I’m sure you’ve heard of the skincare brand, Beauty of Joseon. Have you tried the products? If you haven’t yet, here are my recommendations and thoughts on the products! (PS, I’m a licensed esthetician.)
Ginseng Essence Water
As you may remember, this essence water is an all time favorite of mine! However, I hadn’t used it for some time. In December and this month, my skin started to look dull and feel rough to the touch. I had acne blemishes that weren’t (and still aren’t) going away as easily. I needed extra hydration, a boost in assisting with my skin’s uneven tone and texture.
This is a great addition, especially during the colder months. It contains 80% ginseng water, helping to nourish and maintain moisture. Not to mention, this essence improves skin texture to be smoother and brighter while calming the skin.
When applying, I pour a few drops into my hands and gently pat it onto my face. This step is typically after a cleanser and toner. Again, it adds an extra layer of goodness for the skin to maintain its moisture. There are times, often after an exfoliation, that I feel a slight tingling sensation. I love the feeling because I know it’s doing its work of ridding any dead skin cells, assisting the exfoliation, as well as penetrating its nutrients into the skin.
Revive Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin
Continuing with ginseng, I added the Revive Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin to my night-time skincare routine. After cleansing, I tone, pat several drops of essence water onto my skin, then utilize this serum. I use this serum at night because we all need extra hydration overnight. We’re sleeping and where will our bodies find hydration since we’re not drinking anything as we sleep? Our body resorts to that of what’s held within, therefore affecting the hydration in the skin, leading to seen after effects, such as dull, dry skin.
This serum, in addition to the Ginseng Essence Water, is the ultimate hydration package. As mentioned in its name, this serum contains snail mucin. Prior to using this, I used COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. Snail secretion is known to assist with skin elasticity and protect damaged skin. This serum also contains:
- Centella asiatica extract – improves appearance of blemishes, calms skin, antioxidant benefits
- Mushroom extract – anti-inflammatory, brightens skin, evens skin tone
- Panax ginseng root extract – antioxidant, boost hydration
Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
I started incorporating this eye serum into my nightly skincare regimen, being the last step. I don’t often experience dark circles or wrinkles, knock on wood. However, I do experience puffiness. That’s why I chose to start caring for my eyes, in addition to boosting hydration. This non-sticky, nourishing serum assists in reducing puffiness while also focuses on combating fine lines, dark circles and wrinkles.
Retinal, a vitamin A derivative, promotes cell regeneration and strengthens the skin barrier. Not to mention, it smooths the skin. That’s exactly what I’ve felt since using it. I’ve noticed that my eyes aren’t as puffy as before, which is great, because I don’t want to look as though I’m overtired or drained. Anyone else? This serum also contains 10% of ginseng root extract, which again, is helpful for maintaining and promoting moisture in the skin.
Although I don’t use this every night, rather every other night, I pair it with the Cocokind Retinol Gel (used on the entire face and neck – eye serum around the eyes). I’ll do another review on the Cocokind Retinol Gel a different day. These two products complement each other well, always leaving my skin soft and plump in the mornings.
Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Another all time favorite of mine! This is the go-to, I promise you. As I mentioned previously, I was struggling with uneven, dull skin. Not to mention, large pores and skin redness. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I tend to turn pink around the cheeks at times. I noticed this heavily during my pregnancy with my daughter. Built in blush, hey? It’s not sensitive to touch or a direct reaction to a product… and no, not rosacea. It doesn’t look or seem like any particular skin condition. It’s just my skin, which I’m sure I carry this from my mom since she turns pink in the cheeks too.
This serum is what I use in my morning routine. Why? It gives my skin a glowing effect, making it seem as though I’m wide awake even though I just rolled out of bed. Propolis assists in dull skin, therefore, boosting the skin’s glowing effect. In addition, it’s great for hyperpigmentation symptoms such as redness. Niacinamide has similar benefits. It assists in brightening skin tone, acne scars, and improves hyperpigmentation.
Since adding this serum back into my regimen, I’ve noticed the decrease in breakouts (I have no idea why I was breaking out in November/December – probably stress/hormone related due to the area), smaller pore-size, and feeling confident in the mornings with glowing skin.
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++)
Speaking of glowing skin, I’m sure you’d already heard of the famous Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++). I knew I wanted to get my hands on this right away… and I love it! I received my first tube last year, and continued to use it throughout the year. Since the moment I started including this sunscreen into my daily routine, I’ve received compliments on my skin’s complexion.
Not only did I want to try this sunscreen because of its hype, I’m genuinely in awe of its ingredients and texture. It contains 30% of rice extract, which is rich in vitamins B, C and E, as well as amino acids and minerals. Not to mention, this sunscreen also contains fermented grain extracts. While in high school, I used to ferment my own rice grains and spray it on my skin as well as hair. It works to hydrate the skin and provide antioxidant benefits.
Applying sunscreen is the last step to my morning routine. This sunscreen melts effortlessly into the skin and doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s a light creamy texture and is non-sticky. Once you feel the texture, you’ll fall in love just as much as I have!
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Have you always dealt with large pores? Me too! I’m sure you’ve heard about pores before. If you haven’t, pores are tiny openings in the skin that are essentially pathways that allow sebum or sweat to release. If not taken care of properly, excess sebum or dead skin cells may build up, leading to acne or more. Therefore, it’s important to not only cleanse, but also to exfoliate… and use a mask from time to time!
This mask comprises 30% of red bean extract, cleaning and exfoliating skin. It has a moisturizing clay texture which doesn’t dry out or cause tightness in the skin. Rather, it’s soft and cool. After cleansing my skin and maybe exfoliating, I evenly apply this mask on a dry face. After 5 to 10 minutes, I gently massage my face with lukewarm water to rinse the product off.
I’ve used this mask weekly since purchasing it and I’ve loved it so far. In addition to the other Beauty Joseon products I use, I find that my pores are smaller, less congested, brighter, and soft. Not to mention, my sudden breakouts stopped.
Future Reviews
There are five Beauty of Joseon products I’m looking forward to reviewing in the next few months: the Ginseng Cleansing Oil, the Radiance Cleansing Balm, the Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA, the Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin, and the Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol.
Let me know which products you’re loving or which ones you’d like me to try!
