This post contains affiliate links. Product provided by Skinfood.
SKINFOOD was one of the first kbeauty brands I tried - it was affordable, had fun and enticing packaging, and was fairly easy to find. However, I haven’t had any of their products in years and forgot about them completely. In fact, the entire company almost ceased to exist. In 2018, they were placed in receivership by Seoul Bankruptcy Court. In 2020, their former CEO was sentenced to 5 years in jail for funneling money out of the business for personal gain (source).
But SKINFOOD had a recent comeback - their products look more grown up and interesting, so I agreed to get a PR box with no expectation for review. When I saw the SKINFOOD Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence, I knew that would be the first product I tried. I’m a sucker for a pretty bottle. The essence is sold on Amazon, YesStyle (reward code KBHOBBIT), Ulta, and iHerb (code CWN6107).
SKINFOOD Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence features royal jelly, honey, and propolis to hydrate and support a healthy skin barrier. It promises to protect the skin from environmental forces.
How to use
Apply after cleansing
Gently pat in
I like using this essence after toner and before moisturizer. The consistency is fairly thin, but I would have still named it a serum and not an essence. Especially given the packaging with a pipette. To me, essences are usually more toner-like and watery. There’s no noticeable scent.
My impressions
What a lovely product that rekindled my interest in SKINFOOD. I have combination skin that’s not particularly sensitive but it is reactive. For example, I rarely breakout or have allergies to skincare, yet any mechanical forces or wind / dry air / even scratching a little itch can leave my face red and irritated. Soothing is a must. I’ve always done well with honey and propolis products. SKINFOOD propolis serum does a lovely job hydrating and soothing my skin. It is light enough to feel pleasant but still plumps up my skin. I notice considerably less redness and irritation when I use this.
I do my most elaborate skincare at night, but this essence (I keep wanting to call it a serum) would probably work well in the morning as well, especially for someone with dry skin.
The gorgeous bottle deserves a special mention and is the main reason I decided to try this essence over my many other unopened products. The ombre colored glass is beautiful and adds a certain level of sophistication to my routine. Simply put, it brings me joy, and I swear that alone improves my complexion more than any fancy ingredient.
Overall, I’m glad to see SKINFOOD return as a more grown up, better version of itself. I’m trying a couple of their other offerings right now - stay tuned for more reviews.
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SKINFOOD Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence ingredients: Propolis Extract (63%), Honey Extract (10%), Royal Jelly Extract (10%), Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Arginin