Here’s a fun paradox for you - minimalist Korean skincare. Can the makers of the 10 step beauty routine really bring us something “minimalist”? Let’s explore!
HYGGEE is a Korean brand (unfamiliar to me prior to this product) that delivers the optimum oil to moisture balance depending on your skin’s needs. This One Step Facial Essence fulfills the functions of toner, essence and serum, freeing up both precious shelf space and time (and possibly money, depending on what you are replacing). It’s available on Amazon, eBay (not always) and YesStyle.
The Balance One Step Facial Essence is designed for dry and combination skin types. I have combination skin with oily t-zone and dry-to-normal cheeks. In the summer, it really takes a beating with the heat outside and the dry air conditioned air indoors, so I try to hydrate well.
Active ingredients:
Birch sap - powerfully hydrates
Macadamia, sunflower, and jojoba oils - nourish and moisturize
Squalane - a highly effective plant-derived emollient and antioxidant
4 different ferments - gently exfoliate the skin
The ingredients in the bottle separate into two beautiful layers. The bottom is birch sap based moisturizer, while the top is a blend of five oils. Shaking the bottle combines the layers, creating a myriad of oil-and-moisture capsules. It’s quite beautiful to look at. The ratio of water-based to oil-based ingredients is 80:20. The water-based ingredients deliver moisture deep into the skin, while the natural oils lock it in to prevent evaporation.
How to use:
Gently shake the bottle to combine the layers
Apply to a clean face
Do not rub - gently pat in, then put your palms over your face - the warmth of the skin will help the product penetrate deeper.
Official brand video:
My impressions:
The first thing I noticed about the essence is how absolutely beautiful it is. The packaging design is clean and simple, nothing unnecessary, and the layers of product are stunning, especially in the sunlight (I was taking pictures outdoors).
I was a little afraid of the oils in this product. After all, the Western beauty world is borderline obsessed with “oil free” skincare. But part of being a blogger is bravery, so I put my concerns aside and started testing. The product is light and somewhat oily but not heavy. There is no scent that I could detect. Originally, I thought I would mostly use this at night on the days that I’m too tired or too lazy to layer my impressive arsenal of skincare on my face. But of course I also had to test it during the day for the review. And I’m actually IN LOVE with it, for night OR day.
In this picture, I was getting ready for a birthday party and was in a hurry. I washed my face, applied the HYGGEE essence, and let it soak in for about five minutes while I got dressed. As you can see, my face is pretty dewy but not greasy. It was very soft to the touch.
I then applied Missha sunscreen (review here) and Skinfood peach powder (review here), plus some mascara.
The picture below is taken about 7 hours later, I even changed out of the party clothes. I had 0 touch ups during that time (please note that the temperature was about 98F that day…). Look at that - no oiliness, no shine, no dryness - my skin was SO SOFT. I was tempted to touch it over and over, even though that’s not a good idea (hands carry a lot of bacteria). I’m seriously impressed with the essence.
Don’t get me wrong - I’m obviously a huge fan of all the Korean skincare steps, all my bottles and jars and tubes, but it still takes time, which is so precious. And there are days or life circumstances (like small children, jobs, busy schedules) where a product like this becomes a fantastic alternative to the traditional 10 steps. And of course I immediately think of men with their almost universal dislike for complex steps. When I use it at night, I wake up with a soft, smooth face. It’s awesome. It’s available on Amazon, eBay (not always) and YesStyle.
What are your favorite multi-purpose products? Let me know in the comments!
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I bought this product on 0.8L
HYGGEE Balance One Step Facial Essence Ingredients: Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Seed Oil, Water, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phospholipids, Ceramide 3, Cholesterol, Arginine, Phytosterols, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol