Where do you buy K-beauty? One of my go-to stores is Wishtrend for one reason - even a skincare newbie will find there everything that you need on your new skincare journey, or if you're an advanced skincare addict to boost your routine. Thanks to Wishtrend, I was able to test one of their Wish Recipe - Dew is Better Than One Recipe. This recipe contains elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop - two products that can help you with various skin problems.
Why Vitamin C and Niacinamide are a great match?
I feel like mixing ingredients is still a controversial topic. I love to use the Picky app for conversations, but sometimes I discuss on Instagram with people too - not every published research is right and it's good to read a few papers. Both Vitamin C and Niacinamide are great for your skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with pigmentation, boosts UVB protection (that's why it's good to use it during the morning routine), helps with collagen and elastin synthesis. If you have problems with red veins on your skin that looks like tiny spiders - Vitamin C will strengthen the skin and prevent them. If you touch your skin and red veins get white when you touch them then there's still a chance Vitamin C can help you remove them (if they stay red, it's a good time to think about visiting an aesthetician). Niacinamide on the other hand helps with wrinkles, acne, collagen synthesis and skin barrier. Together these two substances make a unique brightening duo.
About elmt
Elmt is a Korean brand in Wishtrend's portfolio and another brand from Wishcompany. Elmt means nothing else than element, when the brand was released, the marketing slogan was "your skin's missing element". The main foundation of the brand is the use of high-quality ingredients and research. The motto is "Skincare Unframed". Elmt is not only focused on your skin but sustainability and ecology. Right now Elmt has only four solutions released. Elmt is a cruelty-free & vegan-friendly brand, all solutions created by the brand are free from silicone oil, artificial scent and colouring.
All you need to know about elmt Skin Illuminating Solution
I've made a review of elmt Skin Illuminating Solution before, you can read the full review where you can find details about packaging such as the use of EarthPact® and the entire line of elmt. In this post, we will go through ingredients and how does it work with Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
elmt Skin Illuminating Solution - ingredients
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Panthenol, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Resveratrol, Cyanocobalamin
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water is a moisturizing solution. Grape in skincare has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, but it's a source of flavonoids, resveratrol, tartaric and malic acid as well. Still, fruit water is a quality hydrating ingredient for your skin. According to the brand, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water and Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract make 51,91% of elmt Skin Illuminating Solution. It might even make your pores look smaller - it does not shrink your pores since pores can't shrink, but it can make them appear smaller than they are. This duo boosts collagen production and promotes the skin cell turnover process. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products - it's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and make your hair stronger. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 - a vitamin soluble in water. It helps with wrinkles, acne, skin texture, enlarged pores and promotes collagen synthesis. Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger, and it might be handy in cellulite treatments. Do you want to fight pigmentation or uneven skin? Try mixing niacinamide with Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid or Retinol. Water hides in a cosmetic product under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. If we want to use water in skincare products, we need to make sure this water is clean and free from minerals, any microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product. Glycerin is a humectant. Its origin can be natural or synthetic - depending on the product. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs - natural moisturizing factors. It's practical in haircare. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it just the opposite - it protects your skin from irritation. Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Similar to dipropylene glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative. It protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis. Hydroxyacetophenone reminds me of acetone as an antioxidant, but it is an antioxidant that keeps our products fresh and protects ingredients from oxidation. Trehalose is sugar and another moisturizer in this formula. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract is an antioxidant with antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It's a source of flavonoids, resveratrol, tartaric and malic acid. Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with irritation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In haircare, Panthenol has moisturizing properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Xanthan Gum is a thickener and stabilizer which you can find in food and skincare. Allantoin is a powerful ingredient in skincare, and I think we have all known it since the early days. My family didn't imagine my childhood without this cream. Allantoin derives from comfrey, and it has soothing properties, but it also speeds up the healing process, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in grapes. We all know what antioxidants do - they fight free radicals and fix damage created by them, UV light and the environment. Cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12 is not so popular in skincare, we all associate this vitamin with the one vitamin that vegans and vegetarians have problems with. Vitamin B12 like all vitamins have an important role in our bodies, it helps us function. During my med school, I was told to avoid B12 in skincare if you have acne, but for mature skin, this vitamin can make it look better.
