet Mask

Super Aqua Bubble Scaling Peeling Gel

Super Aqua Ion Night Mask

Super Aqua Jelly Cleansing Liquid