Dr Jart NEW Ceramidin Serum & Oil Balm Review

Until a couple of months ago I’d only ever tried a Dr Jart mask, and felt that although nice, it was definitely overpriced. Fast forward to now, and although I still struggle to justify a lot of the prices, I can’t stop thinking about my visits to their store and wishing I could return to check out more of their products. Let’s get into my review of two of their Ceramidin products!

Ceramidin Line Overview

The Ceramidin Line has recently had an overhaul, although the concept is pretty much the same. 

This line is for all skintypes (but particularly those with dryness, rough texture, redness) and on their website is described as:

“Microcapsule ceramides restore moisture to the innermost layers of skin for a stronger surface structure, and a softer healthier appearance.”

I take this to mean it will help strengthen my skin moisture barrier, and nourish skin from the inside out. The reason I always want a strong moisture barrier is to help prevent acne and extreme dryness, rough texture, and sore skin. This is particularly necessary for my normal-dry skin type, and I do often deal with some flakiness.

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The New Serum

I believe this serum has replaced the previous product called the Light Cream. There is currently no English description available, and I can’t see it on their US site, but I’ll do my best to translate!

Purpose & How to Use

So this is a serum-cream to be used, as I mentioned, to help nourish and repair the moisture barrier. On the bottle it’s described as a “moisturising treatment”.

On the bottle:

“After using toner, applying one-to-two pumps of serum all over the face.”

I usually use the serum after toner/essence, and before cream or instead of cream if I’m using a moisturising sunscreen too.

Details & Ingredients

Name: Ceramidin Serum

Amount: 40ml

Ingredients- I can’t currently find an English list but the English list is on Cosdna here. Comparing the Cosdna list to the Korean list I found, it looks like an accurate translation as far as my Korean goes. 

Packaging

I love the packaging. It’s cute, sturdy, easy to travel with, and hygienic. It’s actually perfect and makes me reach for the product more often.

Texture & Scent

Ughhhhhh HEAVENLY. The texture is not how I think of a classic serum (thick liquid, runny, and often sticky). It’s actually like a smooth cream. It applies easily to skin, and absorbs relatively quickly. 

The scent is a beautiful herbal combination, with citrus and rosemary tones.

Overall Performance

I’m in love. The product performs exceptionally well for my skin type, and lived up to the steep price tag. Because it’s a serum cream, I’m able to use it in the morning in place of a day cream or as well as, and at night before a heavier cream. I wouldn’t usually go from serum to sun cream in the morning, but the texture of this serum sets it apart. I can see it working for almost all skin types in some capacity. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized and hydrated, but without any residue. My skin also has a softer feel after using it, and is visibly plumped. It’s impressive!

The texture and scent are a huge appeal for me, so if you didn’t like those maybe you wouldn’t be as much of a fan of the product as I am. I like to have a sensory experience with my skincare, and this FULLY delivers on that front.

The only downside is that for 42,000KRW, it is a small amount of product IMO. About $10 per 10ml, yikes. I am only using one pump a day, so I will have to see how long the product lasts and update this post when I can (update: I’ve now been using it around 4 times a week for over 2 months and I’m still going). I was lucky enough that when I bought it I received an awesome set that also included a small cream, a small serum, a small liquid, and a sheet mask. I thought this deal was fantastic, and Dr Jart regularly have packages like this for their newest lines so it’s worth checking out. Despite the price tag, I would be tempted to repurchase the serum alone for the full price. The results are just so immediate and it really is a great punch of hydration and moisture. EDIT- after now trying the Ceramidin Liquid (review here), which comes in a 150ml bottle, I think this is probably a wiser purchase if one could only afford to pick either the Liquid or Serum.

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Ceramidin Oil Balm

Purpose & How to Use

The purpose of this balm is to heavily moisturize skin and to seal in that moisture.

On Sephora the description is:

“This do-it-all treatment addresses dry and dehydrated skin. The unique formula transforms from a balm into an easily-absorbed oil on contact. It then melts into skin for instant, moisture and creates a cera-barrier shield to protect and seal in hydration.”

You can massage it into any dry patches of skin. Because it’s an oil, I use it at the very last step of my skincare routine. I also apply it sparingly to my cuticles overnight.

Details & Ingredients

Name: Ceramidin Oil Balm

Amount: 40ml

Ingredients (as per Sephora):

Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ceramide NP, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol.

As you can see this is heavy both on emollients and on occlusive ingredients, which makes sense when the purpose is to moisturize and seal.

Packaging

I love the packaging! It’s such a cute little tub. Although I don’t usually like jars or tubs, there’s not really any other way to store this product. Again it’s sturdy, light, and easy to travel with if necessary.

Texture & Scent

Again, like the serum, I adore the scent. These are two of the best scented products I own.

The texture is initially a balm that melts to a heavy oil on skin contact. Oils are not for everyone, and I only just got into oils in the past year as my skin condition seems to have gotten drier. By applying them at night, I find my skin is moisturized and much more glowy in the morning, and this is no exception. 

Overall Performance

Because this is a very heavy oil, I’ve been using it sparingly and only when my skin really needs it. I’ve mainly applied it to the dry patches around my mouth, nose and brow area, as the last step in my evening routine. I’ve also been applying it to my cuticles. There’s definitely a heavy oily residue when I wake up, which personally I don’t mind, but others might.

This is really fantastic as a recovery balm for very dry skin. Because I don’t have super dry skin year round, this isn’t the type of product I’ll use every day, but I am happy to have it in my collection as needed. I don’t think it would be the best option for oily skin types, or those who don’t like the feel of oil. The multi-use (for face and body) is something I really like about it, and I have continued to use it around my nails even when not using it on my face.

I paid 22,000KRW for this in a sale, and I think that’s the most I’d pay because as I said, it’s not a year round product for me and I don’t have super dry skin. The regular 28,000 is just a little much for me to justify.

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I adore the serum, and like I said, would be tempted to repurchase because I don’t own any other serum or cream like it, and it’s perfect for my skin. It’s quite unique.

Now that I’ve left Korea, Dr Jart generally wouldn’t be my first choice when buying from the UK. Because of the high prices, I’d like to test any products I’m interested in instore first, and sadly that’s not an option here. However I do know that if (*when) I return to Korea for vacation, the Dr Jart store would definitely be on my list to visit, and I will keep up with information on their new releases.

What’s your thought on this brand? Any favourite products? Let me know! Hope you enjoyed this double review.