I sometimes feel a little bad when I come across a product I like and realise that it’s not only not sold in the country (in this case, being Malaysia) but it’s also also impossible to find online. But then I remember that many of you lovelies are avid travellers so you’ll land your paws on highly raved products one way or another 🙂
This one I came across and have replenished, thanks to a lovely globetrotting friend, hails from Taiwan and from what I can tell, is only sold there. At least I haven’t come across it here in Malaysia.
This product is the Unitec Advanced Hydrating Essence, as the name implies, a product that serves as a hydrating serum. If you are familiar with the famed Hydraluron then this has a similar function. It isn’t a moisturiser nor a toner. This is a serum that you use to boost the moisture and hydration in your skin and yes, this works!
In case you’re wondering, no I have not yet been to Taiwan. I first came across this product when a read a review by Tina of Chasing Elixir on it. She had me so intrigued, that the next time said globetrotting friend asked if I wanted anything from Taiwan, this was right up there on my list (next to l’Herboflore sheet masks – best ever!)
The key function of this product is to boost the hydration levels of your skin and any skin type can use this. I have a normal-dry skintype and I love this sandwiched between my hydrating toners and others oils, serums and moisturisers.
Instead of just consisting of hyaluronic acid which serves as a known moisture booster, this essence contains also amino acids to build collagen and improve skin texture, Vitamin C as antioxidant and something unique to Asia – swiftlet nest (or bird’s nest) essence to reduce wrinkles. Now, I am a little sceptical about the latter so I shall not dwell on it.
What I really like about this product is just how it feels on my skin and how my skin takes to it. It comes in 2 sizes, I believe. The one I have is the 30ml in the tube with a pump under the silver cap. There is a larger sized that comes in a pump bottle.
The instructions tell you to use 2-3 drops of product, but I am quite generous with this, so I use about 1-2 pumps depending on how my skin feels. The product pumps out a clear watery gel that is rather liquid.
I usually pump out 1-2 pumps and smooth it all over my face. It feels fresh on skin and absorbs quite quickly without any sticky feeling. If you let it dry on your skin, I’ve realised that it makes my skin feel very smooth to the touch, without feeling like I have anything on it. I wouldn’t recommend that you use it on its own however, as I would treat this one as a serum.
So yes, this is an extra step that might have you rolling your eyes, if you aren’t already incorporating many steps in your skincare routine. For me with my rather complicated routine, this serums slots in right after my hydrating toner and before I apply facial oils or anti-aging serums and then sealed off with moisturiser.
I’m down to the last few drops of product, as you can tell from the flattened appearance of the tube I have, but I already have another tube on standby. I do find that it helps my skin stay more hydrated (I use it twice a day), which means that it looks significantly better. Well hydrated skin will solve most skin problems. Also, it’s cheaper than Hydraluron but significantly harder to get my hands on.
If you are travelling to Taiwan or know someone who is, this can be found at Watson’s stores and based on what Tina says, goes on offer quite regularly if you’re lucky. If you can try this, I do recommend it – I, my skin and my wallet love it 🙂
In a nutshell
The Unitec Advanced Hydrating Essence is a very nice, light, water-gel based serum that helps boost hydration in skin. If you don’t already use a hydrating serum, this is definitely one to consider. It absorbs quickly without any sticky feeling and when dry, leaves skin feeling smooth and hydrated. You do need to layer on some moisturiser or if you like, serums over it. I find it a pretty basic product but one that is efficient and kind to the wallet. The only problem is that it’s only available in Taiwan from what I can tell, and that isn’t very geographically helpful!
Pros: Lightweight gel-water texture absorbs quickly into skin without sticky feeling, Leaves skin feeling smooth and well hydrated, Easy to use
Cons: Hard to find outside of Taiwan
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a hydrating serum that helps boost skin hydration and leaves skin feeling plumped and smooth and hydrated
Here is the ingredient list for the Unitec Advanced Hydrating Essence for your reference.
Have you tried this product? Do you use a hydrating serum and have a favourite?
I’m rather curious now about the other products in the Unitec range, but am rather loathe to try more due to the difficulty in getting it. For now, while I have someone to supply this for me, I’ll continue using this serum (I prefer it to Hydraluron but it still comes 2nd to my Dr. Lewinns Super Hydrator) and when that source dries up, I’ll just have to move on I guess, or stock up 😛
Paris B
Unitec Advanced Hydrating Essence Price: NT500/30ml (approx RM52.25) Availability: Watson’s stores in Taiwan
Cynthia says
May 8, 2014 at 11:14 amI really need to look for this!! I love how it is so well-loved by you!!
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:18 amYes! Haha it’s all flat and after this review, it lasted me another 2 days before it was all gone 😀 I hope you like it if you get to try it!
Wynnce says
May 8, 2014 at 11:42 amCan get this from Goodsgogo (https://www.facebook.com/buyfromtaiwan?fref=ts). They can help you to buy this from Taiwan Watson’s online store. I got this during my last trip, buy two free one, so I got two essence and one moisturizer. Haven’t unpack it yet, hehe~
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:18 amHaha! I hope you like it when you get round to trying it Wynnce. Buy 2 free 1 is such an awesome deal! And thanks for the link for the buyers too. Maybe it’ll help someone.
