The Hwahae Testers' top pick for repurchase! A review from a beauty enthusiast who'd rather give away money than share cosmetics.
My skin type: Combination dehydrated skin, sensitive, prone to periodic blemishes
With summer approaching, I've restocked on Witch's Potion Soothing Gel. Luckily, my skin loves aloe, so I've been using aloe soothing gels every summer for the past three years. I apply it on my body after showering, quickly swipe it on my face when I'm feeling lazy, and generously layer it to calm my skin when it's burning from sun exposure. Using it for multiple purposes, I've found that a soothing gel only needs to tick three boxes to be perfect: gentle ingredients, generous size, and a fresh feel. (Of course, price matters too!) However, finding a product that meets all three criteria hasn't been easy. After testing three different soothing gels, I've settled on Witch's Potion Aloe Soothing Gel and have gone through countless tubes.
Let me briefly compare the products... I started with Aromatica Aloe Vera Gel. It's the most popular and widely used product. I loved its large size, affordable price, and clean ingredients, but strangely, the scent didn't agree with me. Even though it doesn't contain added fragrances, I struggled with the smell every time I used it. I didn't see any similar comments on Hwahae reviews, so maybe it was just me. Next, I tried Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel. I bought it duty-free, so it was cheaper. It applied well, didn't have the typical propolis scent, and wasn't too sticky - I liked it. However, the amount was small for the price, making it less cost-effective. Unless you buy in bulk duty-free and use it only on your face, it's a bit pricey to use on your body too (this broke beauty enthusiast can't afford that). After this journey, I returned to my beloved brand, Witch's Potion. I've been with them almost since their beginning, buying and using every new product, so I was already satisfied with their soothing gel. A large 300ml size at a charming price! (Once available for just 12,500 won, though it's not so easy to find at that price now, sadly). The scent isn't off-putting, and it doesn't have the typical stickiness of aloe gels. Using it all over my body, I go through a tube in about a month. In summer, frequent showers mean those with atopic skin need to pay extra attention to hydration... and nothing beats the feel of an aloe gel.
This heat-sensitive, lazy beauty enthusiast applies this product and finishes with Witch's Potion Herb Oil. Some say it's good to keep it in the fridge, but I'm too lazy and just keep it in the bathroom. Still, it feels cool and bursts with hydration. I recommend this multi-purpose soothing product for those who need it in the lazy summer! But remember, aloe doesn't suit everyone, so test it before buying.
I was hoping the design renewal would include an upgrade to the container... but alas, my desperate wish wasn't granted. While I have no complaints about the contents of the Aloe Soothing Gel, the packaging is really frustrating. When it's about half empty, pumping becomes a struggle. Out of ten pumps, you might get one tiny squirt... It's a waste of time and energy, and my hand starts to hurt. So I end up just opening the cap and scooping it out, which makes me worry about the product going bad. I've noticed brands like Illiyoon paying attention to developing containers that let you use every last drop. I think Witch's Potion needs to focus on designing containers that suit each product's texture. If they want to step up as a mainstream brand, improving customer convenience through packaging should be a priority.
One of the reasons I settled on Witch's Potion Aloe Soothing Gel is its active ingredients. Witch's Potion uses 90% aloe leaf juice, which is extracted directly from aloe leaves, rather than aloe leaf water, which is just steeped aloe leaves. It's relatively more expensive and considered a better ingredient. If you're using an aloe product, take a moment to check its ingredients!
