By Rosy Day Blog
COSRX Low pH BHA Overnight Mask & PHA Barrier Mist Product ReviewsDisclosure:I received these products from Cupidrop in exchange for my honest review. I was not given any money to do this review. I enjoy doing product reviews to share my own experiences with the product and hope someone finds it useful. I do not work for COSRX or Cupidrop. Brand Overview: COSRX stands for COSmetics + RX. They are a South-Korean brand that earned a cult following due to their AHA/BHA products that were (at the time) hard to find in the Korean market. Here in the U.S. AHA/BHA are everywhere, but what probably sets COSRX's AHA/BHA products apart is that they are affordable high performance products with safe ingredients and no known side-effects. That is not to say that the AHA/BHA products here don't work, but I found that a lot of the AHA/BHA products here can be a bit more on the harsh side especially for someone with semi-sensitive skin such as myself. I'm always up for having more options for all the different skin types out there. Overnight Mask Description: As quoted from Cupidrop, its a "moisturizing sleeping mask that reveals a softer, brighter complexion in the morning. It contains 0.9% BHA which smoothes out the skin without irritation, so you can relax and sleep throughout the night knowing that your skin is fully taken care of." Barrier Mist Description: As quoted from, it "acts as a shield to protect and strengthen your skin’s barrier, which is vital to keeping your skin happy and healthy! This fine mist contains 0.5 % PHA (Gluconolactone) to make sure your skin’s pH level is on point while acting as a thin shield to prevent moisture from evaporating from your skin—perfect for the colder weather when the wind is blowing and the air is dry!" Overnight Mask Claims: To gently smooth and brighten skin over night. Barrier Mist Claims: Keep prior skincare steps from evaporating and keep skin hydrated/lasting hydration. Overnight Mask Notable Ingredients:
Barrier Mist Notable Ingredients:
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Betaine, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Beeswax, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Water, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethyl Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil Barrier Mist Full Ingredients List: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide Overnight Mask How-To: Instructions from Cupidrop are "As the last step of your skincare routine, apply evenly onto face and gently massage to aid in absorption. Apply SPF if used during daytime." Barrier Mist How-To: Cosrx's website says "It works as a ‘shield’ keeping prior skincare steps from evaporating and make your face moisturized." Their official directions are "Spray on your face evenly and gently pat on it." Since this mist is supposed to be a shield, I would personally use this as my last step (but before makeup and/or sunscreen) to seal everything in, or in-between specific skin care steps. Since it's a "low ph mist", you can also use this right after you wash your face to keep your ph level down (especially if you use a high ph cleanser). Finally it's most basic use, you can just use this mist to freshen up or hydrate your face whenever you feel like it (sometimes we just need a little pick-me-up). Overnight Mask Packaging: In typical Cosrxy fashion, it comes in a very simple no-frills kind of packaging. It looks very unisex and is totally something I can see myself getting for my boyfriend. I do appreciate that it comes in a tube for convenience, though it kind of looks like a tube of toothpaste from a distance, LOL. It doesn't look fancy, but that just means that Cosrx probably put more care into the simplicity and effectiveness of their product. Barrier Mist Packaging: This is actually one of Cosrx's more pretty packaging. It's an attractive baby blue gradient color that gives you a sense of something calming and soothing. In fact, the design of this mist kind of looks similar to some of Laneige's stuff. A bit of a surprise from Cosrx but I think what is more surprising is that the nozzle on this mist if well-made. It truly delivers a fine mist. Overnight Mask Scent & Texture: I didn't really notice much of a scent with this product. There might be faint traces of something, but nothing specific that comes to mind. If you're sensitive to strong fragrances (like floral/perfume-type scents for example), you won't experience that with this product. As for the texture, it's thick. It actually kind of feels like Aquafor to me - a kind of petroleum-like consistancy (think Vasaline). However, I'm happy to say that this product isn't greasy at all, but I think it's hydrating enough that you can probably skip your usual moisturizer and just use this after your toner or essence/serum steps. Although I think this would suit all skin types, those with oily skin might find this a tad heavy if they're not used to products with this consistency. Barrier Mist Scent & Texture: Just like with the Overnight Mask, I didn't really detect any scent with this product. In fact, the mist comes out so fine, I'm not sure you'd be able to catch any specific scent, LOL. This isn't one of those mists that are loaded with oil that you have to shake up, etc. This pretty much feels like you're misting your face with water which is not necessarily a bad thing if you just want something light to refresh your face with. Overnight Mask Performance: Prior to using this product, I was already regularly use actives such as tretinoin and vitamin C, so I didn't really see any drastic results especially since my face was already fairly smooth (just a few minor breakouts that were on their way out). Still, this product was gentle enough that any exisiting breakouts did't get any worse (they got better actually) and my face wasn't red/irritated. I also used this product in place of my usual night moisturizer and I didn't feel like my face lacked hydration or the product's consistency weighed it down (I have combo/dry skin during the fall/winter). Since the product is only 0.9% BHA, don't expect any drastic results. They are still there, but as this product is geared more towards sensitive skin, you will have to use this longer to eventually see the results in the long term. However, because it's so gentle, you can probably use it every night without any problems if you wanted to (just work your way up to it to make sure you can personally tolerate it). Barrier Mist Performance: I've tried this mist right after taking a shower/washing my face (to bring my PH down) and as the last step of my skincare routine after moisturizer (to seal everything in). It definitely does not leave a dewy finish if you're looking for that type of a face mist. The mist does what it's supposed to do - it actually lightly hydrates your face with a fine mist. If you have oily but dehydrated skin, it might be all you really need, but I feel like all other skin types will just be left wanting more. Overnight Mask Pros:
Overnight Mask Cons:
Barrier Mist Pros:
Barrier Mist Cons:
Overnight Mask & Barrier Mist Final Impressions: I have a bit of some mixed feelings about the products because I think Cosrx in general is a good brand. However, while the Overnight Mask wasn't my favorite, I can definitely see someone purchasing it (I would get it for my boyfriend). If you want an affordable, "no frills" kind of exfoliating sleeping mask, this would be my pick (it also seems like a good product for sensitive skin). Otherwise, some might not find this product all that interesting or they already have a similar sleeping mask that does the same thing but "better". The Barrier Mist on the otherhand, even with its great fine mist nozzle, the rest of it seems to be very "boring" compared to some of Cosrx's other offerings. There are so many other face mists within the same price range that have better ingredients, I'm not sure there would be any reason to get this mist. It's still a decent mist, just I'm not sure what would cause someone to suddenly start using this particular mist or drop their existing mist just to try the Cosrx Barrier Mist. I will just end this post with, both products do what they're supposed to do with fairly minimal ingredients (for sensitive skin in mind) and at affordable prices. Overnight Mask 3/5 = Good product, but I feel like there are others that are better. I still think this is a decent pick for its price point. Barrier Mist 2.5/5 = Just ok. I really do like how the nozzle sprays a fine mist. If Cosrx were to revamp the ingredients in this in the future, this can be a potential winner. As of right now, it seems like many are kind of underwhelmed with this product. Worth a try if you're into Cosrx, but it's pretty much a pass. Sorry Cosrx. Where to Buy: Cupidrop Similar Products: I offer you some suggestions for similar products if you are still interested in general for a (mostly) gentle exfoliating sleeping mask.
I'm not going to list any similar face mists as I feel like there are far too many out there that there is definitely a mist for everyone. Any questions about the products and/or my experience? Just let me know!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
RSS Feed
