Last summer I got a few products to try from iUnik. This is a relatively new Korean brand that focuses on gentle products that work very well for senstive and acne-prone skin.

 

So today I have a review of their propolis serum. I alsmost used it up, I have only a tiny amount left in the bottle and....I'm planning to repurchase it!...so yes, I really enjoy it!

 

 

 

CLAIMS

"This Effective Optimal Synergy Serum includes the unique and optimal ratio, Propolis 70% and Vitamin C (Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract) 12% by iUNIK. It can make Calming & Brightening for Sensitive Skin."

This is therefore a soothing (thanks to propolis) and brightening (thanks to sea buckthorn and niacinamide) serum.

 

 

 

HOW IT LOOKS, FEELS, SMELLS

This is a 50mL glass bottle that comes with a dropper to dispense the product. The dropper works well and I had no issue with it.

The serum is a light yellow serum. I wouldn't call it a runny texture because when I apply it, it's not really watery to the point it drips everywhere, it's slightly gellified. But when I took the pictures for this blog post, it was hard to capture its non runny side (if that makes sense) :D In fact it's not as watery as an essence but not as thick as some gel or emulsion type of serum. It's something in-between these 2 extremes.

It is lightweight and feels mainly hydrating when you apply it but it also bring a bit of moisture.

It doesn't have any particular scent. 

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

Propolis Extract, Hippophae Rhmnoides Fruit Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylprpanediol, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexaanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Glycosyl Trehalose, Honey Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Arginine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Auranitum Eergamia Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Mours Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Caprylyl Glycol

 

 

 

It's formulated with 70% Propolis Extract and 12% Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract.

 

Propolis is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing. It is therefore particularly interesting for acne-prone skin, skin that needs to be soothed as well as sensitive skin.

 

Hippophae Rhamnoides is sea buckthorn. The fruits are very rich in vitamin C, carotenes, and polyphenols and therefore a good source of antioxidants. The vitamin C concentration of the fruits is 5 times higher than in kiwi and 30 times higher than in oranges for example! So this is a very interesting fruit :D

 

These 2 ingredients make for the main part of this serum (82%). The rest is made of water, solvents, many humectants (glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, glycocyl trehalose, honey), niacinamide (improves skin's elasticity and barrier function, brightening), rose water (soothing), betaine (soothing), beta-glucan (antioxidant and excellent skin soothing ingredient for improving the look of redness and other signs of sensitive skin), some texture enhancing ingredients, and more botanical extracts at the end of the ingredient list.

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY/THOUGHTS

Formulated with not less than 70% propolis and 12% of sea buckthorn fruit extract, this serum offers many natural ingredients, lots of humectants (helps with hydration) and soothing ingredients. That's really the main point of this serum: natural soothing and hydrating ingredients!

So yes, ingredient-wise I'm impressed and really happy with it!

 

In terms of effects, I've almost used up the 50mL bottle (only a tiny amount left) and I must say that it's now one of my all time favorite serums! I take it with my on weekends and also took it during my holidays because I cannot live without it any more. It's such a nice serum. It gives me a dose of hydration, is soothing and lightweight. The texture is not sticky and plays really well with other products if you like layering products, like me :D

I also think it really helps when you have inflammation or pimples. It helps to heal them and that's why I love it!

 

On another note, I've tried 2 other products from iUnik and also love them, especially their Vitamin Hyaluronic Acid Vitalizing Toner (review to come soon). This is really a  nice brand and I'll definitely try more of their products!

 

 

Purchase Info

iUnik products can be purchased from unique4you. You can find the propolis vitamin serum HERE for $ 19.99.
In Switzerland, you can find the brand at ebeautyandcare.ch and glowrious.ch.