Since I started using Korean skincare, I’ve used some absolutely amazing products – as I’m sure you can tell from my many, many reviews!
I’ve said before that toners are really easy for me because my skin rarely reacts to toner and, if it does, I therefore know pretty quickly if it’s going to be an issue, and it’s the same with serums and essences.
The search for the perfect moisturiser
I feel that moisturiser can be the hardest category to get right, especially if your skin needs change. But with K-Beauty, there’s something for everyone and some absolutely wonderful moisturisers!
My initial issues with richer moisturisers were to do with shininess and how they dry. When I had combination skin with drier cheeks, anything with a slightly oily finish would just rub off my skin by the morning, leaving my cheeks dry. I’m not someone who can sleep on their back: I snore, so it’s not an option, even for the sake of my skin! Otherwise, products like Cosrx Nourishing Rice Overnight mask were perfect – more on sleeping masks here.
And for obvious reasons, I don’t want shiny skin in the morning: dewy and glowy, yes, but shiny is a definite no. Some of this can be dealt with by makeup, especially if the moisturiser is a good makeup base like the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Water sleeping mask, although I don’t always wear makeup.
After a fair bit of experimentation, I found the wonderful Illiyoon ATO Ceramide Concentrate cream. Having combination skin with cheeks prone to overnight dryness, Illiyoon was ideal, drying down to a matte finish without being too heavy (even though it is thick when you squeeze it out of the tube). It’s also really well-priced for the huge tube, which is a nice bonus.
However, having drier skin now, Illiyoon is still amazing at locking in moisture but it’s not quite moisturising enough. As I mentioned in my review of A’pieu Madecassoside sleeping mask, I did actually solve this issue by using a little A’pieu and a little Illiyoon.
But I’m always trying new products because i enjoy it but also you never know when you might stumble across a holy grail product!
Why try Pyunkang Yul?
I’m a big fan of the Pyunkang Yul Essence toner: I wrote a detailed review about it and its sister product, Mist toner.
What is brilliant about Pyunkang Yul is that it’s great for sensitive skin and whilst I’ve loved the toners for ages, for some reason I didn’t get round to trying their moisturisers.
I did used to avoid shea butter because it breaks me out and it’s a component of most of their creams, so that’s probably why I hadn’t tried them.
Whilst I don’t advocate people using things that break them out, as I’ve said before, shea butter calms my irritation so a little acne is a small price to pay. And I’ve found solutions to the acne in any case.
Although I love the A’pieu (just got another tube) it is a bit oily for day time use. That’s not to say I don’t use it, in combination with the Illiyoon.
If I’m lacking in time, I want a one-and-done cream that dries well and is very moisturising. I thought this was a unicorn of a product – even with the amazing and super varied Korean moisturisers.
I spent a good six months trying out things before I found Illiyoon, I honestly thought I wouldn’t find a one-and-done that had the perfect finish and was highly moisturising.
And this is where the Pyunkang Yul Nutrition cream and Intensive Repair cream moisturisers have solved lots of issues for me!
Deeply nourishing moisturisers are often quite oily feeling, because rich ingredients are oily feeling.
Both creams I’ve tried from Pyunkang Yul are wonderfully moisturising but also dry to a non-oily finish.
I had used the word “matte” to describe the finish of the Pyunkang Yul creams – it feels like matte suggests they’re not moisturising. And I describe the Illiyoon as matte and that is definitely more mattifying that the Pyunkang Yul, although they both dry down without oiliness.
Part of the reason for this is the use of macadamia oil – this is an oil that dries to a non-oily finish and you often find it in high end Korean brands becaude it moisturises very well but has an excellent finish.
Matte also suggests these creams don’t have a glowy finish and both do, although the Intensive is more glowy. Illiyoon does give my skin a little glow but the Pyunkang Yul give my skin that typical K-Beauty radiance, especially when combined with Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea essence.
Intensive vs Nutrition
Now, you might notice that the intensive is more expensive, give it is 50ml versus the 100ml for the nutrition cream.
Both creams have the same excellent moisturising ingredients: macadamia oil and shea butter that make them feel rich and luxe, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
However, you’re getting an impressive host of additional high quality ingredients with the Intensive: ceramides and copper peptides.
Ceramides are well known for helping to repair the skin barrier. Copper peptides are a well-aging ingredient that will help reduce fine lines in a very gentle manner.
Whilst I haven’t found Korean acids or retinal problematic, if you have very sensitive skin, you might find them irritating. Peptides are a great choice if you’re concerned about irritation
And the Intensive contains lovely extracts, particularly the skin brightening antioxidant-rich turmeric extract.
Final Word
Both of these creams are excellent choices and both have the same non-oily finish.
However, if want more from your moisturiser, try the Intensive for the additional brightening and well-aging benefits.