About Klairs
Klairs is a K-beauty brand, and one of the first South Korean brands I've ever tried. The motto of the company is 'simple but enough'. Klairs is a part of Wishcompany, and its origins take us back to 2012 when Klairs officially became a part of Wishcompany. The name meaning is a bit different from other brands. According to Klairs, the name Dear, Klairs comes from the fictional character Klair, a girl with sensitive skin, the name is like a letter to her. Even if the full name of a brand is Dear, Klairs we stick to using Klairs and honestly, I barely ever see anyone using the full name of a company. Klairs notice how changing, and challenging the cosmetic market can be that's why they decided to focus on quality over quantity. 'Simple but enough' means that the brand won't create many products, instead they focus on simple solutions. The brand doesn't only listen to customers, and their ideas, but Klairs focus on the environment is a part of the brand's mission. All skin types can use Klairs products. The brand is cruelty-free and vegetarian-friendly, the majority of products are vegan-friendly. You won't find here parabens, artificial colourants and scents. I don't think parabens are evil, but some people prefer to avoid them.
All you need to know about Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
I'm aware that the review of Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is only available in Polish due to some problems with the script, but I feel like there are changes in how I felt about Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop in 2016 and now after 5 years (since I tested this serum in November and December 2016). Instead of reviewing like I always do - talk about each different component that I think is important in the product, the review is going to be a bit different. Let's see the ingredients first.
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop - Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Illicium Verum(Anise) Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi(Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Asarum Sieboldi Root Extract, Quercus Mongolia Leaf Extract, Persicaria Hydropiper Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, SH-Oligopeptide-1, SH-Oligopeptide-2, SH-Polypeptide-1, SH-Polypeptide-9, SH-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Soybean/Folic Acid Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water hides in a cosmetic product under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. If we want to use water in skincare products, we need to make sure this water is clean and free from minerals, any microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product. You can love or hate Propylene Glycol. It's alcohol, but not every alcohol is bad. Organic skincare companies usually are against it, while in fact, Propylene Glycol helps with transferring active ingredients through the skin, it's also a good moisturizer and solvent. Ascorbic Acid is an antioxidant that stimulates collagen (type I and III) and elastin production. It helps with pigmentation - both PIE & PIH. It is better to use vitamin C during the morning routine because it boosts the efficiency of sunscreen. Ascorbic Acid can fix what free radicals destroy. Brands recommend mixing Ascorbic Acid with ferulic acid and vitamin E. Vitamin C has a cardinal role in strengthening the blood vessels and boosting wound healing. Ascorbic Acid in a concentration above 10% might be too irritative for sensitive skin or rosacea - even some acne-prone skins might not enjoy it. Hydroxyethylcellulose is a thickener. Centella Asiatica Extract is probably the most popular extract in skincare. It comes under a few names - Asiatic pennywort, tiger grass or Gotu kola. Centella Asiatica's roots are in Ayurveda. This extract is successful for a reason - it's a source of triterpene saponins - madecassoside and asiaticoside. Centella Asiatica Extract has anti-inflammatory properties. It speeds up the wound healing process. You can use it to treat acne since it has soothing and antibacterial properties. It boosts fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin or even help with hyaluronic acid synthesis. Centella is recommended for rosacea and cellulitis since it helps with blood microcirculation. In haircare, Centella can help with hair growth. Citrus Junos (Yuzu) Fruit Extract is a source of many important substances like vitamin C and hesperidin. In South Korea, this plant is called Yuja, in Japan - Yuzu and China - Youzi. Japan has a tradition of yuzu baths during the winter solstice. Such a bath is supposed to help the immune system and make you more relaxed. In skincare, Citrus Junos (Yuzu) Fruit Extract is an antioxidant. This substance should help with acne and mature skin. Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract has a typical scent - like all Star Anise ingredients and products. Star Anise Seed, also called Badian is a plant that you probably know from your kitchen, but it has a long story of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was used to treat various health problems like nausea. Some brands use Star Anise as an astringent. Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract is an exfoliant that brightens your skin. It’s popular for normal skin types and dull skin. Some companies use Grapefruit Fruit Extract in anti-ageing products. Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract has moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Paeonia Suffruticosa is a symbol of wealth and good luck. This plant is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Mu Dan Pi and it can be used to cure nosebleeds. In skincare, companies use Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract as an anti-inflammation treatment. Scutellaria Baicalensis - we know this herb from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Skullcap Root Extract is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can brighten your skin a bit. Scutellaria hides under the name Huang Qin, and it helps with inflammation and allergy. Polysorbate 60 is an emulsifier.
Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract is an astringent. Broccoli is a source of vitamin C. People believe that this extract can have brightening properties. Chaenomeles Sinensis (Quince) Fruit Extract is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It comes from Chinese quince, and it's a source of flavonoids and vitamin C - that's why it might have brightening properties. Chaenomeles Sinensis (Quince) Fruit Extract can moisturize your skin as well. Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil is an essential oil. It gives an orange scent to the product. Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a stabilizer typical for gel formulas. Disodium EDTA neutralizes metal ions in the formula to keep products fresh for a longer time. Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil is an essential oil that you might love or hate. It has some relaxing and antibacterial properties, but it can irritate your skin. Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract adds scent to the product. Larix Europaea Wood Extract has moisturizing properties. Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract or Golden Chamomile has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Rheum Palmatum Root Extract is an astringent with anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with acne and wrinkles. This plant is also called Chinese rhubarb. Asarum Sieboldi Root Extract brightens the skin and stimulates hair growth. Persicaria Hydropiper Extract is supposed to be an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract had anti-inflammatory properties, it can even be a potent antioxidant. Coptis Chinensis (Chinese Gold Thread) Root Extract has anti-inflammatory properties. It's also an antioxidant. Coptis Chinensis is one of the main herbs in Chinese Traditional Medicine because this herb is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It soothes the skin and might help with acne and cellulitis. Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract is an antimicrobial ingredient. Lysine HCL or Lysine Hydrochloride is a form of amino acid. This ingredient stimulates important processes in our body, it helps with hair growth as well as making skin barrier and hair stronger. Even sensitive skin should enjoy this one. Proline is another amino acid, it helps with skin elasticity. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate aka SAP is a stable form of Vitamin C which I love, it doesn't need low pH, it works with higher values than pH 3. This antioxidant helps me a lot with pigmentation - especially if you add niacinamide and use them both at the same time, even if this mix is not the best for sensitive skin. This form might also help with acne in small concentrations. Acetyl Methionine is another amino acid on the list. Theanine is an amino acid with moisturizing properties. Lecithin is a great emollient. Acetyl Glutamine is supposed to moisturize the skin.
SH-Oligopeptide-1 or EGF aka Epidermal Growth Factor. I'm a fan of EGF and FGF. EGF is like this signal for your cells to start working. EGF speeds up the healing process, it can make a significant change in your skin texture. It shouldn't be used if you have a history with skin cancer (or it's good to wait at least 5 years before you use peptides - I'm not sure how it looks abroad but in Poland, I was taught to wait 5 years before I use peptides or do some treatments since I had a history with mild skin cancer, I'm using EGF, FGF and other peptides and so far the removed skin change is not back). SH-Oligopeptide-2 or IGF-1 aka Insulin-like growth factor 1 also helps with skin texture and wound healing. SH-Polypeptide-1 or FGF2 aka Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor stimulates collagen synthesis. SH-Polypeptide-9 or VEGF aka Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is one of the most common growth factors in skin care products. It helps with wound healing and wrinkles.
SH-Polypeptide-11 or FGF1 aka Acidic Fibroblast growth factor is probably one of my favourite growth factors since it helped me before with skin texture. It helps with wound healing and collagen, but with all growth factors, we have to remember that not everyone should use them. They still need more research so not everyone recommends them, personally, I enjoy them and I'm glad that even during my studies we talk about peptides and growth factors more often. Bacillus/Soybean/Folic Acid Ferment Extract has brightening properties. Sodium Hyaluronate is a salt form of a popular Natural Moisturizing Factor - Hyaluronic Acid. Caprylyl Glycol is a moisturizer and an oily emollient. It leaves a delicate, protective film on your skin. But that's not all, Caprylyl Glycol is useful when you want to keep your product free from unfriendly stuff like microbes. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and make your hair stronger. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative - it protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis.
My experience with Dew Is Better Than One Recipe - elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
Let me tell you a history of my skin before I was able to test Dew Is Better Than One Recipe thanks to Wishtrend I went for treatment from one French brand - a mix of Vitamin C, acids and zinc to make my skin brighter and remove my acne. Sadly, my skin is not a fan of zinc and I ended up with even worse acne and more scars than before. One of the most known combinations of Niacinamide is Niacinamide + Zinc. For my skin, it's probably the worst combination ever. Since I was a teenager my body reacted badly to zinc - my first and last oral acne treatment was a zinc supplement. I remember that my mom had to pick me up from school earlier because zinc made me vomit. I tried zinc in skincare a few times - including zinc and niacinamide. Every journey with zinc ended up with more breakouts than regular and no matter if I used it for a month or two instead of getting better it always ended up worse. Niacinamide + Zinc combination wasn't for me.
