BRANDS I'M INTO: AXIS-Y - VEGAN, ANTI-POLLUTION SKINCARE - BEST MINERAL SUNSCREEN, BEST BLEMISH TREATMENT
Over the years, I’ve had the great pleasure of experiencing some of the coolest, most intriguing and innovative Korean skincare — at home in Brooklyn and in Seoul, the holy capital of K-beauty.
My one and only trip to Korea was in January, 2013 — nearly ten years ago. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long.
Seoul in the winter is glorious, otherworldly and brutal. The air is damp and bone-chillingly cold. I remember standing in the DMZ at the border with North Korea thinking I had never been so cold in my life!
But being in Seoul was special and one of the highlights of my travels around the world. I’d already had an appreciation for Korean food, but left with a passion for its spicy, warming heat. Being there in such frigid air left me with a clearer understanding as to why Korean food is so spicy. Even so, I long to return in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are a bit more, temperate.
I loved nearly every minute of my six days in Seoul but, of course, there was nothing more exciting than hopping from beauty shop to beauty shop in the city’s famed Gangnam neighborhood. It was my first real experience with Korean skincare, or K-beauty.
One of the most unusual, and memorable, products I came across was a bizarre eye cream made with “a new peptide modeled after the venom of the Temple Viper.” To this day, I don’t know if the burning around my eyes was the faux snake venom in the formula or if it was all in my head. I suppose I’ll never know!
And while that snake venom serum was a bit gimmicky, I’ve discovered and appreciated many more serious Korean skincare products since that seminal trip to Seoul. I’ve made no secret of the fact that some of my favorite facial sunscreen products come from the world of Korean skincare.
Among the best K-beauty sunscreens are Purito’s Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ and the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. Both rely upon a blend of mineral and chemical sun filters and are a real pleasure to use.
Psst…The COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream was actually named the top K-beauty sunscreen by Birdie in a recent article titled, 12 Korean Sunscreens That Are Super Innovative (and Effective), which you can read here.
If you know COSRX, you know it is a favorite of K-Beauty fans (count me among them!). In addition to the Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, the brand offers one of my favorite hydrating toners of all time — the fermented COSRX Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toner. If you haven’t tried it, you’re really missing out.
PRODUCT REVIEW: COSRX ALOE SOOTHING SUN CREAM SPF 50 PA+++
The COSRX Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toner is a simple formula, comprising just 10 ingredients. Its star fermented active, as the name indicates, is Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate — the second ingredient after water. It’s simply divine and in my opinion one of the best hydrating toners ever. You can catch my review of it on the blog here.
The list of my favorite Korean skincare products is extensive. And I’m always excited to discover new K-beauty products and brands. My latest discover is AXIS-Y, a clean, vegan, cruelty-free brand focused on pollution and its aging effects on the skin.
The world of Korean skincare can seem overwhelming in its breadth and the seemingly infinite number of products made with unusual ingredients. K-beauty truly is a world all its own. So when a brand stands out in the pack, it’s significant. AXIS-Y is one of those brands. I’ve literally had my eye on AXIS-Y for years and was excited to finally have the chance to try several of their products for myself.
The fact that AXIS-Y is hyper-focused on pollution and its effects on the skin matters to me. A lot. Skin barrier health is a main focus of my entire skincare regimen and, I believe, one of the reasons that my skin is in such great condition today.
According to the brand, “Our skin experiences an ever-growing complex environment influenced by growing pollution, stressors, and climate change. In addition, with the rise of traveling, more people have realized the unique skin concerns arising by their climate and the need for more personalized skincare. As the first creators of climate-inspired skincare, we seek to deliver this higher level of personalized care for our global community.”
Over the last several weeks, I’ve been putting three AXIS-Y products to the test.
The AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is a brightening treatment formulated for dark spots and hyperpigmentation in the complexion. A blend of 5% Niacinamide, fruit enzymes and antioxidants, it’s a gentle herbal serum that I consider more effective at defending skin from pigmentation than targeting existing spots. It’s essential to prevent signs of aging and irregularities in the complexion in the first place — and the reason daily use of a well-formulated sunscreen is so important.
The AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment is one of the more interesting acne treatments I’ve come across. With a blend of soothing and hydrating actives, I love how gentle it is on the skin. Rather than drying out the blemish and the surrounding skin, something which often leads to a difficult-to-erase acne mark, Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment helps the skin to heal. And it works!
Last is the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen. Of course I was most excited to try the brand’s 100% mineral sunscreen! I have to say, it’s an exceptional formula and an immense pleasure to use. It has a medicinal, herbal scent that I’m infatuated with.
I’m excited to share my impressions and product reviews of each the three AXIS-Y products below. Enjoy…
AXIS-Y | Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen
I’ve often shared my favorite Kiehl’s philosophy, something I took to heart from my days working on the brand in the early to late 2000s. That is, wear sunscreen even on cloudy, seemingly sunless days. The mistake many people make is in thinking that they can somehow outsmart the sun; that they don’t need sun protection in the winter when the sun is weak or on a cloudy day. You can’t outsmart the sun. The sun’s rays always find a way to your skin.
It is essential to wear sunscreen even on cloudy seemingly sunless days.
I never, ever go without sunscreen. My secret for healthy, youthful looking skin isn’t Botox, a face lift or a BB cream; it’s sunscreen. And I firmly believe you have to find one (or several!) that you enjoy using so much that you wouldn’t even think of skipping it.
You can explore my recommendations of the best sunscreens for face on the blog here.
Among my favorite sunscreens that are currently in my daily rotation are Cocokind’s Daily SPF Facial Sunscreen Lotion, the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk — an iconic J-beauty sunscreen that I’ve often joked is made from alien technology. You can catch my review of it on the blog here.
The Best Sunscreens for Face
I have multiple sunscreens I love — chemical, mineral and hybrid — so the bar is set relatively high for me. For a sunscreen to make it to my regular daily skincare regimen is a big deal. And I’m excited to share that the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is now among my top picks of 2022.
As I said, AXIS-Y’s 100% mineral sunscreen is an exceptional formula. The Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is quite a well-formulated and well-rounded facial sunscreen product with a blend of protective antioxidants, replenishing plant oils and soothing herbal extracts that combine for a complete anti-aging, pro-skin health treatment.
And the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is such a pleasure to use. I’m literally obsessed with its super light fluid texture and medical aroma.
No Skincarma Blog review about sunscreen products and the importance of sun protection would be complete without mention of Jeanne and Susan, identical twin sisters.
Seriously, I can’t imagine a Skincarma Blog article about the best facial sunscreen products for the summer heat without an introduction to my friends Jeanne and Susan — identical twin sisters.
No, they're not my actual friends; in fact, we’ve never met. But I feel like I know them. As good friends would, they inspire me to be better — and to wear sunscreen every single day of the year. If you need proof of the very real effects of sun damage on your skin, look no further than these two ladies.
The sisters looked exactly alike growing up. But Susan has spent her life in Florida worshiping the sun (she’s also a heavy smoker!) while sister Jeanne lives in Ohio and has generally avoided overexposure to the sun (and smoking) throughout her life. While both were 61 when the adjacent photo was taken, a scientific study of Susan’s skin at Case Western Reserve University showed an 11-year age difference — Susan has extreme hyperpigmentation (sun spots), deeper wrinkles and degradation in skin elasticity.
Be a Jeanne, not a Susan!
What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens?
While I do prefer a mineral sunscreen, it’s not a dealbreaker for me. What’s most important is that you love using your sunscreen product. If it’s a chemical sunscreen, that’s perfectly okay. One of my all-time favorite sunscreens is the Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++ — a 100% chemical facial sunscreen that’s such a pleasure to use it’s insane. I literally look forward to applying it! (You can catch my review of it o the blog here.)
