Review: Mizon Water Volume EX Essence

Hello beauties!

I have been a fan of Mizon products since last year and I bought this essence about a month ago after waiting sooo long to get it. I was on the hunt for an essence, preferably a Korean essence. I went to 3 Mecca stores to try and find this, but they all told me it was out of stock. It had also been unavailable online for quite some time, so I just kept waiting until last month, when Mecca had free express shipping and I checked to see if this was finally in stock, and it was! Ceasing the opportunity of not only free shipping, but free express shipping – I could not pass up. Plus who doesn’t love getting free samples with their order. The free samples I picked up were:

• Nars Orgasm Blush
• Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• Origins GinZing Energy-boosting Moisturiser

The essence is available from Mecca online and in stores, but I’m sure you can get it from other online retailers, especially K-beauty ones. It is $15AUD for 150ml, roughly $1.50 per 10ml.

Description:

“Water Volume EX Line provides powerful hydration to resolve the essential causes of dryness.”

Directions:

“After cleansing your face in the morning and evening, apply an appropriate amount onto your face in a smooth motion from the center of your face out. Do not rub lightly but tap to make it absorb into your skin.”

Ingredients:

“Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Bis-PEG -18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Algae Extract, Isomalt, Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Caprylic Triglyceride, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sodium Carrageenan, Maris Sal, Moringa Olifera Seed Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glyocol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkly Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tropolone, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot ) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Adenosine, Panthenol, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Convallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA [062716]”

First impressions:

• Packaging

I love the blue packaging of the box and the product itself. It reminds me of water – I guess that was their point since the product is called “Water Volume EX” haha. It’s also very simple and not full of information. The words on the back of the packaging are in English and Korean, noting the directions and ingredients.

I love the slim bottle that it comes in, it means it won’t take up a lot of space on shelves, or on tables etc.

When you take the lid off, there’s a little ‘stopper’ that you pull up to allow the product to flow. I put the stopper back in, when I’m done.

• Durability of bottle

I’m not sure what to call the packaging that the bottle is made out of, but it’s very durable. If you were to drop it, the bottle will not break.

• Amount

Before I bought this, I did research and found that it was 150ml. For the price of $15, I think that’s pretty good. It will probably last ages, since you only need 2-3 drops on your face, times that by two for twice daily use and that’s 6 drops max. per day. Not too bad.

• Affordability

Don’t even need to repeat myself, it’s definitely one of my more affordable skincare products.

• Scent

When I grabbed a sample of this, I didn’t take into account the smell. But after purchasing the full bottle and using it, I noticed it smells somewhat fruity, mainly orange. As seen in the ingredients there is Bergamot Fruit Oil and Orange Flower Extract.

• Extras

Whilst this is a ‘first essence’ that aims to add hydration to the face, it also has lactic acid and niacinamide. Lactic acid aims to resurface the skin, and niacinamide brightens the skin. It’s like 3 birds with 1 stone.

• Lightweight

I haven’t tried many essences in the past, this is like my first “real” essence, and it’s super lightweight and absorbs really quickly. I have oily skin and I hate when products leave that greasy residue afterwards. But this one doesn’t!

                                     1 drop of product               Once tapped into skin, covers entire surface 

Overall:

I’ve only been using this for about a month and I can already feel an improvement in my skin. My skin isn’t dry, but having extra hydration never hurt. I love the extras that I mentioned in my first impressions. My skins texture has become a bit smoother than before too!

I haven’t even used 1/6th of it yet! I have been using it consistently twice a day, after my toner/s. I read online and in reviews that some people experienced pilling (when product tends to ‘ball up’ after application), but I didn’t experience any pilling because I usually leave 5-10 minutes (or even more) between each skincare step.

Among all the great things that I love about this product, I love that it doesn’t make me greasy after using it. I am sooo picky with new skincare products, because I’m scared they’ll make me feel greasy afterwards, but this doesn’t, not at all! Some products that I’ve used in the past, and are consider ‘holy grail’ by many, have left me feeling greasy which is so disappointing because it worked out for everyone, except me.

Would I consider repurchasing this in the future? 100% if it’s in stock! I started using this in December 2017, and I think I can make it last for at least 6 months.

What are some of your favourite essences? I’d love to see what you guys have been loving.

As always, with love,

Irene (icxbeauty)