HYAAH Skincare

Where I got it

If you are not subscribed to the StyleKorean IG channel, you have to get on there because they do sneak peeks on new product launches as well as exclusive review events like this one. They shared a link to apply for a chance to receive and review the new HYAAH goodies and I was lucky enough to be one of 50 people to review these new goodies. I honestly have not heard of the brand before and have not seen them online until after I applied for it. So let’s have a look at the brand first…

HYAAH is Korean skincare brand. “Experience the above and beyond satisfaction with HYAAH. Good ingredients, honest processing, and continuous research which brings outstanding effects. Strong sense of pointing out the need to develop the best product instead of following a trend. Having a big heart to share good things with others.” – StyleKorean.com.

So I was contacted 2nd day after I applied to let me know the products are on their way to me as a “Try Me Review Me” event. And after a week, I have my hands on the goodies! Now let’s have a look at the products.

What I got

What I’ve got here are the HYAAH Mild But Deep Cleansing Water (300ml), Licorice First Essence (100ml), Ectoin 1% All-in-one Lotion (200ml), and Synergy Mask Pad (60 sheets).

Mild But Deep Cleansing Water (300ml). With HYAAH’s unique multi-micellar method, it quickly removes only impurities and makeup, while leaving moisture to prevent skin from drying out easily. It has strong cleansing power, a moist feeling like essence, and a gentle cleanser that can be used without worries. A 5-step deep cleansing system removes not only fine dust but also impurities in the pores and, also erases high-coverage base makeup and gorgeous eyeshadows with just one wipe. It is a low-irritant product that can be used daily without any concerns.

Key ingredients: Origanum Vulgare Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Soybean Ferment Portulaca Oleracea Cinnamomum Cassia and Scutellaria Baicalensis Root

Full ingredients: Purified water, dipropylene glycol, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, pentylene glycol, oregano leaf extract, cypress leaf extract, white willow bark extract, lactobacillus/soybean fermented extract, purslane extract, cinnamon bark extract, golden extract, polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate, polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, capryl/capramidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, disodium EDTA, butylene glycol, polyquaternium-51, tocopherol, 1,2-hexanediol, hydroxyacetophenone, ethylhexylglycerin

Licorice First Essence (100ml). HYAAH Licorice First Essence helps soothe the skin and can be beneficial for skin concerns such as anti-inflammatory effects, hives, and itching because of one of the key components of licorice, glycyrrhizin. Using a licorice mask as the first step after cleansing creates a soothing foundation for the skin, even when it’s sensitive and prone to irritation.

Ingredients: Purified water, licorice extract (20%), propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol allantoin, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

Synergy Mask Pad (60 sheets). HYAAH Synergy Mask Pad, extracted from clean Wando-grown kelp, containing alginic acid to improve pore size, density, transparency, and skin elasticity. Lasting moisture without stickiness with a thick cotton pad.

Ingredients: Purified water, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1, 2-nucleic acid diol, glyceres-26, glycerin, peony root extract, specialty extract, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, panthenol, allantoin, matricaria flower extract, ectoin, glyceryl caprylate tan gum, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium citrate, kelp extract, citric acid, dimethyl sodium sulphate, pantolactone, disodium EDTA.

Ectoin 1% All-in-one Lotion (100ml). HYAAH All In One Ectoin Lotion is a lightweight, hydrating lotion that soothes and protects your skin. Formulated with Ectoin, Ceramides, Squalane, and Cholesterol, it helps to strengthen the skin barrier, retain moisture, and enhance skin elasticity. It offers long-lasting moisturizing effects that last all day without feeling greasy. When using this for the first time, apply a small amount and allow your skin to adapt.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Squalane, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ectoin, Ceramide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Palmitic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide MEA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Cholesterol, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.

How I find it 

As always, I do the review in order of my skincare routine. So let’s start with the Mild but Deep Cleansing Water. I seldom use cleansing water as a full cleanse, but in this case, I used this for my double cleanse. So I use cotton pads to remove my makeup until my cotton pad is clean. It takes around 4 pads if I am hardly wearing any makeup, maybe only a correcting base and some blush and my brows. The cleansing water feels fresh and has a very slight, natural scent which is soothing, and calming. Moving forward, I would use a foaming cleansing as my second cleanse if I intend to continue using this in the future.

Next, we have the Licorice First Essence which is supposed to calm, soothe and balance my skin. Licorice extract is known for excellent soothing properties and it is safe for sensitive skin use. When your skin is red and irritated, you can apply the essence on cotton pads and leave it on the area for a few minutes to calm down irritation and reduce redness. I do not usually experience irritation, but I do get redness sometimes from rubbing my skin and this essence immediately brings it down without stinging. This essence also rehydrates the skin to achieve a good oil/water balance. The texture of this essence is similar to water, but slightly thicker so you can feel a difference.

After essence, we can use the Synergy Mask Pads. The thick cotton toner pads are soaked in 90% kelp extract to soothe and calm the skin, reduce redness, hydrate, and brighten the skin. It can be used as a toner pad to wipe over the skin after cleansing, or as a quick 1-2 minute quick mask after essence. Both the Licorice Essence and the essence in the mask pads are both very lightweight, so they can penetrate each other.

Lastly the Ectoin 1% All-in-one Lotion. I had no idea what Ectoin was and the name of the product does not give any hints. I suppose the packaging of the lotion would have mentioned something, but I had to do some research. Ectoin, is a synthetic or naturally derived amino acid used in skincare for it’s protective and hydrating effects on the skin. It serves as an emollient and can also have a buffering and anti-pollution effect. Research shows that ectoin can help protect skin from environmental stressors related to natural light, especially UVA rays and pollutants. The suggested percentages are between 0.3% – 2.0%, so 1% is sweet in the middle.

Alongside ectoin, this lotion also contains ceramides, squalane, and cholesterol which are all well-known and commonly used for dry skin, and irritated skin. To strenghten skin’s natural barrier, hydrate by creating a coat on the skin to prevent moisture loss. The lotion has a very simple texture and it just spreads and absorbs into the skin like a simple lotion. I would say this is a medium-density lotion so it is not too heavy for combination to oily skin types.

Overall

Overall, I think these are decent products, but they just really do not have an appealing outlook to them. If you have sensitive skin that needs soothing, and calming, you should give these products a try. I enjoyed the Licorice First Essence and Synergy Mask Pads the most because they are concentrated products whenever my skin needs rescue. The cleansing water is nice when I have only been wearing SPF or a light BB cream or something. If I am wearing foundation, I only trust cleansing oil or a cleansing balm to fully remove makeup. I enjoy massaging my face with the cleansing oil more than wiping cleansing water over my face with a cotton pad. I like the Licorice First Essence because of the slip it has and that ginseng-like scent. It hydrates my skin without heaviness and without a sticky film on my skin. While my skin is still damp