But what are the real differences between a mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen? For helpful insights, there’s an excellent article by the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Mineral vs. Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients available here. In the piece, the experts explain the differences and benefits between the two — and even dispel a myth or two.
The two types of sunscreen ingredients are mineral and synthetic [chemical], and both are equally protective. Further reassuring is that each can be included in formulas created for every skin type. For example, if you have normal to oily skin, there are weightless, non-greasy options; if you have normal to dry skin, it’s possible to find skin-smoothing, hydrating SPF products.
What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients?
The differences aren’t about which type is more effective; rather, it comes down to personal preference and how sensitive your skin is—mineral sunscreens are considered the most gentle options.
Mineral sunscreens: There are only two mineral sunscreen ingredients: titanium dioxideand zinc oxide. They work in skin's uppermost layers to both absorb and, to a lesser extent, deflect and scatter the sun’s harmful rays. These mineral ingredients are sometimes referred to as physical sunscreens or physical blockers, although that’s not a factual representation of how they work.
Synthetic sunscreens: There are over 30 synthetic sunscreen ingredients, all of which absorb into the top layers of skin, where they work similar to mineral sunscreens: by scattering and deflecting the sun’s harmful rays, and by converting UV rays into heat and “deactivating” them. (Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.) Common synthetic sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone. These are sometimes labeled “chemical sunscreens,” which is both misleading and false. All skin care ingredients, even water, are chemicals.
—
Which Sunscreen is Best?
As we said, the right sunscreen for you is the one you’ll look forward to applying daily. It should be rated SPF 30 or higher and provide broad-spectrum protection to prevent damage from the sun’s killer UVA and UVB rays. Beyond that, to make an informed choice, you need to know how your skin type responds to different sunscreen ingredients and textures: those containing mineral actives, synthetic actives, or a combination of both.
Mineral sunscreens:
Begin to work immediately on application, but must be absorbed to be most effective and to ensure they don’t wipe off on clothing.
Have almost no risk of irritating skin.
May leave a white cast, especially on darker skin tones, but the best pure mineral sunscreens go on almost sheer.
May need more careful, liberal application because of the way they work in formulas. So, go ahead, slather these on for brilliant protection!
Do not penetrate past skin's uppermost layers.
Synthetic sunscreens:
Begin to work immediately on application, but must be absorbed to be most effective and to ensure they don’t wipe off on clothing.
Are generally found in products with thinner textures.
Tend to be preferred for water-resistant formulas because they don’t turn milky-looking when you sweat or get wet. But, as with any sunscreen, you must reapply them often.
Can be sensitizing for those with extra-sensitive skin.
Can penetrate the skin and be absorbed in small amounts that are not shown to have health risks.
Read the full article here.
With what I estimate to be a 20% concentration of the mineral sun filter Zinc Oxide, the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is an antioxidant powerhouse. There’s also a 3-4% concentration of Titanium Dioxide for SPF 50+ UVB protection and a UVA defense rating a PA ++++ — the highest UVA rating for a sunscreen.
A sunscreen product’s UVA protection isn’t evaluated in the US, which is such a shame — and one of the reasons why I prefer A-beauty sunscreens. UVA rays are the more insidious of the sun’s UV rays; they damage DNA and cause more serious skin cancers.
What Does PA Mean in Sunscreen and What Is the Difference between SPF and PA?
There’s an excellent piece from the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, What Does the PA+ Sunscreen Symbol Mean? on the brand’s website here.
The SPF rating on a sunscreen bottle stands for Sun Protection Factor, a measurement of how long you can stay outside during the day and be protected from the sun’s burn-causing UVB rays (assuming you’re applying sunscreen the right way). UVA rays are present, too; this is where the PA+ rating system comes into play.
Some sunscreens include PA+ rating on their products. The letters “PA” followed by plus signs (PA+, PA++, PA+++, and PA++++) on a label are a rating system developed in Japan to represent how much UVA protection the product offers.
