Though I haven't been using O&Young for very long, I have been thoroughly enjoying the products and trying to learn more about the brand as it began as a plastic surgery hospital in Seoul (still running to this day!) and then formed a stem cell research center in 2008 involved in disease and cosmetic biochemical research. I always have an appreciation for a skincare brand with a more research-based background because of my own background, but it also means that I expect more from these types of brands in terms of ingredients and performance. O&Young did not disappoint and I found the products I was sent quite fascinating in composition and use.
PR gifted
Beta-glucan is a skin soothing ingredient derived from yeast or oats and while it has antioxidant abilities, it is really good at toning down redness and calming sensitive skin. There has also been some research that shows that beta-glucan is more hydrating that hyaluronic acid even at the same concentration. This collection is gentle and suitable for all skin types and though the packaging and origins of the brand sound complex, the ingredients are mostly plant-based with the key ingredients sitting well in the top half of the ingredients list!
ACME Beta Glucan Soothing Toner*
This is a hydrating toner with soothing and hydrating ingredients like allantoin, panthenol, centella asiatica, licorice root (also great for uneven skin tone) and sodium hyaluronate in addition to beta-glucan. This is an easy toner for anyone to incorporate into their routine and is also quite nice to use after a peel or any type of exfoliating or clay mask.
I realize now that I didn't get "texture" shots of the toner and ampule, but the toner consistency is very much like water and though I normally put these types of toners into spray bottles, I just LOVED the precision-twist cap! Just twist, squirt the product out and twist back! No caps to worry about since it's all one piece! While the instructions say to use a cotton pad, I just squirt the product out on my hands and tap the product into my skin. There is no scent and no tackiness to the toner.
ACME Line Up Dual Booster Ampule*
I loved the packaging of these and the fact that you need to turn the bottom to activate the serum and make it all BLUE (thanks to copper!) sold me even more! I know, I know, I'm just falling for the skintertainment value, but I still think it is very cool! Also, I keep wanting to spell this as "ampoule" so I will. I think of ampoules as pre-serums/essences and this one focuses on brightening the skin with sugarcane extract (though its acid properties are debatable), fighting blemishes with neem extract, neutralizing free radicals with chinaberry extract and modulating the skin's microbiome with ivy gourd fruit extract. The whole top off of the ingredients list for this is predominantly plant-based and plants that I don't see used very often in skincare though most of them have scientific evidence for efficacy. You've also got additional brightening ingredients like tumeric, niacinamide, vitamin C and copper and tri-peptides.
The texture of the serum is very lightweight and melts easily into the skin. Quite pleasant and layers well with the matching sheet mask and others that I have been using during my #100DaysofSheetMasks Challenge.
This ampoule had a light fragrance which did fade within a couple of seconds and a very light tackiness. I can't speak too much to the results yet, but I have noticed that my skin has been very clear this month despite me wearing a face mask for longer periods of time at work. I usually wear one for about 3-4 hours straight now and I haven't had a single breakout or red spot in the last 2 weeks so while it could be this new skincare or a some other factors, but what I DO know is that this ampoule isn't making my skin look worse and is probably helping to maintain whatever is going on with it right now!
ACME Beta Glucan Intensive Moisturizing Mask*
I reviewed this mask for my last #SheetMaskSunday post so I will not do it again, but I adored this mask and definitely plan to buy more! There was an instant gratification with this mask from no tackiness to an instant glow and softness to my skin that I want to relive over and over!
Final verdict: Sheet mask is obviously the winner for me here, but I really am enjoying the toner and ampoule too. Everything played nicely with my existing skincare routine and I really enjoyed trying out some unique ingredient formulations. I look forward to seeing what my skin looks like over the next couple of weeks!
You can find O&Young at YesStyle.com, but I would love to know where else I can find this brand that is accessible to Canada as shipping for YesStyle is no longer free.
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