This unique format caught me off guard - it's both stylish and hygienic, and I'm obsessed with it!
I've been a fan of Korean beauty products for their innovative formulas and unusual ingredients, and I thought I'd seen it all with cleansers. But then I stumbled upon this unique-looking cleansing balm, and I just had to try it out. The packaging is instantly recognizable to me, and I've got a lot of products from VT that I love. I've got to say, I'm impressed - every single product from VT has been a winner in my book.
Design
The packaging is really eye-catching, and I've got to admit, I love the shiny box. It's got a protective sticker to keep everything safe inside. The bottle is just as shiny - it's a real head-turner. I'd prefer a matte finish, to be honest, but it's still pretty great.
VT Cosmetics PDRN Grinding Cleansing Balm reviewThe bottle itself is plastic, so it's not too heavy, and it's got a nice size that makes it easy to take on the go if you need to.
Key features
Volume - 50ml. The expiration date is quite long and is printed both on the box and on the bottle, which is convenient because we usually don't store the box. Mine says 2028.
Ingredients
The main ingredient, as you can probably guess from the name, is PDRN, which is really trendy right now. But if you're not sure what it is, here's a quick rundown from the internet:
PDRN stands for polideoxyribonucleotides, which are DNA fragments primarily obtained from the milk of salmon fish. In cosmetics, they're used to activate cellular regeneration and anti-aging, by stimulating the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, improving hydration, density, and elasticity of the skin, as well as accelerating wound healing.
Most of the time, you'll see this type of PDRN everywhere, but here it's Phyto PDRN® Panax, which is
PDRN extracted from ginseng root.
And, of course, it's also very useful and awesome:
It stimulates cellular regeneration, thereby accelerating regeneration, preventing wrinkle formation, maintaining elasticity and density.
Full ingredient list is:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Canola Oil, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Sphingosinate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium DNA (0.0005ppb), Ceramide NP, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Castanea Crenata (Chestnut) Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
I was pretty stoked to dive into the details of the product's components, and I'm glad I did.
LHA (capryloyl salicylic acid) is a gentler alternative to BHA, with a larger molecular size that makes it more delicate on the skin. It dissolves impurities in pores and prevents blackheads from forming.PHA (gluconic acid lactone) gently removes dead skin cells, smooths out the skin texture, and brightens hyperpigmentation.Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces redness, and minimizes the risk of acne.Jojoba oil forms a protective barrier, hydrates, and nourishes the skin. Its high concentration of vitamin E provides antioxidant benefits.Squalane calms the skin, prevents moisture loss, and slows down the aging process.Ceramides repair the skin's barrier function, restore the lipid layer, reduce sensitivity to external irritants, and eliminate dryness and flakiness.I did my research before buying this product, and I was a bit skeptical about how it would work. I mean, it's a cleanser with ceramides and squalane – it sounds like a lot to take in. But the promised functions of deep cleansing were definitely impressive.
The manufacturer's claims:
✅ removes stubborn makeup, foundation, and sunscreen.
✅Regulates sebum production
✅absorbs excess sebum,
✅dissolves blackheads
✅prevents comedones from forming.
I was sold on the idea of effective evening cleansing, and that's exactly what I use it for.
Using the product:
The most interesting part of the experience is how the product is packaged. The jar is completely airtight, and you have to twist it clockwise to get to the product. There's even a little arrow on top to help you understand how it works when you first start using it.
I love how the texture of this stuff comes out when you turn the bottle – it's like a delicate web of tiny strips that settle on top of each other.
Korean skincare reviewIt looks really pretty.
PDNA skincare reviewOne thing I want to mention is that this product is actually quite economical, and you don't need to use as much as they show in the ads – the amount on the box is just for show.
The texture is like a soothing balm that melts into your skin, similar to other hydrophilic products, but the delicate web-like quality makes it feel incredibly gentle. There's no distinct scent – it's all about the texture.
Hydrophilic balm with PDNA for skin cleansing by VT Cosmetics reviewI also love the packaging – it's super hygienic. Nothing gets inside, and you get a fresh dose of balm every time. You can easily adjust the amount by turning the cap a bit more. It's really convenient. The Koreans are geniuses for coming up with these formats!
How to use it? Manufacturer's tips:
Turn the cap to get the right amount of product, apply the balm to dry skin, and massage it until it dissolves the makeup. Then add a bit of water and keep massaging with circular motions. Rinse off the remaining product with warm water.
I'm really digging this product's texture - it glides on smoothly and evenly, and I'm always thinking, 'Wow, there must be so many great ingredients in here, I need to massage it in really well to get the most out of it.'
Price is a big factor for me. I've been buying Korean skincare from a trusted seller, where I've already reviewed a bunch of products (links at the end). Since I'm in Uzbekistan, prices are in local currency. This balm set me back 235,000 sum, which translates to about 1,500 rubles. For a product this great, I think that's a fair price. I've seen it listed for more in the Russian-speaking online community, up to 2,500 rubles.
Pros and Cons
Okay, so the pros are pretty obvious - it cleans my skin really well and takes care of it at the same time. As for cons, I only found one issue. The product just... stopped working on me one day. The packaging is designed so that you can't tell how much product is left, and it doesn't feel like it's getting lighter. I used it for about three months, maybe less, so I'm not sure if this is a common problem. If you're planning to use it for an extended period, you might want to consider not taking it on the go - you never know when it might run out. I also can't really comment on the product's longevity, since I've only been using it for a few months, maybe a little less than that. I've been using it about 2-3 times a week, on average.
Summary
I'm absolutely thrilled with this face cleanser. I've been using it every evening, and I have to say, it's been a game-changer for my skin. It's so comfortable to use, and it leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean without stripping it of its natural oils. The formula is top-notch, and I can see why it's gotten such great reviews. I'd give it a solid 10 out of 10, and I'm definitely going to repurchase it. In fact, I think it's going to be a staple on my shower shelf from now on.
Check out my reviews for other Korean skincare products:
Medicube Facial Device
Trend Micro-needling for Lips
Vibrating Eye Cream
Korean Overnight Mask
And, as you can probably tell, I'm a huge fan of Korean skincare. I try to take care of my skin as much as possible, even though I'm now over 45. If you're interested in checking out my reviews for skincare products, beauty routines, and more, feel free to head over to my profile here.