Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 1

It's interesting and even a little scary to try samples. What if it causes a breakout? Or irritates my skin? Burns? Tickles? And one or two samples just are not enough to see if it helps my skin in any way. Yet I always hope for a miracle! At least I can smell and feel the consistency of the product. And sometimes I don't even know a certain thing exists before I get a random free sample.

I test samples only when my skin seems to be in a good condition, only one at a time and if I happen to have many of the same product I group them and use during the same day/week.

Tonymoly The White Tea Brightening Cream

Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (White Tea 73%), Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cyclomethicone, WAter, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract,Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysilicone-11, Polyglyceryl-2 stearate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol,Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer , Citrus aurantium dulcis, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PVM/ma copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA


* Tried 4 samples

* Smells rather disgusting, a mix of old floral, glue, plastic

* However the smell disappears quickly, doesn't linger

* Consistency more like gel than cream, feels light

* Feels surprisingly hydrating

* Took a couple of minutes to sink into skin

* Didn't irritate

* The pores on my nose sweat through the cream, a little droplets of oil

* Didn't notice any brightening or other effects

Tonymoly The Black Tea London Classic Cream

Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclomethicone ,Glycereth-26 ,Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Jojoba Esters, C12-16 Alcohols, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Behenyl alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Polysilicone-11, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alky, Acrylate Crosspolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tromethamine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Dextrin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate


* Tried 5 samples

* Smells like White Tea Cream but not as bad, smell doesn't linger

* Thicker than White Tea Cream which was more like gel, this is cream

* Hydrates surprisingly well, used as night moisturizer and skin felt great immediately and next morning

* Feels like soothes skin and helps with redness

* Actually considering buying Black Tea Cream and Serum


Tonymoly The Black Tea London Classic Serum

Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyquaternium-51, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Glyceryl Polymethancrylate, Hydrolzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acryates, Carbomer, Cocoa Extract, Dextrin, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Capric Triglyceride, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethionol, C14-21 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Jojoba Esters, Tromethamine, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Sunflower Seed Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Tea Tree Leaf oil, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

* Tried 3 samples

* Spreads very nicely, also on neck, I don't have to pull skin at all

* Quite liquid

* First time using it, my red skin could almost be seen turning into more normal colour!

* Didn't happen again but maybe my skin wasn't so irritated the next days

* Feels hydrating

* Actually considering buying Black Tea Cream and Serum

Tonymoly Prestige Jeju Essence

Ingredients:

Glycerin, Niacinamide, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tromethamine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acrylates/
C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Carbomer, Cetyl Ethylhexyanoate, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphensin, Vegetable oil, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Lemon peel oil, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus aurantium dulcis, Citrus Aurantifolia oil, Pinus sylvestris leaf oil, Eucalyptus Globulus LEaf oil, gold, butylene glycol, camellia japonica flower extract, Citrus unshiu, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEntylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Cenetella Asiatica Extract, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruits Extraxt, Cinnamomum Camphora Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extraxt, RH-Polypeptide-22

* Tried 1 sample

* Smells sweet, doesn't linger

* Consistency surprisingly gel-like, thicker than many essences

* Felt hydrating but I put many other products as well at the same time

* Didn't irritate

* Didn't notice any other effects

Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence

Ingredients:

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide,Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Panthenol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol, Adenosine

* Tried 2 samples

* Doesn't smell of anything

* Consistency very liquid

* Can't say if felt hydrating or anything

* Sinks in fast

* Didn't irritate

* Didn't notice any effects

Tonymoly Tony Lab AC Control Acne Foam Cleanser


* Tried 2 sample

* Now I know what "squeaky clean" means

* Does it also mean this is too harsh cleanser?