The sun’s UVA rays do not cause sunburn; rather, they cause skin to turn brown. UVA rays are known as the sun’s silent killers because you don’t feel them affecting skin. Despite the lack of pain associated with UVA rays, they penetrate deeply into skin, causing a somewhat different type of damage than UVB rays.
This is what each PA rating means:
PA+ = Some UVA protection.
PA++ = Moderate UVA protection.
PA+++ = High UVA protection.
PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection.
In addition to sunscreen protection, antioxidant defense is a key factor in effective skin health maintenance from day to day. And AXIS-Y’s Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen formula contains a cocktail of herbal extracts, with powerful antioxidant activity on the skin. Among the most notable are Calendula Flower Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Grape Seed Extract and Artemisia Flower Extract — or mugwort. AXIS-Y claims that the mugwort in the formula “lowers the heat of the skin and clears the blood to help skin elasticity and radiance.”
Mugwort is intriguing and increasingly popular throughout K-beauty and the broader Asian beauty marketplace. There’s an interesting article on the Allure website titled, Why Mugwort Is the Trendy New Ingredient in Korean Skin Care.
From the article: “In Korea, mugwort is regarded as a healing herb for its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and skin-protective properties…thanks to its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, mugwort targets dry, irritated skin effectively.” You can catch the fill article here.
What I like about it: At just $23, the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is a superb K-beauty sunscreen and one of the best mineral sunscreens for face that I’ve come across. I love its high level of antioxidants that combine with the formula’s dual mineral sun filters for complete, 360-degree environmental protection. Plus, it’s clean, vegan, fragrance-free and alcohol-free, making it an excellent option for even the most sensitive skin types.
What I don’t like about it: Honestly, there’s nothing I don’t like about it. It’s really an ideal daily sunscreen. (That mugwort claim is a bit odd, though!)
Who it’s for: All skin types, including oily, acne-prone and sensitive skins.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen for $23 here.
The Ingredient List of the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen:
sunsc 0 1, Propylheptyl Caprylate emo, Butyloctyl Salicylate solv, Propanediol solv|h, Titanium Dioxide sunsc|col, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate emo, Dicaprylyl Ether emo|solv, Caprylyl Methicone emo, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate
/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate emu|surf, Disiloxane, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Trimethylsiloxysilicate emo, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract so|aox|perf, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract aox|so, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Gra Pe) Seed Extract aox|amic, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil perf, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil perf, Pogostemon Cablin Oil perf, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Water, Disteardimonium Hectorite vc, Magnesium Sulfate vc, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2-3, Aluminum Hydroxide emo|h|vc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, 1, 2-Hexanediol solv, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer vc, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Caprylate pres, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Adenosine cci, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Cop Aiba) Resin, Tocopherol aox 0-3 0-3, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Allantoin so 0 0, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 cci
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
AXIS-Y | Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
The AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is a clean, vegan brightening treatment specifically formulated to target the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark spots in the complexion. Its brightening oomph is powered by 5% Niacinamide, amplified by fruit enzymes and other gentle botanical extracts.
I know there’s a lot of hype out their in the skincare universe about Niacinamide — and much of it’s true. It’s indispensable for any serious pro-skin health routine. As I’ve shared many, many times, my favorite skincare product is the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster — IMO the best anti-aging serum on Earth. I go through a bottle of it about once a week and even featured the now iconic facial serum on my TikTok channel here.
PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE 10% NIACINAMIDE BOOSTER – BEST NIACINAMIDE SERUM FOR PORES
Straight up, if you aren’t using a Niacinamide treatment like AXIS-Y’s Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum in your daily skincare routine, you’re missing an important opportunity to up your skincare game by enhancing your skin health and illuminating your complexion.
Niacinamide is perhaps the most versatile ingredient used in skincare. At levels of 2-5%, it delivers powerful antioxidant protection, helps clear out pores, and brightens and evens out the complexion. It can even moderate oil production to help mattify the look of skin. At levels from 10-20%, Niacinamide also has the ability to smooth out a rough skin texture, much like an AHA treatment, but far more gently.
