I love the K-beauty movement. The funky packaging, the affordable skin ranges and the cute names, but I have always been skeptical about how much they actually benefit your skin.
When K-beauty products first came to market we were not even sure what they contained, we needed YouTube to understand how to use them and I wasn't even sure I needed them in my already over crowded routine. The cute panda face masks and creatively packaged hand creams sure look good in my bathroom tho..
NOW K-beauty has taken it to another level with COSRX, the bestselling, cult Korean beauty brand which has been created to combine highly effective ingredients with simplicity, at an affordable price.
Not only is it vegan and cruelty-free range is tailored to work with all skin types. It's probably the most sophisticated K-beauty product I have found to date.
Let's start with the packaging, it's a lot more grown up. It looks smart and simple. It is definitely something I would pick up in someone's bathroom (I’m that friend that likes to look through your toiletries and judge you on your skincare routine). The bottles and tubes are simple yet creative. The cleanness of the design makes it really easy to grab the product you need rather than scourge around reading labels.
The range includes a number of skin solutions for our most irritating problems like acne, blackheads, whiteheads and skin texture. All starting from just £5.99.
Currently in my bathroom cupboard is the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 100ml, £21.99 . Available in an easy pump bottle, i gently wipe across the skin after I wash my face. It acts as an exfoliant with natural fruit based AHA and glycolic acid, which both help to remove whiteheads trapped inside pores.
Directions suggest not to use everyday on the skin but work up over the course of weeks to use up to 3 times in 7 days. I had little to no irritation, after applying the tonic and letting it dry thoroughly I applied the COSRX Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream.
This lightly scented cream applies like a dream. It was oil free while still nourishing and soaked into the skin nicely without drowning my pores. This formula is powered by ceramide NP which helps the skin retain moisture and strengthens the skin barrier whilst also soothing irritation. I found it the perfect solution post AHA 7 Liquid. Free of parabens, artificial fragrance, mineral oil, animal ingredients, sulfates, and phthalates.It is weightless enough for everyday use and hydrating enough for a night cream as well. With no greasy residue it makes a nice base for your makeup.
COSRX offers solutions for problem areas on the face, such as acne patches, masks and alike that tackle particular concerns. One of which is the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch 18 Patches, £5.99 designed for sensitive skin these patches can be used for spots, scars and black /whitehead extraction.
Available from FeelUnique, Beauty Bay, All Beauty and Just My Look, priced from £5.99.