[Review] Laneige Water Bank Essence_EX [Empties]

LANEIGE WATER BANK ESSENCE_EX

[Credits: Laneige Malaysia Official Website]

This is actually my second bottle but this one is a redeemed gift from Laneige after collecting up to a certain points. (Yeah, you need to spend in order to gain points!) LOL XD

I emptied 2 bottles in a year which certainly isn’t my usual empties speed if it was my Holy Grail status. But I do have to admit that I was trying out some other serums at about the same time. But do I hate the product? Definitely NO! Also, on the side note, Laneige actually released two essences in the water bank series, Hydro Essence and Moisture Essence in 2018 which are more personalize to certain skin types. Both which I have yet to try. 

It has been out in the market for years and has been in so many people’s Holy Grail list. It’s one of the bestseller from Laneige, loved by Asians. Always out of stock in Korea and so is in Malaysia. But why is it NOT my Holy Grail skincare? Find out below. 

The name of the product “Essence” is somehow contradicting because essence usually:

                   1)      is more like water,

                   2)      in a bigger bottle,

But this product is the opposite of the above. I would prefer this as a SERUM instead. XD

I always use this after toner and before moisturizer which is also the recommended way.

Claims:

    

       1) Awakens natural moisturizing agents in skin for 24-hour moisturized skin (NOT really!)

       2) Smoother skin texture (YES)

       3) Hydrate dry skin (YES)

       4) Repairing skin damage (NOT visible)

       5) Maintains optimum moisture balance in skin (50/50)

       6) Reduced dead skin cells (50/50)

Ingredients Dissect:

“Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dimethicone, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Tillandsia Usneoides Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Fruit Extract, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Carrageenan, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol, PCA Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance”

“Water Bank’s Secret Moisturizing Recipe:

     1) Hydro Ion Mineral Water: Infused with 6 ionized moisturizing minerals that play a role in regulating skin moisture, it swiftly penetrates the skin to activate natural moisturizing genes in the skin.

     2) Quinoa extracts: Quinoa has been a food source for mankind for the past seven thousand years. It is also known to  protect the skin from dryness and damage.

     3) Natural olive oil: Micro-sized botanical oil particles absorb quickly into the skin to reinforce the lipid barrier in the epidermis to help retain moisture and smoothen the skin texture.

     4) Tillandsia extract: Rich in betaine, a natural moisturizing factor (NMF) that plays an important role in hyaluronic acid synthesis in the dermis.”

-From Laneige Main Website

From the list above, I can only identify a few possible comedogenic ingredients. Isopropyl Palmitate is a very widely used emollient/texture enhancer in cosmetic products BUT some studies do show that it’s not suitable for oily skin if high amount is added due to possible pore-clogging properties. (Since, it’s quite down the ingredient list, I kindly believe the amount used is low) Another texture enhancer/thickener used is Carrageenan extracted from seaweed also believed to be highly comedogenic according to some studies. BUT according to Paula’s Choice Skincare, both ingredients above are GOOD and SAFE to be used.

I’m very impressed with the addition of micro-sized natural olive oil which is very important to retain moisture level for dry skin BUT might not be suitable for oily skin. Another downside is that this product is not fragrance-free. 

Texture:

It is a colourless slightly thick gel and spreads very easily on the skin. Once spread with fingers, the slightly thick gel will quickly turns into a very lightweight watery gel which your skin will immediately feel a burst of water. The absorption is not immediate, it requires some light massage. But give it a minute and your skin will feels supple and smooth. It does leave a thin layer on the skin after absorption but neither feels sticky nor tacky.

 

Review:

Hydration is above average and I’m truly satisfied but the marketing claim of 24 hours moisturized skin is definitely an overstatement. After 6 hours, I can already tell my skin is feeling dry/tight or so my makeup that SOMETIMES started to look cakey is good enough to be the determining criteria of dryness. XD Well… I’m still very impressed! 6 hours is already more than I expected. It does smooth the skin temporarily and that’s because a few silicone ingredients is added so that’s sort of cheating but I would say it’s a beautifully-manufactured product. LOL To be honest, I’ve not much to complain about it. Overall, above average product and worth trying at least once in life.

Comedogenic: Sometimes depending on weather. (When used during hotter humid weather tends to cause small non-inflamed bumps) BUT not the big ones with pus.

Repurchase: 

NO (Malaysia is always hot and humid so I wouldn’t risk myself for those unwanted closed comedones)

Recommendation: Normal – Combination Dry skin (Don’t recommend to oily/acne-prone skin type)

Overall Rating: 3/5 (Above average)