No skincare ingredient can do as much as Niacinamide can, though Vitamin C and Vitamin A (in the form of a retinoid) also have broad anti-aging benefits for the skin. I invite you to browse my product reviews of what I consider the best Niacinamide serums and treatments on the blog here.
The Best Niacinamide Serums And Treatments
What Is Niacinamide and What Does Niacinamide Do for the Skin?
I found a comprehensive article on the form of Vitamin B3 written by the skin experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, titled simply, How Niacinamide Helps Skin. It doesn’t do it justice! They should have titled the article, Niacinamide is the Game Changer You Need to Defend Against Skin Damage and Maintain Optimal Skin Health. From the piece….
How Niacinamide Helps Skin
Niacinamide is a skin care ingredient worthy of your attention and your skin will love you for using it. Among a handful of other amazing skin care ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C, niacinamide is a standout because of its versatility for almost any skin care concern and skin type.
As many of you know about us, but for those who don’t, the conclusions we make about any ingredient are always based on what the published research has shown to be true—and the research about niacinamide unanimously demonstrates how special it is. New research keeps showing it’s one of the most exciting skin care ingredients around.
What is Niacinamide?
Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimize enlarged pores, tighten lax pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface.
Niacinamide also reduces the impact of environmental damage because of its ability to improve skin’s barrier (its first line of defense), plus it also plays a role in helping skin to repair signs of past damage. Left unchecked, this type of daily assault makes skin appear older, dull, and less radiant.
Why You Should Use Niacinamide
As you might have gathered, we’re very impressed with all that niacinamide can do for skin when applied via skin care products like toners, serums, and highly concentrated leave-on treatments. Niacinamide is uniquely compatible with any of the products in your skin care routine, including those that contain retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHA, vitamin C, and all types of antioxidants.
You can use multiple niacinamide-containing products in your routine, and it will still be non-sensitizing as this ingenious B vitamin is well tolerated by all skin types. It’s even suitable for use by those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
Other helpful benefits of niacinamide are that it helps renew and restore the surface of skin against moisture loss and dehydration by helping skin improve its natural production of skin-strengthening ceramides. When ceramides become depleted over time, skin is left vulnerable to all sorts of problems, from persistent patches of dry, flaky skin to increasingly becoming extra-sensitive.
If you struggle with dry skin, topical application of niacinamide has been shown to boost the hydrating ability of moisturizers so skin’s surface can better resist the moisture loss that leads to recurrent dry, tight, flaky skin. Niacinamide works brilliantly with common moisturizer ingredients like glycerin, non-fragrant plant oils, cholesterol, sodium PCA, and sodium hyaluronate.
How does niacinamide help pores? Great question, although the answer here isn’t certain. Simply put, research hasn’t come to a full understanding about how this B vitamin works its pore-reducing magic, but it does! It seems that niacinamide has a normalizing ability on the pore lining, and that this influence plays a role in keeping debris from getting backed up, which leads to clogs and rough, bumpy skin. As the clog forms and worsens, the pores stretch to compensate, and what you’ll see is enlarged pores. By helping things get back to normal, niacinamide use helps pores return to their normal size. Sun damage can cause pores to become stretched, too, leading to what some describe as "orange peel skin". Higher concentrations of niacinamide can help visibly tighten pores by shoring up skin’s supportive elements.
With its 5% concentration of Niacinamide, the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum can be particularly effective at evening out skin tone and clearing pores of bacteria, pollutants and other particles that can compromise skin barrier function and lead to acne breakouts. (I recommend using it twice daily for best results.)
With its light gel-like texture, the Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is more than just a well-formulated Niacinamide serum. It’s also infused with a handful of emollient non-fragrant plants oils that help to replenish skin’s moisture content and prevent dehydrating trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).
Plus, for a humectant benefit that locks water in the skin, the formula contains Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate — the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid that’s more skin-compatible.
