The Power of Four – that’s Laneige’s tagline.
Made me think of this old eco-cartoon called Captain Planet but there it was the Power of Five. As is Voltron I guess. I was a geeky kid :D
Anyway cartoons aside, Korean cosmetics brand Laneige tells you that there are 4 items which are “essential” to keep skin looking fresh and moisturized.
In Laneige, you are recommended to use 4 items (after cleansing)
- Power Essence Skin Refiner
- Balancing Skin Emulsion
- Water Bank Essence EX
- Water Bank Gel Cream EX
I received a set of samples, which I used up over the course of a weekend. Not quite enough for me to tell you what I really thought about it so this will be brief. Hopalong if you’re interested :)
I found the Professional Makeup Remover Multi Cleanser a little drying. Highly recommended for you to use a moisturizer after cleansing. It did not quite remove all my makeup especially waterproof mascara.
The Power Essence Skin Refiner refines (before toner) and the Balancing Emulsion acts as a lotion or toner. For both, you saturate a piece of cotton pad with the liquid and apply with a light patting motion on the skin. This helps cool down your skin too.
You then follow up with the Water Bank Essence which is optional and the Water Bank Gel Cream which has a light gel texture and forms the moisturizer element of skincare.
As I said above, a weekend wasn’t quite the best time to test if this method or skincare works for me. My skin did feel and look moisturized, but not exceptionally so. Perhaps after longer use it might have a better effect.
Let me tell you also about another product from Laneige I tried many many many years ago (before Laneige was even introduced into Malaysia and before K-pop took the world by storm). It is the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask.
I bought mine in Hong Kong because I wanted to try something that wasn’t available in Malaysia at the time. In Mongkok, I stepped into the Laneige store and stepped out with the Water Sleeping Pack which is a mask you can go to sleep in. Its still one of their bestsellers but now comes in much more luxurious looking packaging.
When I bought mine (I don’t have a picture anymore) it was in a plastic tub that looked like it came from a pharmacy. Nothing special about it. When I sniffed the gel in the new packaging recently it brought me back. Yes, I remember that smell – sharp and floral.
The Sleeping Pack gets raves from everyone who has tried it. I on the other hand did not find it as impressive as it is hyped to be :( It did not help my skin look or feel more moisturized in the morning when I wake up. Perhaps the formula has been improved upon? I hope so.
So that was my early experience with Laneige. I must say I was pleased to see the brand enter Malaysia after years of having no access to it except in Singapore. Perhaps some day I’ll try something else from the brand and if I do, I’ll tell you about it :)
Have you tried anything from Laneige that you like?
Paris B
Hi, Paris. Long-time reader/lurker here :) Laneige went away in a puff of smoke from Indonesian shores late last year, so it’s really inconvenient to have to either have it shipped or get it in Singapore via family/friends. But anyway, the Water Bank Essence has become my HG moisturiser. Routine use of it has helped me control my breakouts. I’m combo/acne prone and this just sinks in. I’m using the pore trouble line instead of the one you have and I’m liking it so far.
Hi Boogie! Lovely to hear from you :D Glad to hear that there’s something in Laneige that works for you even if its hard for you to get to it :D Thanks for sharing.
I have tried quite a number of their stuffs, from toner to moisturizer to mask, and I hate it. Hehe.. I had serious breakouts from them, and my skin became so sensitive. I don’t dare to buy anything from the brand anymore. Hee..
Oh dear! That’s a severe reaction indeed. But then it happens with most skincare – some love it others don’t.
I haven’t tried their actual skincare range before. And I am not tempted even though I swear by the Refreshing Cleansing Oil. Absolutely love and hug it to death. Looks like the same one as you are talking about here, which makes me surprise… … RCO is the best cleansing oil no matter how I compare makeup removers. Better than the popular Fancl in my opinion. And strangely enough, it is highly moisturizing on my face, even after I cleanse with foam cleanser.
I think the WSP is okay. I can’t see the effects even though I like the texture and the way it absorbs into my skin. I honestly can’t see the effects. haha.
