Hanyul Rice Essential Skin Softener
In terms of the ingredient list, I was on the fence initially.
The main ingredient is fermented rice, which is fantastic brightening ingredient, and also very good for evening out skin tone, which is a top priority for me, having dealt with acne in my past and associated hyperpigmentation. Specifically, the rice used in this product has been fermented for 15 days, which indicates that the moisture retaining properties of this ingredients have been significantly bolstered. The Hanyul brand website, as I’ve mentioned before, is very transparent about where it gets its rice from; the Yeoju area, located in the north of South Korea, famed for its exceptionally fertile and nutritious soil. I like this transparency because it demonstrates a certain level of care taken to ensure the ingredients are of the highest quality.
There are further ingredients I love in this product including Niacinamide, one of my all time superstar ingredients. Also soybean extract which has always worked really well with my skin and improved it’s elasticity enormously.
However, there is an extremely high content of alcohol contained within this product, which I was nervous about as it can be sensitising. Although this particular product has undergone numerous reformulations, each reducing the alcohol content, it is still a major player. I must say though, that it didn’t irritate my skin initially. It was a pleasant application experience and my skin felt softer and more hydrated. Nonetheless, I am aware that over time, the alcohol could prove a detriment to my overall skin health, and this aspect of the ingredients list lets this essence down in my opinion.
OVERALL RATING: 3/5
About the brand
Hanyul is whats known as a ‘Hanbang’ (한방) brand in Korea. 한방 skincare concerns products formulated using traditional Korean medicine and herbal remedies. The 한방 approach considers the overall health of the skin, instead on being laser focused on ‘fixing’ certain problems. This harks back to the ancient Korean philosophy behind skincare; that if your skin is healthy and balanced, all other concerns will naturally rectify themselves.
Product Summary
Initially, this product is stunning to look at. The packaging is a luxurious, frosted glass, which has some real weight to it. With a red ombre colour scheme reflecting the main ingredient this product is formulated with; brown rice from Yeoju, an area in Korea famous for its nutrient rich, red soil.
On a functional note, the opening at the top is a screw cap with a device inside that limits the amount of product that can escape once tilted. If you follow me on instagram, you’ll know this is one of my pet peeves, when products ‘spill’ into your hands, wasting a lot of it. So, overall, I really love the functionality and design of this product.
This essence is very typical for Korean essences in that it has a slightly viscous but very light consistency. This is perfect for layering on top of other toners and essences, or ‘스킨’ as they’re referred to in Korean. I enjoyed this texture, particularly during these last summer months, where I have been reluctant to put too many heavy layers on my skin. Top Tip- I leave it in the fridge for that extra refreshing boost!
INGREDIENTS
Water, Niacinamide, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Rice Extract,Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Carbomer, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Alcohol, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance