Pyunkang-Yul-Review-Feature

Testing: Pyunkang Yul Basic Line (8 Products) Review

Pyunkang Yul is probably the most talked about skincare brand lately (on my radar). It’s coming out of the famous Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in South Korea. The clinic used traditional Chinese medicines to improve patients’ immune system, and curing diseases from the roots. As a skincare junkie, and curator for The Sesame Shop, I, of course, had to jump on it.

Before getting to know Pyunkang Yul, I only knew that it uses the minimal amount of ingredients in their products, cutting out all the fillers and fragrances to minimise irritation to the skin. But, what I didn’t know is that Pyunkang Yul used high contents of traditional Chinese medicine (herbs) in its products. To me, this is something that is truly groundbreaking and intriguing.

In this post, I’ll be reviewing 8 products from Pyunkang Yul’s Basic Line that I’ve tested for 2 weeks. I alternated between different products and tested each on their own and combining with other products in the line. I only obtained samples, therefore cannot comment on the packaging of things. I’ll be focusing on the texture and feeling of using them, and making recommendations on how to combine some of these.

Pyunkang Yul’s Basic Line

The Basic Line is divided into two streams, the “Temperature Up” and the “Temperature Down“. Basically, the “Temperature Up” series increases the skin’s temperature which promotes blood circulation, improves skin’s dullness and adds nutrition and antioxidants. The “Temperature Down” series decreases the skin’s temperature, which prevents expedited water loss from the skin, improves the skin’s hydration level and detoxifies (purifies).

The “Temperature Up” Seris contains:

  1. Essence Toner
  2. Oil
  3. Balancing Gel
  4. Nutrition Cream

The “Temperature Down” Series contains:

  1. Mist Toner
  2. Moisture Serum
  3. Moisture Ampoule
  4. Moisture Cream

I’ll explain my experience with them in the order of a usual skincare routine. I’m denoting the “Temperature Up” products in “red” and the “Temperature Down” products in “blue“.

Mist Toner

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner 200ml
Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner 200ml

I love this toner. I used a sample, therefore cannot comment on the spray. However, the toner itself feels exactly like water, clean and light. It absorbs right into the skin without much patting needed. Use it with the 7 skin method to really pile up the hydration. Highly recommend for oily and combination skin, or anyone who doesn’t like slimy or tacky feeling in their toner.

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner Texture
Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner – Texture
After Using Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner
Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner – After

Mist Toner Ingredients (total=5):

Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate

The Mist Toner is water-free, contains 91.9% Coptis Japonica Root Extract. Coptis Japonica (Huang Lian) is a Chinese medicine that is usually used to treat poisonous and overheating conditions in the body, including diarrhea, vomiting, swollen gums. It tastes extremely bitter and is extremely effective at lowering the body temperature. The Mist Toner exhibits Coptis Japonica’s naturally cooling effect, lowering the skin’s temperature, detoxifies and cleanses the skin from within.

Essence Toner

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner 200ml
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner 200ml

The Essence Toner is probably the most well-known product from Pyunkang Yul. The texture is slightly thicker than water, but a lot thinner than a serum. It flows well. It feels a bit slippery (slimy) and tacky when spreading out on the skin. After massaging, it absorbs right into the skin, leaves a dry and smooth finish – think of after feeling of talc powder but without the powder – quite strange for something that is tacky in the first place. It is a very good toner for the 7 skin method as it layers extremely well, the skin just keeps absorbing it.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner – Texture

Essence Toner Ingredients (total=7):

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

The Essence Toner is water-free, contains 91.3% Astragalus Root Extract. Astragalus (Huang Qi) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to fight against diseases. Similar to Ginseng, Huang Qi has to be grown for 3-4 years before it could be harvested and used. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, full of vitamins and antioxidants that boosts the skin’s immune system and fights against free radicals.

Moisture Serum

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Serum
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Serum

The Moisture Serum is my favourite product out of the whole collection. It’s a milky white liquid that flows very well. The texture is pretty light for a serum. It absorbs right into the skin and gives instant hydration. Applying two layers and my skin felt like I’ve just done a sheet mask. It is soothing and moisturising. The lightweight texture allows it to be incorporated easily into any skincare routine, any time of the year. I use one layer in the morning under makeup and two layers at night for added hydration.

