This review contains PR samples° and affiliate links* The URANG True Rose Repair Essence is back in stock thanks to a brand new rose petal harvest, so I felt it was the perfect time for my extensive K-beauty review of this organic skincare gem!
So, by now you probably have picked up on the fact that I’m a big fan and supporter of URANG, the beautifully pure, organic skincare brand from Korea I was lucky to learn more about at the Vivaness trade expo in February this year. Apart from the URANG Clarifying Blue Mask, which I reviewed a while ago, I also got to try out two of the brand’s rose-themed products, the (also highly review-worthy!) URANG Rose Ceramide Cream* and the star of today’s K-beauty review, the URANG True Rose Repair Essence.
I’ve been using this essence – which, in all honesty, is more of a serum (Koreans use the two terms somewhat confusingly sometimes…) – on and off since February, but lately I’ve reached for it more regularly and consistently. It’s just such a perfect serum for the hot and humid summer months, especially at night! So, let’s take a closer look at the URANG True Rose Repair Essence…
URANG True Rose Repair Essence – the Basics
Rose-themed products are a massive trend in Korean beauty this year, as I have previously discussed both on the podcast as well as here on the blog. It’s just everywhere it seems! Heimish basically started the trend last year with their – delightful! – Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Hydrogel Eye Patches* and the Heimish Bulgarian Rose Mist Serum.* URANG followed not far behind, and as with many of their products, the True Rose Repair Essence and Rose Ceramide Cream soon reached cult status, leading to depleted stocks faster than the new roses for more raw materials – namely, rose water and rose essential oils – could grow.
Or, at least that is what I presume happened, since I remember a similar problem leading to constantly sold-out stocks of the former darling of the Asian beauty community, the su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick. Sigh…rest in peace, beloved low Ph cleansing stick that went out of stock for good in 2017.
Now, with the latest rose petal harvests in Europe having yielded new raw materials, a brand new re-stock of the URANG True Rose Repair Essence has just hit the shelves – just in time for the warmer summer months here in the Northern hemisphere. Enriched with 45.6% organic Bulgarian Rose Damascena Water, this transparent gel promises rich hydration for all skin types and softer, bouncier skin.
Here is a list of the ingredients for the URANG True Rose Repair Essence:
“Rosa Damascena Flower Water* (45.6%), Water, Glycerin* (7%), Sclerotium Gum, Betaine, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil (0.1%), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract* (0.05%) (*Organic Ingredient).”
So many of my favourite K-beauty ingredients can be found on this list: centella asiatica extract, licorice root extract, green tea leaf extract, and Baikal scullcap root extract – all meant to brighten, tone and clarify skin. Apart from the soothing, gentle rose water, hydration is provided by the humectant glycerin, as well as a minor concentration of aloe leaf extract. The only essential oil present is rose damascena oil, and with a low concentration of only 0.1% I think only highly sensitive people (or people who are allergic, obviously!) will find this addition troublesome. The formula is alcohol-free, which is rare for organic skincare, since organic brands often use ethanol as a “natural” preservative.
URANG True Rose Repair Essence – Reasons to Love It This Summer (and beyond!)
When the annual heat waves strike Europe, as was the case last year, my skin tends to react by becoming oilier than usual and dehydrated like crazy, a troublesome combination. I have to be extra careful what products I use in my routine. Basically, any type of oil becomes too much for my skin, except a few notable exceptions (particularly another K-beauty gem, the URANG Brightening Blue Oil Serum* – amazing pretty much for all seasons and all skin types).
At the same time, my skin thirsts for as much hydration as possible, especially now that I’ve hit 40 and can truly feel the signs of ageing creeping up on me. So, what to do? Well, my go to summer skincare method is to layer a number of lightweight, watery gels, toners and serums on top of each other, thus giving my skin easily absorbable hydration without overwhelming it with too many oils and butters (shea butter on my face is usually a no go during summer for me).
Well, enter the URANG True Rose Repair Essence! Guys, this Korean beauty just has the perfect texture and formulation for my summer skincare needs: it is a watery, easily absorbable gel that feels super refreshing on the skin, yet hydrates deeply. The texture reminds me of another summer favourite of mine, the Vichy Minéral 89 Daily Skin Booster,* to which I’ve just dedicated a German blog review.
Compared to the Vichy serum, however, the URANG True Rose Repair Essence is on a far more elevated level in terms of its formula and elegant texture. There is just such an understated luxury to all URANG products, and this is especially noticeable when it comes to the True Rose Essence. The scent of fresh-cut roses feels invigorating and not at all cloying – something that can be a problem with organic products, I find. If you’ve ever walked through a rose garden in bloom on a rainy day, you know what the essence smells like, a beautiful, soothing and soft fragrance!
Whenever I use the URANG True Rose Repair Essence, especially for my nighttime routine, I notice how much more plump and somehow more even-toned my skin appears the next day. I use this as my serum step mostly, though technically you can also use it as an overnight mask (I’m too stingy to use that much product in one go). Sometimes I mix the essence with the Vichy Minéral or use one after the other. Somehow, this combo in particular just really suits my summer skincare needs, combatting dehydration and that annoying “sunken” look your face starts to get towards the end of your 30s. My face just looks fresher and – dare I use the word? – more youthful overall. The True Rose Repair Essence creates a lovely dewiness on the skin, which does not feel greasy or shiny. It just looks like you had a really good night’s sleep!
URANG True Rose Repair Essence – the Bottom Line
The URANG True Rose Repair Essence has won my heart thanks to its beautiful formulation, texture, scent and performance. It’s just one of those luxury skincare products that makes both your skin and your vanity look great – score! I continue to be impressed with the currently trending organic K-beauty brands, among which URANG has emerged as a fierce competitor. Amazing, considering that we are talking about a small indie brand here!
I would say that the True Rose Repair Essence is a beautifully hydrating, plumping and brightening serum, suitable especially for combo skin types with dehydration issues. In truth, I feel that all skin types can benefit from this lovely organic skincare gem – it may not be rich enough for very dry skin types, but with an additional nourishing moisturiser or facial oil, this should still work well for you drier skin types.
You can purchase the URANG True Rose Repair Essence at Ohlolly* for 47.00$, or at Stylekorean* for currently 46.20$. One glass vial contains 50ml of product, and a little goes a long way with this serum.
Let me know in the comments: Are you into the current organic K-beauty trend? Have you tried any URANG products, maybe even this essence?
Take care guys!
Sugarpeaches
°PR Sample, kindly provided by the brand – I am not obligated to write this blog review, and my opinions are entirely my own.
*Affiliate Links, meaning I earn a small commission if you decide to use the link to purchase an item. This does not raise the purchase price for you, and it helps me and my blog to grow – so, thank you for supporting me in this way!
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