Exploring Skincare Minimalism With iUNIK

iUNIK Skincare, iUNIK Review,  iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum, iUNIK Black Snail Recovery Serum

I adopted minimalism last year and it's one of the best things I've ever done. I feel like I actually live better with less because it keeps me focused on quality over quantity. This applies to all aspects of my life including makeup and skincare.  I have one face and I don't need/want to overload it with products. Maintaining a tight edit has been really satisfying because it has increased the efficacy of my routine while eliminating unwanted issues. And my skin has definitely benefited positively in terms of clarity and radiance. I'm fairly strict about new additions and only incorporate products with a practical function that meet certain criteria.  I honestly wasn't sure initially when Korean beauty brand iUNIK first reached out to me about a collaboration but their philosophy about skincare minimalism and use of natural ingredients spoke to me.

Launched in 2016 with a goal to provide affordably priced, beauty products made with focused natural and effective ingredients.  iUNIK has created a small focused range of 11 products that include 3 toners, 5 serums, 2 creams and a peeling gel. They are dedicated to continuous innovation and research and plan to expand their offerings to 20 product by the end of 2018. All iUNIK products are produced in South Korea, ISO certified, and cleanly made with hypoallergenic 100% natural ingredients under Level 1 ~ 2 by EWG (Environmental Working Group).  IUNIK products do not contain any parabens, artificial colorings and fragrances.

iUNIK stands for:
i = Ideal Skin Over Dreamy
U = Unique products
N = Natural occurring ingredients, mild and raw materials from natural origin.
I = Ingredients ~ less bad and harmful ingredients, more good ingredients
K = Know how knowledge to create the best products thru continuous Research & Development

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iUNIK Black Snail Recovery Serum

Price: $19.99 (1.69 fl oz/50ml)

iUNIK Black Snail Recovery Serum is a billed as a highly concentrated nourishing and soothing serum  that repairs and restores skin making it more supple and smooth. Uniquely formulated with 70% black snail extract and 10% centella asiatica leaf water, niacinamide, adenosine and a superfood antioxidant complex of black beans, black rice, sesame, kelp and eggplant, it has anti-aging as well as brightening benefits.  Appropriate for all skin types including sensitive.

Ingredients
Snail Secretion Filtrate,Centella Asiatica Leaf Water,Methylpropanediol,Glycerin, Niacinamide,Glycereth-26,Water,1,2-Hexanediol Sodium Hyaluronate,Saccharomyces/Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract,Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract,Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract,Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract,Caprylyl Glycol,Butylene Glycol,Allantoin,Centella Asia Tica Extract,Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract,Artemisia Vulgaris Extract,Vaccinum Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract,Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract,Rosa Canina Fruit oil,Carbomer, Arginine,Pentylene Glycol,Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin,Xanthan Gum, Aspalathus Linearis Extract

How To Use
Apply onto face after cleansing and toner. May be used as a target treatment for areas requiring extra care. 

Snail Secretion Filtrate may be a turn off for some people but it's an HG ingredient for me. Registered and recognized as an official cosmetic ingredient under the name, 'snail secretion filtrate.'", it is also often referred to as snail mucin. Yes it is effectively snail slime which just happens to be rich in skin nourishing nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, proteoglycans and antimicrobial and copper peptides. Snail mucin used for cosmetic purposes is normally harvested from lab-grown common garden snail. Centella Asiatica also known as Gotu Kola is a medicinal herb with healing and regenerative properties which has been used to treat skin damage and enhancing circulation. Both of these ingredients are great for sensitive skin in need of calming and repair.

Packaged in a clear glass bottle with a dropper for dispensing, iUNIK Black Snail Recovery Serum
is a colorless, fragrance-free gel with a thin watery texture which actually surprised me because almost  all the snail products I've used before are quite viscous withs some bordering on sticky. This serum is quite different and feel more like an essence texturally. Upon application, it has a slight cooling sensation. It sinks into the skin readily with leaving it feeling soothed and lightly hydrated. Snail products are my go to when my skin needs to be calmed and this one fits the bill, reducing redness and irritation as needed. I have used it alone and as a base to mix my Vitabrid C12 Face Brightening Powder and it works equally well both ways. This serum is pleasant to use though I can't say that I've seen any anti-aging or brightening results yet since I've only been using it for 2 weeks. I do like the pure and natural ingredients and lack of fillers and the addition of centella asiatica is very appealing.  If you don't have issues with snail mucin, this is worth checking out. 

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iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum

Price: $19.99 (1.69 fl oz/50ml)

iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum works to calm, clarify and improve skin tone and texture while.  The formulation consisting of 67% tea tree water and 19.5% centella asiatica leaf water, 2% niacinamide, 0.04% adenosine and an antioxidant green superfood complex comprised of extracts of broccoli, alfalfa, cabbage, wheatgerm, rapeseed and radish also supplies skin with vital moisture and nutrition. Appropriate for oily and sensitive skin types.

Ingredients
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol,1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Betaine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Cellulose Gum, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex

How To Use
Apply onto face after cleansing and toner. May be used as a target treatment for areas requiring extra care.

