I’ve been on a long haul mission for a hydration cure-all. My current acne meds have left my skin so dehydrated, and the intense summer heat is battling the dryness of my sunscreen. In other words – my skin was seriously craving some moisture.
We’ve talked about Belif on The Klog before, and you’ve responded so positively, we decided to do a refresher and a deep dive on their other offerings.
Belif is an all-natural Korean skincare line based on a herbal recipes developed by a Scottish botanist back in the 19th century. With words like “Aqua Bomb” and “Moisture Attack” on their packaging, the hype should be real, right? I decided to put the Belif Hungarian Water Essence, Moisturizing Bomb and the Aqua Bomb to the test.
This essence is super light and water-like, so the almost-invisible layer of product for a multi-step regimen is pretty amazing. I applied this morning and night for a week. Not only does my skin crave this, I began to fully understand the importance of essence in my routine. Essence is a perfect primer for your moisturizer.
Think of it this way. Just like using primer before makeup gives you a smooth and hydrated canvas, rewind and think about the step before that. Essence refreshes and plumps the surface so that your moisturizer clings easily to your skin. Of all the essences I’ve ever tried, the Belif Hungarian Water Essence made me actually notice the difference and see how it all works. My skin was looking noticeably smooth and had a bright, healthy glow. More on the benefit of essences here.
Belif Moisturizing Bomb vs. Aqua Bomb
You hear hero moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin often, but the unique ingredients in Belif’s Moisturizing Bomb and Aqua Bomb are comfrey leaf (which heals cracked skin) and lady’s mantel (for sebum control), which is perfect for my oily but dehydrated skin. But buyer be weary, there’s only a very subtle difference between the two on the packaging label so make sure you double check before you check out.
Upon your very first application, Belif describes the Moisturizing Bomb as a “burst that floods your skin with hydration.” Sounds intense, right? Because it is! It’s meant for very dry skin types, and can last up to 26 hours. If immediate moisture is what you need, it definitely gets the job done. It did leave a slight shine that I had to mattify with powder, so for my oily and acne-prone skin the Moisturizing Bomb is best suited as a night moisturizer.
The Aqua Bomb is a completely different texture and feel, and designed for normal/oily skin. It’s a light gel-based consistency, also known as a “bounce balm,” which is also a very popular Korean trend. If anyone needs a reference point, the texture is comparable to the Laniege Water Sleeping Mask. This felt much lighter to the touch and left my complexion matte, which is exactly what I needed in a day moisturizer.
After testing these products, did I drink the Kool-Aid on Belif’s ultra-hydrating line? Oh man, did I. My skin has felt plump, dewy, and healthy ever since I started using the line. Not only do I feel like I found my hydrating soul mate (for my dehydrated yet oily skin), Belif is a good segue for anyone looking to go for an all-natural skincare approach.
+We have our secrets for keeping our skin hydrated and in-check. What are your favorites? Sound off in the comments below!