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Serum - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Serum – Texture

Moisture Serum Ingredients (total=15):

Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine, Dimethicone

Looking at the ingredients list, it’s one of the longer lists amongst the Basic Line. Most of them are solvents and surfactants, used to achieve the consistency of this serum. The main ingredient is the same Coptis Japonica (Huang Lian) used in the Mist Toner to cool down the temperature of the skin, detoxifies and cleanses the skin. It is used along with olive oil to promote the water/oil balance of the skin.

Oil

Pyunkang Yul Oil 100ml
Pyunkang Yul Oil 100ml

I’m not someone who uses facial oils due to the oiliness of my skin. Pyunkang Yul’s Oil is very lightweight, flows just like water. It absorbs pretty well, leaving the skin shiny and moisturised. However, for my dehydrated skin, using the Oil alone feels moisturised but not hydrated enough. This would definitely benefit people who are lacking oil. If your skin is dry, rough, cracking, dull or often having dead skins on the surface, your skin is most likely lacking oil. Adding oil to the skin would improve skin’s smoothness, radiance and texture.

Pyunkang Yul Oil - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Oil – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Oil - After
Pyunkang Yul Oil – After

Oil Ingredients (total=8):

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Geranium Maculatum Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil

Pyunkang Yul is not lying when it called this product “Oil”. It is literally a blend of 8 oils. Jojoba oil is a lightweight oil that penetrates deeply into the skin layer without clogging the pores. Sunflower oil, abundant of Vitamin E, rejuvenates and improves the elasticity of the skin. Geranium oil is an oil that would benefit those who has acne skin. It is mildly antiseptic and balancing.

Overall, I feel Pyunkang Yul’s Oil is an easily adaptable oil that would suit a great range of skin types. It is a safe oil to use even for the oily skins.

Moisture Ampoule

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule

The Moisture Ampoule from Pyunkang Yul is a rather unique texture. It’s sticky but flowable, Pyunkang Yul descibed this to be “honey like” consistency. I found it a bit glue like. It smells like glue too. It spreads pretty well on the skin, leaving a tacky layer. However, after a few minutes, the tackiness completely disappears and leaves the skin feeling moisturised, soft, radiant and protected. It is not the same as sleeping masks, there is no film on the skin. But the skin is protected under this glue-like gel. I’ve applied it under a cream and this worked pretty well. The cream takes away the stickiness of the Ampoule, and the Ampoule added some long-lasting moisture to the skin.

I’ve applied it under a cream and this worked pretty well. The cream takes away the stickiness of the Ampoule, and the Ampoule added some long-lasting moisture to the skin.

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule - After
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule – After

Moisture Ampoule Ingredients (total=6):

Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Polysorbate 80, PEG-150 Distearate, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate

When I look at the ingredients list, and comparing it with the Balancing Gel, I feel Pyunkang Yul has made this product especially for the consistency. They wanted something that is thick and protective, that acts as a barrier on the skin, delivering the skincare benefits over a long period of time.

This texture is definitely unique and would take some time to adapt to. However, I really enjoyed the long lasting moisture that this product delivers.

Balancing Gel

Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel 100ml
Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel 100ml

If the Moisture Ampoule has a texture that would take me some time to adapt to, the Balancing Gel is a product that is even more difficult to work with. It is a thicker version of the Moisture Ampoule i.e. a thicker type of glue. It is extremely sticky and viscous, almost non-fluid. I think the fact that it is so cold in Sydney right now, makes the texture even more difficult to work with.

Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel – Texture

When applied alone, it only spread a few centimetres, which means I had to keep taking more product and applying to different areas of my face. Later, I discovered that it’s better applied with fingertips because it is almost unspreadable in the palm.

Similar to the Moisture Ampoule the tackiness goes away after a few minutes, and you’re left with moisturised, soft, radiant and protected skin.

When I layer this gel on top of the Nutrition Cream, I found my skin felt a lot more moisturised the next morning. I’d be interested to see how others use it. For example, by mixing with the Oil or the Essence Toner, to loosen the texture.

Balancing Gel Ingredients (total=7):

Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Polysorbate 80, PEG-150 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate

As mentioned above, the ingredients list of the Balancing Gel is very similar to the Moisture Ampoule. The main ingredient is Astragalus Root Extract that injects nutrition and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier. You should choose it depending on your skin’s temperature.

Moisture Cream

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream

Moisture Cream is one of the two creams in the Basic Line. These two creams are actually quite similar in both texture and after feeling of using. The Moisture Cream is a white gel-cream, that is pretty lightweight and easily blendable. After blending, it leaves the skin feeling soft and moisturised. It does leave a slightly oily finish on the skin, so if you’re more used to the lighter watery gel type moisturisers, you may find this a bit oily. However, despite the oilier finish, it is actually not overly hydrating when used alone, especially when compared with Belif’s Moisturising Bomb. I had to apply two layers Moisture Serum before using this to compensate for the hydration that my skin requires. It works well with the other products in the “Temperature Down” series.

