South Korean Pyunkang Yul is all about ingredients that are truly beneficial for your skin and not for the formula. That said, the formulas are really elegant and pleasant to use. Gothamista's review on youtube got me interested in this brand, so at first I tried quite a few samples, liked all the products and took the plunge with the nutrition cream first.
First of all, the amount of the product is massive 100ml. This cream should used as the last step in your skincare routine, it is rich in emolliants, contains macadiamia nut oil, shea butter and beeswax to seal the moisture in. A little goes a long way with it and if you have put too much you will feel it - the skin will not be able to absorb it. It comes with a tiny spatula and the size of the spatula is indicative of how much product should be used, ie. very little. Having said that, the cream is not very heavy or thick, it melts into the skin upon contact. I also like the heavy blue glass jar.
I use it mostly in the evenings because it tends to leave my face shiny, however really dry skins might like it during daytime too. My chin (the driest part of my face) absorbs the cream pretty quickly while my forehead never fully does. This is a really good moisturiser for winter time. I wake up with skin that is soft, calm (not red, tight, itchy or peeling) and moisturised. I experienced no breakouts from this product.
Ingredients:
Astralagus Membranaceus Root Extract - increases blood circulation which builds up skins ability to heal and protect itself. Rich in antioxidants and other skin beneficial phyto-chemicals.
Butylene Glycol - Texture enhancer, increases product penetration, humectant.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate - emolient, texture enhancer.
Butylene Glycol Dycaprilate/Dicaprate - Emulsifier, mix of butylene glycol (see above) and capric acid (plant derived fatty acid)
Hydrogenated Polydecene - a synthetic polymer, emollient and skin softener.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) - you probably know about this ingredient and everyone has their experience and opinion of it. It moisturises, reduces irritation, is rich in stearic and oleic acids, vitamins A and E. While some find that it clogs their pores, I am fine with it. It rates 0 on comedogenic scale.
Cyclopentasiloxane - a lightweight silicone. Keeps the moisture in. I don't like silicones much, but I never had a problem with this one in particular and it is pretty far down the ingredients list.
Cetearyl Alcohol - fatty alcohol. Emollient, texture enhancer, carrying agent for other ingredients.
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil - Comedogenic rating 2-3, but great at moisturising.
Polysorbate 60 - used as a thickening agent, and/ or to dissperse oil in water in formulas.
1,2- Hexanediol - synthetic preservative and moisture-binding agent.
Beeswax - thickening agent, emolliant. It is said to have antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Gyceryl Stearate - mix of glycerin and stearic acid. emolliant, surfactant, emulsifier.
Cyclohexasiloxane - silicone used to improve texture, emollient.
Sodium Hyaluronate - highly effective hialuronic acid in salt form.
Sorbitan Sesquioleate - emolliant, derived from sorbitol which is a humectant.
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethil Taurate Copolymer - synthetic polymer used as a stabilizer, teture enhancer. Provides sensation of freshness followed by melting when in contact with skin.
Isodexadecane - texture enhancer, solvent, skin conditioning agent.
Polysorbate 80 - is used as surfactant and emulsifier.
PEG-100 Stearate - emolliant
Gyceryl Caprate - monoesther of glycerin and capric acid. Emolliant, absorption enhancer.
*If you notice any mistakes in the ingredient explanation, please let me know, I am not a chemist, I am just a skincare enthusiast who can google very quickly. Paula's choice website is my favourite for no-nonsense ingredient explanation.
