At a glance
I tried the Quad Active Boosting Essence with propolis, fermented honey and black tea from the Korean skincare brand By Wishtrend. Here are my thoughts!
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An essence based on fermented ingredients, with honey and propolis… How was I supposed to resist it? 😉 Here is my review of the Quad Active Boosting Essence from the Korean skincare brand By Wishtrend!
I have to admit that, even if I really wanted to try it as soon as it was released, the marketing of the brand regarding this essence was a bit confusing for me at first…
Indeed, By Wishtrend refers to this product as a “serum booster”, which I personally find quite reductive. An essence is good for the skin without needing to be the booster of another product, in my opinion!
Between that and the fact that the brand called it “Quad Active”, implying four key ingredients, and the fact that the formula actually contains much more than that… it wasn’t very clear!
So, let me explain in more detail what this is all about and why the By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence is much better than just a “serum booster”! 😉
Ingredients
Focus on: Honey and Propolis
Skin products rich in hive ingredients such as honey and propolis have always been popular, especially amongst sensitive skins. The use of these ingredients in cosmetic is definitely not new, but skincare products made in Korea put a spotlight again on these very powerful and effective natural ingredients.
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By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence, product presentation:
The Quad Active Boosting Essence is the first essence from By Wishtrend, a Korean skincare brand that I mentioned in my review of one of their serums that I really like, the By Wishtrend Polyphenols In Propolis 15% Ampoule.
Wishtrend is basically a company that distributes (and also creates) Korean cosmetics. Their almost eponymous brand, By Wishtrend, was developed in response to recurring requests from customers of the online store, who wanted products that could meet specific needs. What is more, By Wishtrend defines itself as a “cosmeceuticals” (= at the crossroads between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) brand.
In the products of the range, we find many typical K-Beauty ingredients, which are generally inspired by traditional Korean medicine (honey, propolis, green tea, black tea, willow bark etc…). I always find these ingredients very interesting, and I enjoy using them in my routine!
No matter the name and the brand’s marketing to describe it, the By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence is indeed a treating essence (if you want to know more about this category of products, I dedicated a whole article to them: Do I need an essence? ).
You can use it like other essences, after cleansing the skin and before serum.
Usually, essences are mainly focused on hydration, but here, this is not the only benefit. This essence is above all very soothing, and quite immediately, in my opinion!
This is probably due to the ingredients it contains. Judge for yourself:
– some Propolis, which I love, because it’s a great soothing and anti-bacterial ingredient,
– some willow bark water with very slightly exfoliating and purifying properties,
– soothing and calming cornflower floral water,
– anti-inflammatory Schisandra Chinensis flower extract,
– fermented black tea, anti-oxidant and soothing,
– fermented honey, very soothing and repairing,
– soothing Sacred Lotus leaf extract,
– and purifying white mulberry bark.
Propolis and honey are really my greatest hits of the winter. They are both perfect for my dehydrated, sensitive skin that tends to be acne prone.
By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence, my experience:
I started the By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence in September, and I just emptied my bottle. It was perfect in Fall because it’s not heavy at all but I also appreciate it a lot in winter, for its soothing effect!
I only use it in the morning but it can be used in the evening as well, no problem.
Its texture is very liquid and my skin drinks it instantly! I dab it into my skin directly with my hands, as I do with all my essences.
It’s super calming and I also find that it gives me a lovely glow, which is definitely appreciated. I wonder if it’s not due to the willow bark water, which is very slightly exfoliating (nothing irritating, don’t worry, it’s a very very mild chemical exfoliation).
It’s actually quite great for me who doesn’t use acids at all at the moment because of tretinoin 😉
It’s not necessarily the most moisturizing of my essences, but I don’t mind, I have other products in my routine for that! Really, I find it super pleasant to use and that’s good enough for me 😉
Also, it’s quite affordable (around $25) and it lasts a while (4 months for me).
In conclusion:
In short, I think it’s a very nice essence to use; my skin literally drinks it like water, but it’s still very soothing and there’s also that bonus brightening effect which is always welcome!
Actually, I just repurchased one bottle!
The retails between $23 and $28 for 100ml depending on the retailers.
Product Review in detail
Summary
By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence
"This essence is recommended as a serum booster that contains 'Quad Active' Ingredients: 3 Complex Ingredients (Morus Alba Bark Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract), Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, and Propolis. These ingredients are widely known to help with anti-inflammatory, anti-pollution, and anti-bacterial effects to maintain your skin to stay healthy and lively. Also, with supporting ingredients Black Tea and Honey, it provides moisturizing effects to the skin. Recommended using this essence in between your toner and serum step!"
Recommendation
An effective and nice to use product!
Price
$23 - $28
Details
Pros
- the chic and elegant packaging, like a fancy bottle of whisky!
- the formula, which is full of good ingredients beneficial for the skin,
- the refreshing texture,
- the immediate soothing effect,
- the glow it provides,
- the price is very decent.
Cons
None
product name
Quad Active Boosting Essence
brand name
By Wishtrend
size
100ml
made in
South Korea
packaging
A lovely round golden yellow bottle, which reminds me of a very chic bottle of whisky.
fragrance
Fragrance-free (and it doesn't smell like anything).
texture
Very liquid, like water, it absorbs immediately, leaving the skin refreshed.
For Who
All skin types, all ages.
Concerns
– dehydrated skin,
– irritated skin,
– dull skin,
– ageing signs.
Method
I use the By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence in the morning, after I have cleansed my skin and used my vitamin C serum and before my other specific treatments (serums) and moisturizer. As I understand it, this is a “First Essence”, which should be applied before other products, or even other essences, but it can totally be used on its own if you prefer. You can also use it morning and evening if you want to.
I apply it on my face, including my eye contour and my neck. I pour the essence directly into the palm of my hand. I sprinkle it between two and three times, so that I have enough product in my palm. You can also use a cotton pad to apply it but I personally find that you lose too much product by using this method.
I then apply it directly to my skin, using light pressure with the palms of my hands until the essence has penetrated. If my skin is particularly dry, as it is the case at the moment for me, I reiterate the operation 2 or 3 times.
I finish by lightly patting my skin for a better absorption.
Key Ingredients
The formula is very well done! It contains, among other things:
– moisturizing glycerin,
– some propolis that I love, because it’s a super soothing and anti-bacterial ingredient,
– willow bark water with very slightly exfoliating and purifying properties,
– soothing and calming cornflower floral water,
– extract of anti-inflammatory Schisandra Chinensis flower,
– fermented black tea, which is antioxidant and soothing,
– fermented honey, very soothing and repairing,
– soothing Sacred Lotus leaf extract,
– purifying white mulberry bark.
Ingredients
Aqua(Water), Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract(10%), Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water(9%), Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract(9%), Morus Alba Bark Extract(8.7%), Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract(8.7%), Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Saccharomyces/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propolis Extract(1%), Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Ingredients not included
– alcohol,
– fragrance,
– essential oils,
– dyes,
– silicones,
– mineral oil.
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By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence $23 - $28
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