Prized for it's anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and disinfecting functions, tea tree was first used by native Indians as medication. That along with it's soothing properties make it s popular skincare ingredient. Centella Asiatica has been used in traditional medicine to help speed healing. Since it stimulates collagen production it, also works to minimize the appearance of pores while giving skin a more supple and firm appearnce. Beta glucan, Broccoli, alfalfa, cabbage contains great antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and E work to support health function of immune cells and boost immune system.  Our skin do absorb some product of what we put on our skin so serum does help the skin to heal faster.

iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum is also packaged in a transparent glass bottle with a dropper. The clear serum is light green in color and scent free. The watery consistency is more like an essence than a serum. I had my husband use this in place of his usual LJH TeaTree 90 Essence. In terms of appearance and texture this serum is very similar to the LJH essence. My husband said that it absorbs quickly and is lightly moisturizing without being sticky. He didn't feel much difference between the two and when it came to his skin, the results were remarkably similar as well. He did think that the IUNIK serum was more effective for clarity and healing. This product won't prevent breakouts but it will calm them and speed healing. Tea tree and centella asiatica would seem to be an effective combination. The iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum seems to be comparable to the highly popular LJH TeaTree 90 Essence. They're the same size and this costs a few dollars less.

iUNIK Skincare, iUNIK Review,  iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum, iUNIK Black Snail Recovery Serum

These iUNIK products are solid and I can definitely appreciate that they use minimal and clean ingredients. The full range of iUNIK products can be purchased online from Unique Global's Unique4U shop. They offer global free shipping and free samples on all orders.

What do you think of these products? What criteria do you have for your skincare?

Disclosure: This post features complimentary products received for editorial consideration and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to the Policies page of this blog.

22 comments

The Dainty Dolls House said...

These sound really good. I've been using more natural minimal like products as well and my skin has been so much better. Will have to look into these :)

Unknown said...

I love the idea of minimalistic approach towards skincare and makeup. Sometimes too many beauty products can be very overwhelming, it actually is for me! I like the approach and ideology of the brand! The products definitely sound promising, need to check them out!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! :)
xx
Ankita | Real Girl Talks
http://realgirltalks.com/

Doctor Anne said...

Do they state how they farm" the snail mucus? I have heard some pretty gruesome things, which has so far put me off trying.

Paola Lauretano said...

Sound both so good and the minimalistic approach is lovely!
Kisses, Paola.

Expressyourself

Emmylou said...

I am loving the sound of both these products, chingu! Snail secretion is an HG for me as well. It really does wonders for my skin. I've run out of masks that has this so thanks for the reminder I have to go get some more:) Also a fan of tea tree oil so that serum also sounds fab:)

R's Rue said...

Great.

Ivana Split said...

Black Snail Restore Serum sounds lovely and so does the Tea Tree one. I do like the natural approach of IUNIK brand. Natural products are the way to go. While I haven't heard of this brand before, I always hear great things about Korean skin care products, so I believe it must be good.

My skin care routine is very minimal too, I use Nivea soap to wash my face and Nivea face cream to moisturize. That's literally my skin care routine. I do use olive and coconut oil on my face and skin occasionally.

bellodiesseredonna said...

da provare questi prodotti

A Very Sweet Blog said...

My criteria is if it works (and is necessary), then it stays! LOL I've never tried any snail skincare products yet Rowena. I will have to give some a try. I love tea tree oil. There are so many benefits to using it.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Unknown said...

Great post!
Have a nice week!
Gil Zetbase

Beauty Unearthly said...

This is such an interesting topic, thanks for sharing these products :)
xx

GlamourZONE said...

I would really love to try the snail one, sounds interesting.

www.glamourzone.org

Lilli said...

Morning Rowena! Ive recently discovered the tea tree oil and I truly love the benefits, Id be curious to try the serum because it must be great as well as the black snail one, I love to use snail secretion products for my skin, the results are remarkable. Happy weekend dear! xo

Jackie Harrison said...

Both serum sound interesting especially the snail I never use or heard of until now and curious to try. Thanks for the review enjoy your weekend.

Mica said...

I like the sound of the tea tree one. I know that the first one would be so far removed from snails, but I still can't get over that, I can't imagine putting anything snail-like on my face, haha!


Hope you are having a lovely week so far and you have a fun weekend ahead of you :)

Away From The Blue Blog

Shireen L. Platt said...

I really like the ingredients in the Black Snail serum and ti would be the one I would buy between the two.

Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

Kasztanowy Domek said...

Great products!
Happy weekend!
kiss:)

xxBasia

Gabrielle said...

I really love how you've described how running a tight edit has been satisfying - I can imagine how refreshing following a minimal lifestyle must be! These products sound great, although the Black Snail serum would certainly be my first choice. Have a fabulous weekend Rowena!

Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

Corinne said...

I keep seeing snail a lot in skincare lately and I can't help but being put off by it! I love the idea of following a minimal lifestyle but just really like buying stuff. Haha.

Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com

Midnight Cowgirl said...

Those serums sound lovely!

Unknown said...

I've heard great things about the tea tree. Those are beautiful bottles. Thanks for posting!

Jenny said...

I'm really impressed by their ingredient list and their affordable prices, for me this is a great brand for people just building their skincare routine. I tried their propolis serum and enjoyed the texture, but efficacy I don't think it's as potent as some of my pricier serums. I'm definitely intrigued bu their tea tree serum now, especially since it performs on par with the LJH one!

Jenny // Geeky Posh