by Jude Chao

First Look: Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence

So I thought I’d try out something different today and give you guys a look at the latest addition to my skincare wardrobe and daily routine. I’ve been coveting Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence since it first appeared on Innisfree’s Instagram profile, and I stalked the new arrivals page on Jolse until it surfaced there. Then I pounced. My package arrived today, so now I have some details to share!

Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence
I took it to the beach because how could I not take it to the beach?

Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence details

Like I said in my post about skincare ingredient biases, I’m kind of a sucker for seawater, which is why I started itching for this essence the first time I saw it in its pretty pretty pretty ocean blue bottle. The Jeju Lava Seawater line claims to boost moisture and provide anti-aging benefits. Supposedly, it also “activates skin hydration energy for the firm and smooth skin.” Looking at the ingredients, I see squalane pretty high up, suggesting that the product may be helpful for moisture retention and barrier repair. The essence also contains adenosine for anti-aging. And of course Innisfree’s signature blend of presumably antioxidant-rich botanical extracts, which I think of as Jeju Juice, makes an appearance.

Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence first look
It’s so pretty. So pretty.

Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence ingredients: Sea water (84.5%), butylene glycol, glycerin, squalane, butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, citrus unshiu peel extract, orchid extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, camellia japonica leaf extract, achillea millefolium extract, adenosine, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, xanthan gum, tromethamine, polysorbate 20, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

CosDNA analysis

One of the first things I noticed about the Jeju Lava Seawater Essence is its relative simplicity. I like Innisfree products, but one thing that has so far prevented me from loving their stuff is the brand’s tendency towards ingredients lists that seem overloaded with silicones, polymers, and other fun long science words. Not that there’s anything wrong with those kinds of ingredients, which serve many important or at least useful purposes, but Innisfree’s branding suggests a more organic, less high-tech approach. The ingredients list for the Jeju Lava Seawater Essence is among the shortest I’ve seen from Innisfree and the closest to the image their branding evokes. I showed the ingredients to Chel of Holy Snails, the Snail Unit‘s resident actual skincare formulator and ingredients whiz, and she called it “crazy clean.” Cool.

I squirted some product on the back of my hand as soon as I got the bottle out of the box because that’s what I do. The milky liquid has a light, watery consistency and surprisingly little fragrance. Innisfree’s tendency to pack products full of perfume is another thing I don’t love about their skincare. The Jeju Lava Seawater Essence isn’t strongly scented, though. In fact, it isn’t perfumey at all! And its subtle herbally lavender scent reminds me of Innisfree’s discontinued Eco Science hydrogel masks, which I did absolutely love.

Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence preview
Seriously, isn’t the bottle just the perfect shade of blue?

In case you can’t tell, I’m really excited about trying this product. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about an Innisfree product before, actually. Keep an eye out on this blog and my Instagram feed to hear more about Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater as I start working it into my routine and getting a sense of what the product can do!

Have you added anything new and exciting to your routine lately?

21 thoughts on “First Look: Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence”

  3. I recently started using Kose Medicated Sekkisei Lotion / Toner, so i guess that’s my latest skincare regime addition ^^ I look forward to reading your review on this product – I use a few Innisfree products myself.

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  5. I ordered the “deep” version of this product and am patiently awaiting its arrival. Did you happen to compare these two before deciding? Just curious what your thoughts are if so.

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    1. Oh – I also ordered the illi silk cocoon sheet masks. I know you like the Etude house masks in this flavor, as do I. I’m curious to see how these will compare. It’ll be my first time trying illi masks, in general.

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  7. Lava, you say? I completely agree with Chel about the ingredients list (but without the science degree/background, hueheuehue). Squalene especially appeals to me!

    On a side note, I wonder how much Innisfree has contributed to Jeju Island’s tourism industry? 😛

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  9. Loved this post! I agree, all the Innisfree products I’ve tried are heavily scented. Granted, if they were good enough I still loved them (for example their Green Tea Seed Serum) but their creams were just a tad too scented to make me want to repurchase. Glad to see this line might be a little less in-your-face!

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  10. Ohh! That’s so cool! Recently gettting into Innisfree products, I brought their green tea sleeping pack and clay mask (original). Looking forward to them! The green tea line is supposed to be good, hopefully it’ll be moisturizing enough for my dry skin.

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  11. I just started the skin/ampoule combo in this line, and am curious to see what you think. The packaging is gorgeous, and it smells like Dr. Jart Ceramide liquid to me. So far I haven’t used it long enough to notice if it’s doing anything.

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  12. Hmm, I tried some samples of this, a few days ago. I received them along with my purchase(about 2 to 3 weeks ago) from some Qoo10 seller.

    K note: I was feeling frisky and being foolish. I did not bother with a patch test and have sensitive, oily , possibly dehydrated skin.

    My skin developed red patches all over and I accidentally applied too close to my eyes, which made them sting. Oops! However, I was too tired to wash it all off and woke up the next day to really smooth and moist skin.

    The second time I tried, no more red patches.

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      1. Ah sorry for late reply! I might have slapped on too much onto my face or my face was feeling really sensitive that day(and I wasn’t aware).

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