SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 95ml

This is a great value for money, scent-free moisturising serum not a treatment serum. It has a light creamy texture. A few drops are enough to cover the whole face, neck and décolletage. The product spreads easily and evenly, dries off quickly, and it doesn't leave any sticky or oily residue. My skin feels hydrated afterwards. I usually apply it underneath my normal moisturiser to give my skin an extra boost. Although I haven't used this bottle in full yet, I haven't seen any miraculous before-and-after effect. The pigmentation on my face is still there;  perhaps one needs to use several  bottles to see an improvement. 

 

The packaging and bottle design is elegant and luxurious. Despite what some of the wording on the packaging might make you believe, this isn't a bottle of pure (or 100%) Madagascar Centella (Centella Asiatica = Gotu Kola). It has some extract as one of the ingredients. The serum also has Ceramides, Phytosterols and Caprylic Triglyceride (ie, several plant-derived fatty acids) and Probiocica i.e. a Jeju-Island Windflower-derived lactobacillus. It sounds exotic, isn't it? Packaging is clear about the ingredients, but it doesn't mention the percentages used.    

 

The main downside is the dropper. It's too narrow and doesn't allow an easy and natural flow of the product out. I find this extremely annoying. Sometimes, I just pour the serum directly from the bottle. There is nothing wrong with the dropper itself. It's just that it's too narrow for the product viscosity. The dropper sucks the serum best when it's fully closed. If the bottle is a bit opened, suction isn't as good. 

 

Skin1004 is a certified cruelty-free Korean beauty brand, something I love. They don't support any politics or practices that hurt other humans or animals. It is still affordable. 

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VRAIKO Eye Serum with Build-In 3D Roller Applicator (0.5 fl oz)

This a Chinese cosmetic product that has an spectacular packaging and application system. The active ingredients are caffeine, retinol, Camellia Sinensis, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and peptides. The texture is that of a soft jelly. You get it out by pressing the curved part on the applicator shaft. Press gently, as a tiny amount of product goes a long way. The metallic ball applicator helps spreading the product beautifully and the serum absorbs almost immediately. 

I've used this for several months now, and the product is excellent for the price. It makes a difference as my wrinkles look less noticeable, reduces eye bags and makes the eye contour more hydrated, soft and and my eye area looks more relaxed and radiant. No miracle or before-and-after sort of effect, but good enough.

 

The two main downsides are, one, that the ball shaft wobbles a bit (perhaps I press it too hard?), and that my eye area becomes a bit red after application if if I apply it for a minute or so. Ain't sure whether is the product per se or the metal ball.  Although the redness disappears quickly, the product might not be for everyone, so I would suggest testing it before fully applying around your eyes.  

 

The product seems to be leak proof and its size and design make it perfect for travelling and getaways.  

I agree with other reviewers that the product and the brand website don't have clear references about their testing practices, whether the product is vegan or not, cruelty free or not, tested on animals or not, and where is manufactured. The brand, however, makes vague statements like the product doesn't have harsh chemicals, fragrance (true) or sticky residue (true), that works for all skin types (it works for mine at least), and it has no parabens. 

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QANZIRE Propolis Facial Glow Serum (30 ml)

This is a Chinese-made brand, despite the Korean lettering on the bottle and being sold as Korean. The packaging photos clearly show that this is made in China, but the design replicates exactly the serums by Beauty of Janseon. However, the lettering on the bottle only mentions the product description. They sell it as Qanzire, but the brand or distributor is Forwerher, which is a Chinese brand that tend to  BS customers with info that isn't true. That is my experience with other products I've bought from them. But also, in my books, they have affordable good quality products, especially the serums, at half the cost of similar cosmetics. This is one of them. 

This a great serum infused with a potent combo of ingredients. The product is made our of 60% propolis (bees-derived product), Salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, Centella Asiatica, oat, niamicine, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin and other plants extracts. All of those ingredients have nourishing, bactericide, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, and are perfect to tackle oil and dark spots on the skin. That being the case, this serum is really great for combination and acne-prone skin, mature or sun-damaged skin, and also for sensitive skins like mine. 

The product is not oily at all. It feels dry on application, but it spreads beautifully. It's absorbed quickly and leaves no oily or sticky residue on my skin. A few drops are enough for each application. 

I use this serum in the morning after washing my face. I let the oil dry for a minute, and then apply my normal moisturiser (from another brand). It's like having a mini beauty treatment every morning. It works beautifully and I haven't had any reaction. My skin glows. You can see the difference before and after application.  

This serum has no scent and barely any smell. The packaging is minimalist and elegant. I would recommend the product, even though is not Korean.  

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