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Korres Review

SKIN CARE REVIEWS

12.29.22DISCLAIMER

Korres skincare was born out of a Greek homeopathic pharmacy nearly 20 years ago.

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Since Korres has been around for nearly 20 years, the brand has been able to spend time developing their own niche that makes them unique in the skincare industry. The brand’s philosophy is based on homeopathic principles, but also places an emphasis on research. Many Korres skincare products include medicinal herbs, greek flora, and natural actives while also avoiding a number of ingredients including mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin wax, silicones, parabens, propylene glycol, ethanolamines, and PEGs. In this Korres review, we’re diving into the brand to give you a better idea of their philosophy and formulas, so you can decide whether this brand is worth trying out for yourself.

What’s Inside Korres Skincare?

Here’s a closer look at the active ingredients commonly used in Korres skincare products. Vitamin C, probiotics, and rosehip oil make up the core ingredients for the Korres skincare line. 

Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.

Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, a stable vitamin C derivative, is used in several Korres skincare products.

While ascorbic acid is the most active form of vitamin C, it is difficult to include in formulations and has a very short shelf life. Once vitamin C oxidizes, the product is essentially useless, which can unfortunately mean that quite a bit of product is wasted. This is why formulators occasionally turn to vitamin C derivatives like ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.

Our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.

Probiotics
Another key ingredient you’ll find in several Korres skincare products is greek yogurt. The purpose of using greek yogurt is to supply the skin with probiotics in order to help balance the skin’s microbiome. 

The microbiome is a population of many types of bacteria (over 10,000 different species) that are both good and bad. When there’s more bad bacteria than good, skin conditions like acne, sensitive skin, and bumpy, uneven skin texture can develop. Thus, keeping the microbiome balanced is critical in maintaining healthy skin. 

We recommend this cream for dry skin because it combines probiotics with natural, soothing plant extracts to keep the microbiome balanced and skin looking hydrated. 

Rosehip Oil
The key ingredient found in the Korres Wild Rose collections is “wild rose oil”, which simply refers to rosehip oil. Rosehip oil contains provitamin A, mostly as beta carotene. Beta carotene has the ability to increase cell turnover and promote regeneration in the outer layers of the skin. Rosehip oil also contains all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid) that stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen production within the skin.

Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.

The top 5 Korres skincare products

Over the years, Korres has expanded tremendously, and today, offers a pretty large selection of skincare, bodycare, fragrance, and bath products to suit all different tastes, skin types, and specific skin concerns. Some of their most popular skincare products are from the Korres Wild Rose collection. Below we’ll take a closer look at the top 5 Korres skincare products. 

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial
The Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial is perhaps the brand’s most popular product. It is an overnight facial in a jar that is said to address uneven skin tone while improving the look of skin texture for a brighter, more luminous complexion in as little as one night. 

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening 24-Hour Moisturiser
Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening 24-Hour Moisturiser has a lightweight water texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. It is claimed to provide immediate hydration, improve the appearance of fine lines, and even out the skin tone to reveal smoother and younger-looking skin. 

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil
Another popular Korres skincare product from the Wild Rose collection is the Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil. This facial oil combines the nourishment and moisture found in botanical plant oils with the active ingredients found in traditional serums to create a unique hybrid product. This product includes a blend of oils that include rose hip seed oil, sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and more. These oils nourish and protect the skin while a vitamin C derivative targets signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.

Greek Yoghurt Cleanser
Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that is said to gently cleanse while nourishing and reducing redness. The formula also easily removes makeup and impurities without irritation. This cleanser is soap-free, which means it does not contain a highly alkaline detergent. Rather, it contains several types of surfactants. Greek yogurt is claimed to be a key ingredient in this Korres cleanser, and while yogurt powder is an ingredient, it’s near the end of the ingredient list right before the preservative, meaning you’re most likely not getting enough to make a noticeable difference. 

