skinfood black sugar perfect first serum 2x light

although i haven't reached enough conclusion about the previous version, i'm intrigued when i saw the newer version. they released two types of this new version, essential and light. the original's main ingredient is black sugar, but the newer one has black sugar and rice wine, which is famous for its brightening effect. while there's no information on their website about the difference between the essential and the light version, i assume the light one is more suitable for oily skin, so i decided to pick that one.


this is the definition from their website: achieve a smoother, clearer complexion with a combination of moisture rich black sugar and cheongju, a traditional korean wine. a lighter formulation provides immediate hydration and quick absoption. this refreshing serum provides balance to both oily and dry skin. to use: shake before use. after cleansing, dispense serum on cotton pad. wipe with the textured side to gently exfoliate dead skin, excess keratin, and other impurities. pat with the soft smooth side to ensure total absorption.

the packaging: there's no difference in packaging from the older version, but the label. it's just like pictured above, in a dark brown glass bottle with metal screw cap. it's quite heavy, so if you order online, you might have to consider the weight. it has one opening on top of the bottle with a plastic separation. the light one has white label, while the essential one has the brown label.

the smell: okay, perhaps this is the difference between the older and the newer version. the older one has stronger scent, like alcoholic liquor, but the newer one has similar scent but more subtle.

the product: it's quite similar with the older version. it's gold brown liquid, like-water-viscosity, so the cotton pad is suitable, since it's pretty like toner for me. oh, i forgot to mention that if you buy the full version, you will get a box of special cotton pad to use. the cotton pad has two sides, one is slightly rough with holes to exfoliate, and the other is smooth like usual cotton pad to tap on the excess of the serum to your skin. the cotton pad is kinda important since i've tried using the regular cotton pad. the regular cotton pad won't do the exfoliation part. the downside about the cotton pad is that the rough side is easily detached from the whole cotton pad, so you have to be careful to rub your skin.

the result: oh yes, it helps maintaining smoother and clearer complexion. as for hydration, it doesn't seem like it helps, but somehow it helps the next step. somehow it acts more like booster for me. my moisturizer is being absorbed better and even my makeup holds longer after using this pre-serum. it helps controlling my sebum problem so far, but hot days are coming, so i will keep you updated. as for the brightening effect, i bet it helps though it doesn't look that clear to me. it doesn't cause me breakouts or purging in any sort. and when i tried this, i used it twice a day at first, and then tone it down, and i can see the difference. when i used it once a day, i noticed my skin is dull. i hate it and i started using it twice a day again. it sucks to realize that it made your skin dependant to it. not improve it.
oh, and when i wrote about it, i read about other blogger's review, and she used it without the cotton pad and she loved it. actually, i was afraid of over exfoliating, so i tried using this without the cotton pad. well, the brightness effect is still the same if i use it twice a day, but somehow it's a little bit sticky than usual. FYI, i've used two different moisturizer after this serum. the mizon one i haven't tried it without the cotton pad, but it's still sticky anyway some days. but for the face shop emulsion, when i use the cotton pad, the emulsion will be absorbed completely and leave my skin velvety. but when i tried it without the cotton pad, i noticed there's a slight stickiness afterwards.

so, will i repurchase it? perhaps.. if it doesn't require special cotton pad. and i can't find the cotton pad refill, so i guess i have to buy the full size product to get the cotton pad. plus it's in a glass bottle. i've been trying to avoid glass bottle since my kids are eager to play with my skincare arsenals. the other thing that kind of annoying me is the rate of this product gone. it's been almost two weeks since i've started using it, and i've managed to use a quarter of it. with the price only 100k difference with innisfree soybean energy essence in big size, the length of usage is quite different. the small bottle of innisfree can last me up to 6 months, but this one? probably a month or a month and a half top. that's quite pricey for me. but, if you're looking for a toner/first serum/essence that helps with hydration and brightening effect and hate the purging that usually comes with most first essences, then try this one. it's nice and effective. i think it will suitable for every skin types.

oh and i forgot. many people are curious about the step of this product. the company stated that it's to be used after cleansing your face, so in the toner step. many bloggers use this as a hydrating toner. i think it's up to you how you want to use it, but since it's meant to exfoliate and hydrate, i think the company suggestion is suitable. so i use it after cleansing my face, so in the toner step.

the complete box packaging

the cotton pad box

the product and the cotton pad box

cotton pad inside the box

the cotton pad left is the exfoliation side, right is the smooth side

the serum bottle

left: the seal opening right: the hole after removing the seal

left: before using right: after using the exfoliation side

a week before after using the product