Korean Hyaluronic Acid Serums & Ampoules Collective Review

Sunday 16 February 2020 at February 16, 2020

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum has been a staple in my skincare routine for the past 9 months but while I certainly don't mind keeping it in my routine, as a skincare content creator,  I've always felt that I ought to give the other hyaluronic acid serums in the market a chance. Therefore, when the opportunity came to work with Joohky, I decided to pick out 6 Korean hyaluronic acid products to try. With the data I've gathered from my experiences with the products, today I will be sharing with you my thoughts on the 6 Korean hyaluronic acid serums and ampoules.


Before I begin the review, I would like to give my sincerest gratitude to Joohky for their interest to partner up with me for this blog post. If you haven't heard of Joohky, they are an online Korean beauty store based in South Korea which ships worldwide. I love that they offer K-beauty products from both mainstream and non-mainstream Korean brands such as Cosrx, PURITO, I'm From, Huxley, A'PIEU, Mamonde, Banila Co., etc, so people all around the world will be able to enjoy amazing and affordable K-beauty products. If you're a Korean beauty lover like I am but you don't have these brands in your country, make sure to check out Joohky! 


Beginning with something simple, I chose the Elizavecca Hyaluronic Acid 100% ($25). Elizavecca is a brand that I wasn't familiar with, but a simple Google search will tell you that their hyaluronic acid serums are one of their best-sellers. As someone with sensitive skin, I tend to lean towards products with shorter ingredient lists these days and so I was attracted to this product because it contains only one ingredient: Sodium Hyaluronate.

Thanks to the simplicity of this product, I love that I don't have to worry about this irritating, sensitising or clogging my skin since the only thing sodium hyaluronate is capable of doing is attract and hold moisture in my skin. No matter what routine you have going on for you at the moment, as long as you think that your routine isn't hydrating enough, I think this is a product that you can easily add into your routine to boost the hydration levels in your skin without the use of heavy products. It has a thick gooey consistency which fits in really nicely in my moisturising routine.





Although I think this product will work for everyone, Since the risk of irritation from hyaluronic acid itself is low, I think it will be most suitable for those who either has easily irritated or highly sensitive skin, or those who are just starting out to build a simple skincare routine. So far, I have been loving this addition in my routine. Even though it doesn't come with any other skincare benefits other than hydrating, for the price, it is definitely a product that I will recommend.

Pros: Non-irritating, non-clogging, non-sensitising.
Cons: Does not provide any other skincare benefits other than hydration.

The other best-selling hyaluronic acid serum from Elizavecca is the Hell Pore Control Hyalyuronic Acid 97% ($17). Instead of Sodium hyaluronate, this serum contains 97% of Hyaluronic acid, followed by an unknown concentration of Niacinamide, which an ingredient known to help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, acne, dullness and dryness. This serum also contains 2 soothing and healing ingredients and they are Adenosine and Allantoin.

Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, propylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, PEG-60 hydrogenated caster oil, adenosine, allantoin, carbomer, arginine, fragrance.

Due to the high concentration of hyaluronic acid and existence of niacinamide, I think this is a great option for people who are looking for a serum that can not only hydrate their skin, but to also help with very mild acne and redness. Even though it contains fragrance, it is the very last ingredient and so I think we can safely assume that it will be non-toxic for the skin. If you have acne-prone skin which cannot tolerate oils in your skincare, do take note that this serum is also not 100% oil-free. Personally, I have sensitized, pretty easily irritated acne-prone skin and so I'd prefer something else. Nevertheless, I still think that this is a good and affordable hyaluronic acid serum to consider if acne and skin-sensitivity are not something that you are experiencing.

Pros: Hydrating, soothing, and can help with mild acne and redness.
Cons: It is neither oil-free nor fragrance-free.

Moving on, I've chose the Tia'm Hyaluronic Water Plumping Serum ($15). Even though I have near heard of this brand prior of this product, I was pleasantly surprised with its ingredients. Containing six different types of Hyaluronic acid, this serum also contains a good amount of other types of moisture-attracting and retaining humectants like Butlyene glycol and Glycerin. In addition, this also contains soothing and healing ingredients like Panthenol aka Vitamin B5, and Allantoin. The other highly concentrated ingredient in this that caught my attention is the Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract which is said to have healing, soothing and moisturising properties.

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Betaine, 1,2-Hexandiol, Panthenol, HA-6(Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate(Macromolecule & Micromolecule),Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer)1,500ppm, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Allantoin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil

One again, I think this serum is a considerable option if you're looking for something with soothing and healing benefits, and if you don't mind having essential oils as the last two ingredients. Since it contains less than 1% of Hyaluronic acid, it might not be the most hydrating option in today's list and therefore, it is not a terrible product but it is definitely not one that will repurchase or recommend.

Pros: Oil-free and has soothing and healing benefits.
Cons: Not concentrated with Hyaluronic acid and contains two essential oils.

The next product is the Real Comforting Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Ampoule from Nature Republic. This ampoule contains three different forms of Hyaluronic acid - Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydriolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, and Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate. Additionally, this ampoule is also concentrated with many other types of humectants. Since the ingredient list for this ampoule is not as short as compared to the other products in this list, I was hoping to find some calming and soothing ingredients, but surprisingly there are none.

Ingredients: Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 1.2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, C12-14 Pareth-12, Tromethamine, Ethylhexyglicerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta

While I was doing my research on this product, I found out that many of its promotional content listed this as an ampoule for sensitive skin. Unfortunately, I think otherwise, as the strong scent of the two essential oils in this product can be smelled the moment I remove the cap. Although this product has one of the nicest packaging, and it is also one of the most expensive product, it is not an ampoule that I will use or recommend. Especially when I have so many more better options to choose from!

Pros: Contains multiple hydrating ingredients.
Cons: Not highly concentrated in Hyaluronic acid, contains essential oils and doesn't provide any other skincare benefits.

Purito is one of my favourite non-mainstream Korean skincare brand and so it only makes sense for me to try their Pure Hyaluronic Acid 90 serum ($15).
I think the ingredients are quite comparable to The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum since its key ingredients are both Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5. However, because it didn't state the percentage of the Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate is the 7th ingredient, I would say that you'll definitely get more from The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum. Nevertheless, I have been enjoying this product due to its simple and minimal ingredient list and I think it is a good option to consider if you are unable to purchase The Ordinary from where you are living.

Pros: Provides hydrating and soothing benefits, oil-free and fragrance-free.
Cons: Concentration of Hyaluronic acid is unknown.

I am honestly so surprised at how great most of the products turned out! Even though reviewing products is a part of my job, I really hate it when I end up with a bad product that will only take up space in my tiny room and so I love that I am able to use and make the most out of these products! As you saw from the ingredient lists, I love that none of the products contain drying alcohol, and a huge majority of them are oil-free, making them suitable for people with acne-prone skin like mine. Essential oils are noted to be famous is Korean beauty. I have people telling me that they refuse to try Korean beauty because they are 'pretty sure' it will be drowned in fragrances! Therefore, I am happy to see that changes are starting to take place as consumers and companies are finally starhttps://youtu.be/36qKLUDuMuUting to become aware of the harmful effects of essential oils on our skin!



Once again, the discovery of these amazing hyaluronic acid products will not be possible without the kind generosity I received from Joohky, and so make sure to check them out if you're interested in any of the products I've mentioned, or any other Korean beauty products!

WATCH THE VIDEO REVIEW HERE.

Labels: beauty, face, korean, review, skincare