Yes, yes I am about to review yet another propolis product, and I’m not sorry about it! Propolis seems to make my skin glow like no other ingredient, and I’ll forever continue to use it. I’m a huge fan of the Iunik Propolis Serum, reviewed here, and very excited to see how the Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule squares up. The product was kindly gifted to me by Jin at Tonic15. She’s the owner of this fantastic K-beauty store based in the UK and she has some gorgeous products. Let’s see how this one worked out!
Purpose & How To
The ampoule is supposed to moisturize, protect and nourish skin. An ampoule is usually thicker than a toner but not a cream. I actually find this particular ampoule is more of an oil-serum type product. I’ve usually been using it after a lighter serum and before my cream in my evening routine.
How to use according to Wishtrend: “After cleansing, prep your skin with toner and apply an appropriate amount evenly to the face.”
Product Details & Ingredients
Size: 30ml
Ingredients (as per Wishtrend):
Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Propolis Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Panthenol, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Zinc PCA, Pantolactone
The key marketed ingredients here are the Propolis Extract and the polyphenols within the propolis, Catechin and Quercetin. Propolis has a LOT of amazing qualities including moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory . The polyphenols within propolis are important because they are powerful antioxidants. Why are antioxidants good for our skin? Free radicals from our environment damage our skin and cause premature aging, but antioxidants help protect our skin against these, thus slowing down damage. Having said that, I’m not a cosmetic scientist and can only discuss how products/ingredients work for me. For more detail on antioxidants please watch Lab Muffin’s helpful video here.
Propolis products should work for all skin types, but may be particularly beneficial for those who deal with redness, acne, or dry skin because of the healing and moisturizing properties of the extract. Overall my experiences with propolis have been extremely positive and I find that my skin looks much more healthy when I incorporate the ingredient into my routines.
Packaging
The bottle is absolutely beautiful, although smaller than I expected. It’s a tinted glass bottle with gold detail and a dropper. Droppers are good for ampoules as they’re easy to control and can help prevent wastage of the product. I wouldn’t change the packaging in any way!
Texture & Scent
The texture of the ampoule is quite unique. It’s clear and quite runny in consistency. It has a very slight oiliness to it, making it rich and moisturizing, yet it still absorbs quickly and feels relatively light…it all sounds contradictory but it really does work in all of these ways! Because of this texture, it’s fantastic to add a drop of the ampoule to creams or other skincare products to increase the moisturizing level and antioxidants in your routine.
I adore the scent. It’s very subtle but it’s sweet and honey-like. I really enjoy it, although it does dissipate quickly.
Overall Performance
The sensory experience of using the ampoule is super enjoyable because of the scent and texture. It feels luxurious. It can be used by itself or added to moisturizer, and I really like using it in both ways. I initially found I was using waaay too much of the product and it was too heavy for my face. When using too much, it has that distinct oil-like texture as I mentioned earlier in the review. The texture is most definitely richer than the Iunik Propolis Serum, and therefore you can use way less product.
*A quick comparison of the textures of the propolis serums I have used: the Leegeeham is a moisturizing liquid that sinks right into skin; the Iunik is a slippery lightweight serum that absorbs very quickly; Cosrx is deeply moisturizing and has a sticky texture that takes a few minutes to absorb; and this Wishtrend ampoule is a heavier, although not sticky, serum that almost has an oil-like lean but absorbs within a minute or two. Not the most professional of descriptions there, but I hope it’s clear.
In terms of results, the Wishtrend ampoule falls right in line with other propolis products in that it provides a lovely glow to the skin as well as promoting healing and moisturizing. The nourishing and moisturizing ability is definitely more significant in this ampoule than in other propolis products I’ve use. If you have dry skin, adding a few drops of this to your routine can make a significant difference. I can detect a noticeable difference in the healthy glow of my skin after using it, and that makes it a very worthwhile product IMO.
Price & Availability
The price on Tonic15 is £29.90. In my opinion, it doesn’t fall into the “affordable” bracket, but it’s also not high-end. It’s a fairly middle-of-the-road price for a quality serum, and I don’t have much opinion aside from that it’s fair enough! You only need a few drops and it is lasting me well. This is yet another propolis serum that I would purchase myself because of the results I experience, the benefits of propolis, and my enjoyment of using the product.
If you’re outside of the UK, Wishtrend products are still available easily online with a quick search!
Hope you enjoyed this review, and please let me know if you have any further questions on this lovely ampoule.