* Cleaned very very well

* Calmed my skin down even

* Smells like basic cleanser

* Couldn't find ingredients online


Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, PEG-8, Cyclohexasiloxane, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract, Rhizophora Mangle Callus Culture Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Callus Culture Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Adenium Obesum Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance


* Tried 1 sample

* Quite thick, gel-like serum

* Had a familiar smell, like some cleanser product, not too strong

* Absorbs well

* Hydrates, but didn't notice anything else

* Didn't irritate

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Essence Lotion 160 ml + Cream 50 ml + Bouncy Sleeping Mask 90 ml Review

Ingredients:

Drops of Youth Essence Lotion

Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Parfum/Fragrance, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citronellol, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Poterium Officinale Extract/Poterium Officinale Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract/Zingiber Officinale ( Ginger) Root Extract, Limonene, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum

Drops of Youth Cream

Aqua/Water/Eau, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat, Nylon-66, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, t-Butyl Alcohol, Linalool, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Citronellol, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum

Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

Aqua/Water (Solvent), Propanediol (Viscosity Modifier), Glycerin (Humectant), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil (Emollient), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Diheptyl Succinate (Skin Conditioning Agent - Emollient), Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer (Viscosity Controlling Agent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil (Emollient), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Caprylhydroxamic Acid (Chelating Agent), Sodium Hyaluronate (Humectant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Adenosine (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Caffeine (Skin Conditioning Agent), Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer (Film Former), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture (Skin Conditioning Agent), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier)

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- Alcohol denat as third and fourth ingredient is not very promising, I have recently discovered it as one of my main irritants (well, surprise)

- Essence Lotion makes my skin red and slightly itchy for a moment when my skin is not in a acne free state

- The cream in particular has a strong scent (not a bad scent, I quite enjoyed it in two other products)

- The cream doesn't work under make up, it's so silicony that it pills like crazy and rolls off almost just from touching your cheek

- And the cream doesn't even feel like it moisturizes/hydrates properly...

- So when are you supposed to use the cream when it doesn't moisturize enough to be a night cream but for a day cream it's impossible due to pilling? (can't put make up or sunscreen on top)

- The sleeping mask stays a bit sticky and when I go to bed, I can feel some of it disappear into my pillow right away

- I have to wait preferably up to half an hour before going to bed after applying the mask

- I hate having to all the time wash and wipe and disinfect the spatula for the cream and mask

- The cream didn't even come with spatula (mask did)

- The jars for the cream and mask are glass and kinda heavy and clumsy to use (they do look good but... not practical)



+ However, I can see the results of the sleeping mask the next morning and my skin looks a lot more plump and evenly textured than without

+ Also the size of mask jar is nice and big and it has lasted for months (6 maybe? While two people have been using it)

+ I have to say the bottle design for essence lotion works really well, it's perfect size, plastic and light, doesn't spill or waste any product

+ I did notice in the beginning that the essence lotion made a difference in my skin and the texture/hydration got worse when I suddenly didn't use it for two weeks while travelling, however back then I didn't use any other essence to replace it

+ The essence lotion absorbs really fast and is very light

+ For a rougher skin the essence lotion seems to work well (fiancé)

+ Even the cream has something positive: because it's so silicony, it does make pores look smaller and skin smoother

* The Drops of Youth series promises so much, to moisturize, make pores look smaller, anti-aging...

* Yet I have found out that the only product worth using is the sleeping mask

* I would not recommend the cream for anyone

* I'm a bit a lot disappointed in this series as I bought these things when I was starting to explore skincare world and they seemed like everything I wanted

* With the Body Shop the silicon feeling creams seem to be a trend, nothing I have tried works under make up (pilling)

* Also with the Body Shop, the creams don't really seem to moisturize?! Maybe it's just me but... beware

Price: 


Drops of Youth Essence Lotion
17,90 € / 160 ml, I paid 10-15 € (cruise ship)

Drops of Youth Cream

27,50 € /50 ml, I paid 19-23 € (cruise ship)

Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask
32,50 € / 90 ml, I paid 10-15 € (promotion)

Bought from: 

Cruise ship (tax free), the Body Shop store

Buy again? 

No to cream and essence lotion, yes to sleeping mask if I can get some discount, if not, maybe.

Worth the money? 

I don't think the price-quality ratio is in balance here for me. Not with the cream at least, such a tiny jar lasts maybe for a month, especially because the cream leaves the skin wanting for more, and you put more and more cream... (and I did use other hydrating products before putting the cream too!) I bet there are similarly priced but better working products out there.