13 Reviews
- ㅎ_ㅈㅣFeb 14, 2023 (UTC)Oily SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
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The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsThe fact that it's Director Pi's brand, so you can trust the ingredients used
ConsI'm not sure if it helps with deep dryness, and I can feel excess oil on the surface. Even when applying small amounts, I notice these issues, which makes me reluctant to use it. As a first essence, it's meant to be applied at the beginning, but it feels like it creates a coating that might prevent subsequent products from absorbing well. It might be better to use a different serum for deep hydration instead.
- 진짜솔직리뷰쓰는사람Nov 19, 2022 (UTC)Dry SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsThis First Essence is truly impressive, especially compared to moisturizing creams that left my skin feeling dry. With its high centella asiatica content, you can see the natural color of the ingredient. While the packaging is disposable, I find it quite appealing. Above all, it's incredibly hydrating. After layering it twice, you'll feel a burst of moisture that makes you go 'Wow, so hydrating!' Personally, I find it even more refreshing and hydrating than the Laneige Cream Skin.
ConsThe downside is that despite the high centella content, I didn't notice a significant soothing effect. It's also not very accessible, and the price is a bit steep compared to foam cleansers. The slim bottle makes it difficult to use generously for a skin pack, so I'm just patting it on lightly. After application, it does leave a slightly slippery, oily feeling, which might be too rich for those without dry skin.
- 지긋지긋해샴푸트러블May 16, 2022 (UTC)Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
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The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsSkin type: Ultra-sensitive + Redness + Blemish marks + Oily T-zone + Oily skin Surprisingly, my skin that rejected centella and even allantoin... Somehow this product worked well for me! I've been following ThePhy's videos for a while, And although most products featured didn't suit me, I decided to give this essence a last try. Despite being composed of ingredients I usually avoid, Strangely enough, it's making my skin feel like it's recovering. For reference, I have ultra-sensitive skin. BHA, AHA, retinol, nourishing creams, bifida, and propolis All disagree with me. Even soothing ingredients like centella, Birch sap, phytoalexin, chamomile, and glacier water Only caused blemishes for me. Of course, it was all due to my impossible skin, But this essence with its simple composition Seemed like it could minimize the factors I need to avoid. It was my last attempt at a ThePhy product and... After 2 weeks of use, I haven't experienced any blemishes yet. My skin texture has noticeably softened, And I feel like my dermis has become healthier. It might be due to the ingredient combination, But it feels like it's nourishing my skin without being excessive. Or perhaps the simple formulation Is allowing ingredients that didn't work before To finally show their effects on my skin. It seems like a suitable product For those with sensitive skin to try.
ConsThe scent was a bit herbal and hard to get used to, But if it helps my skin recover, I guess I should endure this much. +6 month update Perhaps due to summer, It leaves my skin feeling quite rich after application. So nowadays, I use a PHA product for dead skin cell removal, And only apply this product to my dry areas.
TipI have sensitive combination-oily skin. One quick pat on my oily T-zone, Two pats on my combination dehydrated U-zone, And I think I'll be able to get through summer just fine.
- 우이야듀Mar 25, 2022 (UTC)Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
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The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsOne-line review: A great first-step toner for dry, combination dehydrated skin that applies smoothly. I've been a subscriber to Dipah's channel for a while, and I was lucky enough to try the Cica-Alan Essence as part of The Hwahae Testers! I have combination dehydrated skin and typically use a variety of products from light to rich textures. Texture: While not sticky, it has a dense consistency that doesn't absorb instantly. It feels like it leaves a thin layer of oil and moisture on the skin. It does eventually absorb fully, but there's a slight period where the skin feels a bit rich. This makes layering products a bit tricky. However, the essence has a high oil and moisture balance, so it could be great for those looking to streamline their skincare routine! Application method: Since there isn't a lot of product, I wouldn't recommend using it with an exfoliating toner. Instead, try applying it to your hands first, then gently pressing it onto your face with a pad for a quick mask-like treatment. Soothing effect: True to its claims of deep hydration and soothing right after cleansing, I noticed a significant calming effect. Compatibility with makeup: As someone who wears makeup daily, how a product works under makeup is crucial to me. I typically avoid products that feel too rich outside of winter, as they can cause my makeup to pill. This product wasn't ideal for daytime use under makeup for me. I've been using it mainly as a nourishing night treatment.
ConsScent: The scent is quite strong and herbal - reminiscent of fresh grass or mugwort. It's not a fragrance I personally enjoy, which was a bit disappointing. Residual feeling: Even after the product fully absorbs, there's a slight rich feeling left on the skin. My skin tends to produce more oil when it lacks hydration, so I prefer to focus on hydrating products. The lingering rich feeling means this isn't a perfect match for my skin type, which is a bit of a letdown.
TipFor those with dry, combination dehydrated skin needing both hydration and oil, try using this as a mask with a pad to address both soothing and hydration needs. If you're not a fan of products that leave a rich feeling, I'd recommend using this as part of your nighttime routine.
- lxrrMar 25, 2022 (UTC)Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsSkin type: Acne-prone skin Scent: I usually prefer fragrance-free products as artificial scents can aggravate acne-prone skin. This product has a herbal medicine-like scent that might be polarizing! However, it's not artificial, but rather a healthy aroma, so I don't mind it. Effectiveness: The essence I was using before was gentle with good absorption, and this product is also overall gentle, which I like! I'd recommend it to those looking for soothing effects.
ConsTexture: It feels slightly oily! I usually use a refreshing cica ampoule, so this centella essence feels unfamiliar and I'm less inclined to reach for it. I don't think I'd use it at all during summer.