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream - After
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream – After

Moisture Cream Ingredients (total=14):

Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Caprylate

Nutrition Cream

Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream

Nutrition Cream the other cream in the Basic Line. It is very much similar to the Moisture Cream, maybe ever so slightly more moisturising and oilier. But no real difference in the hydration level. When using alone, it is also not moisturising enough for my dehydrated skin in this cold weather.

I’ve used the Balancing Gel both before and after the Cream. In my experience, it worked better when I used the gel after the cream. The gel elongates the effect of moisturisation on the skin overnight.

Both of these creams are not better than the others I’ve used, but if you plan to switch to Pyunkang Yul, I would recommend to also use the cream to supplement the other products in the same line, to maximise the benefit of Astragalus (Huang Qi) in the series.

Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream - Texture
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream – Texture
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream - After
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream – After

Nutrition Cream Ingredients (total=21):

Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Caprate

This is probably the longest ingredients list amongst all Pyunkang Yul products. It makes think that it is not easy to achieve the consistency of gel creams.

Overall Feeling With Using Pyunkang Yul

To be honest, Pyunkang Yul is not something that I’ve fallen in love instantly. It is unique and interesting, but does not have any “wow factors”. It’s basic, as the name suggests. Apart from the two traditional Chinese herbs that are used throughout the series, there are no other ingredients that are worth noting. If you ever had very high hopes for this brand like I did, it may disappoint a little.

However, after using the “Temperature Down” series for several consecutive days. I started to get the hang of it, adjusted the dosage to suit my skin’s needs and I started to like it a lot more.

Using Pyunkang Yul, has made my skin feeling a lot more clearer and breathable. I feel that it is no longer layered with product build ups. My skin started to appear brighter and feel softer. I believe with long-term use, my skin would become healthier and stronger.

To find out whether your skin needs “Temperature Up” or “Temperature Down”, Pyunkang Yul has a tool on its website to determine this for you. It is in Korean, but if you use Google Chrome and enable Google Translate, the questions would be translated to English (or any other language you prefer). I used it and the translation were mostly understandable. The questionnaire consists 40 questions, so it wouldn’t matter too much if you couldn’t understand one or two questions. At the end of the questionnaire, it lists your skin’s constitution, temperature index, oil index, etc and recommends some products for you.

Pyunkang Yul Skin Consulation
Example Results of Pyunkang Yul’s Skin Consultation

Recommendations

As a starter, I would recommend the Mist Toner, Essence Toner,  Moisture Serum and either of the creams to anyone who would like to try out Pyunkang Yul. I think with these products, you could build a skincare routine that suffices most skincare needs. The Oil, Balancing Gel and Moisture Ampoule are for people who would like to experiment a bit more with their skincare to optimise the routine.

For oily dehydrated skins, a “Temperature Down” night routine could include:

  • Mist Toner (7 layers) -> Moisture Serum (2 layers) -> Moisture Cream

For dry, cracking dull skins, a “Temperature Up” night routine could include:

  • Essence Toner (7 layers) -> Oil (2-3 drops) -> Nutrition Cream (2 layers)

Some ways to incorporate the Balancing Gel or Moisture Ampoule:

  • Mist Toner (7 layers) -> Moisture Serum (1-2 layers) -> Moisture Ampoule -> Moisture Cream
  • Essence Toner (7 layers) – > Oil (1-2 drops) mixed with Nutrition Cream -> Balancing Gel
  • Essence Toner mixed with Balancing Gel -> Nutrition Cream (with oil)
  • Essence Toner (7 layers) -> Oil mixed with Balancing Gel -> Nutrition Cream

End Note

This is probably the lengthiest post I’ve ever written. I hope this helps some of you when choosing Pyunkang Yul products. It is a brand that is slightly different to the others in the market, but if you do take on the route to switch to Pyunkang Yul, I believe you will see benefits and improvements.

We will be launching Pyunkang Yul at The Sesame Shop 0n 17.07.17, head to the pre-order page to secure your order before the launch date. Remember we deliver Australia wide.

Pyunkang Yul is now available from The Sesame Shop.

Temperature Down Line:

Temperature Up Line:

Free Cleanser with all value sets:

Wish you all great skin days!

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