We rarely do two reviews in one, but when two products are from the same brand and series – why not? Before Christmas, I tried out two products from the Etude House Honey Cera series.
As our favorite eye cream suddenly ended up being discontinued, we had to find a replacement option for the COSRX Honey Ceramide Eye Cream. While Sigrun tried a product from Mamonde, I ordered the priming eye serum from Etude House. I actually came across this eye serum while using my emulsion from the same brand and concept. With my super dry skin, I’m always looking for a solution to make it less dry.
Yet again, there’s not that much information about the products online. Some brands are really good at marketing materials and descriptions, and others not. Honestly, it’s not even a brand thing – some lines get pushed out really good – others don’t. So this wasn’t exactly easy. What I do find online about the products are the following:
“A nourishing and firming emulsion that provides rich nutrition and strengthen the skin’s oil-moisture balance. Dispense a certain amount onto the palm of the hands during the first step of skincare and massage gently from inner to outer areas of the face.”
&&
“A priming eye serum that enhances dark circles under the eyes with its whitening function for a smooth and brightened eye area. After the last step of skincare, use the applicator to gently apply a certain amount onto eye area and massage around the eye area, softly patting to finish up.”
So, to summarize it. Both products are supposed to provide a lot of moisture! As the name says, it contains honey and ceramides. Now, this has been ranted about multiple times. Ceramides are the lipids (fats) that hold the skin together and honey is a natural humectant that helps to bind moisture to the skin. Due to its antibacterial properties, it works towards acne-prone skin.
But, first things first. Let me tell you about the emulsion. I purchased this at that point where nothing would help my skin and while it was at its driest. I’ve always been skeptical about what an emulsion actually can do for one when there are so many other things in use and what it actually does. Emulsions are lighter versions of moisturizes. Most times, they are water-based, something that makes them thinner and lighter. They tend to absorb into the skin much faster, and they don’t tend to sit on top of the skin. Emulsions are used in between serums and creams, preferably before the final moisturizer. I do find it a bit strange that Etude House suggests that it should be used as the first step of the skincare routine, we all know that the first step is cleansing, am I right?
I can’t say anything negative about the emulsion from the honey cera series. It’s been doing such a great thing for my skin and I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the winter without it. One pump goes a long way, it doesn’t go sticky or peel off due to the previously applied layers. There’s not that much negative to say about it. It might have been better if I could find more information about it online, to be honest. I don’t know why I bought it, but I do think it was since ceramides always do my skin so well!
The eye serum… This was such a disappointment compared to the emulsion. Etude House claims that this will enhance dark circles, whiten, brighten and nourish the delicate under eye area. Well, it doesn’t do magic. Actually, it did nothing for me. Okay, so it might have provided a little moisture and one thing else. As seen from the pictures above and below, it has this shiny, metal applicator that is supercooling, trust me – it’s a sensational feeling, when in contact with skin!
But that’s it. One of my first Korean eye creams were also from Etude House, and last time, the disappointment was the same. During the winter, the skin under my eye has been so dry, its been flaking and red (trust me, it didn’t look good). I guess that this might have been too weak since it did nothing for me at that time, but I’ve used it both before and after my eye issue and yet, nothing. Even though it says primer, I guess I had super high hopes for it due to the emulsion.
The application goes on really easy, squeeze out a little bit, dab it onto the desired eye area with the applicator, and then use your fingers as the last step. While writing this post, I actually ended up taking a break from it to do my skincare routine with this so that I could check it out once more before the final verdict. So here it goes; (Ps. I didn’t apply any other skincare product under my eye before and after taking these pictures). If you zoom in, you can see the dry area on the left picture, however in the right picture – it’s less visible.
As you can see, nothing changed. Not whiter, not less soar and red. Just a little hint of cooling effects only lasting for a few minutes. So it might provide a little bit of hydration right there. But as for the next morning, well… Didn’t exactly notice any difference, just my good’old dry skin. And yes, I forgot to brush through my eyebrows, and I didn’t notice the eyelash on my cheek but whatever! At least u can see what my issue is!
To sum things up, if you are looking for an emulsion, I definitely recommend the Etude House Honey Cera Emulsion. However, the ‘eye serum’ – stay away from it. It didn’t do anything for me so that is my honest opinion.
Ingredients – Emulsion:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, C14-22 Alcohols, Honey Extract, Ceramide 3, Royal Jelly, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dextrin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Adenosine, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Tromethamine, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium Edta, Fragrance, Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 (Ci 15985)
Ingredients – Eye Serum:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Honey Extract, Ceramide 3, Royal Jelly, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Adenosine, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearic Acid, Silica, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl- 3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polysilicone-11, Peg-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
ggooltip. 
One thought on “Etude House – Honey Cera Emulsion and Priming Eye Serum”