While searching YouTube for solutions to sebum removal, I discovered enzyme cleansers through a video explaining their effectiveness for daily dead skin cell removal without irritating the skin. This piqued my interest in enzyme cleansers. Here's my review after using the most popular SRB product for a month!
Skin Type:
Combination skin: Oily but dehydrated underneath
(Sebum overload when exposed to sunlight)
Some acne scars from chin whiteheads
Sensitive, blemish-prone skin that reacts easily to cosmetics
What I look for in cosmetics:
Low oil, high hydration products
Gentle, non-irritating ingredients, products that improve acne scars
Moisturizing feel, non-sticky products preferred
Pros:
01. Gentle ingredients
02. Moisturizing after cleansing
03. Mild exfoliation (daily dead skin cell removal)
How I used it:
I used SRB as my first cleanser. Due to its mild cleansing power, I followed up with a cleansing foam as a second step.
I used about a coin-sized amount of SRB enzyme powder, added just a few drops of water to moisten it, then followed with Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Foam for a 60-second cleanse.
Ingredients:
As the name suggests, it's an enzyme cleanser extracted from rice bran with a slightly acidic pH.
It's free from 6 concerning ingredients, making it a trustworthy product with gentle components.
Texture:
Fine white powder, similar to flour. The level of exfoliation can be adjusted by how much water you mix in.
When mixed with water, it becomes a thick texture with fine, soft bubbles.
Despite its thick consistency, it's less irritating than other scrubs, making it suitable for daily exfoliation.
Feel on the skin:
The bubbles are incredibly fine and soft, surprisingly gentle on the skin.
It felt like cleansing with rice water - my skin didn't feel tight or sensitive even without moisturizing afterward.
The gentle cleansing power is its charm, though some might find the finish less refreshing than expected.
Cleansing power:
It can remove light makeup, but leaves some residue with color cosmetics, necessitating double cleansing.
When using a toner pad after cleansing, there's still a slight trace of makeup.
Packaging:
Comes in a paper box about the size of the product.
The oval, chubby cylindrical container has holes in the top for sprinkling the powder into your hand.
The holes are a bit large, making it tricky to control the amount - be careful on first use!
Value for money:
70g for 25,000 won isn't a large amount, and it's easy to use too much, so it runs out quickly.
Slightly disappointing in terms of value.
Overall assessment:
I'm satisfied using SRB as my first cleanser followed by mung bean cleansing foam, as I was worried about irritation from using cleansing foam for both steps.
While it may not be very effective for larger dead skin cells, it does help with micro-exfoliation. I experienced no blemishes while using it, and its gentle ingredients are its biggest appeal!
Recommended for:
People with super sensitive skin!
Cons:
01. Scent
02. Difficult to control amount
03. Cleansing power
04. Value for money
The biggest drawback after a month of use is... the smell.
Being a rice water enzyme product, it has a musty odor from the fermented grains that I just couldn't get used to.
Due to wearing masks because of COVID, I haven't been using color cosmetics, so I didn't find the cleansing power to be a major issue.
However, this could be the most disappointing aspect for those who enjoy wearing full makeup.
Not recommended for:
People who wear heavy makeup
Those expecting a thorough cleansing effect
(Squeaky clean, refreshing finish)
