I’ve been traveling back and forth for my work these couple of months and I barely got any time to try new products, cause I don’t want to risk any weather change, temperature change to affect my opinion on the product. Thank God I got a spare of time this month and I got a chance to stay longer in my hometown, therefore, more new products to try, yay!

The first product that I want to discuss is the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner that’ve been receiving lots of positive feedbacks from skin care bloggers. I personally see Pyunkang Yul as the Korean Hada Labo. Probably because of the affordability of the products, and the fact that they provide simple, minimal, no-fuss kind of packaging.

Pyunkang Yul is the brand launched by the renowned Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic, an institution well-known for treating atopic skin disorders.

Pyunkang Yul rejects the notion that cosmetics are simply another shopping item. Instead, they believe they are a means of protecting the skin. As such, they have opted to remove all unnecessary chemical substances from their products to utilize only the minimum,safest components to protect and provide respite to your tired and irritated skin.

Developed by the renowned Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in Korea, Pyunkang Yul is a new brand that revolutionizes how you approach skincare. Products are suggested by examining not just your skin type, but also your body and environment. Pyunkang dares to abandon trendy ingredients that are merely for texture or scent. Each and every ingredient used by Pyunkang Yul has been selected for being the most gentle and safe for skin. Healthy skin retains moisture and controls oil production to obtain the right balance, and Pyunkang Yul helps find the optimum balance for your skin.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is an ingenious, intensely hydrating formula designed to deliver nutrient-filled moisture to skin. Water is not present here as 91.3% of this toner is milk vecht root extract, full of skin-beneficial betaine and minerals. With the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-boosting properties of the root extract, this gel-type toner quickly absorbs to hydrate and strengthen skin. Always fragrance, dye and irritant free.

Best if:
– You easily get cold or have cold extremities from poor blood circulation
– Your skin tends to feel dry and tight
– Your skin easily becomes red or irritated

To Use: After cleansing, apply a small amount with palms of your hands, gently pressing and patting into skin for full absorption. Follow with moisturizer. Use morning and evening.

Ingredients: Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine

The texture and the consistency of the product really reminds me of Hada Labo Gokyujun Premium Lotion with a touch of Hanyul Rice Skin Softner. It’s pretty thick in consistency and easily absorb into the skin. It’s instantly hydrates my skin like Hada Labo Premium, even though it won’t make it instantly plump or supple (the only product that would work wonderfully at that job is my ultimate HG Hanyul Optimizing Serum). But, for the price, it does a good job at hydrates your skin (and definitely much, much cheaper than the Huxley serum).

The packaging is also pretty chic for the price, with plastic bottle yet delivers the image that Pyunkang Yul wants to delivers to the customer, which is a fuss free brand with no-non sense ingredients. Another thing that I want to highlight regarding this product (and the overall brand), is the fact that they didn’t include any potentially irritant ingredients such as fragrance and dye, which is lovely for any skin types, and definitely a good news for my fellow sensitive skin gals out there!

So, overall, after I used this Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner for more than a week, my first impression towards this product is generally positive. It never made me break out, hydrates my skin as well as the Hada Labo Gokyujun Premium (and definitely works way better than the Huxley one, IMHO), and comes with a really affordable price at around $12. Will I repurchase it? Definitely!