Skincare products and reviews
Wait, are you serious? That’s usually the first reaction I get from people asking about the latest thing I’m slathering on my face. It’s almost always followed by the second most common reaction: Gross. If Korean skincare ingredients are foreign to you, you’ll be amazed at how novel they are from what you are used … Read more
Sometime last summer, I received a message from one of my followers asking if I had tried the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water because it was her favorite. This stuck in my mind; it was time to try it out. Some of the things I bought are based on positive reviews I received on Instagram, … Read more
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate has considerable benefits for the skin and is a beloved skincare ingredient in Korea and Japan. As usual, Koreans are ahead of the game and have had fermented skincare on the market for a while, but only recently has it become popular out West. Several products have Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate as the … Read more
Niacinamide is a favorite ingredient among skincare enthusiasts. Niacinamide benefits range from reducing hyperpigmentation, acne, and post-inflammatory marks to even reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide Benefits Guide: Niacinamide in the Skin Care Market If niacinamide were a person, it would be your friendly friend. Your friend is always there when you need it to … Read more
The numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner introduced me to the numbuzin brand. When I read Mia’s experience with the numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum, I decided to get acquainted with the rest of the brand’s products. Someone’s got to try them all, right? I chose to start with this essence toner because of its unique formulation. Never … Read more
The Belif Hungarian Water Essence was inspired by the legendary “Hungarian Water” that allowed Hungarian Queen Elizabeth to maintain her beauty far into old age. Based on a moisturizing formula created by applying Hungarian Water to natural herbs, including rosemary and lavender, this water-type essence allegedly transforms aged, dull skin into healthy-looking skin glowing with youth. Let’s see how … Read more
I stray farther from Innisfree products than I should. It is a great brand that makes lovely cosmetics. Still, Innisfree tends to be heavy-handed with the artificial fragrance and I have given away many of their well-formulated cosmetics due to the scent. But, after seeing Innisfree Blueberry Rebalancing Cleanser in a new formulation pop up … Read more
Being a person whose skin (before the RNW Ceramide serum) frequently resembled a 2000-year-old sheet of parchment, my biggest skin problem has always been Dry and dry. I was drawn to K-beauty years ago because everything I read, from 10-step routines to reviews of products, seemed to have a heavy focus on moisture. I was … Read more
I’m only about 547 years later than everyone jumping on this COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner bandwagon, but that’s okay. Better late than never and all that jazz, right? I only recently discovered this toner by browsing YouTube videos about skincare. COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is a toner with hydrating, refreshing, and pH-balancing properties. … Read more
Well, the Belif train is not slowing down any time soon. Like a waiter who keeps refilling your water glass even after you politely signal that you’re good, Belif has caught on to its great potential and expanded its offerings beyond mere hydration. I’ve been a Belif-er since I tried out their best-selling Moisturizing Bomb Cream*. Consequently, Belif is … Read more
Garden of muses
Welcome, skintellectuals, to the Garden of Muses!
A science-based skincare magazine covering everything from ingredient spotlights, reviews, skincare guides, and routines to busting myths, finding dupes, and breaking down trends.
Our passionate and knowledgeable editors review their beauty crushes.
