#sam'u

Review of SAM'U's Galacto Pore O2 Toner

SAM'U is a Korean brand created by specialists at SaMcHIc, which is a popular beauty salon in South Korea. Their Galacto Pore O2 Toner is designed to energize skin with oxygen while caring for and cleaning the skin. Key ingredients include: gluconolactone (gentle exfoliation, hydrating, improves skin texture and tone, suitable for sensitive skin), aloe leaf extract (anti-aging, moisturizing, lightens blemishes and reduces acne, healing, reduces scarring), sodium hyaluronate (anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, hydrating, moisturizing, healing), galactomyces ferment filtrate (hydrating, brightening, anti-aging, improves skin texture), and oxygen (supports cell turnover, promotes collagen production, enhances skin hydration. This product retails for between $20-25 USD. You can get it here for $22.99 + shipping (free on Prime).

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Gluconolactone, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Citratus Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Erythritol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tartaric Acid, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Oxygen

To quickly note, I received this for free from Picky and SAM'U in exchange for my honest review.

It contains 180 ml (6.08 oz) and it also contains fragrance.

The toner is very viscous and refreshing on the skin.

The toner spreads out very nicely.

My skin feels hydrated but not tacky or sticky.

Recommended use is to take an appropriate amount, apply it gently along the texture of the skin, and gently tap it to aid absorption. After using, the toner is very nice, it’s very viscous and has a nourishing, hydrating feeling on the skin. It's quite cool after you shake it up, as it activates the oxygen bubbles in the toner. It's very cool to see (sorry, there's no picture). There’s a pleasant fragrance, and I didn’t notice any irritation from it at all, but keep it in mind if you are sensitive to fragrance. It was also very moisturizing and gentle. I think this would be beneficial to any skin type. I'd recommend this to people with enlarged pores and acne-prone skin and to people with dry and sensitive skin.

What I like: I liked the texture and look of the toner and how hydrating it is. I like that it targets pores gently but doesn't irritate the skin. The oxygen bubbles in the toner are fun as well. I liked the ingredients as well. What I don't like: there is fragrance and some irritants.

Pros:

Hydrating

Nourishing

Great texture

Gentle

Nice fragrance

Lovely ingredients

Has a pump

Cons:

Fragrance

Some irritants

Would I buy this?

Yes

Review of SAM'U's pH Sensitive Cream Mist

SAM'U is a Korean brand created by specialists at SaMcHIc, which is a popular beauty salon in South Korea. Their pH Sensitive Cream Mist is designed to care for dry skin by forming a protective barrier. Key ingredients include: saccharomyces ferment filtrate (deeply hydrating, strengthens skin barrier, soothes sensitivity, nourishing, vitamin-rich), centella asiatica extract (healing, antioxidant, anti-aging, soothing, strengthens skin), fig fruit extract (hydrating, nourishing, antioxidant protection, improves skin texture, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, soothing), sodium hyaluronate (anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, hydrating, moisturizing, healing), meadowfoam delta-lactone (moisturizing, locks in hydration, antioxidant protection, promotes smoother skin), and lactobionic acid (gently exfoliates, hydrating, anti-aging, improves skin texture, smoothes wrinkles, ideal for sensitive skin). This product retails for between $14-24 USD. You can get it here for $23 + shipping (free on Prime).

Ingredients

Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Octyldodeceth-16, Betaine, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana (David Elm) Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Tocopherol, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Meadowfoam Delta-lactone, Lactobionic Acid

To quickly note, I received this for free from Picky and SAM'U in exchange for my honest review.

The mist contains 100 ml (3.38 oz) and contains fragrance.

The mist does have a slightly creamy consistency like it the name implies.

It's deeply moisturizing and leaves a wonderful glow on the skin.

Recommended use is to use it whenever your skin is dry. It’s recommended to shake before use. After using, the mist has a fresh, clean scent and emits a very fine mist. If you're a fan of a fine mister, then this is a good option. I tend to go for heavy misters as I like dousing my face in spray lol. It’s extremely moisturizing without being greasy and gives a subtle glow to the skin, which becomes more noticeable the more often I use it. The only possible downside to this is the fragrance if you are sensitive, but otherwise, it’s wonderful. I'd recommend this to people with dry and dehydrated skin and to people with sensitive skin, but avoid it if you have issues with fragrance.

