Name: Vitamin C Brightening Essence
Brand: Sandawha
Rating: 4.38 (879 reviews)

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This is a Health Functional Food certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea, designed to help maintain and improve your health.

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Tell us about what you liked - texture, results, skin type, etc

Tell us what didn’t work - texture, skin reaction, or why you wouldn’t recommend it

산다화

Vitamin C Brightening Essence

Too Watery

Causes Allergic Reactions

Pills on Skin

Absorbs Well

Rich

Doesn't Remove Whiteheads

Disrupts Oil-Moisture Balance

Boosts Radiance

Improves Skin Tone

Easily Absorbed

Pleasant Scent

Has a Brightening Effect

Not Irritating

Easy to Apply

To be honest, I didn't notice any dramatic brightening effect. It just made my skin feel moisturized and healthier.

First off, the scent is lovely. When applied, it leaves your skin feeling wonderfully hydrated. It also absorbs well into the skin.

비타민C 화이트닝 에센스

After washing with warm water in the evening, pat on your basic skincare while your skin is still damp, then apply the essence. Excellent!

I don't have any particular complaints. If I had to nitpick, I wish it came in a larger size.

There's no stickiness, and you'll feel the moisturizing effect when you wake up in the morning.

If you have sensitive skin, blemishes will definitely appear. The scent was really unpleasant, unfortunately.

It seems to have a toning effect, but I think I'll need to use it consistently to see full results.

I really appreciate the sample experience. It's so helpful for choosing the full-size product

The scent isn't great, reminds me of vitamins. I wish the texture was a bit thinner

It feels like my skin is absorbing a burst of fresh vitamins, leaving my complexion looking clearer and more radiant

It was difficult to see quick brightening results.

Even though I have oily skin that gets dry during seasonal changes, this absorbed well. Just applying this filled in my pores! I think with consistent use, I can expect a brightening effect too!

Overall Assessment:

✔️ Great application & absorption - Light texture for easy use
✔️ Suitable for morning use without irritation - Can be used with retinol
✔️ Slight improvement in skin elasticity - Likely more noticeable with continued use
❌ Short usage period is limiting - Long-term effects are unclear
❌ Slight tightness after absorption - Best used with a moisturizer

If you're looking for a vitamin C essence and prefer a light texture, this is recommended! However, consistent use seems essential for best results.

Drawbacks:
The main disappointment was that it's difficult to see definitive results with just 5 days of use. Vitamin C products typically require consistent use to show real effects, so the short trial period was a bit limiting. Also, note that there's slight tightness after absorption, so it's best used in conjunction with a moisturizer.

As a fan of vitamin C products, I've tried various options, and this time I used the Sandawha Vitamin C Whitening Essence for 5 days.

First Impression & Application:
The texture was impressive from the start. Unlike typical vitamin C essences that can feel sticky or oily, this one was completely different. Its thin, fluid consistency absorbs well into the skin, with remarkably fast absorption. After application, there's a slight lifting sensation with minimal tightness, which isn't uncomfortable. Pairing it with a moisturizer works perfectly.

Suitable for Morning Use:
Some vitamin C products can cause tingling or irritation when applied in the morning, but this one caused no irritation even when used with retinol, possibly because it contains a vitamin C derivative rather than pure vitamin C. This makes it great for worry-free morning use. However, as with all vitamin C products, sunscreen is a must!

Changes After 5 Days:
Though it was a short period, I definitely felt my skin becoming firmer. My complexion seemed more supple with improved texture. While the brightening effect wasn't dramatically noticeable, there was a subtle glow.

With consistent use, you can definitely see results. It also feels like it's helping with anti-aging.

Using it daily means the product runs out quickly, and the price becomes hard to manage.

I tried a sample and loved it, so I repurchased. My face is combination, with a dry T-zone but oily cheeks and forehead. This product isn't too sticky when applied, nor does it dry out quickly. It's just right, and I really like it.

There's nothing particularly disappointing, but if I had to nitpick, I'd say it's on the pricier side

I loved the water-like texture that doesn't feel sticky when applied

It might be a bit harsh for those with sensitive skin.

I really liked it! It seems to be an excellent product, especially for its brightening effects.

The amount you get for the price is quite small. It runs out so quickly, and it's quite expensive...

It's an essence that absorbs quickly and effortlessly. I felt like my skin was improving!

One dropper of essence is enough to cover your face and neck! Don't forget to take care of your neck too.

While I like that this product has a light texture that absorbs quickly and seems to control oil a bit for me, those with dry skin might feel some dryness after application. So make sure to follow up with a moisturizing cream that provides hydration!

This essence is refreshing and gentle enough for sensitive skin to use! I'm currently on my third bottle of this product. I have combination, sensitive skin with acne, and my face looks quite dull due to acne scars and redness. I was interested in brightening products but hesitant. I tried other brands, but they made my skin tingle after prolonged use... So I had given up, but somehow I tried this product and have been using it for about 3 months now without any tingling reaction. I even bought 2 more bottles during the sale! The reason this product is less irritating than others is probably because it's not pure vitamin C, but rather a compound that acts like vitamin C when combined with skin enzymes. This means there's no oxidation reaction, so it can be used during the day too. In fact, I use it during the day as well!

I have very dry skin. My skin lacks moisture rather than oil. After applying the toner and lotion, I still feel dry, so I bought this ampoule formula thinking it would be moisturizing. But after about 5 minutes, my skin feels dry again, and I have to apply a cream on top. That's why I'm looking for a good cream now. 
Those with dry skin like me may find this a bit drying!
For reference, I've been using Imvely Pink Pad, Injin Mugwort Essence, and Dokdo Lotion, and this ampoule is the last step, but it's still drying for me.

My skin seems to be getting a bit brighter. The ampoule formula has a nice, rich and creamy texture.

Korean Reviews

Vitamin C Brightening Essence

2 Reviews