Greek Yoghurt Probiotic SuperDose Face Mask
The Korres Greek Yoghurt Probiotic SuperDose Face Mask is said to rehydrate, reduce redness, and rebalance skin’s natural protective layer in just one use. Unlike the Greek Yoghurt Cleanser, this Korres Mask actually does contain a decent amount of greek yogurt in the formula.

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Where is Korres skincare sold?

Korres skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party online retailers such as Sephora, HSN, Amazon, Dermstore, and more. 

What is the Korres return policy?

The Korres return policy states, “We hope that you are always completely satisfied with your korres.com purchase. However, we do accept returns of unused items purchased on the website within 30 days of the ship date. Please follow the return instructions on the packing slip included with your order. We cannot accept an item that has been opened, unless the product is damaged or defective.”

Is Korres cruelty free?

Korres is cruelty free. The brand’s animal testing policy states, “We are strictly against animal testing, and do not test any ingredients or products on animals, nor do we hire outside companies to do so for us at any stage in production. All our tests are performed in the lab either in vitro (using synthetic skin cells) or on human volunteers under the surveillance of a dermatologist or specialty doctor, i.e. an ophthalmologist. We do not sell to any countries that require animal testing, and we follow the European Union’s strict legislation that bans animal testing on finished cosmetic products and their ingredients.”

Korres skincare reviews

Korres skincare reviews on the brand’s website are actually very positive, with most products receiving four and five star ratings. Positive Korres reviews comment on the effectiveness of these products and also how they smell very pleasant. Then again, there are a handful of negative Korres reviews from customers who found the fragrance in these products to be overwhelming. Some customers even experienced allergic reactions and breakouts when using these products. But overall, Korres continues to be an extremely well reviewed brand. 

What are some alternatives to Korres?

If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.

We recommend The Defence Serum, followed by The Moisturizer.

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  • Em Original review: Jun 06, 2021. Reply

    Any chance Korres will develop a matching LOTION to follow their 1 liter OLIVE Shower Gel? The viscosity of the creams/butters are such that they are hard to apply without “overstretching” the skin and are too thick to apply quickly. Some of us just need a lotion after bath/shower. Thank you for considering.

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    Korres Wild Rose Mask Review

    As a brand that has been inspired by the beauty secrets of ancient Greece, Korres was founded on the principles of simple, natural, and effective ingredients. Since then, the brand has released several lines of products, each one centered around a beneficial, natural ingredient, for example, the Korres Wild Rose Brightening line. Looking at specific products like the Korres Wild Rose Mask, also known as the Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial, we can see exactly how Korres has gone about formulating their products. This Wild Rose Mask was designed to serve as an overnight moisturizing and brightening mask that soothes, evens out skin tone and boosts luminosity. With wild rose oil, stabilized super vitamin C, tumeric and hyaluronic acid, this product offers a two-in-one solution to both dryness and dullness in one, ultra convenient product.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Black Pine Anti-Aging Firming & Lifting Sleeping Facial Review

    Korres Black Pine Anti-Aging Firming & Lifting Sleeping Facial is a rich overnight moisturizer that is said to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve facial architecture, and visually plump skin by morning. This moisturizer features black pine extracts and the black pine polyphenol epigallocatechin. The Korres research lab in Athens, Greece discovered that these powerful black pine polyphenols help promote skin elasticity and firmness, visually lift face contour, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Another key ingredient in Korres Black Pine Anti-Aging Firming & Lifting Sleeping Facial is Crambe abyssinica (abyssinian) seed oil, a light oil with a silicone-like feel that is easily absorbed into the skin. Abyssinian oil contain a high concentration of erucic acid, a very long chain fatty acid that is known to support the skin’s barrier function and help to prevent evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture.

