[ENG] My Review of the Stylekorean x COSRX Hydrium Moisture Set – Hydration Galore for Summer-Plagued Skin!

This review contains PR samples° and affiliate links* The Stylekorean x COSRX Hydrium moisture set arrived on my doorstep just in time for the hottest period of the year here in Europe to provide intense hydration! I am excited to share my thoughts with you about this super hydrating K-beauty range from community favourite COSRX!

As a general rule, I don’t really take part in large “review events” from shops or brands anymore, for a number of reasons. Firstly, I find the idea that bloggers have to “apply” to “win” samples in order to then provide free content and marketing materials for brands very problematic, as it keeps the industry as unfair as it is right now in terms of paying content creators for their hard work. Secondly, these events usually meant the brand/shop sends out hundreds of the same, identical products, and usually demands a specific deadline to post. Thus, people who follow many beauty accounts in the same niche – in this case K-beauty – will see their feeds swamped with near identical reviews and images of the same darn products for days on end. Personally, I just feel that I would rather review things that are new, or take my time posting reviews of popular products to avoid “review fatigue” from you guys!

Now, that being said… When COSRX partners up with Stylekorean to offer a full set of their renewed Hydrium skincare range to reviewers, with new product additions on top of it all, I cannot but put my usual reservations aside and make an exemption. So, I applied for the review event and got picked to receive the “moisture” version of the Hydrium sets – other reviewers went for the “soothing” set, which contains the COSRX Hydrium Centella Aqua Soothing Ampoule* and the Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream.*

My review set included the following COSRX products:

• Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleanser*
• Mini-sized Hydrium Water Toner*
• Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Water Wave Sheet Mask*
• Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule*
• Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream*

I haven’t had the time to try the sheet mask as of yet, so I’ll update you on how I like it later on, probably on my Instagram feed or in the stories. It looks like it will be a wonderfully hydrating mask with a minimalist formula great for sensitive, dehydrated skin!

Now as to the rest of the products – I’ve had a good three weeks to try them out and feel I can give you my thoughts on how each of them perform. I used all four products pretty much daily and have a generally good grasp of what they can (and can’t…) do. So, I’ll give you an overview of each of these COSRX goodies, plus tell you how I got on with them these past weeks.

COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleanser Review

The COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleanser really intrigued me when I saw it introduced on Stylekorean. I love a gentle cleanser with hydrating ingredients, and I know COSRX has a reputation for manufacturing awesome low pH cleansers.

Now, I am a bit on the fence about my feelings concerning the Triple Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleanser. This is indeed a gentle cleanser, formulated with three types of hyaluronic acid and free of the harsher cleansing agent sodium laureth sulfate.

Here is the full list of ingredients for the Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleanser:

“Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide,Palmitic Acid, PotassiumCocoylGlycinate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Fragrance, Polyquaternium-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl AcrylateCrosspolymer, SodiumCocoylIsethionate, Arachidic Acid, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oleic Acid, Sodium Benzoate,Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, HydrolyzedHyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate.”

Coming out of the tube, the cleanser has a creamy consistency and is super concentrated – you really only need a tiny amount each use. It foams up strongly, a soft white foam that feels somewhat creamy-moussy on the skin. The cleanser is fragranced, but not too strongly so, with a fresh, unisex scent.

Here is the not so great thing: somehow, this cleanser does not cleanse very well. I tried using this in the evening after an oil cleanser, and it just felt like it doesn’t cleanse the skin’s surface much at all. Maybe this is because it is so gently formulated, but it’s not really that great for a second step cleanser, which is supposed to make sure the face is free from any oil residue and leftover “grime” the oil cannot remove. I tried using this on its own as well, as I sometimes don’t really want to do a two step cleanse in the evening when I’m just using sunscreen or easy to remove powder, and it definitely cannot cope with any of these. I wiped over my face with a micellar water on a cotton pad after using the cleanser, and everything was still on my face as if I hadn’t used a cleanser at all. This, to me, is quite disappointing.

I do like to use this in the morning, but for an evening cleanse this just doesn’t cut it, even when oil cleansing beforehand. It just doesn’t have the sort of cleansing action I would like, and sometimes leaves my skin with a somewhat strangely “stripped” feeling, despite its overall gentle formula. So, not my favourite product from the Hydrium line, though I will continue to use it in the mornings, and it could work for very bare-faced, low maintenance people and for guys, potentially.

You can buy the COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleanser at Stylekorean* for currently 13$ for the 150ml tube.

COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner Review

I received a cute mini size of the COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner, which I had wanted to try for a while now. I love a toner on the less viscous side for summer, as it just feels more refreshing. Now, it should still provide enough hydration of course, which is the tricky thing to master as a brand when the toner isn’t thick and gloopy.

The Hydrium Watery Toner manages to do just that and is thus an ideal summer toner for oily to normal, dehydrated skin types. It probably won’t be enough for dryer skin types, though it may work for summer if you apply a few layers and use additional hydrating products.

Here is the full list of ingredients of the COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner:

“Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate.”