OOPS! I am so sorry. Looking closer at the picture, I think we are talking about different things. The Multi-Cleanser looks like normal foam in tube. I had thought that the blue translucent bottle is the cleansing oil. But it’s the toner right… Can’t see the words on that. Yup, so I guess the RCO isn’t in your picture.
Nope it isn’t – the Multi-cleanser is a normal foaming cleanser
I haven’t tried their cleansing oil only what I’ve tried in the sample pack :) Perhaps I should give the cleansing oil a shot if I ever run out ;)
i’m quite a big fan of laneige,have tried many of their products,Their sleeping mask is very good.I think the hydra solution essence is better than water bank essence as it smoothen and hydrate my skin more.the water bank cream and sunblock aqua is not oily.their perfect renew dual touch eye and sleeping treatment quite special.the multi cleanser to me is so-so.i highly recommend the hydra solution mask to everyone..
Thanks for sharing YSK. Its always good to know what works and what doesn’t :)
I haven’t try any Laneige product but I am really itching to try some! thanks for sharing the Power of Four and same with you, I am a geek and I love Voltron!
Do you get Laneige in Manila? Yay for being a geek and loving Voltron – I hear they are making it into a movie!
I actually LOVE Laneige products. I like the Yogurt Sleeping Pack, it’s so yummy with the smell and it works on getting rid my pimples. :) But I have no fond on the sleeping mask too as it do not work on me.
I haven’t tried the Yogurt sleeping pack. Glad to know you like it!
Thank you for the Laneige reviews. I’ve tried the Multi-Cleanser and I love it. I used to have thought it was a little harsh cos of the micro-beads, but now that my skin’s become more resilient thanks to Fancl, I’ve been using it every night after oil-cleansing. Sounds a little redundant to use a second makeup remover after an oil cleanser, but I feel the Multi-Cleanser cleans off -everything- that’s left over, and it gently exfoliates. Prior to this, I used to get blackheads from Diorsnow SPF 50, but not anymore. Yay!
I do the whole double cleansing routine too and I swear by it so its not redundant :) I just felt the multi-cleanser was a bit too drying on my skin. Glad to know its working for you!
I currently am using their eyeliner, base and the cool sliding pact! Loved them! I have the samples too but haven’t tried yet… mayb I shud try it… hehe…
I’m a big fan of Laneige! I’m using their Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel(leaves my skin super smooth but does not dries it out!), Water Sleeping Pack, Star White Skin Refiner, Star White Emulsion which I interchange with the Water Bank Gel Cream according to my skin’s needs! Awesome! I have very oily skin that lacks hydration so it drinks up all the Water Bank Gel Cream. For Cleansing, I still stick to cetaphil! Laneige can be a little bit too heavy for the humid weather here in malaysia. Nevertheless it’s still very good! Actually, you can use only three products if you find the POWER OF FOUR too overwhelming. Works for me. =]
Thanks for sharing! You’re right. Unless we have very dry skin, the power of 3 might be best ;)
Not yet try this product today
hi paris b! just wondering, in your opinion if this range is better than the kiehls oil free ultra facial range? it’s because im planning to convert to laneige.. but not sure if its worth the change…. and so far im ok with the kiehls products but they’re not exceptional, so not sure whether to stick with it or not..
thanks! :D
Hi Sherly, both Kiehl’s and Laneige are quite different brands with different philosophies so results will vary depending on what you use. I’m not sure what you are looking to achieve but I suppose there’s no harm trying it to see if it suits your skin and gives you what you expect :)
i have been missing out on alot of these products. i just bought the Laneige Water Bank Essence_Ex and the Water Bank Essence Cream 1_Ex just yesterday .. i’ve already seen and felt the change its doing to my skin in just one night! I would really recommend Laneige’s products to people with either oily skin or normal skin. Since this is an Asian product, the American Marketing doesnt really have like commercials or news on these which is why i have to search for these products myself, is the Laneige bb cream out yet?