Victoria says
May 8, 2014 at 12:43 pmI am currently using Hydraluron and would love to get this product. Pity it is not available here because it is RM40 cheaper than Hydraluron 🙂
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:19 amThat’s what I thought too Victoria – it’s such a great deal because it does practically the same thing! It’s a pity it isn’t easier to find 🙁
Helena says
May 8, 2014 at 6:35 pmToo bad it can not be bought online 🙁
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:20 amAbsolutely, or I’d be ordering it in by the boxes 😛
Sunny says
May 8, 2014 at 7:22 pmHey Paris, did you say Taiwan? 😉
I don’t think I’ve heard of this! Totally need to get myself a tube when I’m there later this year!
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:21 amYes, Taiwan Sunny! Do take a look the next time you’re back there – I’m even thinking of making a trip some day – not just to buy this of course haha! 😀
Sasha says
May 8, 2014 at 7:32 pmAh yes, it makes me think of the Hydraluron serum too, but way cheaper, so I really want to try this!
My favorite hydrating serum is also from a Taiwanese brand : ÜNT Skincare. The texture seems to be similar to the Unitec. Taiwan has a lot of very good skincare brands.
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:22 amOoh I didn’t know that UNT Skincare is from Taiwan! I have seen it around but I haven’t tried anything from it. Now you have me curious! Do you know if you can get it online? And this one does feel like a slightly lighter, more runny Hydraluron serum 😀
shusheshe says
May 8, 2014 at 10:39 pmTo my shame I live in Taiwan and have never heard of this. I’ll have to give out a try now!
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:28 amHaha You lucky girl! 😀 If you do try it, do let me know what you think?
Joann says
May 9, 2014 at 4:05 amGosh darn it, I have living in Canada. It’s incredibly hard to find products from Asia. The products I do find are either ridiculously overpriced, or… overpriced AND expired. I’ll try luck on ebay. If not, I won’t be able to get it until my friend goes to Taiwan sometime… in September.
I am curious about this product though. And I do love the feeling of plump, hydrated skin.
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:37 amExpired! That’s awful Joann! Although on the bright side, you have access to loads more brands in Canada than I do here in Asia and I don’t even have access to this serum! LOL 😀 Since you do have a friend going to Taiwan, do tell them to pick up a tube. Apparently, it’s easily found at Watson’s pharmacy so that shouldn’t be hard or out of their way. It might be nice for the onset of winter
shasha says
May 9, 2014 at 9:42 amI actually bought the Hydraluron on you rec, and I’ve loved it ever since. I’m on my second tube now! Would definitely love to give the Unitec one a test drive, but seeing as its quite difficult to find, I might have to stick to the Hydraluron for now until someone I know goes to Taiwan.
PS: On a completely unrelated note, have you tried anything else from the Indeed Labs range? I’ve been dying to try out the Nanoblur!
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 10:59 amOh whew! I’m glad you like the Hydraluron Shasha 🙂 I do think it does the job in the absence of something more affordable since we can’t get Unitec here (boo!) and I love that boost of hydration my skin gets when using hydrating serums like this! I haven’t tried anything else from Indeed Labs to be honest. I have heard of Nanoblur and how wonderful it is but I’m not one for primers or primer type products so I’m not keen on it. I have heard their eye cream is quite something too but again, not something I’m interested in. So erm… that doesn’t leave me much to be interested in eh? 😛
Efraín says
May 9, 2014 at 1:23 pmPB I have a doubt:
When you are layering products, which one go first?
I’m using an anti acne serum, after a hydrating moisturizer (Pond’s Hydra revital gel) and finally jojoba oil; and my skin is getting lees dehydrated, but I see you put oils before moisturizer, why?
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 11:01 amHi Efrain, generally it would be layered from light textured to heavy textured but I put oils after my hydrating serum or other serums because I treat my face oils like a serum and I treat my moisturiser like a “sealant”. So for me, my moisturiser seals in all the goodness of my skincare and holds it in so it goes on last. I don’t know if that’s how it’s supposed to be but it works best for me this way. So in your case, I’d use the serum first, then jojoba oil then moisturiser. Also because I’d use the product that is most potent closest against my skin so it gets the most benefit. In this case, it would be the anti-acne serum. Hope this helps!
Efraín says
May 22, 2014 at 11:02 pmThank you so much, now that I’ve changed my routine I only use another serum and theb same moisturizer but I understand why the oil between them and if use it again I’ll do the same that you.
Paris B says
May 24, 2014 at 9:51 amYou’re welcome Efrain! 🙂 Similarly, I’d use serum first then moisturiser because you want the serum acting directly on your skin first 🙂
lisa says
May 11, 2014 at 10:43 pmI’m using the Taiwan’s Ampm’s Super Triple HA Night Gelly. Works similarly. It’s such a big tub i use it on my body as well as it’s so refreshing in texture.
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 3:32 pmMmm that sounds decadent! I can’t remember if we get that here. I seem to recall we do but I have no idea where! LOL!
Jyoan says
May 18, 2014 at 12:24 pmIt is so timely that my relatives were going to Taiwan right after this post. I got them to buy 3 tubes for me. Now, I can’t wait to use it!
Paris B says
May 22, 2014 at 6:05 pmHahaha! I do hope you’ll like this when you try it Jyoan! 3 tubes! LOL 😀