This post will review the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence.
Shortly after coming out of my Korean Skincare hiatus with the Tir Tir Milk Skin Toner, the incredible team at Haruharu Wonder reached out to me to send their latest products.
I had previously worked with them about two years ago, which was my second introduction to the brand, and I’ve been using their products to date.
The HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Acid Toner is a staple in my routine.
Being on a buying hiatus meant that I wasn’t really up to date about the new releases, but I did see a few products on social media.
One of which is the viral Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence, which I immediately added to my wishlist.
As a sucker for hydrating products, I’m always on the lookout for new ones, regardless of how long it takes to try them.
Anyway, I’ve been using this essence for a bit now, and I’m ready to share my thoughts.
First Impressions of the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
According to HaruHaru Wonder:
Contains 3 essential lipid components, ceramides & cholesterol and fatty acids in a 3:1:1 ratio for a firm skin barrier
– Combination of black rice and probiotics (galactomyces fermented filtrate, bifida fermented filtrate) and creamy formulation reminiscent of rice wine (shake well before use to mix contents)
– Patented process that creates uniform micro particles of active ingredients, reducing particle size to deliver active ingredients to skin quickly and effectively
– Fragrance-free and dermatologically tested for all skin types (vegan and other certifications are in progress)
Ingredient List & Fragrance
Like most of my hydrating products, I also went blindly into this without looking at the ingredient list.
If it is not a treatment serum, I really don’t care too much about the ingredient list.
My only concern is that the product hydrates my skin as effectively as it claims.
This essence has a fascinating formula, so let’s see what’s in it:
- 5 Ceramide complex
- 2 Healthy Cholesterol Complex
- 5 Healthy Fatty Acid Complex
- Fermented Black Rice & Bamboo Shoot Barks
- Black Rice Extract
- Panthenol
- Bifida Ferment Filtrate
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
I tend to avoid fermented ingredients because they often break me out, but this essence hasn’t so far, which is a good sign.
So, you have a combination of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in a 3:1:1 ratio sprinkled with fermented plant extracts to plump and restore the skin’s barrier.
Honestly, this is the core of Korean Skincare, and they deserve their flowers.
To top it off, the essence is also fragrance-free, which makes it excellent for those with sensitive skin.
Packaging, Texture & Consistency
This essence is packaged in a 120ml glass bottle with an applicator for easy dispensing.
I don’t know if it is just me, but I’m noticing a trend of toners/essences in glass bottles compared to plastic bottles.
I don’t really mind, to be honest, as long as the products are easy to apply.
The essence is creamy with a slightly viscous consistency.
You can feel the depth of the essence with just one drop, which lets you know that you’re in for a good time.
The viscosity of the product makes it incredibly nourishing on application, which makes the packed ingredient list absolutely worth it.
The creaminess makes it deeply moisturising and nourishing compared to simply being hydrating.
I guess that’s what makes it different from a regular toner.
Price & Availability
The 120ml size retails for $28, while the 30ml size retails for $10.
As always, I recommend trying out the 30ml size before committing to the full bottle, just to see if your skin agrees with it.
You can purchase this directly from HaruHaru Wonder or from your local beauty retailer.
Review of the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
Once I received this essence in the mail, I replaced it with my current toner.
It’s summer, and I’m not layering multiple products because it gets too heavy for me.
So I’m favouring a light, minimal routine, particularly during the heatwaves.
These routines consist of one of each, including a toner/essence, serum and moisturiser/sunscreen.
So I use this essence on damp skin after cleansing before going in with my treatment serum.
Performance
I love how incredibly nourishing it is.
Notice I didn’t say hydrating?
That’s because it’s a lot more moisturising than hydrating.
I tend to reserve describing moisturising for emollient products, so the middle ground in this case will be nourishing.
If you have been overworking your barrier with actives and your skin has become very reactive, I would recommend using this essence to soothe and restore your skin’s barrier.
It’s the perfect product to use during breaks between treatments for a barrier repair routine.
But if your skin is currently doing fine, like mine at the moment, it is also excellent to use as your primary hydration.
Honestly, when I first saw the creaminess on social media, I immediately knew it was going to be a hit.
A little caveat…
If you use prescription retinoids like I do and you are feeling a lot drier or even dehydrated than usual, you can combine this essence with a water-based toner to up the hydration levels.
In Conclusion,
The HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence is easily one of the hydrating products I’ve used in recent years.
If you’re in the market for a new essence, I cannot recommend this enough.
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