What I like about it: The AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is a well-formulated brightening serum powered by 5% Niacinamide that makes a legitimate antioxidant treatment for any skincare routine. I love its blend of emollient plant oils and humectants, too! At just $21, it’s such a superb treatment for enhancing skin health.
What I don’t like about it: More Niacinamide is always a good thing. Since it’s so broadly tolerated by most skins, I’d love for the 5% level to be doubled.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum for $21 here.
The Ingredient List of the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum:
sii|h 0 0, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Propanediol solv|h, Erythritol h, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract so|aox|perf, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate surf|emu, Chlorphenesin pres|amic, Arginine sii, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Carbomer vc 0 1, Glutathione, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin , Disodium EDTA chel, Hydroxyethylcellulose vc, Allantoin so 0 0, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil 
aox|amic
AXIS-Y | Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment
As I said, the AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment is one of the more interesting acne treatments I’ve come across. I’m fortunate to not really struggle too much with acne, but that’s not to say that I don’t get my share of blemishes once every month or so.
I have several acne treatments that I reach for when I’m confronting the occasional flare-up. One of my favorites is The Inkey List’s Succinic Acid Acne Treatment. Inkey’s relatively new acne treatment is formulated with 2% Succinic Acid, a new blemish-treating active derived from sugar cane.
Succinic Acid is obtained through fermentation and has properties similar to Salicylic Acid, which can dry out the skin at concentrations used to dry out acne. It also has antibacterial and oil-control properties, making it one of the more initriguing acne spot treatments.
PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST SUCCINIC ACID ACNE TREATMENT – BEST ACNE TREATMENT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
So when it comes to acne treatments, I’m always intrigued by innovation. It’s quite rare, but when it comes my way I’m all for it. That’s certainly the case with AXIS-Y’s Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment! Formulated for acne-prone, oily and sensitive skin, the light, translucent gel is made with a blend of unique acne-fighting actives that you don’t see often.
Most notably is Tea Tree Extract and the compound 4-Terpinol, the main active ingredient found in Tea Tree Extract that the brand says “contributes to the healing of blemishes.” Tea Tree Extract should not be confused with Tea Tree Oil, a fragrant compound that’s highly skin-sensitizing. I love that AXIS-Y found a way to isolate the acne-fighting properties of tea tree, omitting the harmful, sensitizing components.
There’s also Camphor Leaf Extract, an organic compound popular in K-beauty formulas which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
The AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment is such a classic Korean skincare product. In addition to antimicrobial Camphor Leaf Extract and antioxidant Green Tea Leaf Extract, the formula contains Licorice Root Extract, a botanical ingredient used in “Hanbang” — traditional Korean herbal medicine.
Licorice Root Extract is most commonly used in skincare for its superb brightening benefits but AXIS-Y employs it in their acne spot treatment for its ability to calm inflammation, irritation, and redness.
According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, “Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract is a plant extract that offers skin-soothing properties. In addition, it can be effective in improving the look of an uneven skin tone. One of its components, known as glabridin, is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient, which is why licorice often shows up in products meant for sensitive, reddened skin.”
What Is Hanbang and What Is Hanbang Skincare?
I’ve long been fascinated by the practice of traditional Korean herbal medicine called hanbang. I first became aware of it not long after my trip to Seoul back in 2013. Essentially, hanbang is the use of certain herbal extracts to treat ailments in the body — and to deliver targeted benefits for the skin. Among the most popular herbal ingredients used in hanbang, and in Korean skincare, are Ginseng Root Extract, Green Tea Extract and Licorice Root Extract.
There’s an excellent breakdown of hanbang and many of the herbal extracts used in Korean skincare on the Popsugar site in an article titled, What Is "Hanbang" Skin Care? This K-Beauty Trend Is Becoming Mainstream. You can catch the full article here. Below is an excerpt.
