Following on from the popularity of its cult-favourite Propolis Sparkle Ampoule, Tosowoong has gone onto release a range of other products featuring propolis, including a brightening essence, and most recently a sleeping pack.
Seeing as it doesn’t seem like K-Beauty’s obsession with propolis is going away any time soon, we put Tosowoong’s newest release to the test to find out whether it deserves the same pride of place on your beauty shelf as it’s famous “sparklier” older sister.
What Is It?
Tosowoong Propolis Honey Sleeping Pack.
It’s an overnight sleeping mask designed to be applied last at night before bed. It comes in a simple, no-fuss 80ml squeeze tube that is hygienic and easy to use.
It has a light, inoffensive smell that is a cross between aloe and…something refreshing?!
The texture is like a gel, but it melts into an almost water-like substance once applied to the skin. It absorbs really quickly.
Tosowoong has been very popular amongst western beauty bloggers for at least 5 years, with bloggers like Jude Chao at Fifty Shades of Snail and popular Reddit forums spurring the brand’s popularity.
Tosowoong now boasts a large range of “holy grail” products, and this is largely thanks to its uncomplicated formulas that focus on putting as much of the signature ingredient into the product and skipping out on as many fillers as possible. It also has a very reasonable, entry-level price point, making it a great option for those who are on a skincare budget as well.
What Does It Claim To Do?
Tosowoong claims that it’s Propolis Honey Sleeping Pack is perfect for people who “have dry and lifeless skin”, those “who find their skin still dry even after applying moisturiser”, “people who find their makeup flaking off due to dry patches” and “those with bumpy and rough skin”. Tosowoong claim that the pack offers a simple way to “moisturise and nourish skin while sleeping”.
What’s In It?
The full ingredients list is:
“Hone Extract, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Fructan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Coptis Japonica Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol Ammonium, Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carbomer, T***, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caramel, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil (0.02%), Aniba Rosodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil (0.02%)”
There’s no denying it’s an impressive lineup.
Honey extract takes up a whopping 80% of the formula – almost the whole thing – and with its antibacterial, probiotic, and healing properties it’s an ideal ingredient for nourishing and hydrating skin. Surprisingly, however, for a product that contains so much honey extract, this sleeping mask doesn’t feel in the slightest way sticky or tacky (or anything like honey, for that matter!) Instead, it’s as light as a feather and forms a nice bouncy gel texture.
In addition to glycerin, which is in there as a humectant, crowd favourite sodium hyaluronate comes in fourth on the list. This is a powerful humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin, making it a great ingredient for a sleeping mask.
Aloe Vera (aka Aloe Barbadensis) is also good for acting as a protective layer and helping the skin replenish its moisture, as is hydrolyzed collagen. The other star is of course propolis, a resin-like substance made by honey bees that is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, making it great for acne-prone skin.
The only ingredients that might raise a few eyebrows are the orange oil and rosewood oil, as some people have known sensitivities to essential oils. However, the pack contains such trace amounts that they aren’t likely to do much of anything (except maybe give the product a better fragrance).
How Do You Use It?
As the name suggests, Tosowoong Propolis Honey Sleeping Pack is a sleeping mask, to be applied before bed so that you wear it overnight.
Simply add it at the last step of your evening skincare routine, spreading a generous amount on your face and neck. Pat it in and once it’s absorbed, you’re all set to go – to bed, that is:p
There’s nothing more to be done until you wake up in the morning. Simply wash it off when you cleanse your face and you’ll notice your skin is already plump and hydrated.
What Results Will You Notice?
Like Tosowoong’s Propolis Sparkle Ampoule, this little sleeping pack really goes to work for dull skin, making it look brighter, plumper and softer.
The product claims to “clarify” the complexion, and that’s pretty much what it does! It lifts the whole complexion, making it look more alive and healthy.
It also hydrates quite nicely, and has a really pleasant soothing effect that is so soothing on red, angry and sensitive skin. Popping it in the fridge first before putting it on just adds to the soothing effect.
Final Verdict?
If you’re looking for a night mask that won’t weigh your skin down but will nourish, soothe and calm it, Tosowoong Propolis Honey Sleeping Pack is a perfect match that won’t break the bank.
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