This signature essence soothes and instantly hydrates skin while leaving it feeling soft and refreshed. I really feel like I'm really late to the k-beauty game but at the same time there is so much to learn about these different brands and I'm really pleased that they are (somewhat) accessible. e. stays on the skin) dimethicone as the two together form a water-resistant, breathable protective barrier on the skin without a negative tacky feel. A fantastic, perfectly balanced blend of oil and essence that smoothes over skin in need of protection against various environmental stressors; free radicals, pollutants and moisture loss. That's why the brand uses opuntia oil as the basis of its products - to deeply moisturise and protect the skin from external influences.

Super common little helper ingredient that helps products to remain nice and stable for a longer time. Thanks to the positive charge, it also creates a complex with AHAs (AHAs like to lose a hydrogen ion and be negatively charged, so the positive and the negative ions attract each other) that causes a "time-release AHA effect" and reduces the irritation associated with AHAs. And while Huxley is undeniably contemporary, this ingredient is an ancient secret, used for over a thousand years by the Moroccan royal family keeping their skin youthful and hydrated despite their desert environment. As for hair care, it is a non-volatile silicone meaning that it stays on the hair rather than evaporates from it and smoothes the hair like no other thing.

I’m not sure how mass this brand is, but I find it to be niche and a very precious find when I went to Korea. Once inside the skin, it hydrates, but not from the outside - putting pure water on the skin (hello long baths! The cream locks everything in just fine, but I personally don’t see myself using it as a one-and-done skincare product.

Furthermore, the ingredient acts as an antioxidant, feels soothing to the skin and can also improve appearance of redness. DISCLAIMER: Products were sent to me by StyleKorean for review, but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

The toner is dispensed by the usual stopper with hole, and just the right splash of liquid comes out. The hero ingredient Sahara Cactus Seed Oil, a non-comedogenic oil high in Vitamin E and antioxidants, is revered for its ability to quickly absorb into skin without leaving behind a greasy residue, while imparting lasting hydration and protecting the skin from stress and ageing with its high concentration of antioxidants. Personally, my oily-dehydrated skin prefers layering multiple thin hydrating essences vs slapping on heavy creams or lotions. I had my hesitations to try it after I purchased it and full analysed the ingredients, but I am glad that I did.