i was running out of my daiso serum and i realized i didn't have any serum or essence in my stash. so i was searching for a new one. i wanted to order the ordinary buffet serum but it was sold out when my brother was back here, so i couldn't ask him to buy one for me. i also wanted to try niacinamide but it was also sold out. then i saw this serum on my usual online shop's page. i read more about it and became curious. it's sworn by jun ji hyun who definitely has great skin, plus i was curious about their saying about "screaming serum" so i bought one and it arrived just in time. so let's see about this one, whether or not it lives up to the hype.

the description from stylekorean website: this beauty must-have is famously known as jun ji hyun's serum after it was revealed to be her go to skin care product. it's now fondly called the "damn serum" due to the tingling sensation it creates when applied onto damaged, oxidized skin - the greater the damage, the more it tingles. over time, this diminishes as your skin heals. this anti-oxidant enriched serum enhances elasticity, prevents premature wrinkling, balances oil and moisture and tones. it also helps relax the skin by using aloe vera in place of purified water and vegetable components instead of synthetic preservatives. recommended for those with the following concerns: those with enlarged, disnted pores, suffer from fine wrinkles, with numerous skin concerns, whose skin dries out quickly, with rough skin.

the box

the other side of the box

the packaging: it comes in a white/yellow box, at the box there's description in korean. fortunately, the ingredients list is written in english. the bottle itself is made of glass with dropper on top. i don't like another glass bottle in my vanity, but what can i do? the bottle is completely transparent so you can see the remaining product inside. there's another description printed on the bottle.

the ingredients list

the scent: when i first open the bottle, i can smell herbal medicine scent from this serum, but not too bitter and clearly not as strong as sulwhasoo's. but it doesn't have that ginger scent like sulwhasoo although it's made of various extracts.

the bottle

you can see the oil layer separated from the serum layer below

the product: you can definitely two layers inside the bottle, both are yellow gold in color. on top is the oil layer, so you have to shake the bottle well before using the dropper to get the product out. when i pour it on my palm, i can see yellow liquid with tiny golden oil droplet. the serum is very liquidy so i have difficulty dropping it directly to my face. it will drip down my face before i have the chance to drop the serum all over my face, so i change the method to pour it to my palms and quickly rub and massage it to my face.

the serum in the dropper after shaking it well

the result: definitely give some sticky feeling and glowy trace thanks to the oil. it does take quite some time to be absorbed. i've tried this serum several ways. when i first used this, i still have my ordinary vitamin c. both has oily feeling after being applied, so no matter which one i put first, they both doesn't seem to layer well, so i use this serum in the afternoon after taking a bath and then use the ordinary serum at night. and it works well. i don't have problem with products don't get absorbed. now that i've finished my ordinary vit c, i switch back to melano cc which i use as spot treatment. both also has oily finish, but i think it layers well. now to the "screaming serum" claims... honestly, at first i don't feel anything. not even when i have acnes on my cheek. even when i pop the acne, i have nasty scar on my cheek, but nothing.. no tingling sensation whatsoever. but lately, i've been playing with makeup at night, to get the swatches' pictures taken and stuff, and i use makeup wipes to clean my face between swatches, and somehow the alcohol content in it irritates my skin. and when i use my night regimen, both my lactic acid serum and this serum gives me that tingling sensation that i've never experienced before. did it hurt? no. it only tingling for a few seconds, and i only feel it for about one or two times. now, they say that it's recommended for people with enlarged pores and rough skin, definitely fits my husband. unfortunately, he refused to use it regularly, so i can't report any progress on him. but on his first try, he could feel the tingling sensation on both his cheeks.

serum on my hand (notice how watery it is!)

after blending it in

so far i can only see that it moisturizes my skin well. it doesn't help in preventing acne. can't say about anti-wrinkle because i also use another product that target fine lines too. as for brightening, can't say anything because i also use vitamin c serum plus i'm already pale to begin with. skin trouble.. if it's meant acne, then it doesn't help much. i've been using half the bottle and i don't see anything much, so for me it doesn't worth the hype. i will comparing this serum to the ordinary buffet serum that i will use next since i think both are similar. will update you on that.