The toner is packed full with hydrating ingredients, including five types of hyaluronic acid in various molecular forms to provide hydration to all layers of the skin, plus good old reliable humectant glycerin, soothing panthenol and allantoin. The toner is free from any alcohol, added fragrance or essential oils.

The texture of this toner is pretty much like a hydrating water, though with a bit more “substance” than, say, the Round Lab DOKDO Toner I also greatly enjoy for summer. You can really feel the deep hydration when applying the toner, which I prefer to do with my hands instead of a cotton (or reusable) pad. This is super refreshing especially for my morning routine, and I love how it softens and slightly plumps my skin while feeling pleasantly vitalising. You can also use this as a facial mist and/or keep the toner bottle in the fridge for extra refreshment in the heat!

So, my verdict so far: I like this toner a lot, as it’s light and refreshing for the warmer season. I think this works best for younger, normal to oily skin, however, and will not be enough for dryer skin types (the COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner is a great summer alternative for dry skin).

You can purchase the COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner at Stylekorean* for 7.50$ for the small 50ml size I received, or get the larger 150ml bottle* for 15.00$.

COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule Review

Now, if I had to pick a favourite from the Hydrium products I got sent, it would have to be the Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule! What a beautifully formulated product, absolutely marvellous for thirsty, sensitive skin. I’ve tried many hydrating ampoules these past months, and liked many of them (e.g. the great Blanc Doux the lab ampoule), but this COSRX ampoule really blew me away.

Thick, syrupy K-beauty ampoules with a high amount of hyaluronic acid can sometimes feel sticky on the skin and take annoyingly long to sink in. The COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule does not feel sticky at all and sinks into skin like a dream, providing a wash of hydration that is just right, not too heavy, not too light – true perfection!

Here is the list of full ingredients for the COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule:

“Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Gluconolactone, Lactobionic Acid.”

Look at this beautiful ingredient list – a minimalist skincare lover’s dream! Now, I don’t mind fancy or even a bit frivolous products, but I know many of you prefer simple, stress-free formulas to avoid potential sensitivity triggers. This ampoule definitely fits that brief: it is free from alcohol or fragrance, contains no potentially triggering plant extracts or essential oils, and focuses entirely on a mix of straight-forward humectants – mainly glycerine and that triple hyaluronic acid complex.

COSRX just nailed the texture of this, and I feel that most skin types will enjoy the ampoule as a hydrating treatment year-round. This is also awesome for my fellow 35+ year old peeps who are starting to really see the effects of ageing on the skin, mainly in the form of sallowness and loss of plumpness. It’s a great, simple but effective plumping, smoothing and soothing treatment. If you are finding it hard to decide between the Hydrium Centella Aqua Soothing Ampoule and the Triple Hyaluronic Acid one, I would say that younger people up to their late 20s with oilier to normal skin will probably love the Centella Ampoule, while those with dry skin, very dehydrated skin and those who need a little more “oomph” from their products once they hit 30 will probably do better with the Triple HA Ampoule.

You can find the COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule at Stylekorean* for 24$ for the 40ml bottle.

COSRX Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream Review

This is another winner from the set! I didn’t know much about the COSRX Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it for the summer, but it turns out, this is actually rather excellent as a summer moisturiser for combo skin. The texture is so lovely – I’ve described it as “cloud-like” in my my Instagram stories, just so smooth and kind of mousse-like, soft and lightly milky.

Apart from the star ingredient of the Hydrium line, hyaluronic acid, this also contains one of my all-time K-beauty ingredient faves: propolis extract, great for a number of skin issues such as inflammation, blemishes and redness.

Here is the full list of ingredients for the COSRX Hydrium Power Enriched Cream:

“Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Vinyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Propolis Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sucrose Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid.”

The cream is free from any fragrance and also doesn’t contain ethanol/alcohol, so it is a gentle formula great for sensitive skin. Now, some people with acne may find the coconut oil triggering, so double check if it’s an ok ingredient for your skin. For me, this wasn’t a problem, and I am having no breakout issues with this whatsoever.

Sometimes creamier textures can be a problem for my skin, and especially in summer when I – sigh – tend to sweat a lot on top of being oilier, the richer creams can cause blemishes. But the Hydrium Power Enriched Cream is lovely, it’s more like a thicker lotion, and I love how it just melts into my skin. You can definitely feel all the humectants in combination with moisturising ceramides in the formula, providing effective, straight-forward care for skin that may battle sensitivity issues or, well, the effects of the summer heat. This is my favourite moisturiser at the moment next to the Klairs Fundamental Watery Gel Cream!

The COSRX Hydrium Power Enriched Cream is available at Stylekorean* for 23$ for the 50ml jar.

I am truly enjoying all of the COSRX Hydrium products I received, even though the cleanser doesn’t 100% convince me. The line is gentle, beautifully formulated, with minimalist ingredients used to maximum benefit.

Let me know in the comments: Are you a COSRX fan? What are your faves from the brand?

Take care guys, and stay safe!
Sugarpeaches

°PR Sample, kindly provided by a brand or shop – I am not obligated to write this blog article, was not paid for the article, and my opinions are entirely my own.
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