Naya

Innisfree Ginger Honey Collection, Review

One for K-Beauty lovers

Foreword

Innisfree have been around for 20 years and it is fair to say that the brand's friendly price tags and naturally-derived ingredients (on average 80% per product) have been loved by beauty enthusiasts all over the World.

In this post I am going to review a few products from the brand's new line that I have been testing for a month now.

Curious? Then please keep on scrolling.

My Skin: dry, sensitive

About the Brand

Innisfree products are inspired by the pristine, one-of-a-kind nature of Jeju Island in Korea. Every natural ingredient is sustainably sourced with the brand promoting forestation campaigns globally.

Innisfree is not a "clean" brand, but their products are free of harsh, skin-damaging chemicals; they contain less than 1% of synthetic fragrances.

The brand offers a variety of vegan🍃 products, yet stands in the gray area as far as cruelty-free🐇❔ status goes (they do not test on animals, but have stores in China).

Innisfree uses recyclable packaging ♻️ (including soy ink printers) and you can bring your empties to the store.

Ginger Honey Collection

Ginger Honey is a newer line at Innisfree that is specifically designed for drier skin types. The star ingredients are Ginger and Jeju Canola Honey, that should nourish and comfort the skin.

Currently there are four products in this range: toner, emulsion, sleeping mask and cream.

The Toner

Ginger Honey Ampoule Skin Toner (23 USD; Made in Korea) - is a "honey ginger tea" toner, that claims to intensely moisturize, nourish and protect dry, parched skin.

Packaging: every Innisfree toner comes in a sleek, plastic bottle containing 6.76 fl.oz./200 ml of the actual product (which is a generous amount if you ask me). You also get a mini inner cap that I suggest keeping as it should prevent accidental leaking (plus it is great for traveling).

innisfree ginger honey ampoule skin toner review

Formula: essentially, this water-based toner has a high percentage of Glycerin in it. The two key ingredients are Ginger Honey Complex and Betaine (which should help to do both: deliver and lock in moisture). It is nice to see different types of Honey Extracts being mentioned at the top of the ingredients list, which means that their actual content is high. You also get Meadowfoam Seed Oil (fatty acids) and Brassica Napus Seed Oil (aka Canola Oil, a great source of Vitamin E, K).

Texture: I would describe the consistency of Ginger Honey Ampoule Skin Toner as a rich, thick water. It does not feel sticky or oily in the slightest, having a lightweight, serum-esque texture. The liquid is colorless.

Scent: now, most Innisfree products have a distinctive scent. This toner smells exactly like a cup of ginger tea with honey, a little bit herbal yet sweet. The fragrance does not linger for longer than 10 minutes. If you are sensitive to scented products, try a sample first.

Application: personally speaking, I use my toners both day and night. After cleansing, I pour about half a tea spoon amount into my hand (you can also use a cotton pad) and gently pat it all over face and neck (avoiding eye area). I then give it about a minute to settle and follow up with my serum/cream/moisturizer.

Immediate Results: skin feels hydrated, rejuvenated and soft. Ginger Honey Ampoule Skin Toner preps your face for other skincare products to follow. I feel like everything I layer on top of it (this goes for hydrating, balancing toners in general) absorbs better and my skin stays hydrated all day long.

The Cream

Ginger Honey Nourishing Cream (28 USD; Made in Korea) - is a rich cream, designed for drier skin types. It claims to provide intense moisture and nourishing feel.

Packaging: a reoccurring theme with Innisfree is that the brand is mega generous with the amount of product it gives you per price. The jar is filled up to the top and you get 1.69 fl.oz./50 ml of cream here. The quality of the packaging is superb (plastic).

Formula: Ginger Honey Nourishing Cream is a water-based formula, with Glycerin and Shea Butter running the show here. Aside from Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Cocoa Butter, Ginger and various Honey Extracts - you also get Squalane, which is known for its amazing moisturizing, oil-balancing (no clogged pores), calming and protective properties.

Texture: the silkiest, creamiest texture that feels like a melting butter. Although quite potent, it is not thick or ointment-esque like some of the creams made for dry skin types. It still feels weightless and gets absorbed like a dream. Never sticky, tacky or thick to the point where it clogs pores or pills.

Scent: now, this is something you should know about this cream - it has a lasting sweet ginger honey scent to it (I feel it disappears after 15 min or so). The first time I used it, I thought I would not be able to handle it; I guess I must have applied too much product because I am no longer bothered by it. Or maybe my nose got used to it? In any case - if you are someone with a very reactive skin [to fragrances in particular] you might want to get a sample first.

Application: use it as the last step of your AM or PM skincare routine (works both ways). This formula plays well with makeup and sunscreen.

Immediate Results: plump, softened and uber hydrated skin that radiates with glow. I find Ginger Honey Nourishing Cream to be quite calming as well, especially when I use it after swimming - my skin feels instantly soothed and nowhere near as irritated as it can be because of chlorine.

Verdict

Overall, I am quite impressed by the brand so far. I have been also enjoying their Olive Cleansing Foam (online exclusive) and Intensive Anti-Pollution Sunscreen (that has a pleasant texture and scent). Innisfree is reasonably priced and you get a lot of product here, which I really appreciate.

I definitely recommend both products reviewed in this article to people with dry, very dry skin types. Ginger Honey Ampoule Skin Toner might still work really well for people with normal and combination skin types too, if hydration is something you prioritize in your skincare routine.