A woman was left gobsmacked when she saw the results after using the Primark Korean skincare range. When she looked in the mirror, she couldn’t help but gasp
Korean skincare has taken over the beauty sphere, with everyone desperate for glass skin and a perfectly plump finish. However, sometimes the price of the entire routine leaves people cringing, wondering whether they can afford to buy it again and again to keep their skin in tip-top condition.
But because of Korean skincare’s popularity, Primark has jumped on the trend and started offering K-beauty products at a fraction of the price. But do these budget products live up to the enormous hype of big brands such as Laneige, Yepoda and Beauty of Joseon?
Jordan, who posts on TikTok as @jordanlipscombe, decided to try the Primark K-beauty range for herself, and first up was the cleanser, as any good routine begins with clean and fresh skin.
Glass skin cleansing foam, £4.50
The website reads: “You’ve just found the perfect first step towards the coveted glass skin look. Enriched with a hydrating Hyaluronic and Cica Complex, this K-Beauty cleansing mousse helps support the skin barrier while leaving your face feeling fresh and balanced.
“Use at the start of your routine, then follow with other products from the glass skin collection to enhance a healthy, glow-from-within finish”.
Jordan described the formula as “a thick mask-like texture” and said it felt “really nice”. “It doesn’t feel drying, but it definitely has that ‘tight’ feeling,” she explained.
Glass skin gel toner pads, £2.50
When Jordan opened the packet, she was gobsmacked because the pads were “drenched” in product, saying she was shocked that it was a “see-through little pad”.
The Primark website reads: “Promote hydration and plumping in your skincare regime with these K-Beauty gel facial toner pads. With 20 pads per pack, they’re formulated with a Hyaluronic Acid Complex to deliver targeted hydration where applied.
“Simply place, peel away and reveal a coveted high-shine glass skin effect. Lightweight and refreshing, use alongside other products in the glass skin collection to enhance a healthy, glow-from-within finish”.
For just £2.50, you can’t go wrong, and Jordan was really happy that you got 20 pads too, and she wiped one pad around her face, saying: “These feel refreshing!” She even commented on the immediate “glow” to her skin, saying that they don’t feel “sticky,” which is a bonus.
Glass skin rice toner, £4.50
Jordan said that she believed this one would be “more hydrating” initially, but the pads had shocked her. She did comment on how the texture of the rice toner was “thin”; however, she likes that. But she did note that if you have dryer skin, it might not be your favourite, because you may prefer “richer” textures.
The Primark website reads: “Looking to achieve the sought-after glass skin look? This rice toner is one you’ll want in your routine. Formulated with soothing Cica Complex and balancing Niacinamide, this K-Beauty milky toner helps care for the skin barrier while leaving it feeling refreshed and comfortable”.
Jordan commented on the “glow” again, saying that she’d like to apply the milky toner under her makeup for a more natural vibe. “I feel like my skin is taking this all in, like drinking this,” she said.
Glass skin serum, £5
Jordan said that this serum was really “lightweight” and she was gobsmacked at how all the products were layering up to give her the perfect glass-skin glow.
Primark’s website reads: “This face serum from the glass skin collection offers hydration and skin balancing properties in one simple step! It features a blend of Niacinamide and a Hyaluronic Complex to help soothe and care for the skin, supporting a high-shine glass skin effect. Complete with a pump dispenser for controlled application, it’ll make an easy addition to your skincare routine when you’re looking for an extra boost”.
Glass skin gel moisturiser, £5
This product comes with a little spatula to make it easier to dispense the product, and when Jordan tried it, she immediately noted that it feels “very cooling” and “like a hybrid between a gel and a jelly”. She said, even though it’s a gel, it has the “thickest texture out of all of these products,” which she was shocked about.
Primark’s website reads: “Bring the benefits of a K-Beauty routine into your day-to-day regime with this face moisturiser from the glass skin collection! Formulated with a soothing Probiotic and Ceramide Complex, it helps support a glass skin effect while caring for the skin barrier.
“Meanwhile, the lightweight gel texture suits all skin types, from dry to oily. Use as your penultimate step before SPF to enjoy an added boost of hydration and plumping.”
Glass skin collagen mask, £2.50
Jordan didn’t try the sheet mask in the TikTok video, saying she was going to do it another time so she could fully appreciate the effects of the other products.
The Primark website reads: “Hydrating, firming and plumping? This two-part face sheet mask does it all! Infused with Soluble Collagen and Niacinamide, it helps firm and balance the skin, with the added benefit of overnight application.
“Wear it while you snooze (or at least three hours if you’re crunched for time) to give the ingredients longer to work. Use as your last step before you catch some shut eye, then peel off in the morning to reveal a glass skin effect”.
Final thoughts…
Jordan said she wanted to wait to see whether the “glass skin effect dries” or whether it stays, making your skin look fresh. She came back and said that she was “pleasantly surprised” and said “for the price” it’s well worth a try, adding she has “zero complaints” so far. Jordan did share that it would “need more trialling,” but she was happy with the immediate results. “Now I feel like a glazed donut,” she gasped after looking in the mirror, as she couldn’t get over the results.
It’s worth noting that you should check a product’s packaging before trying new skincare to see whether it suits your skin type. A glass skin routine with thinner products may not be suitable for you if you have drier skin, and always check the active ingredients in products before you purchase, as you may have sensitivities to them.
It’s also worth doing your research to compare “higher-end” brand ingredients to these accessibly-priced products, and working out which would be the best for you personally.