    Korres Black Pine Anti-Aging Firming & Lifting Sleeping Facial also includes a high concentration of squalane. Your skin contains its own version of squalane known as squalene (note the e). It is produced by the oil glands in the skin, and plays an important role in skin lubrication and protection. However, the amount made and retained in the skin decreases over time. It peaks in our teens and then starts to decline in our 20’s, leaving skin rough, dry and vulnerable. Since squalene is very unstable, squalane is used in skin care products because it is a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that mimics squalene and helps to replenish the skin’s barrier. One drawback with Korres Black Pine Anti-Aging Firming & Lifting Sleeping Facial is that it contains high concentrations of fragrance ingredients, such as alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, and more. These fragrance ingredients have the potential to cause allergic reactions and/or skin irritation.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Wild Rose Spotless Serum Review

    Korres Wild Rose Spotless Serum is a brightening serum that is said to reduce the appearance of dark spots, dullness, and skin discolorations for spotlessly luminous skin. This formula is formulated in two phases: an oil phase and a water phase. The top oil phase contains 15% ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble and extremely stable derivative of vitamin C that penetrates the skin very well. Once absorbed into the skin, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate is converted to ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C). Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant that can protect the skin against free radicals, as well as brighten the skin and help to prevent the formation of dark spots. Another key ingredient in this phase is “wild rose oil”, which simply refers to rosehip oil. Rosehip oil contains beta carotene, which has the ability to increase cell turnover and promote regeneration in the outer layers of the skin. Rosehip oil also contains all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid) that stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen production within the skin.

    The bottom water phase of Korres Wild Rose Spotless Serum includes hydrating and soothing ingredients, such as bisabolol, panthenol, and honeysuckle flower extract. Bisabolol is a major component of the essential oil derived from German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) that has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, is a highly effective humectant that aids in moisture-retention by drawing water into the upper layers of skin. Honeysuckle flower extract is a very good source of flavonoids and saponins that provide antioxidant and skin-soothing effects.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum Review

    Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum is intended to be an anti-aging serum and is claimed to correct all signs of aging. Unfortunately, this serum has the potential to actually cause signs of aging due to its very high concentration of denatured alcohol. In fact, denatured alcohol is the second highest concentration ingredient in this formula after water. Denatured alcohol is well known to cause skin dryness, irritation, and even disruption of the skin barrier, especially when used in high concentrations. To make matters worse, Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum also contains high concentrations of fragrance ingredients, such as alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl salicylate, citral, limonene, linalool, and parfum/fragrance. These ingredients have the potential to cause allergic reactions and/or skin irritation. Plus, you don’t always need to immediately see or feel the sensitizing effects of fragrance ingredients for your skin to suffer damage.

    Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum does include some beneficial ingredients, although keep in mind that they are used in lower concentrations than the problematic ingredients mentioned above. For example, the name of this serum is based on saffron derived from Krocus flowers. According to the brand, in the Greek town of Kozani, lush Krocus flowers bloom only once per year and produce the highest quality organic saffron in the world – a potent spice more precious than gold. Saffron functions as an antioxidant and helps the skin to combat free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. In addition to saffron, Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum contains beneficial ingredients such as oat kernel extract, copper lysinate/prolinate, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, lactic acid, and honeysuckle flower extract.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening 24-Hour Moisturiser Review

    Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening 24-Hour Moisturiser has a lightweight water texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, and is claimed to offer immediate hydration, improve the appearance of fine lines, and even skin tone to reveal smoother and younger-looking skin. Before we discuss the key ingredients, it should be noted that this product contains a very high concentration of denatured alcohol. We know this by looking at the ingredient list (which is in order of descending concentrations). Alcohol Denat. is the fourth highest concentration ingredient in this “moisturizer”, even though denatured alcohol is well known to cause dryness and can also disturb the skin’s barrier function. One beneficial ingredient in the Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening 24-Hour Moisturiser is ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble and extremely stable derivative of vitamin C that penetrates the skin very well. Once absorbed into the skin, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate is converted to ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C). Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant that can protect the skin against free radicals, as well as brighten the skin and help to prevent the formation of dark spots. Another key ingredient is “wild rose oil”, which simply refers to rosehip oil. Rosehip oil contains beta carotene, which has the ability to increase cell turnover and promote regeneration in the outer layers of the skin. Rosehip oil also contains all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid) that stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen production within the skin. A final key ingredient in the Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening 24-Hour Moisturiser is Imperata Cylindrica root extract, which is an excellent long-term moisturizer that provides increased hydration effects even after 24 hours. Its potential for increased moisture levels is due to its rich supply of potassium and 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), which may help increase intracellular osmosis.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser Review

    Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that is said to gently cleanse while nourishing—leaving skin soft and supple, and reducing redness. The formula also easily removes makeup and impurities without irritation. This cleanser is soap-free, which means it does not contain a highly alkaline detergent. Rather, it contains several types of surfactants, including sodium cocoyl isethionate, coco-betaine, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, glyceryl laurate, and sodium cocoyl alaninate. A surfactant molecule contains one end that is hydrophilic (attracted to water) and one end that is lipophilic (attracted to oil). This allows surfactants to attract and suspends oils, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin and wash them away. Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser also contains amaranth seed extract and honeysuckle flower extract, which both function as skin-soothing ingredients. In addition, honeysuckle flower extract is a very good source of flavonoids and saponins, constituents that occur in many plants and convey antioxidant benefit. Greek yogurt is claimed to be a key ingredient in this cleanser, and while yogurt powder is an ingredient, it’s the very last one, meaning you’re most likely not getting enough to make a noticeable difference. Two potentially irritating ingredients in the Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser are alcohol, which is known to cause dryness and disturb the skin barrier, and parfum (fragrance), which can cause sensitization and irritation.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial Review

    Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial is an overnight facial in a jar that is said to address uneven skin tone while improving the look of skin texture for a brighter, more luminous complexion in as little as one night. One of the key ingredients is “wild rose oil”, which simply refers to rosehip oil. Rosehip oil contains provitamin A, mostly as beta carotene. Beta carotene has the ability to increase cell turnover and promote regeneration in the outer layers of the skin. Rosehip oil also contains all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid) that stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen production within the skin. Another key ingredient is ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble derivative of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can protect that skin against free radicals, as well as brighten the skin and help to prevent the formation of dark spots. There are several problems with the Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial. One is the jar packaging. The beneficial yet delicate ingredients mentioned above will eventually break down with daily exposure to light and air once you open the container. Also, Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial contains a high concentration of alcohol denat. (denatured alcohol). Denatured alcohol is well known to cause skin dryness, irritation, and even disruption of the skin barrier when used in high concentrations. Lastly, Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial contains Parfum/Fragrance, which may refer to one or a blend of volatile and/or fragrant plant oils. It’s well known from extensive research that fragrance, whether natural or synthetic, is a common sensitizing ingredient for all skin types.

    INGREDIENTS

    Korres Wild Rose Spotless Serum 15% Vitamin C Review

    If you’re looking for a more nourishing option for a vitamin C serum, you may want to check out the Wild Rose Spotless Serum 15% Vitamin C. Unlike other vitamin C serums on the market, this product is actually a duo-phase product that features a water soluble layer and an oil soluble layer. In the oil-based layer of this product, we have ingredients like squalane, sunflower seed oil, and wild rose oil, which is one of the ingredients that Korres is most well known for. This wild rose oil helps to deeply nourish the skin and is a natural source of vitamin C to help improve the overall brightness and evenness of skin tone. In addition to this ingredient what the brand refers to as Super Vitamin C. This vitamin C ester, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, is a more stable form of vitamin C that allows this product to be used for longer without the worry of oxidation. There is also some evidence to suggest that vitamin C esters are less irritating on the skin than traditional vitamin C.

    Related: Best Vitamin C Serums

    INGREDIENTS

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