What I like: this is so moisturizing, I really love milky type mists as they really make my skin glow. The effect is great, especially during winter and summertime, as it's dry where I live. I like the ingredients and I do enjoy the mister. What I don't like: I don't mind the fragrance, but it may be an issue.

Pros:

Moisturizing

Adds a glow

Nice ingredients

Nourishing

Refreshing

Nice quality

Cons:

Fragrance

Would I buy this?

Yes

Review of SAM'U's Galacto Pore Serum

SAM'U is a Korean brand created by specialists at SaMcHIc, which is a popular beauty salon in South Korea. Their Galacto Pore Serum is designed to provide a clean and fresh finish to the skin and targets pore concerns. Key ingredients include: 28,470ppm of galactomyces ferment filtrate (hydrating, brightening, anti-aging, improves skin texture, reduces appearance of dark spots, enhance overall skin elasticity), betaine salicylate (more gentle version of salicylic acid; gentle exfoliation, improves skin texture, improves hydration retention, reduces inflammation, ideal for sensitive acne-prone skin), gluconolactone (gentle exfoliation, hydrating, improves skin texture and tone, suitable for sensitive skin), centella asiatica extract (healing, antioxidant, anti-aging, soothing, strengthens skin), and evening primrose oil (improves skin health, anti-inflammatory, reduces irritation and redness, moisturizing, anti-acne). This product retails for between $27-30 USD. You can get it here for $27 + shipping. You can use my code DMR1986 to save some money.

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (28,470ppm), Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Isopentyldiol, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Silica, Tromethamine, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Squalane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Betaine, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isostearyl Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Collagen Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Polyquaternium-51

To quickly note, I received this for free from Picky and SAM'U in exchange for my honest review.

The serum contains 40 ml (1.35 oz) and it contains fragrance.

The serum has a milky texture.

It has a very hydrating serum.

It absorbs well and really leaves my skin refreshed and hydrated.

Recommended use for the serum is after using toner. Apply a suitable amount of this product evenly, gently tapping for absorption. After using, the serum has a light texture and absorbs well into the skin. It’s hydrating but not tacky or sticky at all. I didn’t have any irritation, and it helped smooth my skin. The downside is the fragrance if you have sensitive skin. But I would say on the other side, this is very gentle, and my skin is quite sensitive. But it's up to you, definitely patch test first if you have any concerns that it will irritate the skin. I'd recommend this to anyone with acne-prone and/or sensitive skin, or people with a lot of texture on their skin or acne-scarring.

What I like: I really enjoyed how well this worked for my skin. I have sensitive skin and I don't struggle with acne, but I do have some texture, and my skin can look quite dull. I found it to be very hydrating and didn't leave my skin flaky. It's brightening and smoothing as well. What I don't like: there is fragrance.

Pros:

Non-irritating

Nice ingredients

Gentle

Nice quality

Refreshing

Cons:

Fragrance

Would I buy this?

Yes

Products gifted by SAM'U in exchange for my honest review. The video of this duo can be watched on Instagram.

Both of these products did not work out for me like I had initially hoped they would. A big part of it is because of the packaging on the toner. People are meant to shake it up for use, but that is not written on the directions in English. I found out about this on the brand's website. My biggest problem though is the mess that this packaging made when I did go to shake the bottle up. If you leave the lid off, it goes everywhere. So be sure to keep the lid securely in place when shaking it.

As for the serum, I tend to enjoy exfoliating acid based skincare. It helps with dead skin and active acne, as well as post acne hyperpigmentation. However, I was not a fan of the scent of this serum. Fragrance is about halfway up on the ingredient list. When I applied it to my nose area, I had some issues with it triggering my sinuses. It gave me a sore throat and made me cough. The texture wasn't my favorite either, it felt tacky and like it didn't absorb super easily into my skin. But if you can get over that or it doesn't feel the same to you, then fantastic! I didn't wake up with red, inflamed skin like I have with some other formulas I've tried. It's creamy which is another reason it prevented me from getting flaky skin in the morning.

You can sign up for Picky to try out this and other Korean Beauty brands with my invite code: 30321C65