For a while, I thought that niacinamide is not for me since many niacinamide serums made my skin very red. Even my mom and friends from med school noticed the redness that's why the majority of Niacinamide + Vit C serums I was able to use as spot treatments. The change started with elmt. Skin Illuminating Solution contains 10% of Niacinamide, at first I was scared of it, but somehow this solution doesn't cause me any redness. I'm not sure if it's because of Cyanocobalamin, Resveratrol or another ingredient. My first meeting with elmt Skin Illuminating Solution was very positive, but I wasn't sure how my skin will react to elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop mix.
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is a 15% Vitamin C solution. 15% (in total) of Ascorbic Acid + SAP is an interesting composition. I have to admit that for many of my friends Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is a must-have Vitamin C. Not every solution is as stable in white glass as Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. Even if you are supposed to use this serum in 6 months after opening it. So far I'm almost ending the bottle and it didn't change colour at all.
There are two ways in which you can apply this duo. You can use it the way Wishtrend recommends or the way I do it. Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop has a very nice pipette which makes it easy to apply the serum. This solution is a bit oily in touch and the first application might be weird since it makes your skin hot! There's nothing wrong with this product, but it can make your skin feels a bit warm at first. Some people might not enjoy this feeling, but I do. To prevent this warm feeling on the skin use elmt Skin Illuminating Solution.
How does the application look according to Wishtrend? Start with cleansing. You can add toner of your choice as a next step (eventually you can use elmt Skin Illuminating Solution or other solution from elmt as a first step). The next step is patting 3-4 drops of Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop into your skin until it gets absorbed and follows this step with elmt Skin Illuminating Solution by gently patting it into the skin as well. You can use a cotton pad or hand to do this. The next step should be a moisturizer of your choice. If you use this duo during the morning routine - remember to use SPF!
The way I ended up applying this solution is a bit different. I'm aware that it's better to use Vitamin C during the morning routine, but usually, my make-up is not a fan of Vitamin C, that's why I've decided to test this duo in the evening routine, especially when Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop has bit oily formula. I start my routine with cleansing, then follow it with elmt Skin Illuminating Solution. This solution is liquid like a toner and it's good to pat it into your skin with your own hands or use a cotton pad. I'm not a fan of cotton pads for other steps than removing makeup (more like the pre-cleansing step, I use cotton pads with micellar water only). Patting your skin after cleansing and while using a toner it's a good idea to help with the absorption of the product and locking the moisture. The next step is Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. Apply a few drops onto the face or palm of your hand and then massage your skin. You can add another layer of elmt Skin Illuminating Solution next or just go to another step - eye cream and moisturizer. If you use this duo during the morning routine - remember about SPF!
This duo is supposed to help with skin brightens and pigmentation, but also reduce signs of ageing, making your skin moist, bouncy and protected from environmental damage. I do feel like my skin gets better protection from free radical damage because of the antioxidants in both solutions, but I also spot that my skin condition is better, and you can see it on your own on the photos above - my skin got brighter and less irritated. I still occasionally get some acne, but it doesn't leave as bad scars on my skin as before. The skin doesn't look dull or red (and by red, I mean hot flaming red). I feel like Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop because the oily formula has a positive meaning for my skin moisture, especially now during the winter. I'll only add an information that I tested this product for a month and it's good to give yourself at least 28 days to see results. On the after photo I got mattifying sunscreen on that's why skin might look less shiny.
Where to get Wish Recipe - Dew is Better Than One Recipe?
Dew is Better Than One Recipe contains one bottle (150ml) of elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and one bottle (35ml) of Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. Dew is Better Than One Recipe* costs $43 for a set, but currently, you can get it for 20% off ($34.40) on Wishtrend*.
Wishtrend* is a K-beauty store with many amazing brands like I'm From, Rovectin, Soo Good, By Wishtrend, COSRX and a few more. Every month Wishtrend has great deals and routines - I guess one of the most common routines is Wish, Try, Love.
Overall, I'm surprised how well elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop work together. I'm glad that Wishtrend made it possible for me to test this duo because I think I would never figure out how nicely you can mix them together. Both treatments work in synergy to provide better brightening and moisturizing effects for your skin.
Have you ever tried any product from elmt and Klairs?
**This post was made in a collaboration with Wishtrend even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product. This post contains affiliate links - you don't have to use them, but I would be thankful if you can use my links and promocodes - they help me pay for domain and all cost related to blogging and sharing posts and photos with you. ***
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