Two things (among many) that I love about Korean beauty are innovation and brand competition. An incredible talent for discovering new techniques and formulations coupled with an intense rivalry for consumer dollars produce truly fantastic offerings.
Somewhat recently, a new trend emerged - single ingredient products, more specifically essences. That’s right - an essence made with a single beneficial ingredient and no other additives. Cool, right? I think so.
I finally got my hands on one of those products - I’m From Mugwort Essence. It’s sold on Wishtrend, eBay, YesStyle (use reward code KBHOBBIT for extra savings), and Amazon. Mugwort is a plant most known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can heal and soothe the skin, reduce redness and irritation. The naturally occurring antioxidants and vitamin E support a healthy barrier function. Another stellar mugwort product (and an absolute must have) is I’m From Mugwort Mask - review here.
This essence is vegan and made without artificial colors or fragrances, parabens, and silicones (of course, it only has one ingredient!). It comes in a beautiful glass bottle.
How to use:
Apply to clean skin after toner
Gently pat in
I find this info from the box interesting and worth sharing:
If you are confused about the Korean beauty routine (I don’t blame you - it can be a bit overwhelming at first), start with this video.
My impressions:
I have combination skin that’s not particularly sensitive. However, because I’m very fair (Snow White would probably be jealous), I easily get red. Sunlight, friction, and occasional breakouts all cause irritation for me. I like keeping a good soothing product in my arsenal for such occasions.
I have nothing but good things to say about I’m From Mugwort Essence - it is simply wonderful. I had high expectations already, since this brand typically works very well for my skin.
The essence is thin but has a pleasant “slip” to it. There’s a definite mugwort smell. It slingshots me right back into childhood and my mom and grandma making herbal remedies in post Soviet Russia. If you’ve never had a chance to smell mugwort, it has a warm and earthy aroma that is slightly bitter. I don’t mind it, plus it doesn’t linger at all. Because of the nostalgia factor, I often bring my palms close to my face and inhale a few times before applying this product. It may sound strange to some, but it really does take me back to being a kid. Life was a lot harder for my family back then, but a lot simpler for me personally. Adults handled all of the major issues. And today, somehow, I’m an adult and have my own little people to care for.
Most of the time, I apply I’m From Mugwort Essence right after cleansing. It’s wonderfully soothing. Breakouts heal quicker and redness virtually disappears. Don’t expect instant miracles, however - all good things take time. I typically notice redness gone by morning (I use essences in the evenings since I have more time), and breakouts heal in a day or two, depending on severity.
The essence is pleasant to use and not sticky. It should work for any skin type, morning or night. I really wish I had something this gentle and wonderful when I was a teenager. Instead, I was blasting my face with harsh, drying products full of dyes and fragrances (and sometimes even straight up rubbing alcohol wipes!!!) and then caking it with makeup. If you are prone to redness and irritation, or if you have a teen with acne in your life, definitely look into this.
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This post contains affiliate links.
This product was sent to me for free, but this is not a sponsored review. All opinions are my own and honest, as usual.
I’m From Mugwort Essence Ingredients: Artemisia Princeps Extract 100%