Given the worldwide emphasis on wellness over the last few years, it makes sense that the next wave of K-beauty skin care will be about "hanbang." For the unfamiliar, the term refers to ancient traditional Korean holistic medicine, which includes various herbal ingredients to balance the mind and body for total wellness. With skin care specifically, hanbang involves the use of those same herbal ingredients in topical products for the skin, linking inner and outer health.
"Skin care is all about balancing your skin's needs to create a healthy barrier and glowing complexion, and hanbang's approach to holistic health aligns with this completely," Soko Glam cofounder Charlotte Cho told POPSUGAR. "After all, isn't skin health a vital part of your overall well-being? Besides an alignment of values, hanbang's ingredients are highly efficacious when included in skin-care products, boasting anti-aging, antibacterial, and anti-redness properties."
If you're already a fan of K-beauty brands and the innovative products that come with, then you may already be using hanbang skin care without knowing it. "Hanbang ingredients, which are traditional herbal ingredients used in Korean medicines, have long been a staple in Korean life and I've loved seeing them being incorporated more and more into mainstream skin care."
Examples of these herbal ingredients include dark-spot-fading licorice root (sounds familiar, right?), regenerative ginseng, free-radical-fighting green tea, and rehmannia, which Cho calls "the hanbang world's secret anti-inflammatory agent."
I love how gentle, yet effective the AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment is. I’ve used it on two blemishes now. Both cleared up relatively quickly; and, most importantly, left no acne mark. Because it’s both fragrance-free and alcohol-free, I consider it among the best acne treatments for sensitive skin.
What I like about it: The AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment is true acne innovation. Relying on traditional Korean medicine, its blend of botanical extracts treats the blemish and the surrounding skin holistically. It helps to accelerate healing while protecting the skin.
What I don’t like about it: If you have a concern for more serious acne, this isn’t for you. It’s intended for the occasional acne blemish.
Who it’s for: All skin types, especially acne-prone skin.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment for $16 here.
That’s it, guys! I hope you’ve enjoyed my immersion of AXIS-Y and their cool, clean, cruelty-free and anti-pollution skincare. Be sure to check them out on Yesstyle and the brand’s website here.
See you next week…
💟 Carmine @skincarma
The Ingredient List of the AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment:
sii|h 0 0, Propanediol solv|h, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Glycereth-26 h|emo|vc 0 0, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract so|emo|h, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract h, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract h, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract emo, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract aox|so, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Hydrangea Macrophylla Leaf Extract, Mentha Aquatica Extract, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract amic|perf, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Leaf Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract h, Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract amic|aox, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil aox|amic, Hydrogenated Lecithin emo|emu, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Trehalose h, Octyldodeceth-16 emu, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer vc, Tromethamine buff, C12-14 Pareth-12 emu|surf, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Xanthan Gum vc, Disodium EDTA chel, Ceramide NP sii, Fructooligosaccharides h, Beta-Glucan so|h, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid h, 4-Terpineol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Rhizome/Root emo|h|so, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil emo, Glycolic Acid exf|buff, Salicylic Acid exf|aacne|so|pres, Ethylhexylglycerin pres
The Best Vitamin C Serums and Face Creams
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE OPULUS BEAUTY LABS RETINOL SYSTEM – THE COOLEST RETINOL INNOVATION I’VE EVER SEEN
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
MY 2021 VITAMIN C PICKS + THE BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS TO BRIGHTEN UP THE COMPLEXION!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
MY WINTER SKIN SAVIOR: SKINFIX BARRIER+ LIPID REPLENISHING SKINCARE
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
A COMPLETE K-BEAUTY ROUTINE WITH THE BEST FACIAL SKINCARE FROM PURITO, COSRX, MISSHA & MORE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE YEAR’S BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS WITH PAULA'S CHOICE, SUNDAY RILEY, THE INKEY LIST AND MORE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE BEST HYALURONIC ACID SERUMS FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, THE INKEY LIST, GHOST DEMOCRACY & MORE
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