- s씨들Mar 24, 2022 (UTC)Combination Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsAs soon as I applied it, I felt an instant surge of hydration. It gave me this feeling that my skin was about to improve. I deliberately used it for the full trial period because I noticed a difference in the moisture levels between the first and last day of application. At first, it didn't seem to fully address my deep dryness, so I layered it a few times. But as I continued using it, I found that the hydration built up gradually, creating a synergistic effect. I highly recommend this for those in their late 30s.
ConsHowever, it did feel a bit rich. While layering does build up the hydration, you can definitely feel it accumulating, and there's a slight heaviness due to its rich texture. As someone who's just entered their 40s, I didn't mind the moderate richness. I deducted one star because of the scent though. It leaves behind a strong mugwort fragrance reminiscent of hot springs, which I'm not too fond of.
TipWhen I used this product after applying EGF and FGF, it felt like the hydration really built up, giving my skin a pleasantly plump feeling.
- 뮤즈무즈Mar 24, 2022 (UTC)Combination Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.Pros- My skin is oily on the surface but dry underneath, often feeling tight with excess oil. This product definitely helps control the dryness when applied multiple times. - I can feel the tiny beads going on, which is interesting! - It seems to suit my skin well. When I apply it on inflamed areas with blemishes, they calm down within a day.
Cons- I'm not sure if it's because I have oily skin, but even though it's a water-based formula, it feels oilier than expected after some time.
Tip- If you feel it's not hydrating enough after one application, try layering it multiple times. It becomes noticeably more moisturizing.
- 하쬬Mar 24, 2022 (UTC)Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsA quick review for busy modern folks: A skincare product obsessed with soothing, but might feel heavy in summer. Skin type: Combination dehydrated, super sensitive skin prone to blemishes on polluted days or after poor sleep. Responds well to centella, cica, and hyaluronic acid. Texture: Slightly more viscous than water. Application: Initially feels rich, but absorbs well over time. When I first tried it, I only used toner (different product) and essence (The Pieu Essential) due to the rich feel. After absorption, my skin felt dry, so I applied a light cream - perfect combination. It might work until the changing seasons, but the texture could feel heavy in summer. Might be okay for dry skin types...? The product's oil and moisture balance is good, making it a great choice for those unsure how to balance their skin. Soothing effect: Used it for a week straight. It's the best soothing-focused product I've ever tried. It's incredible. I've never felt improvement from 'popular' products before, usually just satisfied if they didn't cause more blemishes. This is the first product that truly soothed my skin. When I first used it, my skin was recovering from a flare-up. This product sped up the healing process 10 times faster. Skin that would typically take over a month to recover healed in about 5 days. While enjoying the resulting glowing skin, I got greedy and used an exfoliating gel, which caused another flare-up with lots of tiny bumps. Now I'm using this again to calm my skin... Oh, and it really helps with forehead texture!!!! The tiny bumps on my forehead that wouldn't go away no matter what I used or how thoroughly I cleansed have cleared up with this product. Scent: Smells like herbs...? Or a sauna steam room..? Something along those lines, but I didn't find it off-putting. Repurchase intention: Definitely. I'll buy it again after summer for sure.
ConsThe downside is the high price for the amount you get. If used generously, it could be finished within a month. Also, due to its rich texture, it might cause blemishes if you don't control the amount well!
TipAs a 'first essence', it works best when applied immediately after cleansing!! For my combination dehydrated skin, using an exfoliating toner worked much better than a clay mask, and even when used as an exfoliating toner, the soothing effect is amazing. My evening routine was The Pieu Cica Alantoin First Essence - Innisfree Retinol Ampoule - Skin&Lab Barrier Derm Cream. Using this routine, you can wake up to egg-smooth skin the next morning. It seems to work particularly well with retinol!!
- 루비윤Mar 23, 2022 (UTC)Dry Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsThe scent is reminiscent of herbal medicine, similar to the aroma of concentrated extracts. The texture is thicker than a toner, with a noticeable viscosity. It applies smoothly like a typical essence or ampoule, but doesn't feel particularly lightweight. In terms of absorption, it doesn't sink in quickly due to its rich feel. Even after patting it in several times, it leaves an oil-like film on the skin. The ingredients include Centella Asiatica extract, glycerin, and allantoin, which are great for soothing and hydration. It's especially beneficial for those who respond well to Centella. After using it for a week, I noticed its excellent soothing effects and rich texture. With 80% Centella extract, it quickly calmed redness when applied locally or used as a mask. The soothing effect was still noticeable in the morning. It might be suitable for those with dry or very dry skin who need extra richness. However, it may be hit-or-miss for oily, combination dehydrated, or dry skin types who dislike a rich feel. As I prefer hydration over richness, I found it a bit heavy on my skin.
ConsThis product might not be suitable for those who dislike a rich feel on their skin!
TipIt's great as an all-in-one solution for those who find multi-step skincare routines tedious and want a quick regimen! It works well when applied locally to areas needing soothing or extra moisture, or used as a mask!
- 깡까루Mar 21, 2022 (UTC)Combination SkinSensitive Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.ProsAs expected from a product created by Director Pi, it's packed with skin-friendly ingredients! With its high concentration of Centella Asiatica extract, it provides quick soothing effects. It's gentle and non-irritating, perfect for super sensitive skin like mine! While the texture isn't thick and creamy, it's not completely watery either. I prefer to apply it directly to my skin and let it absorb rather than using it as an exfoliating toner. I love how it provides great hydration and combats deep dryness!
ConsThe downside is the scent... It has a medicinal smell that might be hit or miss for some. While I'd recommend it for combination dehydrated skin to address deep dryness, I wouldn't strongly suggest it for those with extremely oily skin. After layering it a few times, it can feel a bit rich.