#72 - Skin Edit - COSRX Hydrium Line
Not too long ago, Style Korean had a Try me, Review Me event where I’d get the COSRX Hydrium line and I got the moisture set which is perfect for my dehydrated skin.
Disclaimer: this is PR gifted, links are linked back to Style Korean but these are not affiliated. Prices listed are as Style Korean in USD.
All products can be found on Style Korean here (link opens in new window)
Here are the core products for the moisture part of the line:
Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Cleanser
Hydrium Watery Toner
Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream
Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Water wave sheet mask
The other part of the line is the soothing side - there are reviews on that part too if you’re looking for something more soothing for your skin.
The key ingredient for this line is B5, aka Pathenol, helps with irritation and moisturisation, plus the three types of hyaluronic acid that helps penetrate deeper into the skin to deliver hydration. The idea for the line is not only to hydrate, but also to maintain the hydration.
So here we go, let’s start with the cleanser
Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Cleanser
Definitely a 2nd step cleanser after your oil/balm cleansing. It doesn’t feel like it’s got some MAJOR cleansing power but as a 2nd step cleanser and as an AM cleanser, this does the job.
This has a pH of 8 - I personally prefer low pH as they tend to be less stripping for me, but this has actually been pretty okay and not foamed as much as I thought it would as you may find with some cleansers of similar texture..
The cleansing experience is pleasant - it’s not AMAZING like how I feel about Lagom, but this is a pretty solid 2nd step cleanser that would be good in your routine if you’re looking for a product that guarantees to deliver and not strip your skin, easy to wash off, doesn’t foam much and the skin still feels sufficiently hydrated after and not have the tight feeling.
StyleKorean price: USD 13.00
Hydrium Watery Toner
Super watery toner. So watery I can’t get a picture of it without it just looking like bleh on the surface.
If you prefer light toners and like to layer, this is great. You can get good hydration with 1 layer of toner patted in. With my preference for thicker, fermented toners, this was taking me back to when I first used toners.
This toner has D-panthenol, allantoin and six kinds of hyaluronic acid to help with irritation and help keep the skin hydrated for longer. They say you get a dewy glow but if you ever apply a toner that doesn’t give you a dewy glow, why are you using that toner…
Anyway, it’s really easy to pat in because of how watery it is, but 1 layer seems to deliver good enough hydration to the skin.
I feel like toners are so personal - I like thick toners so much that I don’t think this would be sufficient for me, but ended up not minding it after couple weeks of trying. I’d love to have this in a spray form and would absolutely decant it when I find a good bottle to rehydrate the skin through the day.
It’s a great starter and “basic” (in a good way) toner to add to your routine. There isn’t much in this toner that would irritate the skin and it doesn’t smell like anything. If you like watery toner, this is your girl - the purpose of a toner is to hydrate/rehydrate and this does a good job of it.
Style Korean price: USD 22.00 for 280 ml (also comes in this 50ml size for USD 7.50)
Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
This might be one of my favourites from this line. I forget what it’s like to use a more HA focused ampoule. The ones I’ve been using were Huxley and Be Plain - they contained ingredients that I wanted to try but the efficacy, not sure.
This one delivers results. I feel that my skin feels hydrated for longer, especially paired with the cream that really holds the moisture in.
It’s a more viscous textured ampoule, much like The Ordinary products, but whilst it feels a little sticky when you pump it out the bottle, when you apply it to the face, it sinks in really nicely with zero sticky residue, which was what I was wary of when I squeezed it out.
This is a great ampoule to fit in your AM or PM routine. I’d use this for AM to get more hydration in my skin in the morning, plumping the skin up ready for moisturiser, sunscreen and makeup. It doesn’t feel heavy despite it’s thicker texture, perfect to just sit nicely under your moisturiser.
I’ve ended up applying this in the PM as well to get more hydration after a long day and it’s perfect for this warmer weather , especially if you do layer products like I do but not looking for anything that is “heavy” - I personally like heavier treatments, serums and creams in the evening because that’s the reality of the third decade now, but I can totally understand for people who don’t and prefer a more simple kind of ampoule.
Style Korean price: USD 24 for 40ml
Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Water wave sheet mask
I had really high hopes for this one and since I only had one, I had to use it wisely…
It’s a bit of a miss for me personally but it doesn’t mean it’s not a good mask. For a start it’s nice and thin and has a great fit around the face - one of the top things I look for in a mask.
The serum in this mask feels a lot lighter than a lot of other masks I’ve used, not actually being that soaked with products either - so there was none left in the packet. It’s not an important factor so I’m not particularly mad about it, but in terms of the feeling after? I’ve used better hydrating masks than this.
It is a comfortable mask to use and so light - again if you like lightness in your products, I reckon you’d like this.
Style Korean price: USD 4.00 for one
Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream
I think this might be my favourite product out of this line of the Hydrium set. When it comes to moisturisers, although I’m not picky, I know what I want.
A lot of moisturisers that are hydrating tend to come in a gel form, which really isn’t my cup of tea and has never really been despite having oily skin and particularly in the evening. I just feel like something light is harder to keep the moisture in.
This cream has panthenol, propolis and ceramide - 3 of my most favourite ingredients for irritation and rebuilding and protecting the skin barrier.
The texture for this is thick, but not really. Descriptive, I know.
Basically, it’s a thick cream that isn’t “stringy” or “sticky” when you scoop it out of the tub. It’s a silky and velvety like how they describe and applies to the skin beautifully. Beautifully. Not sticky, not shiny, gives you that immediate hydrated glow (especially if you’ve used other products in the line, particularly the ampoule) but does not ever, ever, feel greasy. It really is one of the nicest feelings after applying where you just feel hydrated and plumped.
I use this in the AM now as I work from home and don’t use makeup but I’d comfortably use this under makeup in the AM as well. Even though it’s thick, I feel that it’s not so thick that it won’t sit well under makeup. Otherwise for those who prefer thicker (but still light) moisturisers, this would fit well in your PM routine to lock all the good stuff you’ve just applied on your face.
I’ve not tried layering another thicker cream on top yet but as someone who love that THICC feeling in the evenings, i’d probably switch this out for an AM/post gym moisturiser and use an even thicker moisturiser in the evening.
Style Korean price: USD 23.00 for 50ml
Verdict
This line is what I think a very “solid” line. Everyone needs hydration in their routine and if you don’t, why not. Every product works well in texture, layers well with each other and the price range is reasonable for well-formulated products.
But do you need the whole line? Absolutely not, as with other brands so really it’s a bit of a moot point. Personally I think the best way to use these products is to look at what is the gap in your routine currently and what does your skin need.
I prefer a low pH cleanser and thick toners, so my preference would be the ampoule and the cream as treatments for my skin. However, if you’re looking for a hydrating cleanser and a good price for a good amount (you use a small amount, seriously) then both the cleanser and toners are great choices.
These products aren’t particularly…”strong”. They’re what I think very “comfortable” products, good staples to have, well formulated, good textures. If your skin is in dire need of hydration then you may need to pair more of these, or use selected few to supplement your routine. Also great products for warmer/summer weather with such light textures.
If I have to pick my fav from this set, it would be the cream. I know some really love the ampoule - I do too, but just not as much as the cream.
Well done making it to the end, this went on for longer than I thought!
