IOPE is widely known for their CC cushion as they pioneered it, which basically took suncare and make-up to a whole new level in the skincare/make-up industry. Despite the fact that the company's owned by Amore Pacific, but they have quite a different style of first essence when compared to Amore Pacific. And their Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning has been very popular in Korea just like their CC cushion.
Scent & Consistency
IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning has a very water-like consistency and lightness to it. It's possibly the lightest first essence on the market. And considering how concentrated the essence (Bio-redox™ 93.7%) is and that it's fragrance-free, it doesn't smell bad or aged at all. It smells of nothing really, similar to water, which pleasantly surprised me.
The texture is also very refreshing and light like water. So unlike many first essences on the market. I recommend using a cotton pad and wiping off your face with gentle pressing motions. I tried different ways including using bare hands, and it didn't turn out that good. I've noticed that skin doesn't seem to absorb the goodies fast enough when used without a cotton pad. Instead, it just seemed to linger around the surface. So I've been using it with a cotton pad for better absorption as the company suggests, and it has been working great!
When used with a cotton pad, it absorbs fast without leaving any other residue. It just feels clean and fresh. Considering how light it is, I highly recommend it especially for those with sensitive / oily skin or even for people living in a hot and humid climate.
Benefits & Technology
Bio-redox™ has been developed to recreate Thioredoxin, an essential anti-oxidant
Thioredoxin is an essential compound to skin's bio activities. IOPE developed Bio-redox™ compound that is 100% the same as Thioredoxin by adjusting the temperature, light, water and air for 25 days with IOPE’s bio-incubating technologies.
Contains 60 billion bio-enzymes
Bio Essence you use each time (3 ml) contains over 60 billion bio-enzymes.Optimize your skin condition with bio-enzymes and experience visible skin improvements.
For brighter and smoother skin
The more often you use Bio Essence, the smoother, clearer and brighter your skin will become.
Effectiveness
IOPE came up with thioredoxin (TRX) mimicing Bio-redox. I know, it sounds quite complicated XD. Simply put, we all have TRX in our body (in fact, all living creatures on earth do), which is key to preventing and delaying aging by energising and boosting cell activities, and protecting our body from skin sensitivities such as UV rays and environmental aggressions. However, sadly TRX decreases as we get older, and that's how we age. Basically that's why it's very important that TRX is in our body.
Now we can probably say IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning is way beyond the current beauty market, perhaps this is the reason why the essence has been an award winner every year since 2012. If you are up for something high tech, you should check it out. It also comes in a Men's version, IOPE Men Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning. So if you are a man who's after a boosting serum, you should check that out too :).
Anyway, bio-enzymes are naturally exfoliating and they help with the cell turnover cycle, which means that IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning offers one of the gentlest ways to naturally exfoliate. You won't see the results immediately, but you will feel it gradually over a month or two. I have normal dehydrated skin and I've noticed that the skincare products that I put on work just fine when I reduced the frequency of using an exfoliator and increased the number of usage of IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning to both day and night.
It really helped my skin to go through the transition smoothly from autumn to winter without any crazy breakouts or patchiness. And I love how versatile it is. It's a toner and a boosting essence in one that reduces the number of skincare steps you need to take. It does seem to boost efficacy of anti-aging and brightening products following its application, but the main focus isn't about hydrating skin. It isn't surprising considering how light it is, but I feel that it helped somewhat with my skin's dehydration issues. My skin feels balanced without feeling dehydrated. My skin has been also doing better during PMS as I've been getting less breakouts. Highly recommended! :)
Where to buy
- YesStyle (Free shipping & discounts)
Recommendations
- AmorePacific Moisture Bound Intensive Serum Masque (Alternative to Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask/ Oil-free Bio Cellulose Mask)
- Laneige All Day Anti-Pollution Defensor SPF 30
- Sisley Sisleÿa Essential Skin Care Lotion (First Essence)
- La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion (First Essence)
- La Mer Moisturisers/ Crème de la Mer
- Sisley Face Masks
- Luxury Skincare Brand Guide (La Mer VS La Prairie VS Swiss Perfection VS Sisley)
- High-end Hydrating Moisturisers (Guerlain vs La Mer vs La Prairie vs Sisley)
- Luxury Suncare (La Mer vs La Prairie vs Sisley vs Chantecaille vs Chanel vs Dior)
