Review: It's Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis

This sample is apparently a limited edition of their Power 10 Formula line. I got this and It's Skin Power 10 Formula CO Effector with Phyto Collagen as samples when I bought It's Skin Prestige Creme Hand D'Escargot back when I went to Korea for the summer. The snail hand cream was a dud unfortunately but It's Skin Power 10 Formula CO Effector with Phyto Collagen was impressive enough for me to go venture into GMarket for the first time and buy the full size along with another product from the same line for sebum control (will review once I get to trying it).

Description (taken from koreadepart.com):

• Formulated with niacinamide, propolis extract, Halla Cham-honey extract, complex of black rose, freesia and white daisy
• High-enriched ampoule that protects skin, gives moisture and provides bright skin
• After using toner, apply a proper amount (about 2~3 fills with fountainpen filler) to face and neck. Let skin absorb it with gentle stroke.

My impression:

This product is from the Power 10 Line which is the top selling line from It's Skin. The salesperson kept trying to sell them to me when I was back in Korea too but I didn't know much about it so I didn't try. There are 11 products in this line (plus two limited editions, this is one of them), each targeting a different type of skin trouble. This one is for acne/troubled skin.

The serum are clear/cloudy liquid stored in 30ml ampules. Yes, only 30ml, but since they're quite watery in consistency you don't need that much to spread it all over your face each time. This one was a bit thicker in consistency so one sample only lasted me 2 applications. With the CO Effector, one sample was enough to last me 4 days with nightly usage and I applied pretty generously.

I used this as the last step of my skincare routine at night, after Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner toner. This power effector basically replaced Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask as my night cream. I didn't use it in the morning because it can get quite shiny on my face.

Due to my drastic change back in August to Korean skincare products, my face has improved dramatically. I don't really have acne/troubled skin anymore. I used to have 1-2 pimples show up right before my monthly cycle but with the use of Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence to control my oil production during the day, my face has become almost pimple free every month. So I don't think I can say much about the acne prevention.

I'm not exactly sure what "protects skin" in the product description is supposed to be. Other sites say this ampoule has a "skin protectant" effect. Once again, no idea.

Moisturize, yes. Not a lot though.. I don't think this will be enough for people with dry skin. You'd need to put some cream on top of this. Brightening, I would say it only brightened my skin a tiny little bit. The brightening effect pales in comparison to the CO Effector, which is weird because I don't think the CO Effector is advertised for brightening. But I woke up and my face was 80% back to its usual unhealthy yellow tan that I get when I don't put a brightening cream on.

I basically felt like this gave me half the effect of the CO Effector. So I won't be buying this one.

Summary:

Hydrated nicely but strange enough did not brighten as much as CO Effector even though the CO Effector doesn't have brightening as its main purpose
No breakouts, allergic reaction
$17 for 30ml on eBay

Grade: 3/5 because it gave me 50% (or less) of CO Effector's effectiveness

Value: 2.5/5 because it's expensive on eBay and not many sellers have it and it's not very effective!

Repurchase? Nope