Have you heard of Innisfree? It’s a South Korean beauty brand that believes in using natural products sourced from the volcanic island of Jeju. They’re now available in India – in Khan Market in New Delhi – and the team sent us a sample of some of their favourite products to review. It was our first exposure to the brand, so we split up the products and tested everything from masks, to face washes, to mineral mists, to shower gels. Many people swear by Korean beauty brands, so if you’re looking at exploring a brand that you can get right here in India, read on for our thoughts to see whether you should be picking up any of the products!
Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum
Dhruvi says, “When the Innisfree products came to the office, I instinctively gravitated towards the green tea seed serum. I haven’t had clear skin for a long time until recently, when I started working out and following a healthy diet. But the most important thing I know about skin is that it should look moisturised and hydrated. One of our biggest drawbacks is that we don’t drink enough water and our skin looks dull. I found that this serum worked on exactly that. The consistency is moisture-rich and spreads easily. After applying it for about 5 days, I felt like I had baby skin and a glow. It gave me a major boost and confidence. I would recommend this product to any girl who is looking to supplement her beauty products.”
Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist
Rashmi says, “I really like the concept of a mineral mist – something to carry along with you for a quick pick-me-up when your skin starts feeling parched. In that sense, I love the packaging of this product since it’s fuss-free and lightweight; easy to carry around and use. I like the actual product as well – it’s refreshing and works when you need a little extra moisture. However, what I don’t like is that the mist is not fine, so when I spray, I can see droplets and white residue on my face. It’s nothing a dab with a tissue can’t fix, but ideally, this should not be required. Still, it’s a good product, although I’m saving it for the winter months when my skin gets really dry.”
Innisfree Green Tea Pure Sleeping Pack
Karen says, “When you first pick up the bottle, you’re just plain bewildered what a sleeping mask is. Is it something to induce sleep? A quick Google search later revealed that this product replaces your night cream or anti-ageing serum. Owing to green tea being the principal ingredient, it is light and the consistency is almost gel-like. It was easily absorbed into the skin and left a cooling sensation. Perfect for the cruel summer we have been experiencing. The pack is aimed at replenishing moisture and making your skin supple. After a couple of weeks usage, I can see the difference. My face feels softer and plumper.”
Innisfree Green Tea Mask & Wine jelly mask
Gigi says, “The Innisfree Green Tea Mask is an easy to apply, non messy mask that refreshes your skin. Its mask comes pre-prepared so you don’t have to deal with the sloppiness that your mask in a jar brings. The tissue is infused with a blend of herbs and fruit & flower extracts and real green tea. All I had to do was open the pack, pat on the tissue, leave on for 15 minutes, enjoy the cool sensation and peel off! No dripping, no messing up the hair, no leftovers in my eyebrows! My skin feels plush and hydrated. The Innisfree masks are definitely going into my beauty regime.”
Karen says, “With a name like Wine Jelly Mask you’re wondering what concoction has Innisfree come up with? Thankfully, it’s a wonderfully heady one that will make you want to reach right out for a glass of red. The gauze mask has cut outs for the nose, eyes and mouth. Once applied, the wonderful smell of Chateau Margaux permeates your nostrils. The jelly like mask feels wonderful against the skin – it’s cooling which was perfect for a hot summer afternoon application. The only drawback is that there is no estimated time of removal. I left mine on for half-hour and once removed my skin felt instantly clearer and fresher.”
Innisfree Tangerine Blossom Perfumed Body Shower Gel & Body Essence
Gigi says, “This Tangerine Blossom set came in a cube with a shower gel, body essence and loofah. Not untrue to its packaging, the products are perfumed with a strong fragrance – the initial woody notes (a bit too overwhelming for summer) eventually graduate to a light and charming citrus scent which lingers even hours after use. What really impressed me was the post wash effect of the shower gel. It does not dry your skin like other gels and soaps. Instead it leaves a you with a smooth silky texture leaving you feeling luxurious.”
Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Kit
Rashmi says, “I have large pores and fairly dry skin, which is such an irritating combination – most pore-cleansing products are a bit drying since those with large pores tend to have oily skin. However, I really liked this kit, which came with two types of clay masks, a face wash, a scrub and a toner. The pore cleansing foam is fantastic. I can see the difference in my pore size immediately after using this product (especially around my forehead), and the best part is, it’s really gentle. The pore scrub foam is equally good, and I use it once every few days for a little extra exfoliation. I’ve been using the masks more as a spot treatment for pimples, and it’s worked well in this regard, drying them out overnight. Unfortunately, I find the masks difficult to apply; the consistency is odd and doesn’t spread well across my face, so I’ve avoided using it as a proper mask (and I think it may be too drying for my skin anyway). Finally, I like the toner too – it’s not drying (as some toners can be), although I didn’t see any real difference in my pore size.”
Overall, we’re fairly impressed by Innisfree products: they’re products that work well, and they’re eco-friendly, which make them even better. Our favourite products would be the Green Tea Seed Serum, the Jeju Volcanic Cleansing Foam and the Green Tea & Wine Jelly masks.