Another month, another round of empties. As the weather warmed up the number of “skins” increased, so this round feels like it’s at least 50% hydrating products. Products are listed in the order you might use them in a routine, with single-use skincare at the very end.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

This is possible the most effective first cleanse I’ve ever used — you can feel product pilling up as you massage it in. It emulsifies and rinses quite easily, too, though it takes a few rinses and a second cleanse to carry away eye makeup. I know some folks struggle with getting a film in their eyes but I never have so I can’t speak to whether this does that or not. This does have a fragrance to it, which I would characterize as “that one laundromat in La Défense (Paris)” — a bit of a strong laundry smell which can be a bit off-putting if that’s not your jam. It includes rice bran water and a variety of plant extracts for brightening and antioxidant benefits, but realistically it’s not on your skin long enough to actually give any of those benefits.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $27 USD / 80 g

I’m From Honey Mask

The I’m From Honey Mask is a cult favorite for good reason. If you’re the sort of person who leaves their wash-off masks on for far too long, this is the mask for you — leave it on for 10 minutes or up to 60 (or over, if you’re me) and you’ll experience no ill effects. I love this mask for use after a clay or exfoliating mask to help restore my skin, and for an additional boost if I’m experiencing inflammation. This mask has honey, propolis and bee venom, as well as, moisturizing oils like sunflower and jojoba, and humectants like bamboo water, lotus water, aloe water, beta glucan and glycerin. This is one of the few products that I’ve ever actively hoarded until I could get a replacement.
Rating: 10/10
Price: $38 USD / 120 g

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask

This is PTR’s version of the “get all the gunk out of your skin” masks, with mud (specifically moor mud so theoretically with more antioxidant benefits), charcoal and clay, as well as a bit of lactic acid. As far as these types of masks go, it’s actually a pretty good one — I didn’t find it to be drying at all (a combination of the glycerin and seaweed, probably). That said, this is black as, well, moor mud, and it WILL get all over everything and stain it, so beware on that front. I would probably consider rebuying if it suited my skin concerns, since a little goes a long way with this.
Rating: 6/10
Price: $42 USD / 50 mL

Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner

This is a great toner for sensitive skin — really skin smoothing and hydrating. In terms of texture, it’s lighter than Dear Klairs (which I compared it to in my recent Face Off post) but heavier than my holy grail Cosrx Cica Toner. The packaging and feel of this are both very elegant. I definitely enjoyed using it and will almost certainly repurchase, even though it wasn’t as deeply hydrating as I prefer.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $20 USD / 200 mL

I’m From Rice Toner

I picked the mini size of this up on a whim due to its cult appeal, and I’m sold. I discussed it at length in my Face Off post between it and Laneige in May. The hero ingredients on this are rice extract, niacinamide and rice bran extract, as well as a whole bunch of other plant extracts. It’s milky but lightweight — great for layering. I didn’t use it long enough to truly see any brightening benefits, but I plan on purchasing the full size.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $28 USD / 150 mL for the full-size; shown in the $8 USD / 30 mL mini

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner

I’m officially sold on mists. Not for using them throughout the day, but for using them throughout my routine to easily keep my skin damp. This toner is mostly coptis japonica root extract, plus the humectants glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Coptis japonica root extract is a soothing antioxidant, so there’s no harm in multiple applications per routine, despite this toner being marketed more towards oily skin — I suspect that’s because oilier skin types tend to be able to use mists during the day without their skin drying out. For my part, I found the diffuser to be simple but release a really refreshing blast of toner. I’m not sure if I’ll repurchase, but there’s a good chance I’ll refill the container.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $19 USD / 200 mL

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

This was basically the first “essence toner” to really get popular, and put Pyunkang Yul on the map in the western market in a lot of ways. As the first of its type, a lot of folks didn’t really know how to use it — was it an essence? Was it a toner? Did parsing that difference really matter? The answers are yes, yes and maybe. This is an essence in that its very focused on a single ingredient (astragalus membranaceus root extract, aka milk vecht root extract), which is the focus of many of Pyunkang Yul’s products that are geared towards dry skin. It’s also a toner in that you can feel comfortable putting on several layers and apply directly after cleansing. That said, this definitely has a nearly jelly texture, so if you’re really into seven skins you probably won’t want to use this for all seven. I really enjoyed the texture of this, and have actually already picked up the full version.
Rating: 10/10
Price: $19 USD / 200 mL for the full-size; shown in the $4 USD / 30 mL mini

Cosrx Propolis Light Ampoule

I love a propolis serum (or ampoule — it’s really six of one, half dozen of the other). I picked this up when it was half off at Ulta since I’m a sucker for Cosrx and propolis, and since it came recommended by a friend. This has a bit of a gel or syrupy texture as well, surprisingly similar to the PKY Essence Toner. I did find that when I was using this in tandem with a light daily exfoliation I got basically no spots (I do tend to get hormonal blemishes). I would give this full points but I feel like I went through it pretty quickly given the texture — I needed a whole dropper to get good coverage.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $28 USD / 30 mL

Primera Alpine Berry Water Cream

As someone with normal-dry skin, I don’t usually go for water creams because I think of them as being for oilier skin. But since I had a trial size of this, I decided to give it a try as a day cream. If this is the texture of water creams, well, I am sold on water creams. The texture of this felt super bougie and luxe. I found the fragrance a bit off-putting, though, as it doesn’t fade down as fast as I’d like and is oddly floral. Disappointingly, the ingredients they tout as hero ingredients (fruit extracts and mugwort) are pretty low on the inci list (near the fragrance, actually). I don’t think I’d repurchase but I’m definitely interested in trying more water creams now.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $40 USD / 50 mL, shown here in a trial size

Krave Beauty The Beet Shield

I’m apt to list this every month up until my backstock ends, since that’s how fast I go through it. I’m still sad it’s been discontinued, and really hope they release a reformulation soon.
Rating: 10/10
Price: N/A, discontinued

Bonus Round: Single-Use Skincare

Pixi DetoxifEYE Caffeine & Cucumber Depuffing Eye Patches

At first I was not sold on these eye patches because, frankly, I just couldn’t figure out when to use them. If I used them mid-routine the rest of my face dried out, and if I used them after my routine, it seemed pretty pointless. Then I moved them to my desk. My eyes get tired during the workday, so when I would hit 3pm but still have a few hours of work ahead of me, I would pop these on for 20 minutes. Once taking them off, I literally felt less tired because my eye area felt less strained. I wouldn’t recommend these for anything other than that particular use, honestly, because the serum does seem to pill rather badly, but I’m sold on eye patches at my desk.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $24 USD / 60 eye patches

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches

I’m a recent convert to pimple patches, but I’m a big believer in them. I don’t get many spots but I can’t not pick at them to save my life, and I get post-inflammatory erythema that sticks around for months literally every time. I love the sizes on this so I can use them on spots of any type, and there are enough of them that I feel able to put them on early and keep them on even after the white head comes out, which seems to help reduce the PIE. I recently stocked up on these so I have a year’s supply.
Rating: 10/10
Price: $6 USD / 24 patches