one for the KBeauty aficionados
Foreword
Friends to the blog (grateful for all of you!) know just how much I love all things KBeauty, especially when it comes to skincare. I just feel like Korea is ten steps ahead of the rest of the World when it comes to skincare technology, proprietary blends and unique formulations. This is why today’s review is extra exciting because we will be finally talking about 107 Beauty. I have been testing these products for several weeks now and am ready to share my thoughts.
Curious? Then please keep on scrolling
My Skin: dry/sensitive
Products reviewed are cruelty-free 🐇 with some being labelled as “vegan-friendly”
About the Brand
107 Beauty is famous for its modernization of traditional Asian medicinal recipes, specifically utilization of all-natural, handcrafted vinegar that is fermented for 7 up to 30 years (!). Why vinegar? I know many of us wonder what is its purpose outside of the kitchen. Well, turns out the brand’s multi-year fermentation technique is able to produce a “superpower” microbiome, a helpful bacteria that offers many benefits for the skin (with postbiotics being rich in Amino Acids, AHAs and more). If that wasn’t impressive enough, all of the ingredients are locally sourced and are made with artisan aquifer water.
Cleanser
107 Beauty Chaga Jelly Low pH Cleanser (22 USD; Made in Korea) – is a gentle, low pH of 5.0 cleanser that delicately refreshes and clears the skin, without causing irritation or dryness.
I have learned the hard way that cleansing twice a day is probably the most crucial step in my personal skincare routine. Although I have a dry skin type, if I don’t use a cleanser in the morning, I will find myself dealing with more breakouts than I am ready to handle.
Luckily, Chaga Jelly Low pH Cleanser was named after an immunity-boosting Chaga Mushroom Extract and is made for people with dehydrated, easily irritable skin that needs a mild daily exfoliation. It is packed with the nature’s best botanical extracts (Chamomile, Paper Mulberry Root, Lotus, White Mulberry Bark, Apple, Camellia Leaf, Green Tea, Lingonberry Leaf to name a few) and smells like an invigorating tea dream. You can actually see small bits of herbs in this cleanser’s Glycerin rich, gel-like texture. On top of that, fermented vinegar gives it antibacterial and antifungal properties that are so crucial during the mask-wearing times. A team of AHAs help clear up dead cells and improve skin texture. In other words: you can’t sit with us, maskne!
Final Thoughts: wonderful option for people, who are looking for a skin-loving, non-aggressive cleanser that will still get the job done. I prefer using it as part of my AM routine, however, it does a lovely job as a second-step cleanser too (when used after a cleansing balm/oil or any other heavy-duty makeup removing product). I can see how it can work for all skin types - dry, normal and combination in particular.
Serum Mist
107 Beauty Dewy Glow Serum Mist (58 USD; Made in Korea) – is described as a concentrated serum made with 60% fermented probiotics and Vitamin E for a brighter, glowing and healthier skin.
Although I generally gravitate towards serums in a traditional pump or pipette type of a packaging, I was attracted to this product from the get-go as it combines all of the things that I look for in a skincare product: good ingredients, ease of use and sustainability. Dewy Glow Serum Mist to me is more like a facial mist but on plant-based steroids. This formula feels quite refreshing and watery, thus gets absorbed by the skin almost instantly, leaving it feeling supple, hydrated and smooth. I detect a very faint pleasant scent, which I suspect is the Rose Water used here. Other notable ingredients are: 7-Year Fermented Vinegar, Rice Ferment, Soy Milk Ferment, Safflower Extract and more.
Over time Dewy Glow Serum Mist should strengthen skin barrier, improve brightness and help fight free radicals. Spray form allows easy reapplication throughout the day or whenever you feel like you could use a hydrating, mineral rich boost. I often spray it onto the palm of my hand first and then gently pat it on all over my face and neck (i.e. targeted application). This product feels calming and does not leave a sticky or greasy residue.
Final Thoughts: I can see how a formula like this could be beneficial for all skin types. It is quite potent, yet not heavy. Ideally, I would want to layer more of a creamy serum on top of it, because I have dry skin, but if you are oily/combination/normal – you can skip that step and use this product in place of a serum. It helps keep my skin plump and bouncy and creates a nice base for moisturizers.
Cream
107 Beauty Everyday Plump Hydro Cream (48 USD; Made in Korea) – is a cream/gel hybrid that is formulated to hydrate and protect skin from external stressors, as well as keep it plump and glowing.
Similarly to other 107 Beauty products, this cream too offers a potent mix of various, skin-loving ingredients. Aside from the main star Vinegar, it has Squalane, Red Ginseng Lactobacillus Ferments and Moroheiya Leaf Ferment to reduce water loss and improve skin elasticity. It has a silky texture, that gets easily absorbed and leaves a dewy finish behind it. I notice a faint scent, which most definitely comes from one of this cream’s many fruit extracts. Just like the Dewy Glow Serum Mist, this product too leaves no sticky or heavy residue and feels quite refreshing and lightweight on the skin.
I must admit that I have tried a lot of cream/gel formulas in the past that did nothing for my thirsty, dry face. This is why I was a bit skeptical about the Everyday Plump Hydro Cream at first, however, when I gave it a fair shot, I have realized that my skin actually quite liked it. It felt nourished, soothed and overall happy. This formula behaves well under sunscreen or makeup and does not pill (which is my biggest pet-peeve).
I guess my only gripe is that Dimethiconol (a type of silicone that acts as a film-forming emollient) is listed as an ingredient here. I am aware that it is considered a “good” silicone and is safely, commonly used in beauty products; however, I wish it wasn’t present because I generally try to avoid silicones in my skincare (I find that they tend to clog pores and break me out over time).
Final Thoughts: this guy will be loved by those of you, who crave hydration yet without a heavy cream feeling. It most definitely lives up to its claims, feels nice and keeps skin hydrated all day long. I think it will tackle dehydration with ease. It will be loved the most by those of you with normal and combination skin. If you have dry/very dry skin you might want to use something a little more potent alongside Everyday Plump Hydro Cream during colder months of the year. I almost wish there was a richer, “full” cream sister product available for me to enjoy during winter, but! I still like this formula and can think of many KBeauty enthusiasts that will adore it.
More online:
bemusedkorea.com (World)
107beauty.com (USA)
PR samples; full disclaimer here
