I gave in
This cream came out in Spring. I saw it promoted and reviewed by many, but I didn't care for it right away (I had so much COSRX products to empty first). Then every time I ordered at Jolse I got samples of this cream. In July I started using these samples and a month later I decided I really needed it, no matter what!
COSRX - PHA Moisture Renewal Power Cream
50ml / Available at Jolse, Style Korean, ibuybeauti and more
This cream is formulated with PHA to help your skin appear
smooth, dewy, and moisturized. The main benefits of this cream are; moisturizing, exfoliating, and brightening. This cream is suitable for all skin types, dehydrated skin, and combination skin, with a Low pH Level of pH4.0±1.
How to use
Take a proper amount of cream on palm, and gently pat on your face for absorption
in the last stage of your skincare routine.
Ingredients
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract 61.15% (: Moisturizing), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone 3% (:Moisture Layer & Mild Exfoliating), Niacinamide 2% (:Brightening) , Betaine, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beeswax, Elaeis Guineensis(Palm) oil, Elaeis Guineensis(Palm) Kernel Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin
Spatula & Scent
COSRX gives you a small spatula with every product that comes in a jar. I always seem to lose these things. They should make them even smaller so they can fit inside the lit between the lid and the internal cap, like with their snail cream (but that jar is bigger)
The scent is nice, fresh and skincare-like. Within seconds this scent is completely gone.
Review
The consistency of this cream is like a gel cream but without the watery effect of a gel cream. The feeling when you spread it out on the skin is also like a gel cream but with the adherence to the skin as a rich balm cream. It's sort of "locked" when you've spread it out. The cream doesn't absorbs really fast into the skin. So for a while your skin will feel a bit sticky, but not in an annoying way. It feels really lightweight and breathable, I love that. It will give you a thin sheen of moisture all over your face, like a naturally glow from within.
I honestly didn't know about the sun damage BHA, AHA and PHA could cause.
Apparently those can cause photosensitivity and give you photodamage if you don't wear sunscreen when using products with BHA,AHA and PHA. In other words; it will give you over stimulated, irritated glowing red/pink skin.
Luckily I've never used any of the other BHA/AHA COSRX products I own during the day, only in my evening skincare routine. I have used this cream a few times during the day on hot summer days (woops). I have sensitive- dry combination- acne prone- skin (that's a mouthful!) and I haven't noticed any stimulation or redness during those days. It's maybe because PHA being the mildest of the three. But I will not risk my skin again, even though the sun will be less strong during Autumn.
So to me and all of you:
Always wear sunscreen when you wear a BHA, AHA or PHA product during the day.
Or be completely safe and only use these kind of products at night ;)
I really like this cream because it's so lightweight and felt nice on my skin during summer days (fail) and nights! I haven't really noticed stimulation on regular skincare days. Maybe a tiny bit after deep cleansing & exfoliating, but then my skin is always extra sensitive, so who knows. Lately my skin has improved a lot: it looks and feels more smooth, has more glow from within, less acne breakouts, smaller pores etc. However I'm pretty sure it's the overload of COSRX skincare all together and not just the cream. What I do know is; my skin feels extra smooth and moisturized the next morning every time I use this cream. It also looks amazing underneath my cushion foundation during the day (which now needs a layer of sunscreen between those two).
Would I recommend?
Yes.
It's maybe not mind blowing, but it's definitely a really good moisturizer.
Maybe not suitable for very oily or hyper sensitive skin.
I hope you've enjoyed and found my review helpful,
see you in my next post ;)
