Moisturizer & oils are a daily require for my skincare regimen, but summers are hot in the mediterranean & this gel caught my attention during my search for a moisturizer slightly less suffocating than my usual occlusive creams.
Brand
I’m From is based in South Korea, it is a sister cosmetic company of Skin & Lab and Chica Y Chico. The ingredients are spotlight for this brand, I’m From lists the origin & farm name from where it was harvested. I love the transparency, but it was difficult to find other information on this brand.
Product Claims
Here are the product claims from Wishtrend:
- The premium whitening water gel is optimal for oily skin where a cream type product could feel a bit heavy.
- The gel is rapidly absorbed by the skin, and the cooling sensation helps to quickly calm redness.
- In addition, as certified by the FDA for its whitening function, it transforms the skin to appear brighter and more clear for a radiant look.
I think I’m From did a number of things right while marketing this product! One skin type is specified, the ingredient list is definitely catered towards oily & acne prone skin types. I am unsure if the exact ingredient used in this formula is FDA approved, but the high concentrations of antioxidants & niacinamide are likely to produce pigmentation lightening & complexion brightening effects.
Application
Appearance
This is a semi-transparent gel that feels more like a cream gel at initial touch, but it completely melts into a watery consistency when applied onto the skin. It does absorb well into the skin, but it can sit on top of the skin if too much is applied.
Scent
The smell is very subtle & no artificial fragrance is added. The notes that can be detected are very earthy, but it does dissipate.
Packaging
This gel comes in glass jar packaging with a screw-off lid. The plastic lid is thick & feels much more durable than my experiences with the April Skin moisturizer, featuring my constant fear of shattering the packaging. The I’m From gel does come with a spatula for scoping out the product, but I can never be bothered with it.
Performance
I ended up loving this moisturizer, but it was a rough start.
I test most new cosmetics in both morning & evening routines to see how it will fit best into my personal skincare routine. I had a reaction when I used this moisturizer in the mornings, I got painful & flaky patches of dryness around my mouth. I have dry & dehydrated skin so I am accustomed to the occasional skin flakiness, but I never experienced it in this area of my face & I never had such red, irritated flaking prior to this.
I began researching the ingredients only to discover over 70% of this ingredient list consisted of an antioxidant with AHA-like capabilities. If you’re unfamiliar with chemical exfoliation, it is a no-no to wear in sun exposure & not typically recommended for morning routines. I switched to only using this moisturizer in the evenings & I have never had a problem with it since then. I do live in the mediterranean so I experience higher UV exposure than many other places in the world so my reaction may be very location specific.
I gave my skin a break for over a month to recuperate from the irritation before diving into this moisturizer again, which is when I discovered my love for it! I was having issues with congested pores in my nose area at the time & I noticed within days of reintroducing this moisturizer to my routine that my pores appeared clearer. My overall complexion looked more even & brighter, I think this moisturizer could be a great option for acne-prone or inflamed skin types.
This moisturizer does layer well with other skincare products, but it is easy to go overboard with this moisturizer. I am used to slathering on the moisturizer at night because I have such dry skin, but a light hand is required for this water gel or it never seemed to absorb into my skin. If I went in too heavy with this gel, a grey layer would just sit on top of my face. It still felt lightweight, but it was obvious there was excess product just sitting on my face.
1 Acne Trigger & 1 Irritant according to CosDNA
Ingredients Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract [70%], Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, Allantoin, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether
Sea Buckthorn
A potent antioxidant that contains malic & acetic acids, providing this product with astringent & chemical exfoliating benefits. It is a rich source of fatty acids & Vitamin C, though the benefits of the latter may be lost in cosmetic production.
Glycerin
It it is a naturally occurring substance that helps repair the outer skin barrier. This ingredients works to soften skin so other ingredients can more easily penetrate the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate
This is the most bioavailable form of this hyaluronic acid, which is ordinarily considered a super ingredient for it’s water attracting & binding abilities.
Panthenol
Alcohol form of Vitamin B5 that acts a humectant, attracting & holding moisture in the skin.
Licorice Extract
An antioxidant that evens skin tone & reduces inflammation.
Portulaca Oleracea
An antioxidant with skin soothing properties, though some reports of skin dryness were associated in trials.
Witch Hazel
Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory, though high levels on tannins may cause some skin sensitivity issues
Misc. Ingredient Notes
It is important to note that the first ingredient makes up 70% of the ingredient list with different forms of the same ingredient making an appearance twice more. The rest of the ingredient list makes up 30% of the ingredient so these will be far lesser players in this gel. This moisturizer is packed with antioxidants & anti-inflammatories, there are a number of astringents as well though I found this was still moisturizing for my dry skin.
There is nothing of concern that I notice when looking over the ingredient list, but the dominant ingredient has chemical exfoliation effects so it may not be ideal for daytime wear. I have worn this indoors during the day without any issues, but I obviously has issues when I would go outdoors with it as seen in the performance section.
Value
Price: $26.60 / 75ml, $10.64 per Ounce
This price is higher than I am typically willing to pay for a moisturizer, particularly one that does not contain retinol. However, I do think this price tag is justifiable. This moisturizer contains AHA antioxidants so there is a chemical exfoliating effect. I am not acne prone so I do not have to be as picky with my moisturizers, but I know this skincare step can be such a challenge for sensitive or oily skin types. This is a unique moisturizer & I think this is a great option for anyone that struggles with the standard ultra-rich creams.
This moisturizer is easily accessible online in East Asia & North America, but it has been more difficult to find in Europe. It is not impossible, but there are few online retailers that will ship to Europe & this moisturizer is definitely worth the effort!
Overall
Rating: 4 / 5
Despite some initial hiccups with this product, I grew to love it during the hotter seasons. My skin felt supple, my complexion appeared brighter, my pores did not appear as dark or clogged. It is a quality cosmetic, but it rivals the price of Sephora cosmetics & it is more expensive that I am willing to pay regularly for a moisturizer that does not contain retinal.